The Board of Public Works and Safety on Wednesday approved several State Revolving Fund (SRF) disbursement requests and contractor payment applications to continue downtown interceptor, treatment-plant and service-line replacement projects. The board asked the mayor to execute disbursement documents for each item.

Board action centered on three items: a pay application from Gatlin Plumbing for the service-line replacement work, an SRF disbursement request tied to FEMA-reimbursable work at the existing wastewater treatment plant, and an SRF package for the downtown interceptor project that includes a contractor mobilization payment.

The measures matter because the projects are part of a multi‑phase upgrade to the city’s sewer and water systems funded in part through SRF subsidized financing. City staff said the treatment-plant program received two subsidized SRF allocations of $20,000,000 each for separate phases, and that the collection-system phase includes a conversion at one location from a pump station to a 60‑inch gravity sewer that is expected to reduce costs.

Al (staff member), presenting the pay items, described the Gatlin Plumbing pay application (SRFBW24414504) as a contractor draw in the amount of $389,661 with $20,508 withheld for retainage and requested board approval for the mayor to execute the disbursement. The board approved that request by voice vote.

Al also asked the board to approve payment applications tied to the existing wastewater treatment plant, including an item he described as a FEMA-related payment application for $327,779 and $6,592.55 to a repayment account. He said those reimbursements are being coordinated with the city’s rate consultant and clerk-treasurer so city funds can be advanced while federal reimbursements are processed. The board approved the disbursement requests.

On the downtown interceptor project, staff told the board the contractor submitted payment application number 1, primarily for mobilization, bonds and startup work. Al presented the SRF disbursement package and asked the board to authorize the mayor to execute it. The board approved the request by voice vote.

Staff reported the downtown interceptor contractor expects to begin subsurface utility excavation work in mid‑September and that the city is coordinating alternate paving (concrete versus asphalt) and an NDOT permission because the work will affect U.S. 231 and extend into winter months. Staff said they will finalize the second start location once NDOT permission has been obtained.

On financing, staff said the city obtained two subsidized SRF financing awards of $20 million each for the treatment-plant projects; council and staff plan to recover costs through scheduled rate increases. Staff also noted the phase‑4 collection system work includes designs for two lift stations and that converting one location from a pump station to gravity sewer will produce cost savings.

All approvals on these items were made by motion, second and voice vote; board members signified “aye” and no opposing votes were recorded.

The board asked staff to continue coordinating with SRF for change‑order approvals, to obtain contractor schedules for upcoming construction work, and to report back on required permits and NDOT permissions before additional mobilizations begin.