Council approves pay request as wastewater regionalization begins; city reports hundreds of thousands of gallons routed to St. Cloud

The Foley City Council approved pay application No. 23 as staff reported the new regional wastewater system moved into startup operations and began sending wastewater to St. Cloud. City staff sought payment of $57,4199 for work primarily on the Lang lift station and an older control building; council approved the payment by voice vote.

City operations manager Jacob Hurg told the council the system is now able to operate automatically and staff have been "pumping wastewater to St. Cloud — I believe we pumped 400,000 gallons yesterday, 300,000 today." He said crews trained on major installations along the force main and are resolving final control issues before declaring the system fully operational.

The request for pay application No. 23 accompanied an operational update: staff reported a recent streak of startup checks and training, and described remaining work as largely controls and minor adjustments. Councilors asked whether the project remains on the previously communicated contract deadline; Hurg responded that they are "working through everything as fast as we can" and noted the November 15 deadline as the working target.

The approval came during the council's regular meeting and followed a motion and second; the vote was recorded as carried by voice vote. Staff indicated they will continue final startup tasks and brief the council on remaining deficiencies and next steps.

The council also held public hearings and adopted related assessment resolutions later in the meeting but did not receive public comment opposing the wastewater assessments.