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Board refers transformer bids to staff, approves contract addenda and insurance renewal; staff reports pilots and project updates
Summary
At its Feb. 25 meeting the Michigan City Sanitary District board referred three transformer replacement bids to staff for evaluation, approved extensions and amendments for professional services with Cronin Associates and Dentons, approved the 2026 insurance renewal, and heard updates on pilot testing and capital projects including Highway 12 and MKS restoration.
The Michigan City Sanitary District Board of Commissioners handled procurement, contract and operational updates at its Feb. 25 meeting.
Bids: Staff opened three vendor bids for a transformer replacement with two options each (new or remanufactured). Bid amounts read into the record included Continental Electric (option A $406,200; option B $388,500), Bowen (option A $311,268; option B $301,268) and Marcus Electric (option A $205,352; option B $179,000). The board referred all three bids to staff for further review and a recommendation rather than awarding a contract at the meeting.
Contracts and legal: The board approved an addendum extending municipal advisory services with Cronin Associates to complete a rate study, fee analysis and system development charge work by a planned July 1 completion date, and approved a first amendment to an engagement letter with Dentons for legal oversight on system development charges. Staff said both firms provide necessary technical and legal support; motions for both items passed by voice votes.
Insurance: Staff presented the 2026 insurance renewal with High Street (same coverage as prior carrier) and described increased deductibles (auto deductible from $1,000 to $2,500; large equipment from $2,500 to $5,000) and a premium increase from $326,957 to $337,290 (about 3.16%). The board voted to approve the renewal.
Operations and pilots: Water reclamation staff reported the delivery of equipment for a plate‑settler pilot intended as an alternative to new primary clarifiers. Staff said the trial will begin the following Monday and is expected to cost below the $26,200 previously approved because freight is lower and the study does not require chemical flocculation. Staff also described proactive cleaning of 164 priority stormwater inlets ahead of a January snow event and plans to deploy more field inspections to validate lift‑station prioritization.
Projects: Beacon Schneider reported contractor delays on the Highway 12 project due to cold weather; landscape restoration for the MKS project will use bare‑root substitutions pending weather windows. Board members said additional contamination testing will be conducted at the MKS site to better define a plume discovered near Franklin and Carol before project decisions proceed.
Votes at a glance: approve minutes (exec and regular) — passed by voice vote; refer transformer bids to staff — referred; approve claims docket $388,727.77 — passed by voice vote; Cronin Associates addendum — approved; Dentons engagement amendment — approved; insurance renewal (High Street) — approved.
