Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Department of Public Works

TO:	David L. Corliss
FROM:	Chuck Soules
CC:	Diane Stoddard, Cynthia Boecker, Mark Thiel, Steve Bennett
Date:	April 29, 2009
RE:	May 5, 2009 Consent Agenda Item Extension of Water/Sewer Services at Lawrence Municipal Airport Engineering Services Agreement

Please include the following item on the City Commission consent agenda for consideration at the May 5, 2009 meeting:

Project Background.   The airport is located north of US Route 24/40 about one-half mile east of Third Street.  It is a valuable asset to the City, currently accommodating over 32,000 operations annually and generating over $9 million dollars in local revenue for the economy.  The airport is approximately 500 acres, has two runways, a terminal, 36 t-hangars, and several small on-site aviation services and hangars used by local businesses and individuals.  The airport is an “island’ of city property, located about a mile north of the City border.

While the airport provides a valuable service to the community, it is currently underutilized due in part to inadequate City infrastructure.  The airport is served by an 8 inch waterline for basic office use, but is insufficient for fire suppression.  Wells have to be drilled for fire safety, and there may be a limit to the number of wells that can be drilled.  Airport facilities have no sewer services, using septic instead.  County regulations prohibit more than one septic and lateral field every three acres.  This requires land that could otherwise be used for development to remain as open space for septic.

A study was conducted in 2000 that evaluated different sewer options for the airport, including not only extending City sewer to the airport but package treatment facilities and a contained lagoon.  The latter two were not pursued due to discharge concerns.  Sewer service was not pursued due in part because of the small current flow at the airport- currently estimated to be approximately 1,000 gallons per day. 

There is an immediate need for additional sewer facilities at the airport.  At least one septic system is failing, and some recent firm inquiries would require greater service capacity by late spring of 2010.  Also, a number of business inquiries have occurred over the last year for locations at the airport that suggest that the airport has more demand for business space than can be accommodated by existing Water and Sewer service.

Project Status.  A committee consisting of Philip Ciesielski (Assistant Utility Director), Diane Stoddard (Assistant City Manager), Roger Zaineraitis (Economic Development Coordinator), Teresa Gordzica (Aviation Advisory Board), and Chuck Soules (Director of Public Works) reviewed qualifications of seven firms.  Three firms were invited to interview and present their ideas for the projects.  Firms interviewed were PEC (Professional Engineering Consultants), Bartlett & West, and BG Consultants. 

Firms were evaluated on the following:

1.	Commitment of staff, equipment and facilities
2.	Ability to perform the desired services within the time prescribed
3.	Past performance of firm
4.	Staff’s training schools attendance
5.	Previous experience with similar work
6.	Work commitment which could limit performance
7.	Accessibility of firm’s office
8.	Firm’s familiarity with project area
9.	Firm’s knowledge of project procedures
10.	Firm’s consideration of project problems/issues
11.	Thoroughness of presentation
12.	Communication issues
13.	Ability to work with public
14.	Professionalism, comfort level with firm

The committee recommends negotiating an Engineering Services Agreement with BG Consultants for the following reasons:

§ BG has performed well and completed similar (utility) projects for the City.

§ BG Consultants have teamed up with Burns & McDonnell. 

§ The team provided experience in alternative treatment options.

§ BG is ready to proceed with the project.

§ The firm is familiar with previous studies.

§ The project team provided both conventional treatments and “green/wetland” treatment.  For example, Wetlands Treatment Facility in Columbia, Missouri, and Cedar Point Natural Treatment Facility in North Carolina.

Action Request.  Authorize staff to negotiate an agreement with BG Consultants for engineering services for the extension of water/sewer services to the Lawrence Municipal Airport.  The agreement/scope of work will be presented to the City Commission for approval.

Please let me know if there are additional questions.

Respectfully submitted,

Charles F. Soules, P.E.

Director of Public Works

CFS/je

Attachment:  RFQ R09002