Utility board approves consent agenda, emergency cleanup payment and multiple on-call contracts

The City of Bloomington Utility Services Board on Feb. 23 approved routine claims, a consent agenda of non-chemical contracts, several on-call agreements, and an emergency environmental-service payment tied to an October spill.

Catherine Zager, utilities director, presented the consent agenda totaling $21,084.91. Items included Grip Incorporated ($6,684.91) to install a flow meter at the Dillman Wastewater Treatment Plant; Electric Plus Inc. ($14,400) to install charging stations at Blucher and Dillman service centers; and Airgas Specialty Products (ammonium hydroxide supply) for Monroe Water Treatment Plant. Megan (speaker 4) pointed out a $25,000 donation to the Lake Monroe Water Fund noted on page 5; Catherine described that as an annual contribution in support of the city’s primary drinking-water source.

The board approved multiple on-call service agreements presented by purchasing manager Jose Fuentes: a one-year with two optional one-year renewals for Decker Pest Control (up to $10,000 per year, usage-based invoicing); a $20,000 roofing on-call agreement with BNL Sheet Metal & Roofing; amendments to Rehab Corporation (compressor services) and Todd Septic (waste pickup) to carry funds until auto-renewal; and an on-call services agreement with Freehub Corporation. Board members discussed why many on-call contracts are now presented outside the consent agenda (three-year totals can exceed the controller’s $25,000 consent threshold) and asked staff to continue emphasizing transparency. All of those items were approved on motion and second.

The board also approved an emergency services agreement with SCT Environmental for $33,000.90 to remediate an October spill in an intake vault caused by failing/old piping at a chemical-injection vault that holds copper sulfate and sodium permanganate. Isabel Quiroz, hazmat coordinator, explained that invoicing was delayed because of waste profiling, analysis and scheduling of disposal, which accounts for the late billing.

Votes at a glance
- Consent agenda (Grip Inc., Electric Plus Inc., Airgas Specialty Products): approved (voice vote).
- Standard invoices: approved (voice vote).
- Utility bills (Feb. 19, $216,846.30): approved (voice vote).
- Wire transfers ($575,157.64): approved (voice vote).
- Customer refunds ($387.88): approved (voice vote).
- Decker Pest Control on-call agreement: approved.
- BNL Sheet Metal & Roofing on-call agreement: approved.
- Freehub Corporation on-call agreement: approved.
- Rehab Corporation amendment (compressors): approved.
- Todd Septic amendment: approved.
- Corson Fire & Security amendment (contract expiration date moved): approved.
- SCT Environmental emergency services agreement ($33,000.90): approved.

What this means
The approvals maintain maintenance and emergency-response capacity across CBU facilities and keep scheduled inspections for fire and backflow systems in compliance. Staff said outreach materials and FAQs for the ongoing rate case are available online and that the department will continue to provide transparency about on-call contracting and project-related contracts.

The meeting adjourned after staff reports and reminders about upcoming outreach events.