Public Hearing on the plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated cost for the 2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center MCC Communications and PLC Upgrades ProjectCity of Dubuque
City Council
all 311[ON:I=F-301►1616"1c"
Copyrighted
October 6, 2025
ITEM TITLE: Public Hearing on the plans, specifications, form of contract,
and estimated cost for the 2025 Water & Resource Recovery
Center MCC Communications and PLC Upgrades Project
SUMMARY: Proof of publication on notice of public hearing to consider
City Council adopt the attached resolution approving the
plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated cost of
$2,950,000.00 for the 2025 Water & Resource Recovery
Center MCC Communications and PLC Upgrades project,
and City Manager recommending approval.
RESOLUTION Giving final approval to, and confirmation of,
plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost for
the 2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center MCC
Communication and PLC Upgrades Project
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s)
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo
2. Staff Memo, Public Hearing, WRRC Industrial Controls Project, 9-30-2025
3. Public Hearing Resolution, Letter, Bond Counsel, WRRC Ind Ctrl
Page 1092 of 1264
THE CITY OF
Dubuque
DUB TEE
All -America City
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
� pp
13
z°°'"*°
zoi720zoi9
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Public Hearing on the plans, specifications, form of contract, and
estimated cost for the 2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center MCC
Communications and PLC Upgrades Project [Project No: 43815000171
DATE: October 1, 2025
Water & Resource Recovery Center Director Deron Muehring is recommending City
Council adopt the attached resolution approving the plans, specifications, form of
contract, and estimated cost of $2,950,000.00 for the 2025 Water & Resource Recovery
Center MCC Communications and PLC Upgrades project.
Funding for the Industrial Controls Upgrade project [4381500017] was approved by the
City Council as part of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. The total project cost was originally
estimated to be $3 million and was to be funded over three years through a combination
of Sanitary Sewer Construction Funds and State Revolving Fund loans.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Deron Muehring, Water & Resource Recovery Center Director
Page 1093 of 1264
THE C
DUUB*FE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Deron Muehring, Water & resource Recovery Center Director
Dubuque
Atl•Amerin Cily
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
SUBJECT: Public Hearing on the plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated
cost for the 2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center MCC Communications
and PLC Upgrades Project [Project No: 4381500017]
DATE: September 30, 2025
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to request holding a public hearing and approve the
plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated cost for the 2025 Water & Resource
Recovery Center MCC Communications and PLC Upgrades project (Project).
BACKGROUND
The Water & Resource Recovery Center (WRRC) is a critical part of Dubuque's public
infrastructure, providing wastewater treatment services for residential, commercial, and
industrial users throughout the region. The facility underwent a major upgrade in 2013,
which included the installation of automated control systems that act as the `brains' of the
WRRC across multiple buildings, telling treatment equipment when to turn on, off, or
adjust, while also monitoring overall performance.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the WRRC's control equipment began to face
unexpected challenges. Global supply chain disruptions caused manufacturers to shift
their limited resources away from supporting older equipment models into their new
product lines. As a result, many electrical components that would typically remain
supported for 20 years or more were prematurely discontinued. This has made it
increasingly difficult, and in some cases impossible, to find replacement parts for key
control systems. To address this issue, a multi -phase capital improvement project was
developed to modernize the WRRC's control systems.
Funding for the Industrial Controls Upgrade project [4381500017] was approved by the
City Council as part of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. The total project cost was originally
estimated to be $3 million and was to be funded over three years through a combination
of Sanitary Sewer Construction Funds and State Revolving Fund loans.
In September 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution 303-25, authorizing the public
bidding process and setting a public hearing on the plans, specifications, form of contract,
and estimated cost for the 2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center MCC
Communications and PLC Upgrades project (Project).
Page 1094 of 1264
DISCUSSION
The Industrial Controls Upgrade project will be implemented in multiple phases to ensure
continuity of operations and minimize disruption to critical treatment processes. Each
phase will target a subset of buildings, allowing for a controlled transition to modern
control infrastructure while maintaining full facility functionality.
