City of Lawrence
Utilities Department
MEMORANDUM
TO: David Corliss, City Manager
FROM: Philip Ciesielski
CC: Chris Stewart, Michael Tubbs, Bob Skinner
DATE: October 4, 2006
RE: 2007 Downtown Waterline Improvements
Please include the following item on the consent agenda for the October 10, 2006 City Commission meeting.
2007 Downtown Water line Improvements - Engineer Services:
Project Description: The project includes the third phase of waterline improvements along Massachusetts, 9th to North Park Street. In addition to the waterline work, the Public Works and Park & Recreation departments have included electrical, street crosswalks, handicap ramps and irrigation improvements. The mill and overlay on Massachusetts, from 6th to 11th Street will be completed under a separate contract after the completion of the waterline improvements.
Project History: The Utilities Department received engineering proposals in July 2004 to complete the preliminary design for Downtown Waterline improvements and subsequently retained BG Consultants for the preliminary and final design work. The preliminary design report (http://www.lawrenceutilities.org/downtown.shtml) describes the waterline improvements. The final report recommended a three phase construction schedule that included the following work: The first phase completed in 2005 included work along 6th Street, Tennessee to Massachusetts and Massachusetts Street, 6th to 7th street and 7th street, Massachusetts to New Hampshire. The second phase completed in 2006 included waterline improvements, electrical, irrigation and crosswalks on both the east and west side of Massachusetts, from 7th Street to 9th Street . The third phase of waterline improvements in 2007 will include similar improvements along Massachusetts, from 9th to North Park Street.
Project Status: BG Consultants submitted a contract proposal to complete the final design for Phase III and department staff reviewed the scope of work and associated design fee. A meeting was held with representatives of the respective City Departments and the City Manager’s office to review the work scope and discuss any concerns.
Project Details: Prior presentations to the City Commission for Phase I and Phase II improvements provided an overview of the project and specific details of the work. Phase III will include similar discussions with interested parties regarding procedures to complete the work, ensuring the downtown business owners understanding of the project and providing the opportunity for input on project concerns. Work tasks by the engineer and City staff will include presentations to the City Commission, business owners and neighborhood associations concerning traffic/pedestrian control; schedule for completion; liquidated damage clauses; working days; routing and location of the waterlines and general overview of the project.
Fire Line Status: The initial fire line incentive program was approved by the CC on June 6, 2006. This incentive allowed business owners in the 700 and 800 block of Massachusetts an opportunity to install a fireline from the new waterline to the building with a reduced cost. The property owner would pay the material cost only and agree to installing a fire sprinkler system in the building within a 5 year period. City staff met with the business owners in the 700 and 800 block of Massachusetts and presented information about the fire line incentive program and an associated agreement for execution. Two property owners accepted the agreement at the time. Those not interested in the program cited several reasons, including the up-front costs involved and the commitment to have a fully operational sprinkler system installed within five years. Several property owners wanted to wait until the fire sprinkler incentive program mentioned in the 2007 Budget was approved by the City Commission. This program provided an incentive amount of $250,000 and was approved with the 2007 budget. Staff is currently working on the details of establishing the criteria for evaluating and awarding the incentive to property owners. A draft plan will be presented to the City Commission before the end of 2006 with the anticipation that property owners will be presented the details for executing agreements in early 2007.
Project Funding: Funding for this project will come from the non-bonded construction fund for 2007 waterline improvements. This fund provides approximately $1,000,000 per year for improvements for replacement of aging waterlines in the water distribution system.
Action Request: Utility Department staff requests approval from the City Commission to authorize the City Manager to enter into an engineering contract for the final design of the 2007 Phase III Downtown Waterline Improvements in the amount of $118,722.08.