Staff recommends the City Council award a professional engineering services contract for W.O. 27-01, Contract 2: 2027 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation, to Morrison-Maierle, Inc. in the amount of $924,700.

The City proposes rehabilitating approximately 17,800 linear feet of aging sanitary sewer mains through pipe replacement and lining as part of its annual sewer rehabilitation program. The mains were prioritized based on age, condition assessments, root intrusion, and historical sewer backups. The proposed improvements will extend the useful life of the infrastructure, reduce maintenance requirements, and improve system reliability.

The City solicited proposals from prequalified engineering firms and received five responses. Following evaluation of the proposals, Morrison-Maierle, Inc., was selected based on its qualifications, project approach, and relevant experience.

The approved FY27 Wastewater Fund budget includes $6,600,000 for sanitary sewer rehabilitation and replacement. The proposed engineering services contract totals $924,700, leaving $5,675,300 available for construction and additional sewer rehabilitation projects. Staff recommends that Council authorize the Mayor to execute the professional engineering services agreement with Morrison-Maierle, Inc., in the amount of $924,700.

The City maintains an annual sanitary sewer rehabilitation and replacement program to address aging infrastructure, reduce the risk of system failures, and maintain reliable wastewater service. This project includes the rehabilitation of approximately 17,800 linear feet of existing sanitary sewer mains through a combination of pipe replacement and trenchless lining methods.

The sewer mains included in this project were prioritized based on age, closed-circuit television (CCTV) condition assessments, historical root intrusion, and documented sewer backups. Originally installed between 1907 and 1963, the mains consist primarily of clay tile pipe. Many exhibit structural and operational deficiencies, including pipe deterioration, separated joints and connections, broken pipe, root intrusion, and groundwater infiltration. These conditions increase maintenance demands, contribute to recurring blockages, and elevate the risk of sewer backups and infrastructure failures. Other segments remain in relatively good physical condition but have been included for proactive rehabilitation due to their age and the increased likelihood of deterioration or failure over time.

The proposed improvements will extend the useful life of the sanitary sewer infrastructure, reduce ongoing maintenance requirements, and improve overall system reliability. The locations of the sewer mains proposed for rehabilitation are identified on the attached Location of Work maps. The appropriate rehabilitation method, either pipe replacement or lining, will be determined based on existing pipe conditions, site constraints, and project-specific requirements.

The City solicited proposals from prequalified engineering firms through a competitive request for proposals process. Proposals were received from Morrison-Maierle, Inc., DOWL, KLJ Engineering, Sanbell, and Stahly Engineering. City staff evaluated the proposals based on project team and availability, project approach, and firm qualifications and experience related to the project’s needs. Based on that evaluation, staff recommends selecting Morrison-Maierle, Inc., to provide professional engineering services.

The approved FY27 Wastewater Fund budget includes $6,600,000 for sanitary sewer rehabilitation and replacement. The proposed professional engineering services contract with Morrison-Maierle, Inc., totals $924,700, leaving $5,675,300 available for construction and additional sewer rehabilitation projects. Sufficient funding is available within the approved budget to award the contract.

City Council may:

• Approve awarding the Professional Engineering Services Contract to Morrison-Maierle, Inc, in the amount of $924,700; or
• Not approve awarding the Professional Engineering Services contract to Morrison-Maierle, Inc. This would delay the planned rehabilitation of aging mains and correction of identified deficiencies, with continued maintenance needs and the potential for sewer backups and additional expenses.