The Bob Derrington Water Reclamation Plant and the city’s water treatment plant will be major discussion topics for the Odessa City Council Tuesday night.
The council will be asked to approve a contract of just under $3 million for Triun Construction and Engineering to replace safety fencing and railings, replace damaged stairs and sidewalks, replace two overhead cranes and make improvements to the grit removal system.
In addition, Assistant Director of Utilities Alex Rowlett would like the council to spend just under $207,000 to rebuild a bar screen that cleans debris out of wastewater as it comes into the plant. According to materials provided to the council, the plant has two bar screens, but one isn’t operational and is causing a heavier strain on the one that does work.
According to Rowlett, Parkson Corporation is the only company that can supply parts for the bar and they provided a quote of $206,817 for the parts and an onsite rebuild.
The rebuild was not part of the utilities’ department budget, so the money would come from the city’s general fund.
Rowlett also wants to purchase an $80,000 backup pump and motor that will allow the Derrington plant to continue to provide re-use water should the existing pump and motor fail.
As far as the water treatment plant, Rowlett will ask the city council for $1 million in contingency funds for the ongoing rehab project.
Since January 2022, contractors have been upgrading and rehabbing the plant.
According to Rowlett, contractors need to install four line stops and replace three valves before draining a tank. The cost for the additional work is $1,881,254 of which only $881,000 is budgeted.
According to materials provided to the council, “time is of essence” because they want to do the work during the colder months when water usage is down.
Rowlett has assumed the duties of Kevin Niles, who resigned earlier this month after roughly 13 months with the city. Niles offered several weeks notice.
In other matters, the council will:
>>Hold a public hearing on the city’s proposed FY24-25 budget. According to materials provided to the council, the city’s total financing sources come to $546,875,114 and total expenditures amount to $305,193,877.
>>Approve the Odessa Development Corporation’s FY24-25 budget. According to materials provided to the city, the ODC has budgeted $12,650,000 in total revenue for next year and $53,141,828 in total expenditures. It’s starting out the year with a fund balance of $89,585,900. According to ODC members, they intend to provide the city $30 million for infrastructure needs.
>>Approve contracts ODC has made with the Odessa Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Division, Current Media, Odessa Black Chamber of Commerce, UTPB Small Business Development Center, MOTRAN and City of Odessa.
>>Consider Parks and Recreation Director Max Reyes’ request to reject recent bids to replace the pond liner at Comanche Trail Park. He’d like to add a six-foot safety barrier around the east side of the pond near the walking trail.
During the council’s work session, which begins at 3 p.m., the council will:
>>Discuss an insurance claim filed on behavior of Images Ink for roof damage caused by the 4th of July celebration’s fireworks.
>>Discuss giving City Manager John Beckmeyer permission to write a letter to Ector County agreeing to the annexation of 263 acres near Grandview and Yukon.
>>Get an update on ongoing and upcoming road, water and sewer infrastructure projects from Assistant City Manager Cristina Burns.
