Agenda - Council - 06/23/2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CASE # 3 CONSIDER AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR CITY PROJECT #08 -21, WATER TOWER #3 AT 16600 ST. FRANCIS BOULEVARD By: Tim Himmer, City Engineer Background: 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 (Elmcrest Park) 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 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 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. The City's consultant, Progressive Consulting. Engineers, Inc., 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. On January 27, 2009 the City Council accepted this report and authorized the preparation of plans and specifications. On May 12, 2009 Council accepted the plans and specifications and authorized the project for bid. At that meeting it was decided to. allow the project to move forward and secure bids, but an alternate was added to the specifications requesting a delayed construction schedule for a period of 6 months. This approach was advanced so we could fully understand the monetary impacts of the project, and also see the effects of such a delay. Observations: With the exception of specific site improvements, the infrastructure is currently in place to support 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 future demand. The new tower is proposed to be an all steel hydropillar; similar to the existing tower 42 on Sunwood Drive. It is staff's intention to standardize all our towers as it relates to appearance and equipment, thereby creating consistent maintenance responsibilities. The design includes upgrades to the current SCADA system because the existing system is overloaded and is in need of improvements at this time. The hydropillar design will provide space for City equipment storage in the base, facilities for telecommunication providers, and easier retrofits in the future should they be necessary. One factor to consider when reviewing this project is the timing of construction and bringing the new tower on -line. If the project were to be awarded tonight under the base bid, construction could commence in July and the tower would be completed and on -line by the end of 2010. If the project were to be delayed for 6 months and awarded under the alternate schedule construction would not be able to start until the spring of 2010, with final completion by the end of 2011.