At the January 20th Council meeting, the City Council approved the purchase of the Central Water Treatment Plant filter and softening equipment from Water Surplus for $1,659,550, with an additional …
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At the January 20th Council meeting, the City Council approved the purchase of the Central Water Treatment Plant filter and softening equipment from Water Surplus for $1,659,550, with an additional $41,275. Additionally, there will be a weekly charge of $1,600 for any piloting that extends beyond the initial four weeks.
Jon Strand of CBS2 recommended the City accept the proposal from Water Surplus, explaining that the City had received bids from both Tonka Water and Water Surplus. He noted that while Tonka offered a lower price, they wouldn’t be able to pilot their equipment until mid-summer, which would not align with the City’s project timeline.
“I don’t believe it will fit our time frame,” Strand said. He also expressed concern that Tonka didn’t include everything the City had requested in their price. In contrast, the proposal from Water Surplus was more comprehensive, including detailed operation and maintenance information, references, and examples of nearby installations. Strand also highlighted that Water Surplus’ proposal included a reverse osmosis filter system, which will help reduce water hardness, benefiting the City in the long term. He explained that Water Surplus will charge an additional $1,600 per week if the pilot testing runs longer than the initially budgeted four weeks. He said that originally each of the companies was budgeted for four weeks but when the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reviews how the pilot testing data is coming they may require that the pilot run for some additional time.
Alderperson Jason Meyer asked how long Water Surplus has been in business. Strand responded that the company has been operating for approximately 30 to 40 years and expressed “high confidence” in their ability to deliver. He added that they performed well in recent projects he worked on with them.
Meyer also inquired about funding for the project. Strand explained that while the project will be funded more through loans than grant money, the City’s high manganese levels would make them more competitive for grants, as the city is over the manganese limit and can score higher in funding applications.
When asked whether the equipment would last 20 years, Strand affirmed, “I expect it to last similar to the 1970s treatment plant with proper maintenance.” However, he acknowledged that some equipment will inevitably need to be replaced over time.
In other news
Assistant Fire Chief Jody Halterman addressed the City Council during public comment at the Monday evening meeting to announce that he passed his officer training for the fire department as of January 15th. “I am officially an officer,” he announced.
Halterman expressed his gratitude to Boyd/Edson/Delmar and Stanley Fire Chief Ron Patten for helping him, along with Jeff Ryba, for training him in fire inspections so he could assist in that area when needed. He requested that the Council consider adjusting his wages to reflect his new role as an officer.