Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Utilities Department

TO:	David Corliss – City Manager Debbie Van Saun – Assistant City Manager
FROM:	Philip Ciesielski – Utilities Engineer
CC:	Dave Wagner – Director of Utilities
Date:	April 11, 2007
RE:	April 17, 2007 City Commission Agenda

Please include the following item on the City Commission Agenda for consideration at the April 17, 2007 meeting:

Authorize advertisement of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for engineering and construction services for the design and construction of the Wakarusa Water Reclamation Facility and associated upstream collection system infrastructure and improvements.

This is a capital improvement project from the 2003 Waste Water Master Plan that is scheduled for completion in 2010. 

Project History. The 2003 Waste Water Master Plan identified the need for the completion of a 7.0 million gallon per day (mgd) wastewater facility discharging to the Wakarusa River by the end of year 2010.  Adding this facility and the associated infrastructure to the sanitary sewer system will allow service to a population of 150,000. 

In 2005, the City Commission authorized the Utilities Department to solicit proposals for engineering services associated with preliminary work for the Wakarusa Water Reclamation Facility (WWRF). The City entered into a contract with Black & Veatch for siting the treatment plant and subsequently for the conveyance corridor study, a Basis of Design Report, a Design Memorandum, and a Value Engineering Study. The City Commission subsequently approved the selection of the site and purchase of the properties.

In February of 2007 the City Commission was briefed on the project status and alternate project delivery methods, including a recommendation to pursue design/build. Staff was directed to utilize design/build to design and construct the Wakarusa WRF, and to proceed with the selection of the design/build team utilizing a qualification based selection process.  Specific direction was provided by the Commission to select a team with considerable emphasis on competitive pricing and qualified local participation.  These requirements will be clearly spelled out in the RFQ. 

Project Status.  Major efforts underway or completed include:

• Facility site acquisition is completed.
• Preliminary design work by Black and Veatch and staff continues that will deliver a Basis of Design Report, Design Memo, Corridor Study, and Process Diagrams and is nearing final draft stages.
• The site is currently scheduled for the May Planning Commission meeting to hear site plan, annexation and zoning requests.
• In December 2006, staff applied to KDHE for a NPDES discharge permit and it is expected to be issued in draft form later this month. After the 30-day public comment period, KDHE will consider comments and is likely to issue a final permit shortly thereafter.
• Public outreach, input, and dissemination of information about the project will continue using public meetings and involvement with the project by the three members of the Public Advisory Committee (PAC) sub-group.

Project Funding.  The engineering and construction work will be funded with bond proceeds.  The current estimated cost for design, construction and conveyance corridor land acquisition is $87,700,000.00.

Action Request.  Utility Department staff requests approval from the City Commission to advertise a Request for Qualifications for engineering and construction services for the design and construction of the new 7.0 MGD Wakarusa Water Reclamation Facility and associated upstream collection system infrastructure and improvements.