Public Works board approves engineering contracts, farm purchasing authority, equipment bids and admits Coopersville to county wastewater system

At its meeting, the King County Public Works board approved several motions to advance wastewater infrastructure work, maintenance projects at the Resource Recovery Center (RRC), and routine capital purchases.

Wastewater and engineering contracts: The board approved a motion to apply for professional construction engineering services for contracts 7 and 8 (related to Cooper Mills/Forest Bay sanitary sewer and emergency storage funds) and subsequently approved WSP Inc. proposal number 2025US421662 for $349,280 for construction engineering services related to Cell 7 construction. The board also approved WSP proposal number 2025US421629 for $253,300 for engineering services tied to a cell-to-gap closure (the area between Cell 1 and Cell 2). Staff said construction costs are significant and provided estimates: just over $7,000,000 for Cell 7 construction and about $3,000,000 for the cell gap closure.

Project timeline and scope: Staff described a multi-contract wastewater project that includes converting part of a wastewater treatment box into emergency overflow storage (West 3 Ponds) to provide up to 11 days of emergency storage, completion of pipeline installation by the end of the month, road repair by mid next month, and a target for the West Randall Lift Station to be completed in February–March of next year. The overall multi-phase project is expected to continue through 2026.

RRC farm purchasing policy and production: The board authorized county policy to waive formal solicitations for the RRC farm seed purchases for FY2026 and authorized the farm manager to select and buy seed to maximize yield and revenue. Mike Colburn, identified in the transcript as the RRC farm manager, said the farm has roughly 600 acres of soybeans out of about 4,000 total farm acres. He listed planting plans: roughly 13–22 acres of corn, 346 acres of triticale, and 505 acres of new alfalfa seeding for the coming year.

Capital projects and fleet purchases: The board awarded a low bid of $174,410 for electrical improvements to power site facilities, authorized the chair to sign the contract, and amended the FY2026 capital budget accordingly. It also authorized purchases under the State of Michigan purchasing contract for a 2026 GMC Acadia ($43,483) and a 2026 GMC Sierra 2500 HD crew cab ($57,545); staff confirmed the vehicles were budgeted and part of the replacement plan.

Admission of Coopersville into county wastewater system: The board voted to authorize the City of Coopersville’s admission into the county Resource Recovery Center wastewater treatment system and authorized the chair to sign the master contract for the city’s admission. Staff described the action as a significant expansion and noted previous admissions of other townships.

Why it matters: The approvals fund engineering and construction work that the county says will increase emergency storage capacity, ensure continuity of wastewater handling for partner communities, and move long-running infrastructure projects toward completion. Several motions passed on roll call votes recorded during the meeting.

Next steps: Staff will continue construction and commissioning according to the project timelines, proceed with awarded contracts and purchases, and implement onboarding steps for Coopersville under the master contract.

Votes at a glance: WSP proposal #2025US421662 — approved (amount $349,280); WSP proposal #2025US421629 — approved (amount $253,300); Electrical improvements low bid — awarded ($174,410); Vehicle purchases authorized ($43,483 and $57,545); Coopersville admission — approved.