Utilities reports high flows, postponed lining and air-conditioning procurement issues

Brent (speaker 11), speaking for utilities, reported several operational issues at the July 28 meeting: plant flows increased from about 170,000 (June) to roughly 212,000 on a recent Monday, a lining mobilization was rescheduled and is expected in August, and the plant accepted a one-time septic haul while helping a neighboring operation.

Brent said the pump and membrane work was delayed for mobilization but will be rescheduled; he described a one-off acceptance of 20,000 gallons of septic that required staff time to clean up and said the plant is not set up to accept regular septic dumping. On air-conditioning needs and procurement, the council's procurement policy requires sealed bids for purchases over $30,000. Utilities staff noted some equipment is proprietary (membranes) and that in those cases three sealed bids may not be available; staff flagged the emergency procurement language in the policy as a possible path if the AC failure is classified as an emergency.

The council and staff discussed budgets and potential procurement paths. Brent said the plant had a maintenance clean on July 10 and that alarms and some panel replacements are scheduled; staff will follow up on the lining mobilization schedule and AC procurement options.