Title
Sweetwater Branch/Paynes Prairie Sheetflow Restoration Project (NB)
This authorization will allow completion of final design and permitting of the Sweetwater Branch/Paynes Prairie Sheetflow Restoration Project and associated Public Use Facilities. Plans for the Public Use Facilities including boardwalks and visitor facilities will be presented to the Commission in accordance with the Vertical Capital Projects procedure in the near future.
Explanation
The engineering services contract with Jones Edmunds was presented to the City Commission on February 25, 2008, agenda item #070943. The estimated cost for design and permitting at that time was $2.5 million. Due to the complex nature of the project and unresolved contingencies, it was determined that the project design should be split into preliminary and final design phases. The preliminary design phase is complete and was delivered for $760,000. The preliminary construction cost estimate came in lower than the conceptual estimate and it was determined that the public use component could be included without exceeding the original budget.
Authorization is being sought to proceed with the final project design. The final design scope of work will include Public Use Facilities that will include; parking, trails, boardwalks and signage, a security residence, a solar viewing tower and a visitor's center. These Public Use Facilities will be constructed in three phases. It is estimated that it will be possible to include parking, trails, boardwalks and signage in the construction bid package and remain within the original budget. Plans for the public use facilities will be presented to the City Commission in the near future in accordance with the Vertical Capital Projects procedure.
The original Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between GRU and the Stormwater Management Utility (SMU) establishing the cost share of project expenses was presented to the City Commission on February 5, 2009, agenda item #080771. The refined cost estimates from the preliminary design indicate a different allocation of costs than originally anticipated. GRU and SMU have agreed to a minor modification within the MOU so that the overall cost split changes from approximately 75/25 GRU/SMU to 70/30 GRU/SMU. Due to the fixed percentage split of specific components, the overall cost burden to each utility will be similar to the original agreement. The MOU will also be amended to include the public use facilities.
Recommendations
The City Commission: 1) authorize the General Manager, or his designee, to negotiate and execute a scope of work not to exceed $1,700,000, for final design that will include public use facilities, with Jones Edmunds and Associates, Inc. under the existing professional services contract, and; 2) authorize the General Manager and City Manager to amend the MOU for the Sweetwater Branch/Paynes Prairie Sheetflow Restoration project to revise the overall cost split, based on the preliminary cost estimate and to include public use facilities;
Fiscal Note
The total cost of the project is estimated at approximately $20 million. Funding for this request is included in the Water Wastewater Capital Improvements budget and within the Public Works Stormwater Capital Improvements budget and from grant funding and outside funding partners.
Drafter
Prepared by Ed Regan, P.E., Assistant General Manager for Strategic Planning
Submitted by Robert E. Hunzinger, General Manager