Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Department of Utilities

TO:	Dave Corliss, Assistant City Manager Debbie Van Saun, Assistant City Manager
FROM:	Dave Wagner, Assistant Director of Utilities
CC:	Roger Coffey Mike Wildgen
Date:	August 30, 2005
RE:	Engineering Contract – Siting Study for the Wakarusa Water Reclamation Facility

Please include the following item on the City Commission agenda for consideration at the September 6, 2005 meeting:

Engineering Contract -  Siting Study for the Wakarusa Water Reclamation Facility

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. 

Project History

The Utilities Department currently operates the 12.5 MGD Kaw Wastewater Treatment Plant. The 2003 Waste Water Master Plan has identified the need, and timing for the construction of a 6.9 mgd wastewater treatment plant along 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.

On Tuesday May 3, 2005, in response to the Request for Proposals the Utilities Department Staff received proposals from Black & Veatch, Burns & McDonnell/PEC, Carollo Engineers, and Camp, Dresser & McKee/BG Consultants. A seven-member committee evaluated the proposals and held interviews. The committee recommended Black and Veatch as the highest qualified firm to perform the work.

In June of this year, the City Commission authorized the City Manager to negotiate contract scope, terms, and fee with Black and Veatch.

Project Details

Attached is an executive summary of the project method and a Project Schedule.

Following the successful acquisition of the site, the submission of the Siting Study to KDHE for approval, and should the City decide to, a supplemental engineering services agreement for a preliminary design report, and final design and construction phase services may be negotiated with the same engineer and presented to the City Commission for consideration.

Project Funding 

Funding for the site selection work will come from the non-bonded construction fund for 2005 – 2006. Total budget provided in the Master Plan for site identification, evaluation and acquisition is $1,624,000 in the year expended. The contract for this phase of identification and evaluation is $517,500

The construction work will require a future bond. The total budget provided in the 2003 Wastewater Master Plan for site selection and acquisition; engineering, and construction is $76,303,000.00 in the year expended.

Action Request

Authorize the City manager to enter into a contract for $517,500 with Black and Veatch for the Siting Study phase for the eventual construction of a Wakarusa Water Reclamation Facility.