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Council halts outside dumping into Cell 3 lagoon and approves in-house sprinkler project for park
Summary
Council voted to prohibit outside sewage haulers from discharging into Cell 3 while a headworks project and rehabilitation proceed, and later approved conducting the park sprinkler installation as an in-house special project with tracking of time, equipment and costs.
Mount Pleasant City Council on April 22 voted to stop outside septic and sewage haulers from dumping into the city’s Cell 3 sewage lagoon while a headworks rehabilitation project proceeds, and later approved carrying out a park sprinkler installation as a tracked in-house special project.
The council first discussed contractor estimates and technical specifications for Cell 3, including bids to clear and scrub the interior (about $233,000), remove sediments (about $227,000), and install a geomembrane liner (about $440,000) for a roughly 13-acre pond. Council members and staff raised concerns that geomembrane liners must generally be kept under ballast and not left exposed; the consultant language said liners are not designed to be left empty or exposed and must be filled or ballasted within days after installation to avoid damage.
A motion to halt outside dumping into the city’s sewer system until the headworks building is completed was made by Councilmember Paul Cutler, seconded by Paul (recorded in the minutes as seconded by Paul), and approved by voice vote: “Aye,” with no recorded opposition.
Later in the meeting Council considered how to proceed with the park sprinkler and related park projects. Staff presented three contractor bids for the sprinkler work: SRP Landscaping ($92,629.99), Parish Construction (detailed bid line items; total not fully summarized on the record), and GC Landscaping ($40,540). The council also reviewed an in-house special-project proposal from public works staff estimating labor and equipment near $70,000 and projecting potential savings versus engineering estimates.
After discussion about tracking, staffing, warranties and contractor oversight, Councilmember Katy Hall moved and Councilmember Paul Cutler seconded a motion to proceed with the sprinkler work in house as a special project, with the condition that hours, equipment and parts be tracked according to the council’s special-project resolution and that staff report back comparing actual costs to the bid estimates. The motion passed on roll call with affirmative votes recorded (Lynn: yes; Paul: yes; Russ: yes; Ronnie: yes; others present voting yes).
Votes at a glance - Motion: Stop all outside dumping into Cell 3 until Headworks Building completed. Mover: Paul Cutler; Second: Paul (as recorded). Outcome: Approved by voice vote. - Motion: Approve in-house special project to install park sprinkler system, track labor/equipment/parts under the special-project resolution. Mover: Katy Hall; Second: Paul Cutler. Outcome: Approved by roll call (Lynn: yes; Paul: yes; Russ: yes; Ronnie: yes; others yes).
Council directed staff to review the contractor proposals in detail, invited council members to inspect Cell 3 on site, and asked staff to follow up with the engineer and vendor specifications on liner handling and warranty responsibilities. The council did not award a construction contract for Cell 3 rehabilitation at the meeting; it paused outside dumping and approved the tracked special project for the sprinkler system.