Phase I, the 2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center MCC Communications and PLC
Upgrades (Project), will focus on Building 10 (Headworks) and Building 75 (Solids
Handling). These buildings were prioritized due to the complexity of their control systems,
and the critical nature of their processes. Notably, Building 75 contains the largest number
of electrical control components at the WRRC. Replacing this equipment early addresses
a high -priority area and also creates an opportunity to salvage the functional legacy
components which can be used in the event of electrical control failure in other buildings
before their scheduled upgrades.
The project construction work will span nearly two years from bid opening to final
acceptance. After the contract award, the contractor will prepare and submit shop
drawings for engineer review. Once approved, the contractor will order the electrical
control equipment which has a long lead time. Delivery of the electrical control
components is not expected until late 2026, with installation, testing, and commissioning
continuing into mid-2027.
The schedule for the Project is as follows:
Initiate Public Bidding Process
September 15, 2025
Publish Notice to Bidders, Advertise for Bids
September 16, 2025
Publish Public Hearing Notice on Plans & Specs
September 19, 2025
Public Hearing on Plans & Specifications
October 6, 2025
Receipt of Bids (Bid Letting)
October 23, 2025
Award Construction Contract
November 3, 2025
Final Completion
August 25, 2027
The estimate of probable construction cost for the Project is $2,950,000.00. The estimate
of all Project costs, including engineering and construction costs, is as follows:
Description
Cost Estimate
Engineering Design
$110,000
Construction Contract
$2,950,000
Contingency (5%)
$147,500
Administration and Construction Engineering
$105,000
Total Construction Cost Estimate
$3,212,500
The explosion that occurred in Building 75 in early December 2024, caused significant
damage to a portion of the Building 75 motor control center (MCC) which houses the
building's electrical control systems.
2
Page 1095 of 1264
Following the December 2024 explosion, the City worked with engineering consultant
Strand Associates to assess the full extent of the damage and determine how it would
affect the broader electrical and process systems in the building. One of the modifications
that came about was to shift the Building 75 MCC eastward into the former operator
control room which was damaged by the explosion. The December 2024 event is
a covered cause of loss under the City's insurance policy. The total cost of the loss is
currently estimated at between $3 million and $4 million. Of that amount,
approximately $966,000 is associated with the cost to replace the damaged portion of the
electrical controls in Building 75. The work to replace the damaged electrical controls in
the Building 75 MCC will be accomplished as part of the 2025 WRRC MCC
Communications and PLC Upgrades Project. These expenses are to be funded through
insurance proceeds, which are to be reflected in the Fiscal Year 2026 CIP Budget as part
of Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Amendment.
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend the City Council conduct a public hearing and approve the plans,
specifications, form of contract, and estimated cost for the 2025 Water & Resource
Recovery Center MCC Communications and PLC Upgrades project.
BUDGET IMPACT
The funding plan for the Project is as follows:
Project
Fiscal Year
Fund Description
Fund
Amount
4381500017
2025
Sanitary Sewer Fund
$350,000
4381500017
2025
SRF Loan
$750,000
4381500017
2027
Sanitary Sewer Fund
$923,705
4381500017
2027
SRF Loan
$76,295
4381500017
2028
SRF Loan
$146,500
4381500019
2026
Insurance Proceeds
$966,000
Total Project Funding
$3,212,500
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
I respectfully request holding a public hearing and adopting the attached resolution
approving the plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated cost for the 2025
Water & Resource Recovery Center MCC Communications and PLC Upgrades project.
Attach.
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Jenny Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Tony Brietbach, Purchasing and Risk Manager
3
Page 1096 of 1264
D Q R S EY
DORSEY+WHITNEY LLP
September 30, 2025
VIA EMAIL
Jenny Larson
Chief Financial Officer
Dubuque, Iowa
Re: 2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center MCC Communication and PLC Upgrades Project
Our File No. 430411-22
Dear Jenny:
We have prepared and attach the proceedings related to the hearing on, and approval of, the plans
and specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost for the 2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center
MCC Communication and PLC Upgrades Project.
