Wyoming council approves multiple contracts, agrees to $9,000 Metro Cruise reimbursement

Wyoming City Council voted on a package of procurement and contract items at its July 21 meeting, approving stormwater program participation, vehicle and equipment purchases, infrastructure repairs and engineering services. The council also amended a special-events agreement to set the Metro Cruise reimbursement to the city at $9,000.

City staff said the package covers routine program renewals and multiple construction- and equipment-related contracts that the council set to keep utilities and public safety services operating. City staff explained the stormwater participation agreement is a three-year renewal tied to the city's NPDES Phase 2 permit and that the replacement vehicles and safety equipment are intended to replace aging fleet and gear.

During discussion of the Metro Cruise special-events agreement, Brandon, owner of Greater Level LLC and the event's organizer, told council that fundraising has been difficult and asked for a reduction from the staff-recommended $12,000 reimbursement to $9,000. “We really wanna keep this free, just as it always has been,” Brandon said, describing the event as community focused and largely free to attendees. Councilmembers debated precedent and the event’s community value before approving an amendment to lower this year’s reimbursement to $9,000.

Actions approved at the meeting include the following highlights: the city will enter a three-year renewal to participate in regional NPDES Phase 2 stormwater permit activities; authorize annual renewal payments for Mystic Systems’ utility-marking system; purchase three replacement detective vehicles; contract elevator repairs at the drinking water plant; authorize demolition of an abandoned property with an in-ground pool at 1708 Judd Avenue SW; award bids for 18 sets of fire turnout gear and a three-year sludge-hauling contract; and contract engineering and design services for generator upgrades and wastewater primary clarifier repairs. Staff said the clarifier construction is planned for fiscal 2027.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution A — Approve participation in regional NPDES Phase 2 stormwater permit activities and associated costs (approx. $23,000/year): Motion by De Krieger, support by Hill. Vote: Brethauer — yes; De Krieger — yes; Arnois — yes; Hill — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Robert Poston — yes. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution B — Authorize payment to Mystic Systems Inc. (utility-marking system renewal, approx. $12,800): Motion by De Krieger, support by Hill. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution C — Purchase three replacement detective vehicles (Ford Escape, about $29,000 each): Motion by De Krieger, support by Arnois. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution D — Approve drinking water plant elevator repairs (includes replacement of emergency phones and vibration repairs): Motion by Kyle, support by De Krieger. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution E — Authorize city manager to sign special-events agreement for Metro Cruise (staff recommended $12,000 reimbursement; organizer requested $9,000). Council voted to amend the motion and set reimbursement at $9,000: Motion to amend made and supported; roll call passed (Brethauer — yes; De Krieger — yes; Arnois — yes; Hill — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Robert Poston — yes). Outcome: approved as amended to $9,000.

- Resolutions F & G (taken together) — Award bids for demolition at 1708 Judd Ave SW (low bid $8,800; cost to be assessed to the property), purchase 18 sets of fire turnout gear (~$62,000 over two years), three-year sludge hauling/disposal contract with Ottawa County Farms landfill, engineering design for generator upgrades (Tetra Tech, ~ $160,000), MDOT-compliance engineering for Burlingame repaving (approx. $13,000), District Court garage roof replacement (low bid approx. $116,000), and engineering/design/oversight for wastewater primary clarifier rehabilitation (Fishback Engineering, approx. $104,000; construction planned FY2027): Motion by Arnois, second by De Krieger. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

Councilmembers and staff emphasized reuse of equipment where feasible to limit outfitting costs for the detective vehicles and noted that some projects—most notably the wastewater clarifier work—are scheduled and budgeted to proceed in phases over multiple fiscal years. Staff said most contracts will be assessed to the appropriate department budgets or, in the demolition case, to the property taxes for the parcel if the owner does not respond.

The council did not identify any dissenting votes on the package. Several members thanked staff for preparing bids and background information ahead of the meeting. The council will move forward with contract signings and project planning per standard administrative processes.