REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
May 25, 2017
FROM: THOMAS C. ESQUEDA, Director
Department of Public Utilities
THROUGH: KEVIN L. NORGAARD, PE, Supervising Professional Engineer
Department of Public Utilities - Wastewater Management Division
BY: RAUL GONZALEZ, PE, Professional Engineer
Department of Public Utilities - Wastewater Management Division
SUBJECT
Title
Award a contract in the amount of $88,400 and a contingency of $5,000 to Blair, Church & Flynn, Inc., a California Corporation, for professional engineering services for the design of the A-Side Canal Replacement (Council District 3)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council award a professional engineering services contract in the amount of $88,400 to Blair, Church & Flynn, a California Corporation for the design of the A-Side Canal Replacement.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Public Utilities, Wastewater Management Division requests awarding a professional engineering services agreement to Blair, Church & Flynn, a California Corporation in the amount of $88,400 and a contingency of $5,000 for the design of repairs or replacement of the A-Side Canal and Diversion Structure.
BACKGROUND
The canal known as the A-Side Canal was constructed in the early 1940’s. The concrete-lined canal was constructed for the purpose of conveying treated effluent from the A-Side secondary treatment train to the percolation ponds. Treated effluent is also diverted from the A-Side Canal to provide water for irrigation of non-comestible crops to a farmer leasing land from the City. In the mid-1970’s, the A-Side Canal underwent major rehabilitation to raise the height of the canal bank and make miscellaneous repairs. Since then, concrete deterioration has continued and other problems have arisen. Consequently, the concrete liner has deteriorated to the extent that steel reinforcing bars are exposed, water infiltration occurs at cracks or holes in the liner, and the embankment has settled in various places. In addition, because of the nutrient-rich nature of the treated effluent and the exposed nature of the canal, algal growth has become problematic. Algal growth adversely affects the Biological Oxygen Demand results from samples taken in the canal. This data is reported to the State as part of the permitting requirements. If the canal is repaired or replaced in kind, a cover would be required to mitigate algae concerns. Replacement of the canal with a buried pipe is a viable option.
Following Fresno Municipal Code Chapter 4 Article 1 and Administrative Order 6-19 on February 6, 2017, the DPU emailed more than 75 potentially qualified engineering firms a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and posted it on the City’s bids online website. Four Statements of Qualifications were received. Evaluations of the four firms were conducted by a panel of four Department of Public Utilities staff members. Blair, Church & Flynn was selected as most qualified and best value to the City, and was asked to submit a level of effort and scope. The department chose to proceed with Blair, Church & Flynn as the firm with the most beneficial qualification, scope and level of effort for the City. Staff negotiated a professional services fee of $88,400 with a contingency of $5,000 for professional engineering services. The City Attorney has approved this contract as to form. Upon approval by the City Council, the agreement will be executed by the Director of Public Utilities or designee, who has been delegated this authority by the City Manager.
The Department of Public Utilities, Wastewater Management Division requests awarding a professional engineering services agreement to Blair, Church & Flynn to design the repair or replacement of the canal.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 the award of this contract does not qualify as a “project” for the purpose of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was implemented and Blair, Church & Flynn is a local business.
FISCAL IMPACT
This project has no financial impact on the General Fund and is located in Council District 3. This project is identified in the five year capital improvement plan. Funds in the amount of $300,000 are allocated for this project. The fiscal impact of this contract will be $5,000. The funds necessary for design of this project exist in the sewer enterprise fund.
Attachments:
Fiscal Impact Statement
Vicinity Map