Melbourne council approves up to $100,000 for lift-station pump replacements

Mayor Mansager called the Melbourne City Council to order on July 13, and council members approved a purchase to replace aging lift-station pumps.

Council reviewed service history for pumps installed in 2005 at the Railroad Street and Morton Building lift stations and heard that the existing pumps have shown low insulation/resistance readings, indicating age-related degradation. Public Works obtained two vendor quotes and recommended Hydromatic pumps from Allied Systems because of a shorter lead time. Council approved purchasing five pumps for a maximum total expenditure of $100,000, with an approximate quoted cost of $91,000 and an estimated 12-week delivery time. The motion was made by Councilperson Beth Opperman and seconded by Gary Fricke; the vote was all ayes.

The replacement is intended to restore reliability at both lift stations; Council directed Public Works to contact the vendor and place the order. The approval locks in a procurement plan but did not include additional financing details; the action was recorded during routine meeting business.