Adopting a Resolution authorizing the City Clerk to advertise for bids for a one-year supply of Anhydrous Ferric Chloride as indicated in the specifications for the Water Reclamation Plant.

The Water Reclamation Plant has contracted Anhydrous Ferric Chloride since the 1980s to chemically remove phosphorous from wastewater to comply with its Total Phosphorous discharge limits as required by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.

In accordance with the City's procurement requirements, this request is to authorize the City Clerk to advertise for bids to provide Anhydrous Ferric Chloride for the 2027 calendar year. Use of the bidding process helps ensure competitive pricing. The low bid in calendar 2026 was $374,513.40. The estimated total tons of Anhydrous Ferric Chloride requested is approximately 30% less than 2026 usage volumes due to improvements from the Liquids and Solids Upgrade. The Water Reclamation Plant is still undergoing construction modification to our treatment process including processes used for phosphorus removal. Chemical use will continue to decline as construction advances but will never fully be eliminated. It is difficult to predict the estimated low bid due to chemical pricing fluctuations.

Advertising for bids would be open from October 24^th, 2026 until 11:00 a.m. on November 18^th, 2026. Water Reclamation Plant staff will then review and select the low bid ensuring it complies with the posted specifications. A request for approval of the recommended bid would then be brought to the Council on December 7^th, 2026.

No new policy considerations are being requested. This aligns with the City's procurement requirements.

No community engagement will be done, as chemicals are required to meet phosphorus limits, a practice that has existed since the 1980s. The Council has approved this process annually, going back to the 1980s.

The bidding process will determine the financial impact. The Water Reclamation Plant annually budgets for this chemical cost, which will be payable from chemical budget 83310 of the sewer enterprise fund.

There are no alternative actions suggested. Use of ferric chloride is required to meet permit limits.