Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Utilities Department

To:	Dave Corliss Interim City Manager
From:	Chris Stewart Acting Utilities Director
cc:	Debbie Van Saun, Asst. City Manager Rich Barr, Fire Marshall Ed Mullins, Finance Director
Date:	June 1, 2006
Re:	Downtown fire line installation

Provided below is a review of our meeting today with Rich Barr, Ed Mullins, Bob Skinner, Debbie Van Saun and you concerning the installation of fire lines to existing buildings in the 700 and 800 block of Massachusetts.  As you are aware, the current waterline improvements along the east side of Massachusetts (7th to 9^th) began on May 22^nd and are progressing in a timely manner.  As the contractor started the work, City staff received inquires from some of the downtown property owners concerning the cost and timing issues associated with the installation of fire lines with the new waterline improvements.  The issue of fire line installation relates to ongoing discussions the Fire/Medical staff have had over the last few years with downtown business owners regarding the fire sprinkler requirements that are part of the fire safety code that is currently in effect.

In response to multiple inquiries this past week, staff initiated a letter to the building owners in the 700/800 blocks of Massachusetts providing information about the cost to install the fire lines and requesting feedback if the owner had plans to do the fire line installation work during the construction of the waterline.  The intent was to provide information regarding the full scope of work, and to install the connection points for the new fire lines as the contractor installed the new waterline in front of a building.  Installing a valve and tee is a better installation practice (if possible) for branch connections from the main line as compared to the option of installing a tapping valve and sleeve after the waterline is placed in service. In retrospect, this communication should have occurred earlier in the project timeframe.  Staff will work with property owners in the coming days to develop realistic time frames for pursuing this work, as appropriate.

We discussed the different concepts/opportunities available to assist and/or provide an incentive to property owners in completing the installation of the fire line from the main to the building (as described in the attached letter).  Please recognize the complexity in presenting all of the options available to address the issue, including such items as the timing for installation, location and size of a fire line, coordination with the pipeline contractor and City crews for the work currently underway.

The estimated cost to install the fire line to the building, including the valve, tee, and associated concrete is $6,000.

We recommend that the City Commission review and confirm the following plan for assisting property owners with the fire line connections at this time.

Recommended Plan.  The City will only charge property owners the material cost for the fire line improvements in the 700 and 800 block at this time, which is approximately $3,000.00. City crews will do the installation at no cost to the property owner.  The property owner will commit to install fire sprinkler systems within a 5 year period.  The City will make available a reasonable time period to make the $3,000.00 payments (on an installment basis).  This program will not extend the length of the waterline improvement project.

Additionally, as the Commission knows, as part of the 2007 budget process the Commission will consider an additional incentive for downtown property owners to install fire sprinkler systems in eligible properties.  This proposal involves a loan fund or rebate program to provide an additional incentive to downtown businesses which do not have adequate fire sprinkler systems. The cost of the fire line improvements may or may not be included in this rebate program, however, since funds are limited it is unlikely that 100% of the costs will be paid by the rebate program.  Property owners with an installed fire line would have an essential first step toward providing the protection afforded by a fire sprinkler system.

As noted earlier in this memo and during our discussion today, the details of the various logistical arrangements that could be made with property owners would need to be worked out on a case by case basis.  One of the first steps we will take after City Commission review of this plan will be to contact property owners next week to answer their questions, determine their level of interest, and develop a realistic timeframe if they are interested in pursuing a fire line installation for their property.