PHOTO BY BRIANNA BALOGH / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
COST CONCERNS … Director of Utilities Derek Schultz explains why all bids for the GE #6 upgrades were declined after coming in far above projections.
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Bryan Board of Public Affairs met on Tuesday, April 21, at 5 p.m. After Chair Annette Schreiner called the meeting to order, the Pledge of Allegiance was said and roll call was taken by Clerk-Treasurer John Lehner.
All members were present and are Vice Chair Karen Ford, Brian Davis, Jeremy Suffel and Debra Beevers. Also in attendance were Mayor Carrie Schlade and Director of Utilities Derek Schultz.
Getting straight into the agenda, Schreiner asked for any revisions or corrections to the previous meeting minutes, held on April 7. With none being presented, Suffel moved to approve and Davis seconded with all members approving.
With no public concerns from the audience, the agenda continued to the clerk-treasurer report.
Lehner had little to report and had shared the financial statements of expense, revenue, fund balance, account reports and bank reconciliations with the board via email.
Beevers motioned to approve the reports and Ford seconded. The motion was passed unanimously.
Lehner was then asked to number and read the sole resolution on the agenda. Resolution 13-2026 requested that the board reject all bids for the General Electric #6 control system upgrade project.
GE #6 is one of three combustion turbines used during peak shaving or emergency periods and is the final turbine still needing the upgrade, which is expected to improve reliability, troubleshooting and overall efficiency.
Schultz explained that the quotes came in far higher than anticipated. Two bids were received in April: Petrotech Inc. quoted $1,278,308, which was 97% above the estimate, and Turbine Technology Services quoted $1,789,700, or 175% above the estimate. The engineering estimate for the project was $650,000. Schultz also noted differences in how the bids were compiled.
The estimate had been based on control upgrade projects completed in 2020 and 2021, though GE #6 requires a more extensive upgrade due to its age.
Schultz stated that the department will reevaluate and update the engineering estimate, with the revised figure to be incorporated into the 2027 budget process.
After budget approval, the goal is to advertise for bids in December. When Suffel asked whether the differences in the bids would be considered during reevaluation, Schultz confirmed they would, along with other factors, when soliciting bids later this year.
He added that the project timeline should remain intact. Peak shaving season runs June 1 through September 30, and he hopes to be ready by December’s peak shaving period, depending on parts availability.
Schreiner then asked several follow-up questions, beginning with the age of the generator. Schultz was unsure of the exact age.
She also asked whether he had worked with either company previously; TTS had completed earlier upgrade projects. Davis moved to reject all bids, Schreiner seconded, and the resolution passed unanimously.
The board then directed their attention to the semi-monthly disbursements, essentially paying the bills. The motion to approve was made by Ford with a second from Suffel. The motion passed.
The last item, presented by Schreiner, was a brief recess before moving into executive session to discuss pending litigation and collective bargaining.
The board took a brief recess at 5:09 p.m. and would move into executive session upon return. No action was expected to follow. The next BPA meeting will be held on May 5 at 5 p.m.
