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Council approves SEH design work as Pelican Rapids faces costly wastewater digester repairs
Summary
Council authorized $13,500 in engineering design services from SEH to address sludge buildup in digester two at the wastewater plant; staff estimated pumping, concrete cutting and repairs could push total costs toward $70,000 and plan to request reimbursement from a PFA replacement fund.
The Pelican Rapids City Council voted March 31 to approve a professional services agreement with SEH for structural design work to address sludge buildup in digester two at the city's wastewater treatment plant.
Lance described the problem: the aeration system under the digester appears to have a break and there is an estimated six feet of sludge accumulated on one side. To access and fix the system, staff said two hatches need to be added to the north end of each digester and structural drawings are required. Lance read the SEH design fee as "13,500," which was discussed as $13,500 for the engineering work.
Council discussed additional cost estimates provided during the meeting: contractors estimated pumping and hauling the sludge at roughly $30,000 or more, cutting through concrete at about $22,000, and the combined work could reach the low-to-mid $70,000 range before final design. Staff said the city has a PFA replacement fund account (reported in discussion as about $500,000) and intends to request to use those funds for the repair but had not yet received formal PFA confirmation.
A councilor moved and the council approved the SEH agreement by voice vote. Lance said staff will prepare invoices and submit a request to the PFA for reimbursement or use the replacement account as permitted.
The council action authorizes the next step in design; final repair scope and total cost will be known after the SEH drawings and competitive pricing are completed.
