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Council approves wastewater pay application as engineer says plant is nearly complete
Summary
Council approved pay application No. 25 for the wastewater treatment plant as project engineer Emily Limebball told the council major equipment is installed, the screw press is running, and final systems work and a SCADA upgrade remain; punch list work is scheduled for April 15.
VINTON — The Vinton City Council approved payment application No. 25 for the city’s wastewater treatment plant project March 26 after an on-site construction update from project engineer Emily Limebball of Bester and Kim.
Limebball told the council that most major equipment is installed, the headworks are operating, and the screw press had come online. She said one pump has a manufacturer issue but the system is designed to operate with a pump out of service, meeting Department of Natural Resources requirements. "We've had a couple hiccups, but we're through the worst of it — everything seems to be operating," she said.
On pay-application details, staff explained that some invoices reflect materials in storage that are reimbursed when insured and located on site, while other line items represent installed work; that distinction accounts for movement of roughly $800,000 in materials between stored and installed line items though the pay app itself covered a smaller portion. Limebball estimated the project is "about 95%" complete; she said the septic receiving startup is expected in about a week to 10 days and a punch-list walkthrough is scheduled for April 15. The major remaining tasks include site cleanup, final startup work, and a SCADA upgrade.
Council members pressed staff for line-item clarifications and whether incomplete mechanical elements would delay payment; staff explained contract rules for paying stored materials versus installed work and said they review invoices and insurance before reimbursing contractors for stored items.
Separately, legal counsel and staff noted ongoing contract issues with another construction contract in which the city has not signed because the bidder's draft included higher retainage and the removal of liquidated damages not consistent with bid documents; staff also said the contractor does not yet have a required DNR construction permit, so the city cannot authorize notice to proceed.
Council approved the pay application by voice vote. Staff said they will monitor remaining punch-list items, confirm DNR and contract conditions where applicable, and return with any changes needed to authorizations.
