Council OKs key grant for water plant upgrade, funds for sewer repairs
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Upwards of $3 million in funds to upgrade the city's Wastewater Treatment Facility and various sewer main lines received the green light from City Council on Monday.
Councilmembers unanimously approved an ordinance to accept a $2.1 million grant from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the blower replacement project at the Water Protection Facility, a critical device that pumps air into water to boost its oxygen content.
“We had around eight old ones (blowers) and they're extremely old, they're falling apart and they don't make parts for those old blowers anymore,” St. Joseph Public Works Director Abe Forney said. “With the help of Congressman Sam Graves, we got some of that money from the Corps of Engineers into this overall budget.”
An additional $7.8 million in Capital Improvements Project funding has been budgeted for the project, which will satisfy a requirement to have 25% local matching funds.
In an effort to expedite equipment purchases and get the new blowers online quickly, the city intends to utilize a construction management at-risk delivery method, a process that merges the responsibilities of a construction manager and contractor into one entity.
The project is the latest in a long-line of federally-mandated improvements to the city’s collection system, wastewater treatment and stormwater systems that began in 2009 to reduce combined sewer overflows and its impact on water quality in the Missouri River.
“All of the money that is paid for improvements out of that facility either comes from a grant or it has to come from ratepayers,” Forney said. “So having the help from Congressman Graves to get us this big chunk of money is going to be absolutely wonderful.”
Monday’s meeting also saw the approval of a $963,891 work order with SAK Construction for sewer main repairs at various locations across the city.
Repairs will be carried out at more than 25 locations using a process called cured-in-place pipe lining, a less invasive method of repairing aging, defective sewer mains that are still structurally intact.
CIPP differs significantly from open-cut construction, which involves digging pipe out and replacing it, often involving significant damage to surface improvements and traffic delays.
A full list of scheduled sewer repairs can be found below.
New Woodbine hotel takes next step
Councilmembers approved an ordinance to accept a $9,778 payment from Towneplace Suites for future professional services costs associated with the development of a Marriott hotel at 1401 N. Woodbine Road.
Funds will be used for building plan review services from the city's consultant GBA. Additional permit fees collected by the city will provide the funds needed to fully compensate GBA for the services it performs in connection with the new hotel project.
TownePlace Suites, a Marriott-operated hotel brand, is eyeing a four-story building with 129 rooms, a breakfast area, a fitness area, an indoor pool and an outdoor patio. The hotel would be located on a 4.7-acre plot of land next to Stoney Creek Hotel. The land is currently owned by Altira St. Joe Hotel LLC.
Funds accepted for New Mosaic Speciality Care Clinic building
Council members accepted a $15,889 payment from Lehr Construction for preliminary development services, including building plan services, for development of a new medical office building for Mosaic Life Care at University Hills development.
Mosaic Life Care is in the initial phases of developing a new $12.5 million specialty care clinic. The clinic is designed to offer ambulatory care, specialty and general clinics, primary care, pediatrics and total med family.
Other bills approved by City Council
Execution of change order No. 2 with M-CON, LLC, for the city sanitary landfill cell 8 emergency excavation project in the amount of $233,018.
An ordinance authorizing a three-year agreement with Premier Pyrotechnics, Inc. in the amount of $22,500 per year to provide the city’s 4th of July fireworks display.
Board and committee appointments
Councilmember Marty Novak nominated Lee Sawyer, former Buchanan County Presiding Commissioner, for reappointment as a member of the St. Joseph Regional Port Authority for a term expiring May 7, 2032.
