City contract manager reports critical solids‑handling issues at wastewater plant and outlines safety, inventory work

Mount Clemens on July 20 heard an initial report from F and V Operations & Resource Management (FVOP), the firm the city recently contracted to manage its utilities operations, that identified a critical solids‑handling pressure point at the wastewater plant and outlined immediate steps for staff training and asset inventories.

An FVOP representative told the commission the firm has been on the job “two weeks and a day” and has conducted staff interviews, pulled inventories for the water and wastewater plants, and begun a safety review. “We will have a monthly safety training,” the presenter said, adding the team plans to record trainings and make them auditable.

City Manager Brown said FVOP’s onboarding was intentional and noted the firm’s early focus. Brown said the firm will load asset lists — such as catch basins, curb stops and water services — into the city’s maintenance program to create a central work‑order and tracking system.

Public Services Director Jeff Wood summarized routine department work during the last quarter, including use of a pavement‑rating system for street evaluation, replacement of traffic signs, and landscaping and event support. Wood reported the department issued 2,183 parking citations and that meter collections totaled about $95,000 this quarter.

Commissioners pressed FVOP and operations staff about neighborhood water complaints. When a commissioner asked whether meter revenue figures reflected paid amounts or unpaid tickets, Wood replied, “That’s actual meter revenue. That’s what’s been paid at the meter.” FVOP staff also recommended site inspections for residents reporting bad‑tasting water and agreed to send crews to investigate collapsed sewer lines that residents said have been a problem for months.

The FVOP presentation flagged pumping and solids‑handling as areas requiring attention. The presenter said the plant is “at a critical place with solids handling,” noting that while some pressure has been relieved, “it’s not where we’d like to see the plant.” He recommended additional equipment work and a forthcoming more detailed report in a couple of weeks.

The commission did not take any formal action on utilities management during the meeting; the presentation served as an initial briefing and a planning step toward inventory integration, further equipment approvals and a safety training schedule.