City of Lawrence

Utilities Department 

MEMORANDUM

TO: David Corliss, ACM, Administrative Services;

                        Debbie Van Saun, ACM, Community Development Services

FROM:         Chris Stewart

CC:                        Roger Coffey, Michael Tubbs, Bob Skinner

DATE:           July 13, 2005

RE:                  2005  Downtown Waterline Improvements

Please include the following item on the consent agenda for the July 19, 2005 City Commission meeting.

Change Order for 2005 Downtown Waterline Improvements:

Project Description: The current project includes waterline improvements along 6^th Street, from Tennessee to Massachusetts; Massachusetts, 6^th to 7^th Street  and 7^th Street, Massachusetts to New Hampshire.  In addition to the waterline work, the Public Works and Park and Recreation Departments have included electrical and irrigation improvements on Massachusetts, between 6^th and 7^th street.

Project History:  BG Consultants was retained by the Utilities Department to complete a preliminary design report for waterline improvements along 6^th Street, Tennessee to Massachusetts and Massachusetts Street,   6^th to North Park Street.    The plan was completed in fall of 2004 with a recommendation to improve the waterline in three years. A public meeting with the downtown association and businesses was conducted after the completion of the design report to solicit input.

The final report recommended a three phase construction schedule that included the following work:  The first phase is the current project as described above;  the second phase in 2006 will include waterline improvements along Massachusetts,  from 7^th to 9^th and  9^th from Vermont to Kentucky; the third phase of waterline improvements in 2007 will include Massachusetts from 9^th to North Park. In addition to the waterline work, the contract includes electrical and irrigation improvements requested by Public Works and Parks and Recreation Department. 

The final plans and specifications were completed by BG Consultants and bids were received by the purchasing department.  The low bidder, Nowak Construction, was awarded the bid and started construction along 6^th street, from Tennessee to Massachusetts and is currently working on Massachusetts.  Additional information can be reviewed on the following website:  http://www.lawrenceutilities.org/DowntownProject.shtml

Project Status/ Details:

Work is complete on 6^th street from Tennessee to Massachusetts and is 80 % complete on Massachusetts from 6^th to 7^th.  Current and future work requires change orders for the contractor.  Change Order No. 1 is for additional work along 6^th street and a realignment / boring of the waterline as described below.  The second change order is needed for electrical work on the east side of Massachusetts. 

Change Order No 1:

Item No. 1   The additional work along 6^th street (between Vermont and Massachusetts) was due to contaminated soils; an abandoned oil tank and abandoned foundation walls.  This required specialized disposal and replacement of the soil, coordination with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment; landfill fees; increase in bedding / flowable fill and the associated labor and equipment charges.  The contractor requested additional compensation for the unforeseen work in accordance with the contract documents in the amount of $ 36,162.

Item No. 2:   Contractor requested that the waterline alignment be revised along 6^th street, from Tennessee to Kentucky and allow directional boring. This request had no change in the contract time or price.

Change Order No. 2:

Change Order No. 2 involves the installation of electrical improvements on the east side of Massachusetts, between 6^th and 7^th street.  The original bid included a price for the work as an add alternate for the project.  However, at the time of bid letting, this particular add alternate was not accepted in order to allow staff additional time to consider the work and the corresponding budget for the project.  The contractor agreed to maintain the same bid price within a specified time frame.  After review and consideration, a decision has been made to proceed with this work as part of the public works improvements in the area.  The price for Change Order No. 2 is $58,447.20.

BG Consultants reviewed and recommended approval of Change Order No 1 and No 2 for Nowak Construction.  City staff concurs with the recommendation.  

Project Funding: Funding for this project will come from the non-bonded construction fund for 2005 waterline improvements.  This fund provides approximately $1,000,000 per year for improvements for replacement of aging waterlines in the Distribution system. The total price for the project, including change order no. 1 and no 2 is $875,393.15.

Action Request.  The Utilities Department is seeking approval from the City Commission to approve Change Order No 1($36,162) and No. 2 ($58,447.20) and authorize the City Manager to execute the corresponding change orders with Nowak Construction.