By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

The Hays City Commission heard a presentation regarding an owner-representative to oversee an upcoming wastewater treatment plant renovation at Thursday night’s work session.

Staff is recommending approving a $1.7 million contract with HDR Engineering of Lee’s Summit, Mo.

As an owner-representative, HDR will help the city with the design and construction process of the reconstruction of the wastewater treatment plant as the city attempts to meet state requirements to reduce nitrogen and phosphorous levels in the effluent.

The city received eight proposals, and staff narrowed the choices to three before recommending HDR.

City Manager Toby Dougherty said city staff liked all three companies but, despite the fact that HDR’s cost was not the lowest, they chose the firm because of its experience.

Stan Christopher, HDR senior vice president and project manager, gave the commission a presentation on the company and the steps that would follow should his company be awarded the contract.

HDR would help create a plan contractors can use to produce the final design for city approval.

Commissioner Henry Schwaller said from previous experience with the water park and the sports complex, it is best to have the engineer designed and construction linked.

“You make a lot of bad choices if you’re building something that is designed incorrectly,” he said.

“We need to minimize our risk as much as possible to make sure we get a good product,” Dougherty added.

If the commission approves a contract with HDR, meetings between the two entities will begin later this spring.

The reconstruction is expected to cost between $26 million and $28 million.