Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utilities Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves sewer manhole rehabilitation contract, I&I study and emergency well repair
Summary
Fairhope approved a nearly $500,000 award for manhole repairs, authorized a $41,739 well pump repair and approved selection of a contractor for an inflow‑and‑infiltration study; council asked staff to narrow contingency language before final I&I contract.
The Fairhope City Council on April 14 approved a multi‑part effort to address sewer system problems, including a manhole rehabilitation contract, a timed repair of Well No. 2 and the selection of a contractor to perform an inflow‑and‑infiltration (I&I) study.
Staff presented an annual program that addresses manhole rehabilitation across the system and asked the council to approve two specific focus packages plus a citywide annual contract. The council awarded B.L.D. Services the base bid packages (Roar area and Lakewood area) and authorized an annual contract pricing package that brings the combined not‑to‑exceed award to $499,068. Staff said the city budgets about $500,000 annually for this program and will start on the most critical manholes first; staff identified 239 manholes in the referenced inventory and said the initial work targets the worst‑condition assets.
The council also authorized repair services for Well No. 2, awarding Morrow Water Technologies a not‑to‑exceed $41,739.47 contract for labor and materials. Utilities staff told council a rental pump is currently in place; with authorization the repair shop will proceed and the repair should take one to two weeks once a PO is issued.
Finally, the council approved selection of Dukes Root Control to perform an I&I identification study. Council members asked for clearer fixed pricing and for staff to narrow the 10% contingency language before the final contract is executed; the mayor will negotiate a not‑to‑exceed fee and return the contract for council approval.
Why it matters: the work targets water and wastewater reliability ahead of higher summer demand, and the I&I study is intended to reduce unnecessary stormwater inflow into the wastewater system, which increases treatment costs.
What’s next: staff to issue a PO and schedule Well No. 2 repairs, issue a notice to proceed for the manhole work, and return a negotiated I&I contract with detailed scope and a clarified contingency cap for ratification by council.
