Council authorizes city manager to sign cooperative agreement for trenchless pipe lining

The governing body voted to direct the city manager to sign a cooperative procurement agreement with Insituform East for cure‑in‑place pipe (CIPP) pipe rehabilitation, subject to city‑attorney review.

Alan Riley, engineering services manager in public works, presented the technology: saturated, resin‑coated tubing is inverted or pulled into the existing pipe, then heated to cure a tight‑fitting, jointless liner. Riley described key benefits: trenchless installation reduces excavation, the lining reduces infiltration and inflow into the sanitary system and provides structural rehabilitation.

Riley clarified procurement and fiscal mechanics: the city is using Howard County’s cooperative contract provisions to obtain unit pricing and that “the agreement itself does not commit the city to spending any money,” meaning work would be authorized only once a task order is issued and funded. He also explained CIPP differs from pipe bursting — a more expensive, capacity‑increasing method that requires excavation at service connections.

Council asked about use cases (public right‑of‑way vs private laterals), access to private laterals, warranty and contract term; staff said the agreement permits lining mains in the public right‑of‑way and limited lateral work up to a few feet past the connection but that full private‑side repairs generally require interior access.

The motion directing the city manager to sign the agreement passed after a second and routine voice vote. Staff said the Howard County contract used as the cooperative vehicle has several years remaining; if it expires staff would return with alternative procurement options.