Ashland approves engineering contract amendment to unlock $4 million EPA grant; construction low bid noted

The Ashland Board of City Commissioners on Sept. 9 approved an amendment to the city’s engineering agreement for the Ashland Water Resource Recovery Facility expansion that allows the city to use up to $4 million in U.S. EPA STAG (State and Tribal Assistance Grants) funds for engineering services. City consulting engineers also briefed commissioners on why engineering and construction costs increased and on the timing of state and federal reviews.

The amendment to the existing contract with Strand Associates Inc. was described by Mark, a representative of Strand Associates, who told the commission, “Strand has been working very closely with city management and with the US EPA on the proposed amendment.” He said the city “was very fortunate through, congressional, set aside amendment to receive a $4,000,000 EPA STAG grant,” adding that the specific amendment amount allows the city to access those grant dollars for engineering work.

Why it matters: the amendment moves previously incurred and future engineering costs into a grant-eligible category, potentially reimbursing the city for eligible engineering expenses and protecting the city’s ability to draw down…