Commission approves chemical supply contracts and authorizes replacement motor for Lilac lift station

At its July 16 meeting, the Leitchfield Utilities Commission approved staff recommendations on two procurement items and authorized a replacement motor for a malfunctioning lift-station pump.

David, a utilities staff member, presented leftover bid recommendations and asked the commission to award bid item No. 3 (sodium hypochlorite) to Water Solutions and item No. 9 (sodium bisulfite) to Brintec. "My recommendation is we give bid item number 3 to Water Solutions," David said. Commissioner Farris moved to accept the recommendation, with Commissioner Lucas seconding the motion. The commission approved the awards; the chair recorded that Commissioner Blaine abstained from both discussion and the vote on that item.

Commissioners then discussed an ongoing problem at the Lilac lift station, where repeated mechanical-seal failures and a previously welded pump-shaft have left staff relying on temporary repairs. David reported that vendor Smith and Lovelace would not sell just the replacement shaft and that a new pump motor was quoted at $38,000. "It's $38,000," David said when asked for the price. Staff said the department has contingency funds in an "unforeseen capital improvements" line and did not expect the purchase to create a budget shortfall.

The chair asked whether the commission should make a motion to approve the Lilac Road lift-station purchase at the meeting. The motion was made (recorded as moved by Mr. Blaine and seconded by Mr. Lucas) and approved by voice vote.

Actions taken at the meeting included awarding the two chemical bid items and approving the lift-station motor purchase. Commissioners said they wanted the new motor purchase completed quickly to avoid service risk at a high-flow station that serves much of the north part of town.