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Kenai accepts $2.9M EPA grant, approves extra $750,000 to finish wastewater blower upgrade
Summary
The Kenai City Council on Nov. 5 accepted a $2.9 million U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant, approved a $750,000 additional appropriation and awarded a construction contract to complete digester blower upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant. Council approved ordinance 3490 by roll call.
Kenai' The City Council voted Nov. 5 to accept a $2.9 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and to appropriate an additional $750,000 to finish upgrades of digester blowers at the Kenai wastewater treatment facility.
City staff said the project was bid and the low-cost construction proposal required additional funds beyond the existing appropriation. Lee Fryer, who spoke to the council, said the city negotiated and performed value engineering but still needs $750,000 to complete the work. Council packets recommend awarding the construction contract to Blazey Construction.
Councilor discussion focused on project scope and near-term needs at the treatment plant, including consideration of replacing an aging generator as a separate budget item rather than part of the awarded contract. Fryer said staff had identified the generator as aging and that replacing it could be handled separately.
The ordinance also formalizes acceptance of the EPA award and authorizes contract award to proceed. The clerk called roll and recorded six yes votes; the ordinance was enacted.
The council did not receive public comment on the ordinance during the hearing. Officials said the grant follows a multi-step application and review process with federal and state requirements, including procurement and compliance with state and Alaska administrative code standards for public works.
Next steps: administration will proceed with contracting with the recommended bidder and return to council if further appropriations or contract amendments are needed.
