Tecumseh wins $1.32 million grid resiliency grant; council approves $703,869 power-plant pay application

Tecumseh received a state Grid Resiliency Grant and the City Council approved a large contractor payment during its July 7 meeting.

Utility staff reported that the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy awarded the city an NDEE Grid Resiliency Grant for $851,358, with a required local match of $467,919, bringing the total project amount to $1,319,277. "We were awarded NDEE grid Resiliency Grant, $851,358 NDEE, our match 467,919. Total $1,319,277," staff member Doug Goracke told the council.

The grant will be used for upgrades to the city substation, Goracke said; the council did not vote on the grant at the meeting because the memo was provided as part of the utility report. Goracke also reported a recent water main break north of town, several storm-related outages, ongoing work for a cooling-project tap at the water plant, and that generator and air-permit approvals are nearing completion.

Separately, the council approved Pay Application No. 3 from Farabee Mechanical for the Power Plant Project in the amount of $703,869.91. Councilmember Lorie Topp moved to approve the pay application; Tyler Speckmann seconded the motion. Voting aye were Lance Beethe, Brian Britt, Tyler Speckmann and Lorie Topp; Alicia Brommer and Travis Goracke were absent. The motion carried.

The approval authorizes the payment to the contractor as part of the larger power plant project; the minutes do not specify remaining contract balance or the specific work covered by this pay application. The utility report also noted about a week of remaining work on a JCH transfer and that Engine No. 2 is back in service.

The council had no other discussion or amendments recorded on the pay application during the meeting. The council is scheduled to hold its next regular session at a future date for additional items on the agenda.