Ashley Valley Sewer Management Board

The meeting addressed several key items, including updates from the Sewer Committee regarding the Sewer Master Plan Update. The Board discussed options for updating the existing plan through Bowen Collins & Associates, estimating costs between $40,000.00 for surveying and $110,000.00 to $130,000.00 for engineering. The Board directed staff to investigate a $50,000.00 planning grant from the CIB Board. Progress on the Lift Station Rehabilitation Project was reviewed, with concerns noted about the contractor's pace. The Board approved spending up to $112,000.00 for the purchase or order of two 2026 Ford F150 trucks, including the trade-in of two 2020 Ram 1500s. The annual agreement for accounting consulting services with Richey May was approved for $7,260.00 (noted as $7,250.00 in the motion). Updates were provided on the recent landfill inspection, noting required modifications to bio-solids disposal frequency, and the successful passing of Whole Effluent Toxicity Testing for the fourth quarter of 2025. Approval was also granted for a new vendor, Richey May formerly WSRP.

The meeting included reviews and approvals of previous minutes, excluding the tentative budget hearing minutes. Key operational discussions involved an update on the Lift Station Project, noting required changes to conduit runs and dry well light angles by the electrical engineer. A significant operations update concerned the failure of the Whole Effluent Toxicity testing due to fungus growth in a clarifier; subsequent cleaning and replacement of sampling equipment were performed, with re-testing scheduled. The board also reviewed the 2025 Revenue & Budget Status Report and approved the proposed 2026 Board Meeting Schedule, including specific location changes for the October and November meetings. Finally, the monthly bills were approved.

The meeting included approval for the purchase and installation of a new dewatering air compressor for the facility at a cost of $20,842.00. The Sewer Committee updated the Board on discussions regarding the update of the collection system master plan, mapping, and modeling, noting that housing developments by Ashley Valley Water & Sewer and Vernal City would impact capacity on the 1500 East sewer line. Approval was granted for the first pay request on the lift station project in the amount of $171,241.52 (after retainage). Progress on the lift station was reported as slow, with the by-pass pumping schedule moved to March 2026. The Board acknowledged the Uintah County Road Department's improvement of the road to the lift station for safety. Operations updates included line cleaning activities and the resolution of a lift station pump failure caused by landscaping fabric wrapped around the impeller. The Board approved $700.00 for the annual Employee Safety/Holiday Appreciation, to be distributed as gift cards instead of a dinner.

The Ashley Valley Sewer Management Board held a regular monthly meeting to discuss several key items. The Manager's Report included a review of the 2025 Budget and Connections report, as well as a discussion regarding State Trust Lands (SITLA) property auction. The board went into a closed session for discussion of the purchase, exchange, or lease of real property and later approved to bid on the purchase of land from STILA. Updates were provided on financials and the 2025 audit. The board rescheduled the discussion and approval for the polymer equipment bids for the June meeting. Updates were given on plant operations and maintenance, including the change in process control for sludge wasting and the replacement of the Headworks PLC Processor. The June meeting was scheduled to be held at the Water Reclamation Facility. The board also approved the monthly bills.

The Ashley Valley Sewer Management Board will hold a public hearing for the Tentative Budget for fiscal year 2025.