Title
An Ordinance awarding the bid for Project No. 576-10C for the East Fork Little Blue Area 3 & 4 Stormwater Project to VF Anderson Builders, LLC in the amount of $ 3,554,705.00, and authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement for the same. (PWC 11/18/24)
Body
Issue/Request:
An Ordinance awarding the bid for Project No. 576-10C for the East Fork Little Blue Area 3 & 4 Stormwater Project to VF Anderson Builders, LLC in the amount of $ 3,554,705.00, and authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement for the same.
Key Issues:
• City staff identified locations in the City where structural flooding occurs, including SE 3rd Street and SE Boone Trail.
• The stormwater improvements at SE 3rd Street and SE Boone Trail, designed by Allgeier Martin and Associates pursuant to Ordinance No. 9308, includes installation of approximately 3,400 feet of new storm sewer pipe (hereinafter "Project No. 576-10C").
• Project No. 576-10C is funded by an ARPA Grant through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and the 2017 CIP Sales Tax.
• Public Works Engineering issued an advertisement for bids for the construction of Project No. 576-10C on September 17, 2024, in accordance with local policies and state statutes.
• VF Anderson Builders, LLC (hereinafter "Contractor") was evaluated to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder by City staff.
• City desires to enter into an agreement with Contractor to construct Project No. 576-10C.
Proposed Committee Motion:
I move to recommend to the City Council approval of an Ordinance awarding the bid for Project No. 576-10C for the East Fork Little Blue Area 3 & 4 Stormwater Project to VF Anderson Builders, LLC in the amount of $ 3,554,705.00, and authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement for the same.
Proposed City Council Motion:
FIRST MOTION: I move to advance to second reading an Ordinance awarding the bid for Project No. 576-10C for the East Fork Little Blue Area 3 & 4 Stormwater Project to VF Anderson Builders, LLC in the amount of $ 3,554,705.00, and authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement for the same.
SECOND MOTION: I move for adoption of an Ordinance awarding the bid for Project No. 576-10C for the East Fork Little Blue Area 3 & 4 Stormwater Project to VF Anderson Builders, LLC in the amount of $ 3,554,705.00, and authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement for the same.
Background:
The East Fork Little Blue Area 3 & 4 Stormwater Project will address structural flooding impacting five structures due to the lack of, or failed, public infrastructure in the area. In addition to mitigating structural flooding, the East Fork Little Blue Area 3 & 4 Stormwater Project will significantly reduce flooding in City Right-of-Way along SE 3rd Street and SE Todd George Parkway.
This project is being funded through the 2017 CIP Sales Tax Fund and a federal stormwater grant under the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) this is administered by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR).
Stormwater management has been an ongoing discussion with the City for many years. The City completed a series of stormwater planning documents from 1997 to 2002 that identified areas of flooding and conceptual recommendations. The large majority of stormwater issues identified in that study were related to private property issues instead of public infrastructure issues. The 2002 planning study recommended conceptual improvements to the public system to address flooding caused by a lack of public infrastructure or failing infrastructure.
A Citizen Stormwater Task Force was formed in 2004 that recommended five action items to address stormwater issues that should be implemented by private property owners, builders, developers, Homeowner Associations (HOAs), utilities and public funds. The public component of the task force recommendations focused on investing in public improvements to correct problems resulting from inadequate public infrastructure that cause structural flooding, street flooding that impeded emergency response, or stream erosion that threatened other public infrastructure.
These recommendations led to proposing a bond issue in 2007 to build stormwater infrastructure to address structural flooding issues. The bond issue approved by voters authorized $15.8 million to improve the public stormwater system or buy out properties with a history of repetitive flooding. Streambank stabilization issues, nuisance flooding or rehabilitating existing infrastructure were not included in the bond issue project.
To be eligible for the program, property owners were required to submit a written statement that their house flooded. At that time, over 47 properties were confirmed in writing and City staff verified that those properties incurred structural flooding due to a lack of public infrastructure. Many more homeowners initiated flooding services requests that had issues related to private property such as improper building construction or improper site grading that direct water into structural openings.
In April 2017, voters approved a 15-year extension of the Capital Improvement (CIP) Sales Tax. This extension that started in 2018 was expanded to include stormwater improvements similar to the 2007 Bond issue project plus streambank stabilization and rehabilitating portions of the aging metal pipe system.
As of 2017, 13 projects affecting 21 structures remained from the 2007 bond issue projects. Since 2018, The City has constructed five streambank projects, completed stormwater infrastructure projects affecting 15 structures, mitigated a repetitive roadway flooding issue to allow emergency access during heavy rains, and purchased two properties suffering repetitive flooding. These projects were funded using the remaining bond issue funds, new funding from the CIP Sales Tax, a partnership with an HOA, and a partnership with a builder.
During the summer of 2019 and spring of 2020, additional areas within Lee's Summit experienced heavy rain. The City received flood forms from 10 homeowners initiating additional design efforts. One project currently under construction addresses flooding of 3 locations. Five additional locations will be addressed as part of this project.
Impact/Analysis:
Public Works Engineering advertised for bids for Project No. 576-10C on September 17, 2024. This was posted on the City's website and on the QuestCDN website. Twelve construction firms were listed as plan holders, of which three (3) firms chose to submit bids by the October 17, 2024, bid opening date. All three bids received were responsive. Bids were evaluated by staff and VF Anderson Builders, LLC was found to be the lowest responsive, and responsible bidder.
Timeline:
Start: March 2025
End: October 2025
The timeline may be impacted and delayed as a result of the condemnation process for remaining properties to accomplish the full scope of work contained in the project. Condemnation of remaining properties has been authorized by the City Council, approved by ordinance and initiated; however much of the condemnation process requires time beyond control of the City to complete.
Presenter
Karen Quackenbush, Senior Staff Engineer
Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of an Ordinance awarding the bid for Project No. 576-10C for the East Fork Little Blue Area 3 & 4 Stormwater Project to VF Anderson Builders, LLC in the amount of $ 3,554,705.00, and authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement for the same.
Committee Recommendation
Committee Recommendation: The Public Works Committee voted unanimously 3-0 (Councilmember Rader "Absent"), to recommend to City Council approval of an Ordinance awarding the bid for Project No. 576-10C for the East Fork Little Blue Area 3 & 4 Stormwater Project to VF Anderson Builders, LLC in the amount of $ 3,554,705.00, and authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement for the same.