Rogers officials seek review of water operation

ROGERS — A decision by city officials may help residents have confidence in the safety of their water when they drink from the tap or start to cook.

The Water and Sewer Commission on Monday approved seeking a company to provide health and safety plans for the utilities’ fieldworkers and pollution control plant, and to waive competitive bidding for those services.

“We’re looking to hire a company that would do health and safety assessments with our field, to make sure we’re doing what we need to be doing,” said Jene’ Huffman-Gilreath, shared services manager for Rogers Water Utilities.

Four companies have stated interest, Huffman-Gilreath said. Selection and approval has yet to take place, said attorney Robert Frazier.

Rogers Plant Manager Todd Beaver said such companies visit all related job sites, review job classifications and observe operations to determine if anything is dangerous or could use improvement. After the auditing process is complete, the company will typically recommend different procedures or equipment to put in place for improved operation, Beaver said.

“They’ll give us a final report or finding to take care of things and make a safer workplace,” Beaver said.

Commission Chairman Roger Surly questioned whether the selection of the firm should be based on a particular certification. Beaver said past selection had been made by determining which firm had the most experience. Before taking a vote, the commission agreed contacting the firm’s customers, other references and background should be a part of the process.

The Rogers Water and Sewer Commission met Monday and also approved:

■ Buying a $22,000 polymer feed system for the Rogers pollution facility. The system chemically pulls water off to separate solids and is more cost effective than using gas.

■ Authorizing of Controller Joyce Johnson to attest to resolutions and other documents in the absence of Water Superintendent Earl Rausch.

■ A contract with Desorber Service Solution to replace bearing and rotor seal packaging for the city’s sludge dryer. The commission waived competitive bidding because Therma-Flite, the company the thermal desorption and biosolids drying equipment was purchased from, went out of business and the service can only be provided by former employees of the company who now work elsewhere.

■ A $80,000 contract with Mitchell Williams Law Firm as counsel to the Northwest Arkansas Nutrient Trading Research and Advisory Group, a partnership among Rogers, Bentonville, Springdale and Fayetteville that arose in response to issues concerning phosphorous, for a total of fees and costs not to exceed $80,000. Based on the agreement, Rogers would be responsible for $10,000, and Rogers Water Utilities would be responsible for $10,000.

■ An agreement with a previous provider to resume removal of biosolid on a temporary basis. The current provider cancelled its agreement. Commissioners speculated the city’s growth may have caused a burden based on the increase in volume of product to be moved.