Big Lake approved a major contract amendment with Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc. (SEH) to move the Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) Expansion from 30% design into CMAR selection, full final design, permitting, and bidding. The amendment increases SEH’s contract by 3253800 for a total of 4331000, funded entirely through newly secured state bonding (3.5M) and 2M in prior federal grants. SEH will assist the City in selecting a Construction Manager at Risk, finalizing all plans/specs, addressing geotechnical and environmental questions (including PFAS), and preparing bid packages. This confirms the expansion project is fully funded through design and headed toward a 2028 construction bid and guaranteed maximum price negotiation. While the prime engineering role is locked in with SEH, there is substantial downstream opportunity for contractors, specialty subs (process, mechanical, electrical, controls, PFAS/dewatering, civil), equipment manufacturers (IFAS systems, turbo blowers), and future construction management and operations support as the City moves into construction and eventual startup.

Design is being aligned with MPCA/EPA permit modification and Antidegradation Review; City is using ...