Agenda - Council - 01/27/2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ACCEPT PRELIMINARY DESIGN REPORT AND AUTHORIZE THE PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR WATER TOWER #3 AT 16600 ST. FRANCIS BOULEVARD By: Tim Himmer, Assistant City Engineer CASE # 5 Background: The City's Comprehensive Water System Study, conducted in 2004 by Bolton & Menk, identified a storage deficiency in the City's water system. The report summarized that the water storage needs of the City could be most economically constructed to meet future demand with a combination of an elevated storage tower and a ground storage reservoir. An elevated tower in the vicinity of Elmcrest Park would provide fire protection and improved static pressure to the northeast quadrant of the City, and a ground reservoir at the future proposed water treatment facility would provide the same for the southwest quadrant of the City. Since funding for the future proposed water treatment facility and associated distribution system improvements has not been determined and is likely some time out, advancement of the elevated storage tower is vital to improving the overall water distribution system of the City in the short term. Constructing this elevated storage tower will enhance water system reliability, and expand the existing water supply system to support future growth. City Council authorized the award of contract for engineering services, and the undertaking of a feasibility study on April 22, 2008. During the site investigation it was found that the soils in the proposed location of the tower were unsuitable for standard construction practices. The cost to construct the tower in the proposed location increased by approximately $400,000, to include the installation of piles to support the structure and carry the load to the underlying suitable soils. Staff worked with our geotechnical consultant on alternative locations in the area that were more suitable to reduce the additional cost of pilings. Three alternative locations were identified and staff contacted a couple of surrounding property owners to see if they would be open to soil investigation on their property, with the potential for a future acquisition to serve as the tower site. Of the three locations explored only one came back with favorable results, 16600 St. Francis Boulevard. On October 14, 2008 staff was directed to conduct additional due diligence, to further investigate the potential acquisitions, and negotiate with the property owners. Council reviewed information in closed session on November 18, 2008 and authorized staff to prepare purchase agreements. On December 9, 2008 Council approved the purchase agreements for the properties that will serve as the location of the proposed water tower, and provide a permanent dedicated access to Elmcrest Park. Observations: The City's consultant, Progressive Consulting Engineers, Inc., has reviewed and evaluated previous engineering documents for the City's municipal water system, modeled the existing system, and studied the incorporation of the new tower into this system. All this information was analyzed and incorporated into the Preliminary Design Report. With the exception of site —163—