Memorandum                                    

City of Lawrence

TO:	Mayor and City Commission
FROM:	Mike Wildgen, City Manager
CC:	Roger Coffey Dave Wagner
Date:	June 22, 2005
RE:	Engineering Contract -  Siting Study for the Wakarusa Water Reclamation Facility

Project History

This is a capital improvement project from the 2003 Wastewater Master Plan that was scheduled for site identification, evaluation and acquisition from 2004 through 2006. 

The Utilities Department currently operates the 12.5 mgd Kaw Waste Water Treatment Plant on East 8^th Street.  The 2003 Waste Water Master Plan has identified the need and timing for the construction of a 6.9 mgd wastewater treatment plant to discharge into the Wakarusa River.

The Master Plan schedule for beginning the site evaluation was 2004 and the completion of the construction is scheduled for the end of year 2010. To that end, the site selection phase should begin soon, and as appropriate, alternate design and construction delivery methods evaluated to maintain the schedule as close to completion by the end of year 2010 as possible. 

Project Status 

On April 8, 2005 the Utilities Department solicited proposals for engineering services for the site identification, evaluation and acquisition per approval by the City Commission.

The Utilities Department received proposals from four firms: Black & Veatch, Burns & McDonnell/PEC, Carollo Engineers, and Camp, Dresser & McKee/BG Consultants.  

A review committee consisting of staff within the Department of Utilities, the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, the Douglas County Public Works Director, and Dr. Stan Loeb of the University of Kansas Environmental Science Department reviewed the four proposals submitted and interviewed the four teams. The following aspects of each proposal were reviewed:   related project experience, project team, project approach, project schedule, technical capabilities, and client references.  The strengths and weaknesses of each proposal were examined.

Members of the review committee then contacted client references provided by the consultant teams, as well as other regulatory and client contacts familiar to City staff, to discuss the consultant teams’ capabilities and past performance on similar projects.  The consulting team that was the top choice for six of the seven interview panel members also received supportive comments from their references and others contacted regarding performance on similar projects.  Thus, the interview panel recommendation to me was to negotiate a contract with Black & Veatch for engineering services associated with this project. 

Project Details

Engineering services for the siting study will include but are not limited to:

• Review of the City’s 2003 Wastewater Master Plan and its recommendations for the location, capacity and treatment processes of a second Treatment Facility.
• Identification and evaluation of possible sites for the construction of the Wakarusa Water Reclamation Facility.  The evaluation shall include consideration of cost, and non-cost factors associated with the infrastructure required to convey current and anticipated sewerage flows to each proposed treatment facility location.
• Assistance in the procurement, zoning, annexation and permitting of the recommended site (completion of this portion of the project shall be the submission of a KDHE approvable siting study).
• Solicitation, gathering, consideration and incorporation of public comments and stakeholder inputs resulting in general public acceptance of the eventually selected site(s).
• Consideration of alternative and innovative treatment processes and unit configurations used to improve value and gain public support and acceptance.
• Review of various project delivery methods to ensure required treatment capacity is available for the expected growth of the community and to ensure or improve the overall project value and quality.

Project Funding 

Funding for the site selection work will come from the non-bonded construction fund for 2005 – 2006.

The construction work will require a future bond.  The cost estimate provided in the 2003 Wastewater Master Plan for site selection and acquisition; engineering, and construction is $76,303,000 in the year expended.

Action Request. 

Authorize negotiations with Black & Veatch for a contract to complete the Siting Study for the Wakarusa Water Reclamation Facility.