Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 09/11/2006

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Board Member Bentz reminded EPB members that he had questioned last year whether there would be a cap on spending for the project, with some discussion. Coordinator Anderson stated that the proposal did not include a not-to-exceed dollar amount. He stated it indicated that numbers were based on the assumption that sixty (60) wetlands would be looked at. Councilmember Strommen stated that even when the City Council deals with not-to-exceed contract negotiation; it is not uncommon to reconsider a request for additional expenditure once the initial budget has been spent. Chairperson McDilda stated that rarely does a project come in under budget on a not-to-exceed contract. He stated the request could be argued, but for the amount of monies that have been spent, more ground-truthing has been completed because there are more high quality wetlands than earlier anticipated that required additional money. He stated that if the City Council can't grant the money, then the project will have to be looked at to determine what can be done. Coordinator Anderson stated there was some out-of-scope work requested such as: segments of Trott Brook that did not come back as Preserve or Manage 1; some of the larger wetland complexes in the Northwest portion of the city; and other out-of-scope work that contributed. He stated that any time the EPB asked Peterson Environmental Consulting, Inc. for an update there has been an additional charge. Board Member Max proposed that the EPB recommend to the City Council to put a cap of under $10,000 on the project. Chairperson McDilda stated that if the project came in at more than twenty-five percent (25%) above the initial budget, there should be justification for that request. Chairperson McDilda asked if this was on the agenda for the August 8, 2006 City Council meeting. Board Member Freeburg asked if work on the project was stopped. Chairperson McDilda clarified that work on the project is stopped currently. He suggested there should be justification for the additional request. Motion by Board Member Max and seconded by Board Member Freeburg to recommend that City Council authorize the transfer of up to $10,000 from the Landfill Tipping Fee Fund to the General Fund for the completion of the wetlands study. Councilmember Strommen asked Coordinator Anderson if the original $35,000 carne out of the Landfill Tipping Fee Fund. Coordinator Anderson stated there was a $35,000 transfer, and 80-90 percent (80%-90%) of the ground-truthing has been completed, but there may be some other dollars diverted towards Environmental Policy Board/August 7, 2006 Page 3 of8