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Public works committee recommends settlement on digester coating; city to begin phosphorus compliance planning
Summary
The Board of Public Works reviewed a settlement and mutual release for self-digesting coating at the wastewater treatment plant, approved the measure in committee, and staff outlined a preliminary four-year compliance plan to meet phosphorus limits by 2029.
The Board of Public Works and the Common Council packet reported that a settlement and mutual release agreement regarding the application of a coating to a wastewater digester was presented and recommended in committee. Committee members recorded that the agreement requires the prime contractor and subcontractors to complete work to specifications, follow the established workflow, and pass checkpoints before final acceptance and issuance of a letter of acceptance. The committee motion carried in committee by a 7-0 vote.
Director Robert Garski told the board that the agreement limits warranty coverage to the manufacturer’s warranty for the coating work and establishes checkpoints to verify proper application; the committee recorded a carried motion to recommend settlement and release. The Board of Public Works report also noted that the city will take a tour of the wastewater treatment plant after its June meeting.
Separately, public works staff briefed the council that the city will begin a preliminary compliance plan to meet phosphorus limits in 2029. Director Garski said a representative from Donahue will present the preliminary compliance plan on June 2 and that this will be the start of a four-year process to meet the phosphorus limit by June 2029; he urged council members to attend the June 2 board meeting and subsequent plant tour to view the facility referenced in the compliance discussion.
Why it matters: The settlement clarifies contractor responsibilities for the digester coating project and the phosphorus compliance planning signals multi-year infrastructure and regulatory work the city must undertake to meet state limits. Committee materials and the director’s remarks indicate the city is progressing through project checkpoints and preparatory planning steps rather than reporting project completion.
The board also discussed traffic counter installation to study a three-way stop at Oshkosh and Martin streets and noted multiple planned street, water main and sewer upgrades across the city.
