Council approves engineering and environmental contracts for drainage projects; Pentel awarded clarifier upgrade at Westbank water plant

The council unanimously approved multiple contracts on Nov. 3 to advance drainage, environmental review and water-treatment work across the parish.

Principal Engineering Inc. was authorized to perform engineering services for the Fairfield and Oakland drainage improvements (project P251001) in a not-to-exceed amount of $787,285.30. Mister Bingham explained the multi-phased scope includes installation of reinforced concrete pipes across Airline Highway, three 42-inch pipes across the CPKC railroad that will be coordinated with the railroad, and additional ditch and culvert improvements south of the rail line.

The council also approved environmental-services agreements with Elos Environmental LLC: a not-to-exceed $89,000 contract for the Turtle Pond pump station and upstream drainage improvements (P250901) and a not-to-exceed $73,999 contract for the Fairfield & Oakwood drainage improvements (P251001). Bingham said environmental work is required to proceed with permitting and construction.

An engineering agreement (file 2025-0321) in the lump-sum amount of $219,200 was approved to address five force mains that must be temporarily relocated while a T-wall sheet pile wall is driven; staff said the work will maintain sewer service during construction.

For water treatment, the council approved a construction contract with Pentel Contracting Services LLC for the Westbank water treatment plant clarifier upgrade (project WWKS114) in the amount of $2,782,000. Greg Gordon, director of waterworks, described the work as removal and replacement of existing clarifier and softener components at the Westbank plant.

Clarifying details from the meeting:

- Principal Engineering scope includes multiple pipe installations across a highway and a railroad plus several ditch/culvert improvements; Bingham noted resident-project representative services were included in the engineering contract at an initial estimate of $110,000 but that cost may be refined as construction timing is finalized.

- Elos environmental agreements are intended to complete environmental permitting required for the respective drainage projects.

Ending note: Council members asked staff to coordinate closely with railroad companies for under-track work and to refine resident-representative and construction timing estimates as design advances.