Commission ratifies multiple purchases, awards Charles Avenue sidewalk contract and approves engineering support for wastewater CDBG application

The Alma City Commission on May 13, 2025, approved several procurement and contracting items across departments.

Purchases ratified: The commission ratified a purchase to Dell Marketing LP for five new laptops for patrol vehicles at $13,629.95, noting the department secured roughly $7,000 of the cost through a grant. It also ratified a purchase to RS Technical Services Inc. for two ferric-chloride pumps for the wastewater treatment plant at $13,374.73. Both items were described as necessary replacements for aging equipment and upgrades tied to technology and regulatory needs.

Engineering support for CDBG application: The commission ratified a $19,000 proposal from an engineering firm to assist in preparing and serving as engineer of record for a Community Development Block Grant application for wastewater treatment plant laboratory improvements. Staff said an engineer of record and drawings are required for the application and for moving the project forward whether or not the grant is awarded.

Charles Avenue sidewalk contract award: Under bids, the commission received bids for the Charles Avenue sidewalk extension and awarded the contract to the recommended bidder at a total bid of $173,696.31. Staff said the project will connect the last 600 feet of the Charles Avenue multi-use path to the Red Mill Trail and that the city received a state grant of approximately $168,000 from a shared-spaces program; staff said the awarded bid was within the city’s estimate and that paperwork must be completed to receive grant funds.

Capital funding notes: Staff said the sidewalk project is funded with a state grant plus local match, but that larger reconstruction projects (notably downtown parking-lot reconstruction) would likely require bonding and that preliminary estimates will be vetted with engineers and EDA discussions.

Why it matters: These procurements and contract awards move forward city operations (public safety laptops and wastewater treatment equipment), advance grant-readiness for wastewater lab work, and continue a trail/sidewalk connection project supported by state funds.

Ending note: Staff said engineering drawings will be developed regardless of CDBG outcome so the city will be ready to move forward on lab improvements if funding is secured; the sidewalk contractor selection was described as being within the grant-budget parameters.