Council approves multiple wastewater work-change directives and a contractor pay application; staff to seek cheaper pipe option

Council members on Tuesday approved two work-change directives and a pay application tied to the town's wastewater plant construction while asking staff to seek a lower-cost piping option for the plant's non-potable water system.

Randy, who provided the council's monthly Division A recap, said construction continues across the site with electrical and mechanical work, roofing on the phosphorus building, and aeration-tank work moving forward. He told the council the project remains on schedule.

The council voted to approve Work Change Directive No. 5, a $7,239 addition to provide power to a non-potable-water shelter and to swap a unit heater to match the shelter's voltage. Later, the council approved Work Change Directive No. 6 for $46,986 to add yard piping and valving so existing aeration tanks 3 and 4 can be returned to service as a bypass in an emergency if the new tanks are taken offline.

Randy explained the rationale for the second directive: "[T]his will give the capability of doing that by adding yard piping and valving to allow your existing tanks three and four be put back in service in case of emergency," allowing the plant to treat high flows or continue operations if new equipment requires maintenance.

On a separate vote the council approved Pay Application No. 12 for the overall project as presented in the council packet. The packet listed the pay application amount; the figure read aloud during the meeting contained transcription errors in the copy provided to the council but the amount in the project packet was recorded and approved by the body.

During discussion staff also presented contractor pricing to replace the plant's aging non-potable piping and hydrants. Two priced options were presented in the packet: a full ductile-iron replacement (roughly $197,000, exclusive of contractor markup) and a ductile-iron main with polyethylene hydrant connections (roughly $146,000). Randy told the council he would ask the contractor for an "option three" with an all-polyethylene main to see whether that would materially reduce cost.

Council members did not indicate the piping purchase was on the project's critical path but staff said a decision should be made before the January council meeting if materials must be ordered. The council also heard an update on Division B sewer works, including the park sewer segment and televised railroad segments, with staff reporting the contractor expected to complete installation and restoration soon.

The council closed discussion by approving the directives and the pay application. Next procedural steps are for staff to return with the polyethylene pricing and proceed with contract administration as the project continues toward the scheduled completion date.