Auburn Board of Public Works (BPW) members on Monday, May 10, were updated on the progress of various projects. Several payments in connection with the projects were approved.

A $16,041.86 change order and $104,418.40 payment request from Eriksen Construction Company was approved for the water treatment plant. The change order involved: adding smoke detectors to the chlorine and chemical feed rooms, a Geogrid used to stabilize soils for additional subgrade work and preparation, changes related to comments on shop drawings for the structural steel, to add four remote display mounting kits for the flow meters terminal display and wiring, and a request for extension of time. Completion date is targeted close to the first of November.
It was reported that the contractor is completing the backfill and should be close to pouring the floor. The project is coming together, said David Hunter, BPW general manager.
A $39,136.50 change order and $189,570.37 payment request to Graham Construction was approved for the wastewater plant. The change order involved: facilitating control of reed plants in the roadway adjacent to the reedbeds and to place geotech fabric under the gravel and surfacing, additional pipe supports and bollards at the aeration basins, blower pulleys and belts, modifying the opening in the headworks building boiler room to accept a 48x48 louver, golf course irrigation pump skis, additional expenses during harvesting reeds, saw cut concrete collar at influent manhole, installing explosion proof power supply for the headworks sump pump and sludge removal from the existing treatment basin.
It was reported that the Saturday, May 1, disinfection deadline was met. The plant is running but is not substantially connected. That should be completed by the end of May. Hunter said that the project was moving along.
A $75,933 payment request to TJ Osborn Construction for Sixth Street Sewer Phase II was approved. It was reported that work was moving fast. The contractor has completed one section of the pilot hole bore and is working on the second section. Open cut trenching neared completion. Pipe bursting should start this week. Phase II will be completed before Phase I.
A $55,576.23 payment request to Van Kirk Bros. Contracting was approved for Sixth Street Sewer Phase I. It was reported that the project was moving slowly but work was done under constrained conditions. Ground water and leaking sewer water was encountered. Plans are to start on the highway crossing then the last section of line from Highway 75 to N Street. The project is about 52 percent complete.
Sod was laid for Tushla Field. Bob Engles, speaking for the Legion Baseball Committee, thanked BPW and management team of the utilities for urging to get the sod laid in the outfield to allow play for the 2010 season.
Hunter reported that officials are awaiting the completion notice from the contractor and awaiting final inspection from state officials for the water line/well. There will be no payment until the project was completed.
Officials are evaluating lift stations at Magnolia and 26th Street. Both locations are high maintenance. As part of the wastewater study needs, it was identified that both stations needed replacement. Officials are working to determine a replacement design that would eliminate confined space issues and install more maintenance free pumps. Funding is from the balance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture grant.
A request was approved from Dave Davis that city officials assume ownership of the sewer line behind his property. That is from his residence on S Street that ties into the R Street sewer line.
No action was taken on forwarding the Wellhead Protection Ordinance to the Planning Commission. The Wellhead Protection Plan was requested by officials of the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. Purpose of the plan is to protect the public water supply system. The Wellhead Protection Area covers about 32.25 square miles. The attorney for Dwaine Rogge wrote a letter which indicated that Rogge family members objected to their farm ground being included in the revised Wellhead Protection Area and had specific objections to the ordinance. The Rogges contended that inclusion would likely interfere with their investment backed expectations to own, farm and irrigate the ground. Hunter will contact the attorney to try to obtain an answer before the Monday, May 17, Planning Commission meeting. After the Planning Commission reviews the ordinance, it will be forwarded to the City Council for final approval.
The new bill format was discussed. Hunter said that it is more user friendly. It breaks down items such as cost per day and cost per unit.
Hunter said that Health and Human Services (HHS) officials have developed a new rule regarding new water mains, wells and water plants. It included an option that if officials of a community submit a standard set of design specifications that will be followed, they can pay an annual fee. That would be more cost effective than paying review fees on each individual project.
Review fees of about $250 to HHS officials on design on the water line to Orscheln were approved. Hunter said that officials are working with officials of the city and JEO on the line. The route will be moved across the highway to the north, then it will be brought back to the front of the store making a cross near Orscheln’s new drive. That will require a crossing permit from Department of Roads officials.
A resolution was approved to recommend adding Melissa Sierks, accounting and finance manager, to the Pension Plan Committee. Sierks replaces Betty Filbrandt, who is retiring. The mayor will approve the recommendation.
Another resolution was approved to allow Sierks and Hunter to manage the BPW banking relationships.
It was authorized to file liens on unpaid water and sewer bills against property owners.
The 2009 audit will be approved at the Monday, June 14, meeting. The preliminary draft was received early last week. The final draft was received the morning of May 10. The delay in approval was to allow review of the document. Hunter said that all departments had positive cash flows.