White Salmon to award $5.4 million water project, consider updates to law enforcement and parks contracts
The Dalles, Ore., Aug. 2, 2025 — The White Salmon City Council will consider awarding more than $5.4 million for a major water infrastructure project Wednesday night, Aug. 6, alongside reviewing regional police cooperation and approving final costs tied to a multi-year park planning effort.
The most significant item on the agenda is the notice of award for Phase 2A of the city’s Transmission Main Replacement Project, a long-awaited overhaul of aging water infrastructure. The project, which comes in nearly $1.6 million under engineers’ estimates, will be awarded to Tapani Inc. for $5,398,650.00 if approved by council. The city received eight bids, and Tapani’s was the lowest responsive bid according to Anderson Perry & Associates, the city’s engineering consultant .
With funding secured through the Washington State Public Works Board, the city expects the project budget to remain about $326,000 below the $8,045,000 dedicated to the effort. Council approval would authorize Tapani Inc. to begin Phase 2A, which will include large-scale pipe replacement and construction staging across multiple streets .
Also on the consent agenda is a $22,459.10 contract amendment with Cameron McCarthy Landscape Architecture & Planning LLP, covering additional work related to project closeout and health department permitting for the city's Comprehensive Park, Open Space, and Recreation Plan. The increase brings the firm’s total compensation on the project to $134,094.99, reflecting expanded coordination with both the Washington State and Klickitat County health departments .
The council will also revisit a long-standing agreement with neighboring law enforcement agencies. If approved, the Interlocal Mutual Law Enforcement Assistance Agreement will provide cross-jurisdictional authority among Gorge-area agencies, allowing certified officers to legally perform duties outside their home jurisdictions. The last version of this agreement was signed in 2013. There is no fiscal impact associated with the update .
Other agenda items include:
A leak credit of $549.63 for a property at 492 SW Eyrie Road following a 147,000-gallon leak in May 2025.
Approval of multiple pay applications for capital water projects, including Ferguson Water Works, Ajax NW, and NCE, related to Transmission Main Phases 1 and 2A.
Consideration of a new Charter Cable Franchise Agreement and a resolution formalizing council agenda procedures.
The regular meeting begins at 6 p.m. at White Salmon City Hall and via Zoom.
