Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Utilities Department

 

TO:              David L. Corliss, City Manager

                        Cynthia Wagner, Assistant City Manager

                        Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager

FROM:            Philip Ciesielski, Assistant Director of Utilities

CC:                  Dave Wagner, Director of Utilities

                        Toni Wheeler, City Attorney

                        Charles Soules, Director of Public Works

Mike Lawless, Assistant Director of Utilities

Mark Thiel, Assistant Public Works Director

Steve Bennett, Building/Maintenance and Engineering

                        Beth Krishtalka, Assistant to Director

                        Dave King, Utilities Maintenance Superintendent

Mark Hegeman, Utilities Operations Superintendent

DATE:             May 15, 2013

RE:                  Agenda Item – Execute Change Order No.1 for Project UT0922CS Airport Area Sanitary Sewer Improvements

 

Please include the following item on the City Commission agenda for consideration at the May 21, 2013 meeting:

 

Authorize the City Manager to Execute Change Order No.1, in the amount of $24,777.55, to the Construction Contract with Schmidtlein Excavating, Inc. for Project UT0922CS Airport Area Sanitary Sewer Improvements.

 

Project Background 

The airport is located north of US Route 24/40 about one-half mile east of 3rd 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.

 

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.

 

There is a need for additional sewer facilities at the airport. At least one septic system is failing, and a number of business inquiries have occurred in the recent past 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 Description

The project consists of the construction of a gravity collections system on the airport property to a septage holding tank at HWY 24 with necessary telemetry and odor control to serve the existing Airport Terminal Building and hangar facility as well as a level of development projects (see attached project map 1). The facilities were designed for future expansion with the construction of a forcemain to existing gravity lines in North Lawrence and the conversion of the septage holding well to a lift station. The project was designed by BG Consultants with geotechnical subconsultant services provided by PSI.

 

Project Status

On March 29, 2011 the bid was awarded to Schmidtlein Excavating in amount of $411,033.70. The contractor encountered a problem with dewatering for the final phase of the project and seeks a request for additional compensation, which is not the subject of this Change Order. The City is proposing a new location for the installation of the holding tank in an area that will likely require less dewatering, according to the contractor, and will keep the project moving to final completion. Based on the test excavations, soil boring, and its observations of the soil and groundwater conditions, Schmidtlein provided a proposal on April 19, 2013 to complete the project at the alternate site using typical excavation, shoring and dewatering methods (see attached project map 2). The relocation of the holding tank is not detrimental to the future operation of the system; however, it does require the construction of additional driveway, electrical and water services and modifications to existing manhole structures. Department of Utilities Staff reviewed the proposal to relocate the holding tank and the associated costs. These additional costs are included in the current Change Order No.1 in the amount of $24,777.55.

 

Toni Wheeler, City Attorney, and outside legal counsel recommend executing Change Order No.1 in the amount of $24,777.55 for the completion of the project. The City is obtaining and reviewing documentation from Schmidtlein concerning its additional compensation claim and the City expects to make a recommendation as to such additional compensation claim in the future.  The purpose of the proposed change order is limited to the costs associated with the change in location. 

 

Project Funding Funding for the original contract amount is from Public Works general obligation bonds for economic development. Funding for the proposed change order is from the Department of Utilities non-bonded construction fund.

 

Action Request.

Authorize the City Manager to Execute Change Order No.1, in the amount of $24,777.55, to the Construction Contract with Schmidtlein Excavating, Inc. for Project UT0922CS Airport Area Sanitary Sewer Improvements.