Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Parks and Recreation Department

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Mark Hecker, Park Superintendent
CC:	Cynthia Boecker, Assistant City Manager Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager Ernie Shaw, Interim Director Parks & Recreation
Date:	January 31, 2008
RE:	East Lawrence Center HVAC Unit – Engineering Contract

Project/Item Description. The Parks & Recreation Department is in need of professional engineering and design services for the replacement of the main heating and cooling unit for the large gym at East Lawrence Center.

Project Description/History. The largest HVAC unit at East Lawrence Center has had a long history of mechanical problems ranging from control and electrical system failures to compressor failures. During design, this unit and the electrical system that feeds it, were sized to minimum specification for this type of facility. This under sizing and the poor quality of the equipment has caused the system to fail nearly every time the outside temperatures get near 95 degrees. These failures have caused a number of operational problems due to the very heavy recreation program schedule in this facility.

Project/Purchase Details. The first step of the project is to contract with an engineering firm to provide recommendations and write bid specifications for the replacement of the electrical system, HVAC equipment and all necessary labor needed to replace the system. Staff recommends Professional Engineering Consultants (PEC) to perform this work at a cost of $8,500. This company has a long history doing this type of work both regionally and as a subcontractor on the aquatics facility.

Project/Item Funding. The $8,500 fee for the engineering work and the actual project installation will be paid using sales tax reserve funds. This is a traditional funding source for Parks & Recreation improvements and maintenance. It should be noted that that the $200,000 estimate reflects approximately half of sales tax funds allotted to parks & recreation for the 2008 budget year ($400,000 total).

Action Request. City Commission approval is requested to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Professional Engineering Consultants for the design, bidding and construction oversight on the East Lawrence Center HVAC project.