Agenda - Council - 05/12/2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CASE # ACCEPT PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR CITY PROJECT #08-21, WATER TOWER #3 AT 16600 ST. FRANCIS BOULEVARD, AND AUTHORIZE FOR BID By: Tim Himmer, City Engineer 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 Apri122, 2008. During the site investigation it was found that the soils in the proposed location of the tower were unsuitable for standard construction practices. Staff worked with our geotechnical consultant on alternative locations in the area that were more suitable to reduce construction costs. Three alternative locations were identified and investigated, of which only onename back with favorable results, 16600 St. Francis Boulevard. On October 14, 2008 staff was directed to conduct additional due diligence to fiirther investigate. the site and potential acquisition with the property owner. 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. The closings took place on February 3, 2009, with the City paying $750,000 for 16.6 acres of land. 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, which was approved by Council on January 27, 2009. With the exception of site improvements for the tower, the infrastructure is currently in place to accept this new tower. It was shown that the new tower could be incorporated into the existing system and that the overall system would function well, .including adequate pressure, fire flow availability, and account for future demand. The new tower is proposed to be an all steel hydropillar; similar to the ~ existing tower #2 on Sunwood Drive. It is staff's intention to standardize all our towers as it relates to appearance and -269-