The Water and Wastewater Commission on Jan. 15 approved multiple Austin Water contracts and cleared routine consent items in a meeting chaired by Commissioner Trieta.

Commissioners voted to authorize negotiation and execution of 11 engineering rotational-list contracts for large-scale water and wastewater pipeline work, approve a construction contract to abandon the Springfield lift station, and approve construction work on the Rock Harbor force main. Consent agenda items 2, 3, 4, 7 and 9 were adopted unanimously.

The rotational-list recommendation authorizes contracts with Parsons Water and Infrastructure; Jacobs Engineering Group; Lockwood, Andrews & Newman; Cobb, Fendley; CPNY; CAS Consulting Services; Miller/Gray; Black & Veatch; Stantec; AECOM; and Pape-Dawson Consulting for a combined not-to-exceed amount of $48,000,000, with funds available in Austin Water’s capital budget. Commissioner Marardi moved approval and Commissioner Navarro seconded. The chair announced eight commissioners voted in favor and two commissioners recused themselves from that item; the commission approved the recommendation.

The Springfield Lift Station abandonment construction contract was awarded to Santa Clara Construction Limited in the amount of $7,837,443 with a $783,794 contingency, for a total not to exceed $8,621,737, funded from Austin Water’s capital budget. Commissioner Maxwell Gaines moved approval and the motion carried with all voting in favor except Commissioner Penn, who recused herself.

The Rock Harbor Force Main (NWLS Improvements, 4 Points No. 2) construction contract was also awarded to Santa Clara Construction Limited: $4,224,497 plus a $422,450 contingency for a total contract amount not to exceed $4,646,947, funded from Austin Water’s capital budget. Commissioner Penn moved approval; the motion passed with one recusal (Commissioner Patarangi).

The commission adopted the consent agenda (items 2, 3, 4, 7 and 9) by voice/hand vote; that motion was moved by Commissioner Marzullo and seconded by Commissioner Penn and recorded as unanimous.

Several commissioners declared recusals at the start of the meeting. Commissioner Penn recused herself from items 5 and 6 because her firm and a subcontractor were listed on the procurement; Commissioner Patarangi recused from items 5 and 8 because her firm is identified as the design engineer on item 8 and is listed on item 5. The chair tracked recusals during each vote and recorded outcomes accordingly.

Votes at a glance:
- Item 5 — Engineering rotational list (11 firms): motion to authorize negotiation/execution; total not to exceed $48,000,000. Mover: Commissioner Marardi; seconder: Commissioner Navarro. Outcome: approved. Recused: Commissioner Penn, Commissioner Patarangi.
- Item 6 — Springfield Lift Station abandonment: construction contract to Santa Clara Construction Limited, $7,837,443 + $783,794 contingency; total not to exceed $8,621,737. Mover: Commissioner Maxwell Gaines; seconder: (recorded). Outcome: approved. Recused: Commissioner Penn.
- Item 8 — NWLS improvements, Rock Harbor Force Main (4 Points No. 2): construction contract to Santa Clara Construction Limited, $4,224,497 + $422,450 contingency; total not to exceed $4,646,947. Mover: Commissioner Penn; seconder: (recorded). Outcome: approved. Recused: Commissioner Patarangi.
- Consent items 2, 3, 4, 7, 9: adopted unanimously.

No additional substantive discussion or staff presentations changed the recommendations on the three contract items beyond the recusal disclosures and the formal motions. The meeting moved on after the votes.