Consultants present lift station design; Taylor council sets operational preferences

AJ Tuck and Anthony Setness of Moore Engineering presented a proposed lift station design to the Taylor City Council at the special meeting on June 30, 2025. Council members reviewed equipment and operational options and agreed on several preferences to be included in the project specifications.

Moore Engineering recommended using gas as the first-choice fuel for the lift station control-cabinet generator, followed by diesel and then propane; the council accepted that recommendation and directed the firm to evaluate supply and cost implications. The consultants also recommended that an auto-dialer be provided and programmed with five phone numbers; the council asked staff to check with Consolidated and/or Verizon about the feasibility and monthly line costs. The council favored a red visual alarm only and opted against an audible siren to limit noise impacts.

Other preferences recorded were no fence around the lift station, no need to paint the process pipes in the valve vault, and that Moore Engineering check with the Department of Environmental Quality about advisory signage. The consultants were asked to review sewer televising records and inspect for broken pipes between the lagoon and the lift station prior to bidding. Moore Engineering told the council that dewatering would be required only during construction and that a generator could be included as a bid alternate so procurement could be deferred if necessary.

Moore Engineering will follow up by checking regulatory signage requirements with DEQ, confirming phone-line options and costs with Consolidated/Verizon, and incorporating the generator as an alternate in the bid documents. The council did not take a separate formal vote on the design at the meeting and left additional details to staff and the engineering consultant.