CORNING — The city took one more step Tuesday night to bring water and sewer services to the west side of Interstate-5.

The City Council unanimously approved a water and sewer extension development reimbursement agreement to Galleli Real Estate.

According to city staff, American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 funds were approved by the council to fund a reimbursement agreement for a water and sewer crossing, whereby developers would support the cost of the bore with the city reimbursing them for all or a significant portion of the work after it is completed.

City Manager Kristina Miller said Galleli Real Estate would be given time to construct water and sewer across I-5. The city already has obtained the easements, so those are the most project-ready site. Once the project is complete, the city can issue up to $1.594 million in reimbursement.

Mayor Robert Snow asked if there is a timeframe for construction, not just the water and sewer but construction projects.

“I know we discussed that when we went through this process,” Snow said. “We do not  want to reimburse somebody for water and sewer and have that thing sit vacant for ten years,” Snow said

Miller answered the council has the power to tie a timeline to the construction. She recommended the council direct the city attorney to negotiate and come back with proposed timelines to ensure the city sets a reasonable timeframe.

“I would hate to tie up our funds like that and then have them nobody wants to build; here we go, we got water sewer and sat on it for ten years, and we may need to spend that money if somebody else is ready to do theirs,” Snow said.

The council then voted to approve the agreement.