The city of Langley must soon decide whether to accept a loan for a major infrastructure project that’s now multiple years in the making.

The city council plans to convene a special meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 22 at Soundview Center to discuss the loan opportunity and answer questions about the Langley Infrastructure Project.

In 2019, voters overwhelmingly approved a $4 million bond for the project, which also received a $3 million matching grant from Island County in the form of Rural Economic Development Funds.

Last year, Langley Public Works Director Randi Perry applied for a loan of up to $3.5 million from the Public Works Board for the project. The city can utilize funding as needed and is not obligated to expend the full amount.

The Langley Infrastructure Project contains 14 individual projects that would improve the city’s drinking water, storm water and sewer systems. A recent memo from Perry to the council indicated that the project is nearing its third phase, which includes final design, bid and construction support engineering contract preparation following the Army Corps of Engineers’ approval of permitting.

According to presentation materials, the loan would cover the costs of wetland mitigation, the tree monitoring requirement plan and utility conflicts, which are still being determined. It has an interest rate of 1.72% over a 20-year period.

Although city council members initially considered postponing the upcoming meeting due to concerns about a lack of notice to the public, they ultimately decided to proceed with it. Mayor Kennedy Horstman reminded them that a decision had been made previously and accepted by the council about the meeting’s date and time.

The meeting next week will be followed by a public comment period and a decision about the loan will be expected at the Feb. 5 council meeting.

Comments can be made to Perry via publicworks@langleywa.org or 360-221-4209. The council can be contacted at council@langleywa.org.