Toledo approves $7.4 million bid for new sewer plant

The Toledo City Council has approved a contractor to build their new sewer plant and construction is expected to begin by mid-spring.

Rotchy Inc., based in Vancouver, was selected as the lowest responsible bidder during the March 17 City Council meeting after having submitted an estimate of roughly $7.4 million for plant construction. The company came with a positive recommendation from City Engineer Mike Johnson, of Gray & Osborne, who said his company is currently working with Rotchy Inc. on a separate project in Olympia.

"They've done four other projects for different clients that we’ve worked with here in the last three years and they’ve done a very good job," said Johnson.

Before approving the bid, council members said they wanted to be sure all their bases were covered and that potential snags would not hold up the project.

When Council Member Carol Hill asked what guarantees were in place to protect Toledo if Rotchy Inc., due to bankruptcy or otherwise, would be unable to complete the project, Johnson said bonds will be in place to make sure the work is completed if such events occur. He also said the company’s work will be guaranteed for two years after the plant is up and running, meaning Rotchy Inc. would fix mechanical or structural failures of the facility during that time at no cost to Toledo.

Council Member Mike Thomas then asked if the trucks hauling equipment and material in and out of the city would pose a hazard to pavement on the roads, and Public Works Superintendent Craig McCown said, as long as First St. and Fifth St. are utilized, he does not think there will be a problem.

"As long as they’re not on the secondary cross-streets that are chip seal, we should be fine," said McCown.

When the bid was officially approved in a unanimous vote, minus Council Member James Fluckinger, who had been absent that night, Mayor Jerry Pratt said he was very grateful for all those who have helped in Toledo come this far in their efforts to build a new sewer plant.

"Anyone who worked on that, I want to thank them, because that was a long five years," he said.

Pratt also said it was his expectation to hold Gray & Osborne accountable in their role as construction managers, which was also approved that night, stating he trusts them to do a good job but will keep the city’s interests at the forefront.

"We will hold their feet to the fire," he said.

In addition to being approved for plant construction, Rotchy Inc. is expected to be considered for additional paving projects related to the sewer plant (at an estimated cost of $74,247.25) if the city finds themselves with funding to do so. But approval of such expenses was postponed until after the sewer plant is complete and the city is able to examine their remaining funds.

Most of the project, noted Pratt, will be paid for through $6.4 million in state and county grants acquired last year, and the remainder will be covered by an up-to $9.1 million Public Works Trust Fund Loan.

On top of sewer plant construction, costs are expected to be incurred for installation and programming of the software needed to run the plant, as well as final inspections, and costs already incurred for plant design. This would bring the total cost for the plant to around $9.6 million, according to City Clerk Michelle Whitten.

Whitten also stated it is her expectation construction will begin as soon as late April.