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Utilities board approves Ohio EPA/OWDA loans for water tower and clarifier projects; hears capital-project updates
Summary
The Bowling Green Utilities Board approved two resolutions authorizing the utilities director to execute loan agreements with Ohio EPA/OWDA for Western and Carter Park water tower improvements and for water-treatment-plant clarifier work. Staff also updated the board on multiple water, sewer and electric capital projects and awarded contracts.
The Bowling Green Utilities Board unanimously approved two separate loan-authorizing resolutions to advance water infrastructure projects and heard a series of staff updates on ongoing capital work at its meeting.
The board approved Resolution 3‑2205‑1 authorizing the utilities director to execute an agreement with the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) and Ohio EPA’s Water Supply Revolving Loan Account for design, engineering and construction of improvements to the Western Water Tower and Carter Park Water Tower. The motion passed on roll call with Newlove, Jesse, Hogan and Susiek voting yes.
The board also approved Resolution 3‑2202 authorizing the utilities director to apply for an OWDA/Ohio EPA water loan for clarifier improvements at the water treatment plant. The clarifier project was budgeted in the 2025 budget at $2,100,000 and includes repairing corroded steel components, replacing launders with stainless steel, and updating drive mechanisms and rotating assemblies. The clarifier loan resolution passed unanimously on roll call.
Why it matters: both loan agreements provide low‑interest funding pathways (OWDA/EPA programs) commonly used by the city for large water and wastewater capital projects. Approvals clear the way for bidding, additional design steps and procurement of equipment that in some cases requires EPA plan approval.
Utilities Director (presenting the item) outlined the water tower project and a permitting step the city must complete: certain mixers and trihalomethane (THM) removal systems are now subject to EPA plan-approval requirements, adding an extra step before the city can finalize bids. "In the past they didn't look at these as water‑quality improvement pieces of equipment and they wouldn't require you to get a plan approval through their process but the last year or two they've changed their opinion," the director said.
The director said the city hired Tank Industry Consultants (TIC) to assist with design and plans and combined previously separate tower projects into one loan package in the 2025 budget for timing and funding reasons. He told the board the loan agreements will subsequently require an ordinance approved by the board and city council before the city can sign.
On the clarifier project, staff said the units were originally built in 1967 and received partial improvements in the early 2000s. The planned work, budgeted at $2.1 million, is described by staff as preventative maintenance to ensure reliable operation; no compliance violations were cited for the treatment plant.
Staff also provided status updates on multiple capital projects: the low‑service pump station contract was awarded to Peterson Construction and a kickoff meeting has occurred; a membrane expansion project has an engineering team retained (Kimley‑Horn) and preconstruction work has started; distribution work is planned on Park Avenue and Wallace Avenue; odor-control and final‑clarifier improvements at the water pollution control facility are under procurement with bids opened and a contract awarded to Peterson Construction for odor control. On the electric side, Carter Park ball‑field lights are largely installed, and downtown decorative pole work and a Northern Circuit improvements design are near completion.
Votes at a glance: - Resolution 3‑2205‑1 — Authorize Utilities Director to execute OWDA/Ohio EPA loan agreement for Western Water Tower and Carter Park Water Tower improvements. Roll-call: Newlove: Yes; Jesse: Yes; Hogan: Yes; Susiek: Yes. Outcome: approved (4–0). - Resolution 3‑2202 — Authorize Utilities Director to execute OWDA/Ohio EPA loan application for water treatment plant clarifier improvements. Roll-call: Susiek: Yes; Hogan: Yes; Jesse: Yes; Newlove: Yes. Outcome: approved (4–0).
Next steps: staff will proceed with EPA plan approval steps where required, finalize bid documents once EPA/OWDA approvals are in place, and return to the board and city council for ordinance approval and execution of loan agreements where required.
