Town Commissioners Minutes — 2025-09-17

QUEENSTOWN COMMISSIONERS

WORI( SESSION

September 17 ,2025 PRESENT: President Al Hardee, Commissioners Tom Willis & Bryon Callahano Town Manager Amy Moore, Town Clerk Aaron Horney, Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan, Finance Chair Pat Bowell

WORK SESSION CALLED TO ORDER AT 4:00 PM

The purpose of the work session was to discuss the Water Tank and Infrastructure Upgrade Project financing. Barry Waterman and developer Jeff Barba of Richmond American Homes were present to discuss options presented to the Commissioners at a previous meeting.

. Option l: Richmond American manages the work. Richmond American Homes manages the Wheatlands portion of the water improvement project, including the Rt. 50 water line crossing, pump/tank, well, and Friels Rd water main. They would then be reimbursed through allocation and impact fees- calculated total reimbursement at $4,031,700. They prefer to work with Gaines and Company as the site contractor since they will be doing all of the other work at Wheatlands for them.

However, their quote for the full scope is $5,310,000, which is more than the reimbursement amount and wouldn't be financially viable.

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Option lB: They could revise the scope to include only the Rt. 50 water line crossing and pump/tank.

Revised scope is estimated at $1,675,500, which is well below the reimbursement amount- might be a viable solution if the town and their engineer agree.

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Option 2: Town Manages the Work via Escrow. Richmond American Homes and WFLP would fund the full reimbursement amount of $4,031,700 into an independent escrow account. The town could then use these funds to complete the entire water improvement scope. In exchange for funding, would need assurance from the town that all water and sewer allocations would be available for the 198 lotscould put in PWA. Under this option, the town would have direct control over the construction and

the certainty that funds are available to complete the work.

Ms. Ryan presented a spreadsheet showing the total project budget of $5,820,860.00, which following a RAH contribution of $4,031,700.00 would leave a budget shortfall of $1,789,160.00. If the rehab of the existing Wall St. tower is removed from the project the revised shortfall would be $989,160.00. Factoring in DRRA required water lines results in a further reduced shortfall of $821,460.00. Need to determine

how to further reduce the shortfall amount or find funding for it.

The Commissioners contacted via phone and discussed with James Cook at Rauch the possibility of further removing some elements of the project that won't affect planned capacity improvements. Mr.

Cook agreed to look into some items such as the looping of lines at QT Harbor. Also has plans to discuss ideas with the contractor to possibly reduce some costs slightly as well- will meet with them to discuss.

Commissioners agree to explore trimming any portions of the project that will not affect the overall success of the project where possible to reduce shortfall costs- can bid out removed portions as separate projects and apply for further grants for such at a later time.

Ms. Ryan stated that only process left to get USDA funding is to show how Town is funding the gapcould submit PWA to USDA for this. Can begin working on agreement now while waiting on Mr. Cook to get back with updated numbers.

After discussion, Commissioners agree that in addition to cuts to project discussed, Option 2 is best plan to go forward with the project.

There being no further discussion, Willis motion to adjourn the work session at 4:32pm. Callahan second.

VOTE:3qve-0nqv.

lly submitted,