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Weslaco approves wastewater upgrades, equipment purchases and contracts in December meeting
Summary
The Weslaco City Commission approved multiple infrastructure and equipment items on Dec. 17, including a sole-source purchase of UV modules for the south wastewater plant, solicitation of installation bids, a TWDB planning funding application, a sludge-pump purchase, a fire-truck refurbishment change order and several grant-funded vehicle and equipment buys.
At its Dec. 17 meeting the Weslaco City Commission approved a series of infrastructure and equipment actions intended to maintain operations and position the city for larger projects.
Wastewater plant and water utility actions: The commission approved a sole-source purchase not to exceed $306,000 for Veolia-compatible UV disinfection modules at the South Wastewater Treatment Plant to maintain permit compliance. Commissioners discussed sole-source risks and electrical compatibility; staff said the existing system is proprietary and that purchasing the original-vendor modules avoids a costly retrofit. Staff also said the new modules will operate on separate transformers; staff will return with separate quotes for transformers and solicit bids for installation labor (authorization to solicit installation bids was approved). Separately, the commission authorized a resolution to allow the mayor to file an application with the Texas Water Development Board for planning, acquisition and design funding (PIF) not to exceed $3.5 million to make the plant "shovel ready" for future construction to expand capacity toward a 2.5 MGD target.
Equipment and fleet approvals: The commission approved a purchase of a CPIC sludge pump for the water treatment plant from Dynamic Pump Systems under by-board contract #672-22 in an amount not to exceed $300,750 to restore sludge transfer capacity. The commission also approved a change order of $11,550 to refurbish a 2008 Pierce Velocity fire truck (unit 566) — adjusting ladder storage and replacing steering components — bringing the estimated refurbishment cost to about $595,000 (noted as roughly 40% of the price of a new truck, which staff said would cost about $1.5 million).
Grant-funded and other purchases: Using an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, the commission approved purchase of two Ford Maverick hybrid trucks (total $58,506) for Public Works and five QuietKat electric bikes ($12,749.96) for police special-event mobility; both purchases are fully reimbursable through the grant. The commission also approved a monthly GIS services contract with AIM GIS Solutions at $3,000 per month for 20 hours of services and 8 hours of training annually.
Staff characterized many of the items as necessary to maintain current operations and meet regulatory requirements while preparing for larger capital improvements. Motions for the items passed on recorded oral votes during the meeting; several items were described as by-board procurements and staff noted follow-ups (transformer quotes, interlocal or vendor agreements, and the TWDB application).
