Allegan council approves Grand Street engineering contract, selects airport engineer and OKs $150,898 biosolids budget adjustment

Council approved several infrastructure and utility items during its May 12 meeting, including an engineering contract for Grand Street, a budget adjustment for biosolids removal, and the selection of an airport engineering consultant.

Doug, a city staff member, described the Grand Street project (River Street to North Main) as a water-main replacement with sewer lining and said the engineering contract (design through construction) should begin this year so the city’s work is coordinated with an MDOT resurfacing project. A council member moved to approve Evan Marsh (Abbot Marsh) for professional engineering services; the motion carried by voice vote.

On wastewater operations, Doug said the city’s digester is processing material faster and not thickening biosolids as expected, which increases hauling and disposal costs. He explained the digester previously produced 4–4.5% solids but is now closer to 3%, meaning the city hauls more liquid and pays more for removal. Council approved a budget adjustment of $150,898.24 to cover spring biosolids removal and discussed longer-term options such as building a thickener to concentrate biosolids and reduce hauling costs.

Staff also said the airport advisory board recommended Prynne & Newhoff as the airport engineer of record for required MDOT work; council adopted the resolution to select the firm.

Outcome: Motions to approve the Grand Street engineering contract, the $150,898.24 biosolids budget adjustment, and the resolution designating Prynne & Newhoff as engineering consultant were passed by council during the meeting.