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Council holds hearing on wastewater upgrades; approves engineering contract with Strand Associates
Summary
At a public hearing, the council reviewed the Iowa DNR environmental document for a wastewater‑treatment plant upgrade designed to increase capacity and meet future effluent limits; the council also authorized a $3,985,000 engineering services agreement with Strand Associates to advance bidding and construction.
The Independence City Council held a public hearing on Dec. 8 on the city’s state revolving fund loan application and the environmental information document for a major wastewater treatment plant modifications project.
Brad, the staff presenter, told the council the project’s purpose is “to improve the wastewater treatment facilities to increase capacity, meet future effluent limits, and reliably operate the City of Independence wastewater system for the next 20 years.” He described proposed new and modified structures including oxidation ditches, final clarifiers, aerobic digesters, sludge storage and new electrical and SCADA infrastructure. The facilities plan compared three alternatives; the council was told the oxidation‑ditch activated‑sludge process was selected on life‑cycle cost and operability grounds, UV disinfection was chosen over chlorination because of safety, and aerobic digestion was selected instead of anaerobic digestion.
Brad read a summary of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources finding of no significant impact, noting the DNR concluded the work would take place on an existing, previously disturbed site, would not displace residents or affect endangered species habitat, and would not have significant impacts on wetlands, floodplains or air quality.
Following the hearing, the council unanimously authorized the city manager to sign an engineering services agreement with Strand Associates for bidding and construction‑related services. Council members were told the total fees under the agreement are $3,985,000 and that it includes limited post‑construction assistance for equipment warranty and operator support. The motion carried on a roll call vote.
No members of the public spoke for or against the project during the hearing; staff said no written comments had been received. Officials said a second public hearing will be held when drawings and specifications are complete, as required by the DNR. The council’s authorization allows the city to move the design into bidding and construction phases.
What’s next: The city will proceed with final design and bidding under the Strand contract and schedule a later hearing to review construction drawings and specifications before awarding construction contracts.
