Coldwater BPU approves $69,548 share for Henry L. Brown geothermal HVAC replacements

The Coldwater Board of Public Utilities voted to approve contracts to replace geothermal heat pumps and upgrade thermostats on the customer-service side of the Henry L. Brown building. Utility staff said Acre Mechanical—already the city’s geothermal contractor—and NightWatch will perform the work. The total project price is $92,730.40; the utility’s share is $69,547.80, of which $57,535.50 goes to Acre Mechanical and $12,012.30 to NightWatch. Staff said the cost is budgeted and recommended a 75%/25% split with the city because the utility occupies more space in the building. The utility director told the board the HLB building was built in 2002 and that this work is the next phase to replace geothermal heat pumps on the ASD (customer service) side; staff estimated equipment lead time of 8 to 10 weeks and said replacement work would begin around November if schedules hold. The director said Acre Mechanical performed the prior geothermal work in the executive wing and that NightWatch will handle programmable-thermostat upgrades. Board members asked whether the contracts required competitive bidding; staff responded that relatively few firms perform geothermal work and that Acre has done most geothermal installations and controls for city buildings, making the vendor effectively a sole-source provider for these systems. The board approved the contracts on a voice vote after a motion and second. The approval authorizes staff to sign contracts and order equipment but does not amend the budget beyond amounts the director said were already included in the utility’s budget. Staff will proceed with procurement and schedule coordination to meet the stated November target for equipment arrival and fall installation.