Commission recommends contracts and account transfers: turbine overhaul, Evergy account acquisitions, CCTV van and waterline replacement

The Gardner City Utility Advisory Commission on April 2 approved a set of contract and procurement recommendations and recommended the City Council consider several associated approvals.

The commission voted to recommend awarding a major inspection and upgrade contract for generation unit one to Allied Power Group (APG) for $5,672,395, continuing upgrades similar to prior work on unit two. Staff told commissioners that only one bidder responded to the RFP for this particular scope; staff said the expected cost is roughly 10% higher than the prior unit’s work.

The commission also recommended that the City Council authorize the City Administrator to acquire five properties (six electric meters) served by Evergy as part of the 167th Street widening project and to realign service territory. Staff said relocating Evergy’s lines for the road project makes this the appropriate time to transfer service; the packet showed a compensation payment to Evergy of $44,506.44. Staff estimated the customer downtime for the meter switch would be minimal (about 30–40 minutes) and said staff will notify affected customers and offer opportunities to meet and ask questions before a transition. Commissioners discussed legal standing and payback time and were told staff had consulted legal counsel.

For sanitary sewer inspection, staff recommended a turnkey CCTV sanitary-sewer-mounted camera van from Red Equipment LLC, budgeted in the 2026 wastewater budget at $240,932.86. Staff said the vehicle-mounted system includes camera, reels, cabling (about 1,100 ft), upgraded software that interfaces with the city’s system, and local warranty/service; delivery was estimated at about six months. Staff also said the vendor typically maintains a spare camera to loan while a unit is in repair.

On water infrastructure, staff recommended awarding CIP WA7007 (Center Street to Elm Street alley) to Griggs Construction for $260,141 to replace a failing concrete waterline behind downtown businesses. Commissioners emphasized completing the waterline work before planned alley improvements and upcoming summer events.

The commission discussed a proposed in-house large-format plotter/scanner (estimated low quote $7,000) to digitize drawings but asked staff to research used- equipment options and deferred action until the May 7 meeting.

Votes at a glance:

- Consent agenda: approved (motion recorded: Commissioner Paul; second: Commissioner Edwards).
- APG unit one inspection/upgrade: recommend award to Allied Power Group for $5,672,395 (mover: Commissioner Augustine; seconder: Commissioner Edwards).
- Evergy account acquisition: recommend City Administrator authorize acquisition of six Evergy electric accounts (five properties, six meters) and compensation to Evergy $44,506.44 (mover: Commissioner Paul; seconder: Commissioner Augustine).
- Scanner purchase: deferred to May 7 for staff to research used options (mover: Commissioner Augustine; seconder: Commissioner Paul).
- CCTV sewer camera van: recommend award to Red Equipment LLC for $240,932.86 (mover: Commissioner Paul; seconder: Commissioner Edwards).
- Center–Elm alley waterline (WA7007): recommend award to Griggs Construction for $260,141 (mover: Commissioner Edwards; seconder: Commissioner Augustine).

Each motion was recorded as approved by voice vote in the transcript; the record shows the Chair announced motions carried, but a roll-call tally by individual commissioner name is not shown in the transcript.