Odessa’s wastewater plant, on-call contracts and changes to the Odessa Development Corporation board are among the top items on Tuesday’s city council meeting agenda.
During its last meeting, the council voted 6-1 to remove ODC President Kris Crow after he was accused of prohibiting an attorney hired by the ODC from talking to Mayor Javier Joven and city staff about using ODC money to address the city’s failing infrastructure.
This week, the council is expected to discuss Crow’s replacement, although the agenda states it can remove other board members or make leadership changes, too.
The council is also scheduled to go into executive session to discuss a meeting that took place Aug. 2 with ODC’s legal counsel and city staff.
In other matters, Utilities Director Kevin Niles will ask the council to award a contract to design and implement improvement measures at the Bob Derrington Wastewater Treatment Plant to Performance Services. Johnson Controls also submitted a bid. The agenda doesn’t state what either bid amount was.
In addition, Niles would like the council to pay just under $3 million to Triun LLC to replace 1,400 linear feet of safety fencing and 1,240 linear feet of rails at the Derrington Plant, make pipe and pump improvements, to buy and install grit system mixers and replace 3,000 square feet of sidewalks, stairs and two overhead cranes. The company would also remove all water and grit inside the grit removal system.
According to Niles, the money for the fixes would come from American Rescue Plan Act money and the Derrington plant account.
The council will also discuss awarding a $1 million contract to Hydromax USA to evaluate and replace water distribution valves throughout the city. According to materials provided to the council, the city had budgeted $526,000 for such things.
According to records obtained by the Odessa American through the Texas Public Information Act, from Jan. 1 through June 30, 92 water lines broke in the City of Odessa resulting in the lost of 6.1 million gallons of water because crews were unable to isolate many of the breaks due to faulty valves.
Once the valves are replaced, the city will begin to replace water lines. Last month, the council agreed to set aside $25 million for the valve and water line replacement project.
In other water-related matters, Niles is also asking for permission to purchase aerator replacement parts for the Derrington plant for a little over $90,000. Only $500 had been budgeted for the parts.
Niles would also like to purchase valve and actuators for the water treatment plant at a cost of just under $182,000. Roughly $203,000 had been budgeted for the items.
According to materials provided to the council, the current effluent valves are showing signs of failure.
“It is imperative that these valves function efficiently to prevent contamination of water from backwashing of filters,” Niles wrote.
As for the actuators, Niles wrote they’ve been in place since the plant was built and parts are getting hard to come by because they’re no longer being made. He wants to buy clam shell shaped actuators to replace the plant’s cylinder-shaped actuators.
Also on Tuesday, Assistant City Manager Cristina Burns will ask the council to approve multiple contracts for companies that will be called on an as-needed basis for engineering and design services, land surveying services and architectural services.
Burns has said having an on-call list would save the city time and money by reducing the need for additional meetings, preparing new RFQs and issuing additional legal notices.
Twelve companies responded to a request for qualifications for engineering and design services. The cost of each service would not exceed $250,000 and each firm would be capped at $500,000 annually. Each service provided would have to be approved in advance by the council.
The companies are: Carollo, Dunaway, Enprotec/Hibbs & Todd, Freese and Nichols, Kimley-Horn, Landgraf, Crutcher & Associates, Magrym Consulting, Maverick Engineering, Newton Engineering, Park Hill, SKG Engineering and WA Civil.
Eight firms submitted RFQs for landscaping surveying services. The cost for each service would not exceed $100,000 and there would be a $250,000 annual cap. Again, the council would have to approve each service before it could begin.
The companies are: Dunaway, Enprotec/Hibbs & Todd, Halff, Landgraf, Crutcher & Associates, LJA Surveying, Maverick Engineering, Parkhill and SKG Engineering.
Three firms submitted qualifications for architectural services, Brandstetter Carroll, Parkhill and Schwarz Hanson Architects.
Again, the cost for each service would not exceed $100,000 and there would be a $250,000 annual cap. Again, the council would have to approve each service before it could begin.
In other matters the council:
- Will be asked to pass a resolution establishing a maximum tax rate of $0.466275 for FY 24-25. The rate is lower than last year but will bring in more revenue with some of that new revenue tied to new properties in the city.
- Will be asked to approve a $75,000 settlement to Emmanuel Calvillo, who was injured in a car wreck involving Felipe Rodarte, a city driver.
- Will be asked to grant Playgrounds Etc. a $349,000 contract to resurface Sherwood Park. According to materials provided to the council by Parks and Recreation Director Max Reyes, the surface would be poured-in-place which is cooler than artificial turf, more durable and resistant to vandalism.
During the city’s work session, which begins at 3 p.m., the council will discuss a new process for regulating bars and restaurants that serve alcohol and discuss food truck ordinance regulations.
The new bar and restaurant ordinance would, in part, reduce renewal fees by 50% if the applicant installs security cameras or hires patrol officers or qualified security officers.
It will also discuss approaching the ODC about road projects on Yukon and Mission Drive.
