City utilities board approves $294,500 transformer/VFD replacement, emergency repairs and multiple on‑call contracts

The City of Bloomington Utilities Board on March 9 approved Resolution 2026-04 and a public-works contract awarding Empower Incorporated the work to replace a variable-frequency drive (VFD) and transformer for high-service pump No. 1 at the Monroe water treatment plant. Daniel Hudson, the utility’s capital projects manager, said Empower was the lowest responsive bidder and the contract amount was presented as $294,500. The board voted to approve the resolution and the corresponding public-works agreement.

Board members also approved an emergency contract with Electric Plus to address a Feb. 5 transformer failure that “blew up the breakers,” according to the staff member who described the incident. City Legal advised the board that a cover memo contained a clerical date error; Chris Wheeler clarified the memo is informational and the contract’s effective dates were corrected before the signature process. The emergency contract was approved.

In routine business the board approved standard invoices and the utility claims list, authorized March wire transfers, and approved customer refunds. The board approved the consent agenda — presented by Utilities Director Katherine Zigger — which included a contract for data cabling to support a new EV charger and replacement VFDs at the Dilman wastewater treatment plant. The consent agenda amount was presented as $10,774.29.

The board also approved three on‑call services agreements presented by Purchasing Manager Jose Fuentes: an on‑call electrical services agreement (Echo/Electric), an on‑call fence repair agreement with Harmony Acres doing business as Value Fence Company (for facility security at plants, booster stations and lift stations), and an on‑call pump/repair agreement with Water Solutions Unlimited. The board discussed vendor headquarters and local presence for the pump services vendor and approved a one‑year term with renewal options.

Separately, the board approved amendment No. 3 to the engineering agreement with Commonwealth Engineers to cover additional design work on the Westwood lift station after higher-than-anticipated flows were detected. Kevin White, capital projects coordinator, said the amendment is for $30,430, bringing the contract not-to-exceed amount to $697,600 and adding one year to the contract expiration.

Actions at the meeting were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote without roll-call tallies recorded in the transcript. The meeting closed with staff announcements including a new communications operator and an internal promotion; the board then adjourned.