Council approves up to $20,000 for mixing‑zone study for wastewater permit

The council approved a city request to retain HPH Engineering to complete a required mixing‑zone study for the wastewater treatment plant as part of NPDES permit obligations. The public works director said HPH had recently done prior work and already had much of the necessary data; staff recommended using HPH to meet the permit deadline (Dec. 15, 2026). "Their estimated cost is not to exceed $20,000 to complete it," the public works director said.

Council moved and unanimously approved a motion to authorize the city administrator to sign the necessary documents to retain HPH. Staff also noted an anticipated regional coordination item — an MOU that proposes a shared project manager for regional wastewater work with proposed contributions (Junction City $50,000; Crestwell $50,000; Lane County $100,000) slated to return to council for action.

What happens next: staff will confirm whether a separate contract is required or if HPH can perform the work under an existing contract, and will return procurement documents as needed.