Cordelane council approves outfall-cleaning amendment, WRF facility plan update and new dump truck for wastewater operations

The Cordelane City Council unanimously approved three wastewater-related items on May 19 meant to restore outfall capacity, plan long-term treatment upgrades and replace aging hauling equipment.

Wastewater Utility Manager Mike Becker presented a request to approve Amendment No.1 with Associated Underwater Services (AUS) to clean sediment from the city’s 1985 outfall in the Spokane River after a bathymetric survey showed the structure was roughly 50% filled and at least one diffuser fully buried. Becker said the city’s outfall has a discharge capacity that varies with river elevation (reported in the presentation as roughly 11.9 to 15.7 million gallons per day) and that the proposed cleaning is a routine maintenance project not requiring Army Corps or state permits. Council approved the $36,658.34 amendment (resolution 26-037).

The council also approved a professional services agreement with JUB Engineers for a 2026 Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRF) plan update for $1,278,800 (resolution 26-038). Staff said the facility plan, last updated in 2018, documents capital and operational needs and informs decisions for the next decade. Mike Becker told the council four firms responded to the RFP and JUB was highest ranked after negotiation.

Separately, the council approved the purchase of a 2027 Kenworth T880 dump truck through Sourcewell for $280,760 to replace a 13-year-old truck used to haul biosolids to the city’s compost facility. Staff said the larger truck provides about 50% more capacity, reduces trips (currently two–three loads per day) and frees roughly two operator hours per day.

All three measures passed on roll call.

Next steps: the outfall contractor will perform cleaning work under the approved amendment; the WRF plan update will proceed under the JUB contract; the wastewater department will take delivery of the dump truck under the approved procurement.