Otsego council reviews South Central Water Treatment Plant updates; financing to return in August

The Otsego City Council received detailed updates July 27 on the South Central Water Treatment Plant design, capacity and financing plans. AE2S engineers Hanson and Julson reviewed a staff presentation that explained a reduced clear well, a building sized for future phase-two filters and operational flexibility in the backwash and storage process.

Mayor Jessica Stockamp and councilmembers pressed staff on schedule, capacity and costs. AE2S Engineer Hanson said "there will be a time frame, possibly years, to continue the adjustments" to the treatment process, and noted operational trade-offs tied to the phased design. Administrator and Finance Director Adam Flaherty told the council that "staff were recently notified of water system security issues with another City," and said staff are monitoring security and coordinating with the city's IT staff. Flaherty said reserves will cover the project's initial payments until bond proceeds are received and that the council could adjust usage rates if bond rates come in higher. He said the council will revisit the project at its first meeting in August.

The discussion touched on capacity and demand; AE2S Engineer Hanson said "the maximum capacity after phase two is 4,500 gallons," a figure the transcript does not specify with a time unit. Councilmembers emphasized long-term growth: CM Michelle Lund said phase two "allows for future growth," and CM Ryan Dunlap noted Public Works Subcommittee deliberations that informed the reduced clear well and building sizing decisions. The council did not take formal action on the project at this meeting and agreed to return the item for further consideration.