Sewer services for the Eastown neighborhood became a topic of discussion between Bonney Lake City Council members during a Feb. 2 workshop.

During open discussion, Mayor Neil Johnson said Compass Pointe wanted to meet and discuss the sewer lift station and the utility latecomers agreement.

Johnson said a majority of Eastown residents want the latecomers agreement, which will be funded by the city.

He said the city has three options to examine: the first is putting a lift station on the north side of state Route 410 with two crossings under 410 with a ULA; the second option is for the city to install all the pipes and lift station, along with installing water lines on 96th Street; and the final option, Johnson said, was adding a lift station on the south side with a gravity sewer line.

Johnson presented the cost for the first option, which includes purchasing right of way. He said constructing a standard lift station on the north side is approximately $3.4 million or $2.1 million without the right of way.

Councilman James Rackley questioned purchasing the right-of-way, then charging the Eastown residents back for it.

“Is there any reasoning why we should be paying for right-of-way and then charging them back for it?” Rackley asked.

“I am trying to avoid any roadblocks,” Johnson said. “The roadblocks have been the right of way.”

Deputy Mayor Dan Swatman said he thought the agreement was that Eastown property owners were going to have an easement agreement with the city with the ability to have lines from the lift station running eastward to serve more of the property owners.

“Why would we buy right of way for that?” Swatman asked. “That’s a sticking point with me. Normally the developer would give us an easement to lay the pipe to service their property.”

Public Works Director Dan Grigsby said individual property owners east of Compass Pointe have all signed their easement forms and are ready to present them to the city once the council decides on a sewer plan.

Grigsby said he met with south side property owners who are willing to draft documents for easement. He added all properties on the north side can connect to the lift station.

Johnson asked if the council was willing to pay for right of way if a property owner holds outs on the agreement.

Compass Pointe wants $1.3 million for its easement, the mayor said.

“We will pay the money, divide it up and when they hook up, they are going to pay their share of the money we paid them,” said Rackley. “They’re going to pay it back with administrative fees and interest.”

“Maybe,” said Swatman. “We have seen how the calculations work.”

He said some of the funds could be “shoved off” onto other property owners, because of the cost associated with the larger properties and the larger properties are going to take a larger share, spread across all the properties.

“The smaller property owner is going to have to pay more than they would have it the city didn’t purchase the right of way,” Swatman said.

Swatman asked if the city was going to pay for right of way.

“I don’t know why the city would ever do that,” he said. “We don’t pay for developers’ infrastructure.”

Johnson said he wants the council to decide if a ULA is what they want to do and which ULA is preferred.

“I want to get clear direction, but the right of way is a big key to this,” Johnson said. “If we’re not going to pay for right of way that makes a big difference. It’s a lot of money.”

Councilman Mark Hamilton asked what harm is done to Compass Pointe if the right of way is given to the city.

“They can’t build on it,” Hamilton said.

Johnson said he feels it depends on financing for the developers.

“What’s that to do with the city?” Hamilton asked. “We’re asked to invest in this and I understand they have problems, but that’s not our problem.”

Hamilton said the city is trying to provide a public service to Eastown.

Councilman Donn Lewis, who likes the first and second options, said he prefers a phrase approach on the south side and looking at it several years later with a separate ULA.

Johnson said if the city can put together a package with both a north side and south side ULA without right of way expense, he wants the council to move on it “as quick as possible.”