Contract #19-45-08 - City of Benton City - Interlocal Agreement - City of Benton City Owned Street Lights

This Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between Public Utility District No. 1 of Benton County (Benton PUD) and the City of Benton City establishes a framework for the District to provide street light maintenance and replacement services to the City. The agreement is entered into under the Washington Interlocal Cooperation Act (RCW 39.34) to allow the parties to jointly provide services that fulfill common needs. The scope of work includes maintaining and replacing street lights owned by the City. Upon request, the District will work cooperatively to prioritize and schedule completion, with the objective of completing work within thirty (30) calendar days. The City is responsible for supplying the luminaries and photocells needed for replacements.

Compensation for services is on a reimbursable basis. The City agrees to pay the District for fully-burdened labor, equipment, material, and administrative costs as detailed in Exhibit A - Fee Schedule. The fee schedule provides hourly rates for three classifications: Serviceman, Foreman, and Lineman. The rates are listed for each year from 2019 through 2028, assuming a 3% annual increase for planning purposes. For example, the 2019 serviceman rate is $49.72, increasing to $58.99 by 2028; the foreman rate is $52.22 in 2019, increasing to $61.49 by 2028; and the lineman rate is $46.52 in 2019, increasing to $55.79 by 2028. The District will invoice the City as frequently as monthly, and the City must pay within thirty (30) days of invoice receipt.

The agreement commenced on the final date of execution in August 2019 and continues in effect until terminated by either party upon thirty (30) days prior written notice. Administration of the agreement is handled by the District's Technical Representative. The District's Contracting Officer is Michelle Ochweri (ochwerim@bentonpud.org). Operational points-of-contact for day-to-day coordination are the City Clerk-Treasurer for the City and the Superintendent of Transmission and Distribution for the District. Notices may be delivered personally, by email, or by first class mail to the addresses specified in the agreement.

The agreement includes standard provisions for indemnification, dispute resolution (including mediation and arbitration under RCW 7.04A), public records compliance (RCW 42.56), and general terms binding on successors and assigns. The parties executed the agreement in August 2019, with Linda Lehman, General Manager, signing for Benton PUD. This contract provides a long-term mechanism for reliable street light maintenance services, leveraging the District's utility workforce for the City's infrastructure.