Council awards landfill cell construction and inspection contracts; transfer-station grant bid pending

Fredericksburg City Council approved construction contracts and professional services for expansion work at the city landfill, authorizing the work that staff said will provide additional capacity and support future planning for a transfer station.

Public works staff reported the city received multiple bids for construction of landfill cells 12 and 13. The council approved the recommended base bid together with two bid alternates—a replacement metal drop-off customer convenience area and a new grit trap for fats, oils and grease—bringing the total construction recommendation to just over $1.1 million. Staff said the two new cells will extend usable landfill capacity by about four years under current usage patterns and will allow design of a transfer station in the future.

Because the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality requires on-site inspection and construction management for cell work, council also approved a professional-services contract (Biggs and Matthews) for on-site inspection and construction management through the duration of the project at about $185,000. Staff told council that the liner portion of the project had a separate bid and would be brought back for council consideration on June 17.

Staff said the city has applied for a grant (approx. $4.8 million) to help fund a future transfer-station project and expected to learn whether the city is funded in July. If grant funding is not awarded, staff said the city will consider revenue bonds to finance the transfer station.

Council approved the construction award and the professional-services contract on voice votes. Staff estimated the work would proceed in phases and that the new cells and associated work would enable continued landfill operations while the transfer-station planning and grant process continues.