Staff recommends the City Council award a professional engineering services contract for W.O. 26-01, Contract 1: 2026 Water Main Replacement, to Morrison-Maierle, Inc. in the amount of $1,219,450.

The City will replace or rehabilitate approximately 22,500 feet of aging sanitary sewer mains as part of its annual maintenance program, targeting pipes installed between 1916 and 1986 that show significant deterioration and maintenance issues. Work will occur across four areas of the city using a combination of replacement and lining to improve system reliability and reduce backups. Staff recommends awarding a $1,219,450 professional engineering services contract to Morrison-Maierle, Inc., with the project fully funded through the FY26 Wastewater Fund budget.

The City replaces and upgrades its sanitary sewer utilities as part of an annual maintenance program.  This project will replace or rehabilitate (line) approximately 22,500 feet of existing sanitary sewer. The sewer mains being replaced with this project were selected based on age, video inspection condition assessment, root intrusion history, and sewer backup history.  This project will replace sanitary sewer mains that were installed between 1916 and 1986 and are made of clay tile and reinforced concrete pipe.  These sewer mains exhibit corroded or spalled concrete soffits, broken and cracked pipe, and many sections need yearly root intrusion removal and maintenance. 

The sewer mains to be replaced or rehabilitated are located in four primary geographical areas.  Area 1 is located in the Billings Heights where 3400 lineal feet of 36-inch diameter reinforced concrete pipe will be rehabilitated along the trail between Earl Gus Park and Hilltop Road.   1420 lineal feet of 18 to 24-inch clay pipe will be rehabilitated along Lake Elmo Drive between Bench Boulevard and Main Street.  Area 2 is located on Grand Avenue between Division Street and Virginia Lane, where 6240 lineal feet of 18 to 21-inch clay pipe and reinforced concrete pipe will be rehabilitated.  Area 2 also includes 935 lineal feet of 8-inch clay pipe within Pioneer Park between 3rd Street West and Lordwith Drive.  Area 3 is located on the south side of Billings encompassing the area between Jackson Street and Monroe Street and from State Avenue to Madison Avenue where 2420 lineal feet of 8-inch clay pipe will be rehabilitated or replaced.  Area 4 encompasses the areas from 24th Street West to 28th Street West and Broadwater Avenue to Cook Avenue where 7575 lineal feet of 8-inch clay pipe will be rehabilitated or replaced.

Morrison-Maierle was selected for the project based on City staff review of three project proposals submitted by prequalified firms that have considerable experience and capacity in sewer replacement and rehabilitation design using the request for proposal process (RFP).  Two other proposals were received from Sanderson Stewart and Pioneer Technical Services.  The consultant selection was based on Project Team and Availability; Project Approach; and Firm Qualifications and Experience as related to the project needs.

The project was budgeted in FY26 using Wastewater Funds in the amount of $9,700,000.  There are adequate funds to award the contract.  The remaining budget will be used for construction and subsequent sewer rehabilitation projects.

City Council may:

• Approve awarding the Professional Engineering Services Contract to Morrison-Maierle, Inc. or
• Not approve awarding the Professional Engineering Services contract to Morrison-Maierle, Inc. If the project is not awarded, the City's sanitary sewer collection system in these areas will continue to be unreliable and may experience ongoing maintenance problems, back-ups, and expenses.