Mount Clemens approves $528,801 contract for MDEQ-mandated wastewater repairs

The Mount Clemens City Commission voted to approve a contract with Aqua-Aerobic Systems Inc. for $528,801 to perform repairs at the city’s wastewater treatment plant that were required by an administrative consent order from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, city staff said.

City staff told the commission the consent order followed a June 2016 MDEQ inspection that found the plant’s sand filters — which provide tertiary treatment — were not in operation. Staff said the city had gone out for bids in 2017 and received a single bid of $1,168,000 for the specialized equipment and work required.

“[The contract] authorizes the necessary repairs and gets the sand filters back in operation,” a staff presenter said during the meeting. Staff also explained that some ancillary civil work (lifting or installation tasks) would be the city’s responsibility and that the contract’s signature page required a correction before execution.

Commissioner Will Cropp moved to approve the contract and the motion was seconded and approved on roll call. The roll call recorded all commissioners present voting yes. The city did not record any no votes, abstentions or recusals on the motion.

During discussion a staff member noted one clause in the draft referred to nonunion labor and staff indicated a corrected page would be inserted to address warranty and indemnity language. A separate exchange clarified the contractor would furnish equipment but the city might provide certain unloading or civil work if necessary to place large equipment in the plant.

The contract vote followed routine agenda approvals and did not include an amendment; staff said they would insert the corrected signature page before final execution. The item will proceed to contract execution according to the city’s purchasing procedures.

The commission also approved related routine purchasing payments and the consent agenda later in the meeting.