Title
An Ordinance awarding the bid for Project No. 543-32272C for the Stormwater Projects SW 34th Street and SW Pinnell Drive to Blue Nile Contractors, Inc., in the amount of $435,214.03, and authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement for the same. (PWC 8/3/20)
Body
An Ordinance awarding the bid for Project No. 543-32272C for the Stormwater Projects SW 34th Street and SW Pinnell Drive to Blue Nile Contractors, Inc., in the amount of $435,214.03, and authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement for the same.
Key Issues:
• Staff identified locations in the City where structural flooding occurs, including SW 34th Street and SW Pinnell Drive.
• This project is funded from the Capital Projects Sales Tax Fund (322) that was approved by voters in April 2017 and became effective April 1, 2018.
• Construction bids were publicly advertised in accordance with local policies and state statutes.
• Blue Nile Contractors, Inc. was evaluated to be the lowest and best bid for this project.
Proposed City Council Motion:
FIRST MOTION: I move for a second reading of an Ordinance awarding the bid for Project No. 543-32272C for the Stormwater Projects SW 34th Street and SW Pinnell Drive to Blue Nile Contractors, Inc., in the amount of $435,214.03, 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. 543-32272C for the Stormwater Projects SW 34th Street and SW Pinnell Drive to Blue Nile Contractors, Inc., in the amount of $435,214.03, and authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement for the same.
Background:
Stormwater management has been an ongoing discussion with the City for many years. Public Works completed a stormwater planning documents from 1997 to 2002 that identified areas of flooding and conceptual recommendations. In many cases, stormwater issues are related private property and not public infrastructure. The 2002 planning study was limited to recommending 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 address stormwater issues that should implement 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 2019, 13 projects affecting 21 structures remained from the 2007 bond issue projects. Since 2018, The City has constructed five streambank projects, completed one major stormwater project affecting 15 structures, mitigated a repetitive roadway flooding issue to allow enable 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.
These projects in this bid award request, SW 34th Street and SW Pinnell, will address structural flooding impacting 5 structures due to a lack of public infrastructure in these areas. Currently, four additional projects are out for bid, and three large projects are in the design phase: SW Lea Drive/Ward Road; the watershed southeast of M-150 and M-291 near SE Hackamore and Secratariat; and Arnold Hall in the downtown area . This 34th Street and Pinnell infrastructure project, the projects out to bid, and the Arnold Hall stormwater infrastructure projects will use the remaining 2007 bond issue funds until the balance is spent down. After that, the funding will transfer entirely to the CIP Sales Tax.
Impact/Analysis:
The primary purpose of this project is to address structural flooding of the properties on SW 34th Street and SW Pinnell Drive. At each project site, stormwater piping and inlets will be installed and tied into the City's existing storm system. Localized grading will occur to direct runoff into new inlets.
Public Works Engineering issued a bid for project 543-32272C on June 23, 2020. The project's invitation to bid was posted for advertisement on the City's website and at Quest Construction Data Network. A non-mandatory pre-bid conference was held via Zoom video conferencing on July 1, 2020. Seven (7) responsive bids were received by the July 14, 2020 bid opening date. Bids were evaluated by staff and Blue Nile Contractors, Inc. was found to be the lowest and most responsible bidder.
Timeline:
Start: September 2020
End: November 2020
Presenter
George Binger, Deputy Director of Public Works/City Engineer
Recommendation
Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval.
Committee Recommendation
Committee Recommendation:
The Public Works Committee voted unanimously 4-0 to recommend to City Council approval of an Ordinance awarding the bid for Project No. 543-32272C for the Stormwater Projects SW 34th Street and SW Pinnell Drive to Blue Nile Contractors, Inc., in the amount of $435,214.03, and authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement for the same.