Assembly approves $293,000 design amendment for Mountain Point wastewater upgrades; grant funding expected to cover costs

The assembly approved an amendment to GV Jones and Associates' design contract for the Mountain Point wastewater treatment plant upgrades, increasing the design contract by about $293,000 for a total not-to-exceed amount of approximately $508,115.

Public Works Director Morgan Berry explained the increase: assumptions used in initial design proved infeasible, requiring a change in the disinfection approach ("UV disinfection in that environment really is not appropriate") and additional control/SCADA integration work. Berry said the changes came out of the engineering process after receiving more detailed influent and control information; those changes drove up architectural and engineering needs.

Berry told the assembly that the bulk of the additional expense remains covered under the project's grants (EPA and drinking-water funds noted in discussion) and that staff are coordinating with granting agencies throughout the design process. He outlined priorities for the project if grant funds remain constrained: first improving disinfection and operational controls; second addressing process improvements; last addressing odor-control and neighborhood concerns. He said the project team will scale the scope if grant funding cannot cover all elements.

Assembly members pressed for clarity on total project cost and whether design increases could portend larger construction costs. Berry said staff are refining overall cost estimates and indicated that if grant funds are insufficient the scope would be reduced to preserve core treatment improvements.