Swisher council approves HR Green contract, sanctions sewer lining work and fund transfers

Swisher City Council on Nov. 13 approved Resolution 78-2024 to hire HR Green for engineering services (not to exceed $30,000) on a sanitary sewer maintenance and lining project and also approved related fund transfers and reimbursements.

City engineering staff told the council televised inspections show extensive root intrusion and joint gaps in the system and estimated the work could involve lining about 8,000 feet of pipe. The engineer said the plan is to rush design this month, put the project out for bid in early January, and aim for an award at the council’s Jan. 13 meeting so lining work can be completed within a three-month construction window.

Officials discussed a single spot repair that will require excavation before lining and said most issues are joint gaps and incrustations that reduce pipe capacity. Funding questions dominated discussion: staff reported an existing Division Street fund balance that would be reduced by current commitments (televising and engineering) and that the city has submitted an invoice to Johnson County seeking reimbursement; staff said Johnson County expected to process reimbursement by mid-December.

At the same meeting the council approved Resolution 76-2024 (final payment to Johnson County for Division Street work) and Resolution 80-2024 to transfer sums from several funds into the Debt Service fund to meet bond and loan principal and interest requirements. Council also approved Resolution 77-2024 to reimburse Johnson County for costs related to a specific annexation.

The council did not provide final contractor award details on Nov. 13; members prioritized segments of the sewer system and noted some lower-priority sections may need to be deferred if funding is insufficient. Staff estimated remaining balances and the timing of county reimbursements would determine the final scope.

The contracts and fund transfers passed by roll call during the meeting.