(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council voted last week to move forward with an application for a $480,000 CDBG grant through the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for sewer improvements.

City Administrator Anthony Nussbaum informed the Council the project was necessary due to a large area from the north commercial corridor to the lift stations by the airport, where the sewer mains are underwater. The problem is the amount of excess water that infiltrates the sewer system and gets treated. The project would reduce the amount of water entering the system this reducing the costs to the city for treating the additional water.

If the grant application is successful, the city would be required to provide $107,000 in matching funds.

On a related action item, the Council approved an engineering services agreement with Miller & Associates that could cost up to $70,500 as part of the sewer rehabilitation project. Nussbaum noted the cost could be considerably less than the amount approved.