Tuscaloosa Projects Committee Meeting – August 25, 2026
Tuscaloosa Projects Committee Meeting – August 25, 2026
The Projects Committee met on August 25, 2026, to discuss and approve several items including an HVAC replacement at the Maccabees Center, decorative event lighting at the River Market, an amended agreement with Spectrum for airport access, and a presentation on the 2026 water quality report.
Consent Calendar
- HVAC Replacement at Maccabees Center: Authorization to contract with Subseating and Cooling to replace a 15-ton HVAC system in the northwestern wing, funded by COVID maintenance equipment line. City staff reported that Maccabees has an operational deficit of approximately $400,000 per year and that they plan to return with recommendations in 60 to 90 days. Motion passed.
- Decorative Event Lighting at River Market: Resolution to provide power for upgraded decorative event lighting and controls at the River Market, funded by the River Market repairs and maintenance budget. Motion passed.
- Amended Agreement with Spectrum: Resolution authorizing the mayor to execute an amended agreement with Spectrum to allow access through city right-of-way for FAA equipment installation at the airport. Motion passed.
Presentation: 2026 Water Quality Report
Kim presented the annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for 2026, covering water quality data from 2025. Key highlights:
- The city operates one of the few in-house EPA-certified labs in the state.
- Over 3,000 samples collected annually; zero forever chemicals (PFOS, lithium) detected; completed UCMR5 sampling and Cryptosporidium monitoring with non-detects.
- Turbidity compliance achieved at 99.97%.
- Active hydrant flushing program covers 725 miles of distribution system; ISO rating of 2.
- Since 2020, sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) reduced by 72% through capital improvements.
- 10-year capital plan: 14 projects completed, 21 in engineering/construction, 67% of highest priority projects active or completed.
- Detailed project descriptions included upgrades to lift stations, water resource recovery facility, aeration basins, outfall lines, Ed Love raw water pump station, campus area water tank, Mercedes tank rehab, and boat landings at Rock Corey and Sharks Lake to protect source water.
- Discussion on transitioning to electronic payment for boat rentals to increase convenience and revenue. No formal action taken; the presentation was informational.
Key Outcomes
- Approved HVAC contract for Maccabees Center (motion passed).
- Approved decorative event lighting at River Market (motion passed).
- Approved amended agreement with Spectrum for airport access (motion passed).
- Received and filed the 2026 Water Quality Report presentation.
Meeting Transcript
Thank you. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. This is request for authorization for contract with subseating and cooling to replace a 15-ton HVAC system at the Maccabees Center located in the northwestern wing of the facility. Any questions for Tim? Where's the money come out of? We are utilizing our COT COVID maintenance equipment line. Today I would think that the focus would be there minimum for another 12 to 21 months. My knowledge they haven't shared any long-term plans or aspirations with us. But I would like within the next 60 to 90 days to come back to the process and say this is what we believe the future back. We're just not prepared today. Any other questions comments? Well we're gonna take some heat over the back of the time. Well, I think that from our vantage point today is right now I think Maccabees has a delta of about 400,000 a year operationally when we move over to um Belk, we know that they're going to need additional operating dollars, or I assume that would be because we're expanding the services there. So certainly we would want a portion of that to travel with the new facility. So you know our goal would be then to reduce the remaining amount. I'm being theoretical here, let's say it's 200,000 to be out of that 200,000 uh liability. So that's going to be the starting point of our thought process and coming back to you for recommending that. I know when people have approached me, and I'm sorry I came in here late, they discussed this. It was going to take several million dollars, is what I cut paper to get up back to be up to a standard. And it's it it is we are limited what it can be in the future because of the way it was purchased and built by the city back in the 90s. Um again, we hope to have some a recommendation work at a minimum menu of options for the city council in the next 60 to 90 days. Thank you, Mayor. Any other questions, comment on the H VAC at Maccabe. Got a motion in a second. All in favor? Ah, motion passes. Tim, you got number two. Yes, sir. Uh this item is funded by the river market repairs and maintenance budget. This is to provide power for upgraded decorative event lighting and lighting controls for the venue. Second. Got a motion and second, all in favor. Motion pass agenda item number three, Mr. England. Resolution authorized authorizing the mayor to execute amended agreement with the charter. Well, thank you. Um chair. Um, this is really simple. We signed a we signed or executed an agreement with Spectrum uh several months ago to install FAA equipment at the airport. What this resolution does is amend to that agreement so they can access it through our right-of-way. All right. Motion. Second. Got a motion and second. All in favor? Motion passes. Kim, you're up number four, 2026 water quality report presentation. Uh so I'm passing out our um C CR but you have probably already received in your water bill back in May. May or June.
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