Washington’s City Council, during its meeting today, could award a tentative contract for a sewerage project.

Final awarding of the $1.28 million contract to Insituform Technologies (AGEON Corp.) would be subject to the approval of the N.C. Division of Water State Revolving Fund and the contractor’s safety evaluation, according to a memorandum from Frankie Buck, the city’s director of public works, to the mayor and council members.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Infrastructure manages the revolving fund providing the money for the project.

Bids on the project were opened Jan. 10, with Insituform Technologies submitting the low bid. Layne Inliner submitted a $1.36 million bid, and Tri-State Utilities entered a $1.64 million bid.

Thirteen sets of project specification were submitted to the bidders, the funding agency, the city and plan rooms (a service provided by construction industry organizations or service companies to interested contractors and others). Plan rooms provide access to contract documents for projects in the process of receiving competitive or negotiated bids.

Rivers & Associates, which did the engineering for the project, recommends the contract be awarded to Insituform Technologies.

The city is improving its wastewater collection system by repairing and enhancing its sewers, including installing linings in some sewer pipes.

In other business, the council will consider authorizing expenditures of $10,900 for equipment for the city pool at the Hildred T. Moore Aquatic & Fitness Center.

Because of a faulty dehumidifier at the pool, increased moisture at the pool has caused mechanical problems with other equipment, according to a memorandum from Kristi Roberson, the city’s parks and recreation director, to the mayor and council members. “However, the other equipment is an immediate need in order to keep the pool open for members and the community,” she wrote.

The pool’s roof needs repairing, but that project (already funded) can be delayed budget year, Roberson noted. “Our proposal is to move forward with these purchases, listed below, and delay the roof repairs into the 17-18 CIP budget. In the event there are additional repairs, we will bring those to you as they occur,” she wrote.

The equipment purchases would include a pool heater ($6,500), a pool motor ($2,000), supervised alarm ($750) and an automated external defibrillator ($1,650).

The council meets at 5:30 p.m. today in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building, 102 E. Second St. To view the council’s agenda for a specific meeting, visit the city’s website at www.washingtonnc.gov, click “City Agendas.” Locate the appropriate agenda (by date) under the “Washington City Council” heading, then click on that specific agenda listing.