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Albany utility board approves several equipment purchases for fleet, water and wastewater
Summary
The Albany Utility Board authorized multiple purchases — fuel dispensers, a soft starter, well and wastewater pump work, and a trailer-mounted Godwin pump — citing old equipment, parts shortages and lower repair cost compared with full replacement.
The Albany Utility Board on Oct. 9 approved a series of equipment purchases and repairs for city fleet, water and wastewater operations, staff said, citing aging infrastructure and the need to avoid service interruptions.
Fleet staff asked the board to authorize $86,012.72 for new diesel dispenser units to replace pumps at two public-works locations and at 1726 Lily Pond, saying the existing dispensers are 20–25 years old and parts are no longer available. "This purchase order is requested by fleet for the replacement of the 2 dispensers ... for a total expenditure is $86,012.72," staff said. The city will use Barber Equipment of Albany as the vendor, staff said.
Operations staff described recurring failures and long repair lead times for the old dispensers and said Barber maintains the city's fuel infrastructure. A board member asked about warranty coverage; staff replied the new dispensers carry a one-year warranty. The board voted to authorize staff to enter the contract with Barber.
Separately, the board approved a $44,710 purchase of a Benshaw-series soft starter to replace an aging starter on blower No. 3 at the wastewater plant. Staff said consultant ESG recommended the unit and that the product carries a three-year exclusive warranty. "ESG does have a maintenance contract with the city and make recommendations for us to do these fixes," staff said during the meeting.
The board also authorized an emergency replacement at Well 13 after diagnostics found the pump could not be repaired. Staff engaged Donald Smith Company of Hedland, Ala., to install a new pump; the contract amount read to the board was $46,930, and staff said the work was urgent because two pumps service that sector and a failure could interrupt water to downtown and a nearby hospital.
At the wastewater treatment plant the board approved a $58,683.92 repair with Waco Electric Supply. Staff noted replacement of the large pump would cost about $200,000; repair was presented as a lower-cost option expected to extend service life by roughly four to five years.
Finally, fleet requested purchase of a 6-inch Godwin trailer-mounted pump from Xylem Dewatering Solutions for $53,276.81 under a Florida Sheriffs Association cooperative contract; the purchase includes freight and a 12-month/2,000-hour warranty. Staff said the city maintains seven such pumps plus spares and uses them to respond to flooding and to prevent sewer overflows.
All items were moved, seconded and approved by roll call. Staff will proceed with contract execution and, where appropriate, mark replaced units surplus for disposal.
