Stimulus money helps C. Falls street, sewer

Columbia Falls is in line for about $615,000 in federal stimulus money.

It's money that will help rebuild roads, make progress on an ongoing upgrade at the sewer plant and beef up the police department's budget.

Even though the lion's share is targeted for the wastewater treatment plant, perhaps the most visible results from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act money will come on public streets.

$96,000

Street rebuilds

Voters put the city in a prime position to get a share of the state's transportation projects when they approved a $1.1 million street levy in June 2007. That money was targeted for a long list of street projects, starting with a rebuild of Talbot Road and Veterans Drive.

But the two roads took much more extensive rebuilds than expected.

So even though the preliminary research had been done and some money is left for the remaining streets, those projects were shelved until more money became available. Now the projects can proceed.

Road segments scheduled for work this summer are First Avenue East between Sixth and Railroad Street, Third Avenue East between U.S. 2 and Fifth Street, Second Avenue West between U.S. 2 and Second Street, and Sixth Avenue West between U.S. 2 and Truck Route.

"The stimulus money will help save us, but even so I think we will have to borrow money to help finish the work," City Manager Bill Shaw said. "We'll put it toward that project."

The city will call for bids in another month. Shaw expects all the street projects to be finished by some time in September.

$500,000

Wastewater treatment plant

This is just the chunk of direct stimulus money specifically targeted for the Columbia Falls sewer plant that has been undergoing a $3.5 million upgrade for some time.

The project actually will receive more ARRA benefits through other channels.

City Finance Director Susan Nicosia explained that the city's first $150,000 allocation for the plant came through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Water Resources Development Act, before the federal stimulus bill was signed. The city had applied through Montana's Congressional delegation for any available funding.

Then the city learned it was tagged for more. Nicosia said the Corps had $14 million available for the Northwest region, including Montana, Washington and neighboring states.

"When they met with us toward the end of June, they said we get another half million," Nicosia said. "That's definitely stimulus money."

On top of that, Columbia Falls will get more stimulus money when it applies for project loans through the State Revolving Fund. Nicosia said fund administrators will use stimulus money to forgive loans, make interest-free loans or offer other incentives.

"I would say we're looking at - on top of that WRDA money - we would be affected by $390,700," Nicosia said. "If we borrow $1.8 million, the $390,700 would be forgiven, then another $350,300 would be at a reduced interest rate, then the rest would be a regular SRF loan."

She said the city will open bids on Aug. 11 for work to convert the current treatment system to a nutrient biological reacting basin. It's a significant step, Shaw said, because it means the city won't have to upgrade again to meet new Department of Environmental Quality standards in 10 or 15 years.

$19,000

Police department

This will buy patrol car video recording equipment.

It's not direct stimulus money targeted specifically to Columbia Falls, but American Recovery and Reinvestment Act money added to the existing Justice Assistance Grant program.

Reporter Nancy Kimball can be reached at 758-4483 or by e-mail at nkimball@dailyinterlake.com