Buildings and Utilities Committee recommends up to $325,000 for portable wastewater‑plant generator

On Monday, March 9, the Buildings and Utilities Committee recommended that the council authorize the director of public service and safety to advertise for bids and enter into a contract to purchase a portable generator for the wastewater treatment plant at a cost not to exceed $325,000, committee Chair Mrs. Marshall said.

The committee heard from staff that the existing generator is "34 years old" and that maintenance personnel reported "replacement parts that are no longer available," prompting the procurement request. Staff said the $325,000 amount was included in the 2026 sewer fund budget and that this purchase would not be handled as emergency legislation.

Committee members asked staff about availability and delivery timing. A staff speaker said he did not know exact lead times; another participant estimated roughly an 18‑month lead time and attributed longer waits to custom builds and earlier supply‑chain delays. When Council member Jeff Wooden asked whether a 350‑kilowatt portable unit is transportable, staff replied the unit is mounted on its own trailer and estimated it at about 13,000 pounds.

A committee member said, "Not for me. I don't want this one to fail," expressing support for moving the request forward rather than delaying it. After the questions, the committee agreed to move forward with the staff request and to send the recommendation to council for authorization to solicit bids and proceed with a contract once authorized.

Next steps: the committee's recommendation will go to the full council for consideration; staff will proceed with advertising for bids and return with contract documents if council authorizes the purchase.