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Newton awards sewer-relocation contract, adopts SRF budget and approves WWTP gearbox replacements
Summary
Council awarded a $1.406 million contract to Two Brothers Utilities for a sewer-main relocation tied to SRF funding (with $278,440 principal forgiveness) and unanimously approved a $70,046.98 contract to replace two WWTP gearboxes; both actions included budget amendments.
The Newton City Council on May 18 approved multiple wastewater-related contracts and budget adjustments to address failing sewer infrastructure and aging wastewater-treatment equipment.
Public Works and Utilities Director Dusty Wentz told council that CCTV inspections and follow-up work by The Wooten Company found both large sewer outfall lines running under the Carolina Specialty Fabrics building were failing, allowing creek water into the sewer and sewer effluent into the creek. Wentz said the condition violates the City’s Sewer Collection Permit and could prompt Notices of Violation and fines from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ).
To avoid removing the sewer beneath a privately owned manufacturing building, staff proposed building a pump station on East 2nd Street and installing a force main to route flow around the facility. The City pursued North Carolina Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) assistance; staff received a March 2019 letter of intent for $1,900,000. The package includes $278,440 in principal forgiveness and a $1,472,744 loan at 0% interest; $47,228.74 of project costs (alternate pump configuration and closing costs) are not SRF-eligible and will be paid with City funds.
After a rebid process, Two Brothers Utilities, LLC was identified as the lowest qualified, responsive bidder with a combined base-and-alternate total of $1,406,460. Council awarded the base and alternate bid to Two Brothers Utilities on a motion by Council Member Jody Dixon, seconded by Council Member Jerry Hodge, recorded as unanimous. Council also adopted a capital-project budget amendment to reflect revised project costs and SRF reporting requirements on a motion seconded by Council Member Ed Sain.
Separately, Wentz reported that two gearboxes in aeration basin #3 at the Clark Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant failed; both units are more than 40 years old. After a rebid, one responsive bid from Dixie Electro Mechanical Services, Inc. totaled $63,696.98 for both gearboxes; staff recommended a contingency of $6,350 for a total of $70,046.98. Council adopted the needed budget ordinance amendment and awarded the work to Dixie Electro Mechanical Services by unanimous vote.
