Council approves wastewater‑plant contract increase and change order after flood concerns

Public Works Director Payne briefed the board on needed adjustments to the Phase 2 wastewater treatment improvements, saying the contractor Mid State Pipeline initially estimated savings that were later clarified as $5,200 with a potential extra $3,000 if materials were reusable but that the net effect required an amendment increasing the contract by $4,800 to $164,500.

Payne framed the work as FEMA mitigation to reduce the risk of flood damage and emphasized choosing a contractor the city trusts over the lowest bid. He said the change protects functionality and reduces the risk that panels and equipment would be rendered inoperative in another flood event.

Council then amended the previously adopted motion (to replace the earlier $159,700 figure with $164,500) and approved the amendment. An accompanying change order (Bill 3703, change order #3) extends a contract time and adds scope to elevate another panel on the UV station and to accommodate delays obtaining electrical components; staff said the funding for some pieces comes from different sources (FEMA mitigation vs. ARPA), and cautioned about avoiding double‑dipping in grant accounting.

The board also approved a resolution to authorize control panel improvements and for the mayor to execute the contract. Council members stressed the need to complete work on the DNR‑mandated timeline.

Outcome: motions and the change order were approved by the board during the meeting. The amendment to the Mid State Pipeline contract (increase to $164,500) was approved on a roll call; the change order for Phase 2a was also approved.