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Commission approves TWDB-funded lead service line inventory and replacement program; task orders and engineering contracts authorized
Summary
The commission approved certificates of obligation, accepted TWDB principal forgiveness (grants), and authorized engineering task orders to inventory and replace lead service lines; staff cited ~$3.04 million in total program assistance (51% principal forgiveness plus subsidized loans).
The commission approved a package of actions to advance the city's lead service‑line inventory and replacement obligations.
Staff reported the city’s Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) application identified roughly $3,040,816 in assistance for inventorying and replacing lead service lines, consisting of principal forgiveness (described by staff as a grant component) and subsidized loans. The commission approved separate financing steps: a certificate of obligation for inventory work (about $190,000) and a second certificate for replacement work (about $1.3 million), and approved accepting TWDB principal‑forgiveness amounts staff cited as roughly $197,755 for inventory and $1,353,061 for replacement.
To deliver the work, the commission approved professional services task orders and contract actions. The commission authorized task order #10 with Friese & Nichols Inc. for lead service line replacement engineering services (not to exceed $1,018,055) under a standing master services agreement. Commissioners discussed procurement fairness — staff described a scored RFQ process and said other firms would be used on future work — then approved the award by voice vote.
Commissioners and staff also approved a related water‑system planning package: a new water master plan (task order 9, $704,000) and an amendment to the wastewater master plan to add as‑built and manhole surveys (an amendment up to $115,000, revising that task authorization to $711,100). Staff said the water master plan will support long‑range capacity planning and provide a technical basis for future impact fees.
Staff emphasized the federal/state mandate nature of lead‑service‑line inventory/replacement work and said the TWDB assistance—combining grant/forgiveness and low‑interest financing—reduces the local borrowing burden. Commissioners voted to approve the financing, principal forgiveness acceptance, task orders and engineering award.
