Board of Public Works approves street sweeper purchase, infrastructure dedication, change orders and planning contracts

The Port Washington Board of Public Works on an evening vote approved multiple staff recommendations including purchase of a new 2025 Scarab Maven 65 street sweeper, acceptance of public infrastructure in the Hidden Hills North Subdivision, two construction change orders for the wastewater update project and two task orders with Strand Associates for water-system and sanitary-sewer planning.

The actions were presented by city public-works staff and moved by board members in separate motions; each motion carried without recorded opposition. The votes followed presentations and questions from board members and staff about equipment life expectancy, project scope and contingency funding.

Among the decisions, staff recommended buying a Scarab Maven 65 street sweeper after demonstrations comparing that model and a Bucher machine, citing better operator visibility, an optional third gutter broom for tight corners, quieter operation and a top-mounted wandering hose that increases reach for catch-basin cleaning. The board also moved to accept sanitary sewer, water main and storm infrastructure constructed by Balinski Homes in the Hidden Hills North Subdivision, while deferring formal acceptance of the road base and binder until final paving and final payment.

For the wastewater update project, staff presented two change orders — one totaling $53,907 covering 11 smaller items (most already completed) and a larger $133,295 change order tied largely to relocating a flame arrestor outside a building and adding cover-monitoring devices. Staff said a later in-house cleaning of a sludge storage tank will offset about $60,000 of the $133,295 cost.

The board also approved two task orders with engineering firm Strand Associates. One task order is for a water system master plan at $120,000; staff said the plan will use a recently completed hydraulic model to evaluate booster stations, towers, storage and distribution, address service-line material identification (lead service-line planning) and provide recommendation timing for projects and budgeting. The second Strand task order, $25,000, will assist with updating the city sanitary sewer service area map to reflect proposed and potential development that lies outside current service-area boundaries.

All motions were approved by voice vote. Minutes from the previous meeting were approved at the start of the session.

Votes at a glance - Approval of previous meeting minutes — Motion carried (voice vote); mover: Alderman Tierney; second: Jim; exact tally not specified. - Purchase 2025 Scarab Maven 65 street sweeper (Surway Implement quote) — Motion carried (voice vote); mover: Alderman Gasper; second: Cam; exact tally not specified. - Accept dedication of sanitary sewer, water main and storm improvements in Hidden Hills North Subdivision (Balinski Homes) — Motion carried (voice vote); mover: Jim; second: Alderman Tierney; exact tally not specified. Road base and binder acceptance deferred until final paving and final payment. - Approve two change orders with August Winters & Sons for wastewater update project (COs: $53,907 and $133,295) — Motion carried (voice vote); mover: Cam; second: Alderman Gasper; exact tally not specified. - Task order with Strand Associates — water system master plan ($120,000) — Motion carried (voice vote); mover: Jim; second: Alderman Tierney; exact tally not specified. - Task order with Strand Associates — sanitary sewer service area update ($25,000) — Motion carried (voice vote); mover: Alderman Tierney; second: Cam; exact tally not specified.

The board moved on to routine charter and staff-report items after the votes; staff highlighted multiple ongoing infrastructure projects including water-treatment facility upgrades, meter replacement work and sidewalk and bridge projects in the coming years.

Members set the next meeting for February 11 at 5:30 p.m.