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Council reviews recommendation to hire consultant for wastewater local limits; members ask for stronger contract terms
Summary
City staff recommended hiring consultant Steve Anderson to update local wastewater discharge limits under a recent permit renewal; council asked for clearer deliverables, DAQ-qualified confirmation, contingency language if DEQ rejects the evaluation, and a cap on hours before approving the contract.
Staff presented the need to update local limits for industrial dischargers under a recent wastewater-permit renewal and recommended hiring Steve Anderson, who previously assisted the city in 2004 and 2017. Erin explained local limits define allowable concentrations of EPA-listed contaminants based on plant influent and effluent and noted one local industry is struggling to meet a particular parameter.
Council members expressed support for completing the study but asked for more robust contract language. Concerns included the consultant’s documented qualifications and examples of prior work, explicit deliverables and deadlines, a guaranteed revision clause should DEQ reject the evaluation, a cap on hours, and a conflict-of-interest disclosure. Staff said Anderson is familiar with the local system and offered to provide his resume and past project list; council asked staff to expand the service agreement and include contingencies and deliverables before final action.
Ending: Council did not take a final procurement vote during the work session; staff were asked to provide further documentation and to incorporate stronger contract protections and timeline commitments before a future action item.
