Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wastewater Treatment Expansion topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ashland board approves first-reading amendment to accelerate wastewater plant equipment purchases, citing $217,115 savings
Summary
On first reading the Ashland Board of Aldermen authorized a contract amendment with Bartlett West Construction to order equipment for the wastewater treatment plant expansion, a two‑step GMP approach staff said will avoid end‑of‑year price increases and save about $217,115.
The Ashland Board of Aldermen on first reading approved Council Bill 2024‑39, authorizing the mayor to enter into Contract Amendment No. 1 with Bartlett West Construction to order equipment for the city’s wastewater treatment plant expansion.
City staff told the board the amendment is needed to place purchase orders for long‑lead equipment before manufacturers raise prices at year end. James (city staff) introduced project manager Kyle Lynn Weir of Bartlett & West, who detailed a two‑step guaranteed maximum price (GMP) approach designed to lock in supplier pricing and speed the design‑build schedule.
The board was told the procurement documents released subcontractor installation bids on Nov. 18 with a Jan. 10 due date and that approval of the equipment GMP would allow the city to issue purchase orders and begin preconstruction work immediately. Kyle Lynn Weir explained the design‑build process and the cost structure in the GMP, including engineering and administrative fees, subcontractor bonds, construction contingency to cover the gap between 30% and 100% design, and a contract fee tied to the equipment guarantee.
"The savings by getting these purchase orders issued prior to the end of the year will amount to 217,115," Bartlett & West’s project manager said, and he asked the board to authorize the amendment "no later than the 15th" to meet vendor timelines. Staff also said the two‑step GMP would allow concurrent work to advance design to 100%, shortening the schedule by roughly two months compared with a single‑step GMP.
Officials noted a target for substantial completion of the expansion in early 2026 but flagged long lead times for backup power equipment; the switchgear was cited as taking about 60 weeks, and staff said the existing on‑site generator can power the current plant but not the extension until new switchgear is installed.
A motion to approve Council Bill 2024‑39 passed with board members recorded voting in favor. With first‑reading approval, staff may proceed with the contract amendment, place the urgent purchase orders described in the staff report and continue toward the second‑step GMP and final installation GMP in January.
The board did not adopt a final construction contract tonight; the action approved the amendment to allow equipment orders and to move forward under the two‑step GMP approach described by Bartlett & West.
