Loading...
Request for Participation Initial Customer Notification Lead Service Line Replacement Pilot ProgramCity of Dubuque City Council Meeting ITEM TITLE: SUMMARY: SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: ATTACHMENTS: Description MVM Memo Copyrighted December 18, 2023 Consent Items # 021. Request for Participation Initial Customer Notification Lead Service Line Replacement Pilot Program City Manager providing an update on the Initial Customer Notification for the Lead Service Line Replacement Pilot Program. Suggested Disposition: Receive and File Notification Letter MVM Cover Memo Type City Manager Memo Staff Memo Customer Notification Letter LSL Supporting Documentation THE C DUjIBQTE Masterpiece on the Mississippi TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager SUBJECT: Request for Participation Initial Customer Notification Lead Service Line Replacement Pilot Program DATE: December 14, 2023 Dubuque WAWca 914 ii 2007-2012.2013 2017*2019 Water Department Director Christopher Lester is providing an update on the Initial Customer Notification for the Lead Service Line Replacement Pilot Program. k�4 Mic ael C. Van Milligen MCVM:sv Attachment cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager Christopher Lester, Water Department Director Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer THE CITY OF DUB E Masterpiece on the Mississippi TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager FROM: Christopher Lester, Water Department Director DATE: December 14, 2023 RE: Request for Participation Initial Customer Notification Lead Service Line Replacement Pilot Program Dubuque MI -America Bid VSI1lxWLCNM: h•'J.F 2007.2012.2013 2017*2019 PURPOSE The purpose of this memorandum is to provide a copy of the customer notification requesting participation in a Pilot Lead Service Replacement Program funded in part by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) monies for Lead Service Line Replacement along with 0% interest borrowing via State Revolving Loan funds. INTRODUCTION On November 15, 2021, the BIL was signed by President Biden, and according to USEPA, "the law's investment in the water sector is nothing short of transformational. It includes $50 billion to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen the nation's drinking water and wastewater systems —the single largest investment in clean water that the federal government has ever made". Of which, $15 billion of direct funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is for lead service line replacements through the Drinking Water SRF (DWSRF), and an additional $11.7 billion in SRF funding for which lead pipes replacement are eligible. The BIL mandates that 49 percent of funds provided through the DWSRF General Supplemental Funding and the DWSRF Lead Service Line (LSL) Replacement Funding must be provided as grants and forgivable loans to disadvantaged communities. BACKGROUND In support and recognition of the significance of the availability of BIL funds along with need to replace lead service lines in our community on June 1, 2022, the City of Dubuque submitted an Iowa SRF Intended Use Plan (IUP) requesting consideration of a loan application for the replacement of the community's private lead service lines. Following several revisions and updates from the Iowa Finance Authority and the State Revolving Fund groups, the City advanced a revised IUP in December 2023, with the understanding that the loan could be forgivable up to 49%, along with the acknowledgement that the remaining 51 % would be paid by the citizens of Dubuque over the course of an SRF loan up to 20 years or more. The City of Dubuque's IUP's is approved, and the next step of the program is reaching out to eligible property owners to participate in lead service line replacement. DISCUSSION The City is requesting participation in the pilot lead service line replacement program and seeking 575 eligible property owners to be part of the program. To gauge initial interest and encourage participation the city is mailing a first -round communication notification as attached. The pilot program will be implemented in three consecutive phases totaling approximately 575 replaced lead service lines in qualifying socioeconomic areas of the community. The first phase is scheduled for construction and completion in 2024. ACTION For informational purposes. CC: Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer THE CITY OF DUB TE Masterpiece on the Mississippi City of Dubuque Water Department 1902 Hawthorne Street Dubuque, Iowa 52001 ESPANOL: Visite www.cityofdubuque.org/LRS o llame al 563-589-4190 para obtener mas detalles. MARSHALLESE: Nan am maron read letta e ilo majol jouj im loe lak www.cityofdubuque.org1'LRM ak call e 563- 589-4190 kon melele ko relaplak. LEAD WATER LINE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM: PLEASE RESPOND BY JAN. 12, 2024 You are receiving this letter because your property at STREET ADDRESS MERGE HERE is in the target area for a City of Dubuque pilot program to replace private lead drinking water service lines (the pipe that brings water into the home from the water main in the street). Our records indicate your property may have a lead service line. This is an optional/voluntary program and we encourage you to consider this opportunity to upgrade your property, increase its value, and improve water quality. Lead in drinking water is normally associated with lead service lines and home plumbing. The City of Dubuque's treated water contains an additive to reduce corrosion of lead and other pipe materials into drinking water. However, the best way to reduce risk is to remove and replace lead service lines. The City of Dubuque has applied for federal funding for this pilot program. Your interest in replacing your lead line will be helpful in the City's application for this federal funding. To be considered for participation, you must indicate your interest by completing the short form at www.citVofdubugue.orq/leadreplacement or by calling 563-690-6210 by Jan. 12, 2024. Scan with your phone to access the interest form. If funding is secured for the program, replacement of lead water service lines will begin in spring 2024 and be completed by the end of 2026. Additional information is available at www.cityofdubugue.org/leadreplacement or by calling 563-690-6210. Please confirm your interest in participating by Jan. 12, 2024. This will not commit you to replacing your lead service line, but you must fill out the interest form by the deadline to even be considered for participation in the pilot program. If the City receives funding and you are selected for this program, you will be notified by the City of Dubuque Water Department and additional information will be provided for next steps. Thank you.