MOSES LAKE - A street striping machine used for more than three decades by the City of Moses Lake will be retired just as soon as a replacement is found.

City staff recently requested council to allow them to open bids to purchase a new long line striper to replace the current machine, which was purchased in 1979.

The 2012 budget includes $275,000 for a new machine along with related emergency lighting and safety equipment.

During a budget discussion last November, city council members discussed the need for the new striper, which was ultimately deemed a necessary, if expensive, purchase.

"My question is, have we contacted the Grant County Historical Society to see if they'd be interested in an archives piece of equipment?" Councilman Dick Deane joked following a unanimous vote in favor of opening the bid.

The council then moved to advertise bidding for the 2012 sewer lining project, which consists of lining about five miles of 8- and 10-inch concrete sewer pipe in the Larson Housing area at an estimated cost of $625,000.

Bidding specifications designate some additional lines may be included into the project at a later date depending on funding availability, if the city is satisfied with the contractor's work and the contractor agrees to the job.

Municipal Services Director Gary Harer said the multi-year project should be completed following another stretch of sewer lining next year, which he estimated will cost about $500,000.