Evansville utility board approves multiple contracts and a change order totaling roughly $3.2 million

The Evansville Water and Sewer Utility Board approved a series of procurement actions and contract amendments at its Oct. 1 meeting, including awards for a major sewer‑lining project and a water‑main replacement and a small change order for booster‑station improvements.

Board members approved by voice vote a $2,101,593.50 award to Inliner Solutions for the 2024 annual sewer lining, Fenwick Neighborhood Phase 1. Mitchell Ferguson, who presented the recommendation, said the bid was reviewed by the utility’s in‑house designer and city purchasing and compliance staff; collective MBE/WBE participation for the project was 32 percent.

The board also approved a $1,078,450 bid recommendation to Blankenberger Brothers, Inc. for the East Mill Road and Weaver Road water main replacement project (U1191). Jennifer Kane said five bids were received, the designer Crawford, Murphy & Tilley reviewed the submissions, and city purchasing and the compliance officer recommended the award; reported collective MBE/WBE participation was 11.2 percent.

The board authorized two professional services agreements. One is a not‑to‑exceed $54,020 contract with Clark Dietz, Inc. to manage the water treatment plant maintenance dredging program, including permits, river surveys, bid documents and permit renewals; Logan Guffey said Clark Dietz will fill a staffing gap after an employee who previously managed dredging left the utility. The other is a not‑to‑exceed $48,000 agreement with 3I Engineering, Inc. to perform strategic space planning and develop conceptual architectural layouts for utility‑owned or leased properties.

Members also approved Change Order No. 1, increasing the Killian Booster Station improvements contract to cover the replacement of existing double doors with new doors that include windows after an Environmental Protection Agency site visit identified the need. The change order added $12,196 to the contract with Dye Brothers Lumber and Construction, Inc.; HNTB reviewed and recommended the change, and no contract time extension was required.

Separately, the board approved Amendment No. 1A to Clark Dietz in the amount of $5,607.50 for additional design work related to the Lloyd Expressway water‑main relocations (U1217). Jennifer Kane said that the additional design covers a conflict between an existing water main and a proposed culvert and that the work will be reimbursable by NDOT.

All motions were approved by voice vote; votes were recorded as 'aye' and the chair stated the motions carried. Specific individual vote names were not recorded on the public transcript.

What’s next: the board did not set additional conditions for the contracts at the Oct. 1 meeting; staff will proceed with the awarded contracts and manage required permits and design work as described.