Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Utilities

TO:	David Corliss, City Manager  Debbie Van Saun, Assistant City Manager
FROM:	Mary Baker, Project Engineer, Utilities
CC:	Chris Stewart, Assistant Director, Utilities Philip Ciesielski, Utilities Engineer Michael Tubbs, Management Analyst
Date:	December 13, 2006
RE:	Stoneridge Elevated Water Storage Tank Project Engineering Services Contract - Utilities Project #6CP-906

Please include the following item on the consent agenda for the December 19, 2006 City Commission meeting:

Execute an Engineering Services Agreement with Black & Veatch Corporation in the amount of $216,835 to design the Stoneridge Elevated Water Storage Tank and site improvements.  

Project Description/History: The City owns property at 5600 W. 6^th Street (6^th street and Stoneridge Drive) intended as a site for the construction of an elevated water storage tank. The 2003 Water Master Plan identified the West Hills Service Area as requiring additional storage volume to meet future water demands. This additional water storage volume provided by this new tank would increase the reliability of water supply in the West Hills Service Area, ensure peak demands for future growth, and provide water storage for fire suppression.

The engineering services will include preliminary design, final design and the standard bid/construction phase services.  The preliminary design will include items such as:

• Confirmation of  the recommended size and overflow elevation of the new tank by taking into account recent population projections in the Northwest area
• Public involvement in the review of the tank aesthetics
• Evaluation of the tank operation with other tanks serving the same area.
• Site review and platting services
• Report to KDHE

The final design will produce bidding/construction documents for the tank and site improvements. Construction phase services at this time include bid services and reviewing pay estimates/submittals and answering construction related questions. Staff anticipates a need for a supplemental agreement negotiated at the completion of the final design services to provide resident inspection services during the tank construction.

Project Status/Details:

August/September 2006: The Utilities Department requested proposals and received responses from five firms.  BG Consultants, Black & Veatch, Larkin Group, MKEC, Inc., Professional Engineering Consultants, and Wilson & Company indicated an interest in the project.

October 2006:  Utilities Department staff evaluated the proposals, interviewed three firms, and found Black & Veatch to be the best qualified firm. 

November 2006: Staff has negotiated an engineering services contract with Black & Veatch Corporation for the pre-design through construction phases of the project. The contract amount is $216,835.

We anticipate the following project schedule:

Execute Engineering Agreement:  December, 2006

Final Design Memorandum: July 2007

Award Construction Contract: September 2007

Complete Construction: October 2008

Project Funding: Funding is planned through the Utilities non-bonded Capital Improvement Program funds.  The Master Plan provides an opinion of cost for the project of $1,685,000 for 2007.   

Action Request:  The Utilities Department seeks approval from the City Commission to authorize the City Manager to enter into an Engineering Services Agreement with Black & Veatch Corporation in the amount of $216,835 for the design of the Stoneridge Elevated Water Storage Tank and site improvements.

Thank you for your assistance.  Please advise if you have any questions.