Council extends FRM wastewater contract as staff prepares RFQ for long-term services

City staff told the council that Fluid Resource Management (FRM) has been contracted for wastewater operations and training since January 2022, a partnership that staff said has improved plant performance. Winter storms overloaded the plant this year; staff and FRM implemented temporary spray-field measures to manage excess flows while working to repair equipment and return to permit compliance.

Public works staff recommended a short extension of the FRM agreement — retroactive to March 1 — not to exceed seven months and $250,000 so that the city can draft and advertise a request for qualifications for long-term wastewater operations and management services. Staff said $125,000 of the extension would be covered in the current-year wastewater budget and $125,000 would be requested in FY23–24 budgeting.

Council moved, seconded and approved the extension by voice vote. Staff said they will advertise an RFQ for operations and management services and continue efforts to recruit an operations manager; the council asked staff to consider recruitment incentives or restructuring if certification requirements limit candidate pools.