The Coldwater Board of Public Utilities voted to award Phase 1 of planned upgrades at the Coldwater Water Resource Recovery Facility to Yoder Construction of Napanee, Indiana, for $2,519,230.

Staff told the board Phase 1 focuses on replacing aging equipment that has exceeded its life expectancy, including an upgraded UltraTech UV disinfection system and most of the ferric chloride system: two 8,000‑gallon storage tanks, two new ferric chloride discharge points, and a new pump. The board heard that Donahue & Associates designed the work and was retained earlier to provide construction-phase services.

Bids were opened May 6. Allied Mechanical of Kalamazoo submitted a low bid of $2,635,000; Yoder Construction’s bid was $2,519,230. Donahue & Associates reviewed bids for accuracy and references and recommended awarding the work to Yoder. Staff said Phase 1 is budgeted to be paid from the utility’s cash balance; Phase 2 is expected to be financed by bonding because of the larger scale and cost.

If awarded as recommended, the preconstruction meeting was scheduled for the week following the board meeting and the contract calls for a 365‑day first milestone plus 60 additional days for final completion, with staff anticipating most on-site work beginning in December or January to allow for equipment deliveries and shop drawing approvals. Staff told the board customers should not see service disruptions during the work.

Regulatory work is ongoing: staff said they submitted a Part 41 construction permit application to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and are responding to EGLE’s questions; the project team described the permit status in the meeting as both submitted and under review. Staff noted that Phase 2—the larger expansion—remains under study and will be the subject of future discussion and possible bonding.

A motion to approve Phase 1, as bid to Yoder Construction, passed by voice vote. Staff will proceed to finalize contracting and preconstruction activities.