Commission approves waterline phase‑2 bid advertisement, Vactor truck purchase and Seafarers Park stabilization contract

The Warrenton City Commission approved three public‑works actions: staff will advertise bids for Phase 2 of the raw waterline replacement project (budgeted at $2,740,000), the commission authorized purchase of a demo Vactor truck to replace an unreliable 2009 model, and it awarded a $95,800 engineering contract to North Coast Civil Design LLC to address erosion at Seafarers Park.

Kevin Gorman, the city’s new public works director, described the raw waterline as a single transmission pipeline that connects the river source to the treatment plant and said it is "actively leaking". Gorman requested authorization to advertise for bids for 3,800 linear feet of 24‑inch HDPE pipe, stating the phase‑2 project was budgeted at $2,740,000 and is critical to the city’s water supply.

Gorman also presented the request to purchase a used demo Vactor truck, noting the current 2009 unit has been repeatedly out of service and contracting vacuum services costs approximately $1,000 plus hourly rates. "The current vehicle was purchased in 2010; it's a 2009 model year, and it was pulled out of service many times," he said. Staff said the demo model would save about $50,000 compared with a new truck and that recent regulatory changes affecting heavy‑duty engines make timing for a purchase advantageous.

For Seafarers Park stabilization, Gorman said staff received a single proposal and recommended awarding a professional services contract to North Coast Civil Design for $95,800 to move forward before the in‑water 'fish window' closes. The commission approved the three items by voice vote; staff noted pushing the Seafarers project would likely delay work until the next year and increase construction costs.