Muskogee authorizes engineering contract to design Hancock Street 12-inch waterline; Georgia Pacific, state and port to fund project design

The City of Muskogee authorized the city manager to negotiate and execute an engineering contract with Cowen Group Engineering to design a 12-inch waterline crossing at State Highway 165 and Hancock Street.

Mister Stewart, on behalf of city staff, told council the project will loop a new 12-inch line into existing 12-inch mains to provide continuous service and to reduce shutdowns that previously disrupted operations at Georgia Pacific. Stewart said the city secured $400,000 from Georgia Pacific, $300,000 from the Department of Commerce and $88,000 from the port industrial fund to cover project costs; staff identified $78,300 of the engineering services to be paid from that funding.

"This will not only help Georgia Pacific, but it will help everybody in that southeast quadrant by looping that waterline," Stewart said.

Council members asked clarifying questions about project scope and next steps. Stewart said the current vote authorizes design work only; the city will later go out to bid for construction contracts and return to council for award.

The council approved the motion by roll call. The motion did not specify a named mover or seconder in the public transcript; the roll-call vote recorded unanimous 'yes' responses from present members.

Background: Stewart referenced prior interruptions on a 24-inch line that required shutting water supply to Georgia Pacific. The design contract is intended to prevent similar disruptions and to position the project for future construction procurement.