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Ward council approves wastewater purchases authority (first reading), awards waterline and blower contracts, rejects EV grants and authorizes street overlay sc—
Summary
At the Sept. 16 meeting, Ward City Council approved on first reading a $25,000 wastewater spending-authority increase, awarded a waterline contract ($32,355) and a wastewater blower purchase ($24,800), rejected two EV-related grants, and authorized engineering for dead-end street overlays.
Ward City Council handled a broad slate of municipal business on Sept. 16, approving several ordinances on second reading, advancing infrastructure purchases, and directing engineering work for street overlays.
Key votes and approvals
- Wastewater purchasing authority: Council voted to increase the city manager's spending authority for water/wastewater materials to $25,000 on first reading. The roll call on the first-reading motion was 3-1 in favor; Council member Brooke cast the lone no vote. The item will return for the required subsequent readings.
- Waterline contract (Resolution 202534): Council authorized the mayor and/or clerk to contract with Cosmic Construction LLC to install a 6-inch waterline (low bid cited as $32,355). Staff said the line will be used as part of a tank project and completes a loop that improves firefighting capacity on Sweetwater and nearby streets.
- Wastewater blower (Resolution 202535): Council approved purchase of an Omega 63P blower for the wastewater treatment plant at a price presented at the meeting (approximately $24,800) to replace the failing blower discussed earlier.
- Ordinances and fines: The council advanced multiple ordinances to their next readings, including Ordinance 2025-17 (authorizing fire department billing outside city limits) which passed its second reading by roll call and will return for a final reading next month. The council also set a stopgap penalty schedule in Ordinance 2025-19 to ensure violations have enforceable fines until individual ordinances are updated.
- EV grants rejected: Council voted to reject two grants awarded through Metro Plan / EPA CPRG: a $20,000 fleet-replacement grant for two electric vehicles and a $14,500 grant for two EV charging stations. The council authorized the mayor and clerk to sign documents to formally reject both awards.
- Streets: Staff presented street maps and cost estimates. Council authorized bond engineering to prepare an overlay bid package covering named dead-end streets (Steven Street, Langford, Kirkland, Hillburn, Grant Street and Circle P Drive) and instructed staff to proceed with procurement work.
Other business
- Personnel: Council accepted the retirement of court clerk Beth Glover and approved Angel Williams as the incoming chief court clerk. A resolution (202538) naming authorized check signers for Ward District Court checks passed.
- Fire chief vehicle: Council approved acquiring a new Dodge Durango for the fire chief, saying funds were available.
- Audit: The council received and accepted audited Ward water and sewer financial statements for the years ending Dec. 31, 2023 and 2024; the reports were presented as a clean audit.
What this means
Council's approvals advance several near-term infrastructure purchases and a small construction contract for a waterline loop. The spending-authority increase is limited to water and wastewater materials and is intended to let staff act quickly on time-sensitive equipment needs while preserving budgetary oversight through subsequent readings. The council's rejection of EV vehicle and charger grants ends that procurement stream for now and returns the associated grant funds.
Next steps: Several items (notably the wastewater spending-authority increase and multiple ordinances) will return to the council for additional readings or procurement steps in coming meetings.
