Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Department of Utilities

TO: David L. Corliss, City Manager

Cynthia Boecker, Assistant City Manager

                   Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager

FROM:         Mike Lawless, Assistant Director of Utilities

CC:                        Dave Wagner, Utilities Director

Philip Ciesielski, Assistant Director of Utilities

Mark Hegeman, Water Systems Manager

Alan Landis, Purchasing Specialist

DATE:           January 22, 2009

RE:                  Bid B09007 – 2009 Fire Hydrant Painting Program; Contract to paint 332 fire hydrants – Set Bid Date

Please include the following item on the City Commission Agenda for consideration at the January 27, 2009 meeting.

Set a Bid Date of Tuesday February 17, 2009 for Bid No. B09007; 2009 Fire Hydrant Painting Program; Contract to paint 332 fire hydrants.

Project History/Status: In 2008, the Utilities Department evaluated a pilot program to paint fire hydrants using an external contractor. The pilot project painted 150 fire hydrants at a cost of $165 per hydrant. The contracted price per hydrant was less than it would have cost to paint the fire hydrants in-house. In addition, it allowed Department staff to concentrate on other programs such as exercising water valves, hydrant flow testing and inspection and in-house water main replacement.

Based on the success of the pilot project, the Utilities Department recommends proceeding with a larger program for 2009. The number of fire hydrants in the 2009 program is based on a 10-year painting cycle.

Project Funding: Funding for the project is included in the 2009 Operation and Maintenance Line Item budget for Water Distribution - 7610.

Action Request: The Utilities Department is requesting approval from the City Commission to set a Bid Date of Tuesday February 17, 2009 for Bid B09007; 2009 Fire Hydrant Painting Program; Contract to paint 332 fire hydrants.