Perry council approves engineering task orders for wastewater lift stations, staff to inspect lines before construction requests

The City of Perry City Council on May 13 approved task orders authorizing engineering design and inspection work for wastewater system improvements, including design of a lift station and associated inflow and infiltration (I&I) repairs, and directed staff to inspect manholes and lines before requesting construction funding.

Council members and staff said the engineering phase is intended to use grant funds as a match so the city can pursue construction grants later. Staff described the design contract package as about $864,000 for engineering and said inspection work discussed in the meeting would total about $230,000; staff said design work is expected to be eligible for roughly 80% grant funding. The council voted to approve the task order and a separate lift station replacement task order during the meeting.

Why it matters: the work targets known I&I and lift-station capacity issues that city staff say increase inflow during heavy rain, and the city plans to rely on a combination of state and federal programs to fund construction. Several council members and at least one resident pushed for clearer contract figures before approval.

City staff said the design work grew out of a facilities plan and earlier grant strategy: the city used earlier engineering funds to leverage larger grants and now intends to finish design, inspect the existing collection system and then request construction funds. Staff identified prior and concurrent grants and programs as part of the financing picture, including SRF (State Revolving Fund) and CDBG-related grant planning; staff said meetings are set with the engineering firm (DDP referenced in the meeting) to move to the next phase.

Public comment and council discussion emphasized three practical points: (1) inspect manholes and previously lined pipes to confirm whether slip-lining or other repairs already done are adequate; (2) clarify contract compensation language that was left blank in the paperwork provided to council; and (3) confirm timelines so the city does not miss grant windows. A resident who identified himself as Bill pressed that inspecting manhole covers and verifying prior work is necessary before paying for additional design and construction work.

Staff said inspections would occur as part of the approved task orders and that the city would follow with construction funding requests if inspections show additional work is needed. Staff also said the city has an upcoming meeting with the engineering firm in one to two weeks and that some construction funds have already been allocated for related work in the area.

Council action: the council moved and approved the task orders by roll call. The meeting record shows affirmative votes from Council member Ryan, Council member Hampton, Vice Mayor Landry and Mayor Hedrick (recorded during the meeting as the roll call following the motions). Minutes show the council approved both the design and the separate lift-station task order during the May 13 meeting.

Next steps: staff will complete the inspections of manholes and lines, report findings to the council, and, if warranted, submit requests for construction funding tied to SRF/CDBG and other available allocations.