City authorizes replacement of aging dual-fuel generator tanks after sludge discovery

Jamie Huber described long-running operational problems with the city's dual-fuel generator tanks, installed in 1993, saying maintenance found about a foot of sludge that made cleaning impractical because manholes were too small for safe entry. He said contractors declined to clean the tanks and the city pursued a consolidated contractor to handle filtration, crane work, hazardous disposal and tank fabrication.

Huber presented an estimated cost of $155,988.12 and said the price was an estimate because some items could change. He told commissioners that tank fabrication lead times were about 6.5 months, which would move work into the first of the year if approved. Commissioner (speaker 8) moved to approve the expenditure for replacement and disposal work; the commission approved the measure by voice vote.