The materials attached include the following items:
1. Minutes of the October 6, 2025, City Council meeting covering the hearing on the plans
and specifications. If there are no objections filed and if there are no objectors present at the meeting,
please insert the word "no" in the blank space provided. If there are objectors, they should be listed with
their names and the nature of their objections.
2. Resolution finally approving and confirming plans, specifications and form of contract.
3. Attestation Certificate with respect to the validity of the transcript.
As these proceedings are completed, please return one fully executed copy to our office.
If you have any questions, please contact Emily Hammond or me.
Best regards,
David D. Grossklaus
John P. Danos
Attachments
cc: Deron Muehring
Crenna Bramwell
Adrienne Breitfelder
Strand Associates, Inc.
8oi Grand Avenue I Suite 41001 Des Moines, IA 15o3og-800z IT 515.283.1000 I dorsey.com
Page 1097 of 1264
Dubuque / 43041 I-22 / Letting (Hrg Only) (WRRC Ind Ctrls)
MINUTES OF MEETING TO APPROVE
PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS, FORM
OF CONTRACT AND ESTIMATE OF
COST
430411-22(L)
Dubuque, Iowa
October 6, 2025
The City Council of the City of Dubuque, Iowa, met on October 6, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., at
the Historic Federal Building, 350 W. 6th St, Second Floor Council Chambers, Dubuque, Iowa,
pursuant to published notice.
The Mayor presided and the roll was called showing the following members of the Council
present and absent:
Present: Mayor Cavanagh, Council Members Farber, Jones, Resnick Roussell Sprank
Wethal.
Absent:
- - Other Business- -
PUBLIC HEARING
The Mayor announced that this was the time and place set for hearing on the plans and
specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost for the proposed 2025 Water & Resource
Recovery Center MCC Communication and PLC Upgrades Project.
Upon investigation, it was found that no persons had appeared and filed objections to the
proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost for the 2025 Water &
Resource Recovery Center MCC Communication and PLC Upgrades Project as follows:
(Insert the word "no" in the blank space above or list here the names of
objectors and the types of objections, if any are filed.)
-I-
DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP, ATTORNEYS, DES MOINES, IOWA
Dubuque / 43041 I-22 / Letting (Hrg Only) (WRRC Ind Ctrls)
The City Council heard said objectors and evidence for or against the proposed 2025 Water
& Resource Recovery Center MCC Communication and PLC Upgrades Project; whereupon, the
Mayor declared the hearing closed.
MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION
Council Member Wethal introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption,
seconded by Council Member Jones; and after due consideration thereof by the City Council, the
Mayor put the question upon the motion and the roll being called, the following named Council
Members voted:
Ayes: Roussell, Sprank, Resnick, Jones, Wethal, Cavanagh, Farber.
Nays:
Whereupon, the Mayor declared the said motion duly carried and the resolution adopted as
follows:
-2-
DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP, ATTORNEYS, DES MOINES, IOWA
Dubuque / 430411-22 / Letting (Hrg Only) (WRRC Ind Curls)
RESOLUTION NO. 326-25
Resolution giving final approval to, and confirmation of, plans, specifications, form
of contract and estimate of cost for the 2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center
MCC Communication and PLC Upgrades Project
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Dubuque, Iowa, has heretofore given
preliminary approval to the plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost (the
"Contract Documents") for the proposed 2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center MCC
Communication and PLC Upgrades Project (the "Project'), as described in the notice of hearing
on the Contract Documents for the Project; and
WHEREAS, a hearing has been held on the Contract Documents on October 6, 2025;
NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Resolved by the City Council of the City of Dubuque, Iowa,
as follows:
Section 1. The Contract Documents referred to in the preamble hereof are hereby
finally approved, the prior action of the City Council giving preliminary approval is hereby finally
confirmed, and the -Project, as provided ct Documentsris-necessary-an"esir_able.
