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Vernon Center council directs staff to draft WWTP/WTP project list to meet USDA-RD funding match
Summary
Mayor Dana Ziegler and city staff were told they must identify roughly $210,000 in wastewater-treatment projects and $475,000 in water-treatment projects to qualify for full USDA-RD funding; engineers and the public works supervisor were asked to produce cost estimates for review at the March meeting.
Vernon Center Mayor Dana Ziegler told the city council that a recent meeting with USDA Rural Development officials showed the city must identify about $210,000 in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) projects and $475,000 in water treatment plant (WTP) projects to meet a required 50/50 funding split for full loan/grant support.
Engineer Chris Knutson and Public Works Supervisor Mark Willette discussed potential work that could be included. Knutson said a new well is a possibility but estimated it could cost the city roughly $500,000 and would require a separate bid as it would not qualify as a change order to an existing contract. Willette identified immediate needs at the WWTP including new blowers, HVAC work, and electrical upgrades; he also said silencers at the plant appear plugged and that he will circulate pricing on replacements.
The council discussed schedule implications. Knutson said preparing bidding documents would take a month or two, with another 45–60 days for funding approvals; depending on timing, well work could proceed in winter months. Willette noted that if project funds remain after primary work, the city could apply remaining funds toward a jetter, although buying a jetter could also be financed through bonding.
Mayor Ziegler instructed Knutson and Willette to draft a prioritized list of projects and cost estimates for council review at the March 4 meeting so the city can submit a package to USDA-RD. The council did not take a formal vote on any specific construction contract at the meeting; the action was a direction to staff and consultants to prepare documentation.
