Elkhart board declares emergencies for storm debris and wastewater dewatering, OKs engineering work

The Board of Public Works for the City of Elkhart on Thursday declared emergencies to address widespread storm debris and a failing wastewater dewatering system, and authorized engineering work to study and repair the west side of the wastewater treatment plant.

The board approved Resolution 26-R-10 to allow staff to contract with private firms to collect limbs and other storm debris after staff reported about 1,403 outstanding 311 brush-pickup requests. Chair (unnamed) introduced the motion, which passed by voice vote.

The board also ratified emergency actions taken by the director of public works, Jeff Schafer, to address failures in the plant’s dewatering presses. Schafer told the board the plant’s three 25-year-old presses were failing and digester No. 3 had experienced a dome rupture earlier this year. He said staff rented a mobile dewatering belt press from MSD Environmental and had H and G Services run a temporary 100-amp electric service to it; that mobile unit has been performing well.

"This single mobile press did as much dewatering as our other 3 presses combined," Schafer said, describing the rented unit’s capacity and explaining it will remain in use until a permanent press can be installed.

To guide longer-term work, the board authorized the vice president to execute a professional services agreement with Wessler Engineering for west-side wastewater treatment plant improvements, with fees not to exceed $105,800. Schafer said Wessler’s scope will include equipment, pumps, piping and operational review to determine whether multiple presses or other upgrades are necessary before committing to larger capital purchases.

Separately, the board approved a Wessler contract not to exceed $35,300 for preparation of bidding documents and safe procedures to remove the partially collapsed cover on digester No. 3, a methane-rich structure that requires specialized planning before removal.

The motions passed by voice votes following staff presentations and questions about budget and scheduling. Schafer told the board the cost of a new installed belt press would likely be in the $600,000–$800,000 range and said staff are repurposing leftover SRF-project funds for the initial engineering work.

The board did not set a construction schedule for a permanent press but approved the study and immediate emergency measures to keep the plant in compliance.