Council approves new forklift, Rockwell service renewal and local limits study for wastewater plant

Trenton City Council unanimously approved three wastewater-related items on Aug. 18: authorization to buy a used 2015 Mitsubishi forklift for the wastewater treatment plant, renewal of a Rockwell Automation service agreement (first year of a three-year renewal), and an engineering local limits evaluation required under the city’s NPDES permit. Wastewater treatment superintendent Julie Willison requested authorization to purchase a used 2015 Mitsubishi forklift from Morrison Electrical Equipment for $15,500; the unit includes a 30-day warranty and a $500 trade-in allowance for the city’s 1987 forklift. Willison said the replacement was budgeted and noted the current forklift is difficult to maintain because parts are no longer available. Council members questioned expected life and usage; Willison said the quoted machine had about 5,835 hours and she expects long service with proper maintenance. The council also approved a Rockwell Automation service agreement through McNaughton and Kaye, priced at $33,347.38 for the first year of a three-year renewal. Willison described the contract as necessary to maintain 24-hour support, updates and security for the plant’s SCADA system and Allen-Bradley equipment and said the multi-year renewal locks the price for three years. Finally, the council approved hiring Fishback Engineering to perform a local limits evaluation required by the city’s new NPDES permit; Willison said the evaluation must be submitted to EGLE by Nov. 1 and asked for authorization of $8,500 for the work. Willison said the Fishback task was budgeted and the work will meet the permit’s first-year requirement.