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Belmont approves Kataba River intake excavation award; staff to press Duke Energy on shared responsibilities
Summary
Council approved a capital project ordinance and tentative award for excavation work at the Kataba River drinking water intake after staff recommended HG Reynolds as the most responsible bidder; staff said a $10 million SRF grant is expected to support design and construction of a longer‑term intake relocation.
Council moved the Kataba River public water intake excavation capital project forward on June 1, approving the project ordinance and a tentative award after staff identified HG Reynolds Company Inc. as the most responsible responsive bidder.
Staff said earlier bids had been re‑advertised after the first solicitation yielded no responsive offers; of the recent submissions the rowboat company was deemed non‑responsive because required bid documentation was incomplete. Staff reported HG Reynolds’ base bid at $1,215,600 and said staff included a 15% owner contingency, bringing the project budget amount to $1,397,940. The city also noted an anticipated $10 million SRF (State Revolving Fund) grant to cover design and, if possible, construction of a new intake relocated away from the sediment‑prone channel.
Council members asked whether Duke Energy had been contacted about lake management and whether its responsibilities for maintaining lake levels and lake bed access could be leveraged to support the work. Staff said they had engaged Duke Energy to obtain permission to bid the work and to discuss dewatering staging areas and recommended following up for possible cost‑sharing or cooperation on a longer‑term solution.
Mayor and council members emphasized urgency: staff said the screened intake is largely covered in silt and proposed excavation would be an important near‑term step to restore reliable raw‑water access while a more extensive relocation or replacement remains under design. Councilmember Jason moved to approve the capital project ordinance for the Kataba River intake excavation project; the motion passed unanimously.
Staff will proceed with contract award and contract documents, include the project in capital accounting consistent with the SRF grant application, and continue outreach with Duke Energy about coordination and potential reimbursement.