Section 2. All resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict herewith are hereby
repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Passed and approved October 6, 2025.
Mayor
Attest:
Assistant City Clerk
-3-
DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP, ATTORNEYS, DES MOINES, IOWA
Dubuque / 430411-22 / Letting (Hrg Only) (WRRC Ind Ctrls)
• • Other Business-
On motion and vote, the meeting adjourned.
Attest:
Assistant City Clerk
Mayor
-4-
DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP, ATTORNEYS, DES MOINES, IOWA
Dubuque / 430411-22 / Letting (Hrg Only) (WRRC Ind Ctrls)
ATTESTATION CERTIFICATE:
STATE OF IOWA
DUBUQUE COUNTY SS:
CITY OF DUBUQUE
I, the undersigned, Assistant City Clerk of the City of Dubuque, Iowa, hereby certify that
the attached is a true, correct and complete transcript of the proceedings had and action taken by
the City Council up to the present time in connection with the 2025 Water & Resource Recovery
Center MCC Communication and PLC Upgrades Project, including a true, correct and complete
copy of the resolution referred to in such minutes.
WITNESS MY HAND this 1( day of ('% �-,-Ac, 2025.
�v
Assistant City Clerk
-5-
DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP, ATTORNEYS, DES MOINES, IOWA
STATE OF IOWA SS:
DUBUQUE COUNTY
CERTIFICATE OF PUBLICATION
I, Kathy Goetzinger, a Billing Clerk for Woodward
Communications, Inc., an Iowa corporation, publisher
of the Telegraph Herald, a newspaper of general
circulation published in the City of Dubuque, County
of Dubuque and State of Iowa; hereby certify that the
attached notice was published in said newspaper on the
following dates:
09/19/2025
and for which the charge is 44.97
a t4 -�
Subscribed to before me, a Notary Public Ina d for
Dubuque County, Iowa,
this 19th day of September, 2025
Notary P b 'c in and for Dubuque ounty, Iowa.
wmi]
PAPEmber 199659ion Expires2025
Ad text
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA OFFICIAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE: is hereby given that the Dubuque City Council
will conduct a public hearing on the 6th day of October, 2025
at 6:30 p.m., in the Historic Federal Building, 350 W. 6th
Street, 2nd floor, Dubuque, Iowa, at which meeting the City
Council proposes to hold a public hearing on the proposed
plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for
the 2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center MCC Communications
and PLC Upgrades Project.
The scope of the Project is as follows: The work includes
demolition and replacement of existing motor control centers
(MCCs), supervisory control centers (SCCs), and associated
electrical components at Buildings 10 and 75 of the Water &
Resource Recovery Center. The contractor will remove outdated
MCC and SCC equipment. New factory -assembled MCC and SCC units
will be provided, including Ethernet -enabled starters, updated
variable frequency drive (VFD) communication adapters, new PLC
hardware, and power meters. The contractor will install new
network racks, junction boxes, conduits, and power connections
to integrate the upgraded equipment with the facilitys SCADA
system.
At the meeting, the City Council will receive oral and
written comments from any resident or property owner of said
City to the above action. The official City Council agenda
will be posted the Friday before the meeting and will contain
public input options. The agenda can be accessed at
https://dubuqueia.portal.civicclerk.com/ or by contacting the
City Clerk's Office at 563-589-4100,
ctyclerk@cityofdubuque.org.
Written comments on the public hearing may be submitted to
the City Clerk's Office by email at ctyclerk@cityofdubuque.org
or by mail to City Hall, 50 W. 13th St., Dubuque, IA 52001,
before the scheduled hearing. The City Council will review all
written comments at the time of the hearing.
Documents related to the public hearing are on file in the
City Clerk's Office and may be viewed Monday through Friday
between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Individuals requiring special assistance should contact the
City Clerk's Office as soon as feasible. Deaf or
hard -of -hearing individuals can use Relay Iowa by dialing 711
or (800) 735-2942.
Published by order of the City Council given on the 15th day
of September 2025.
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, CMC, City Clerk
1 t 9/19