The City's three (3) parking garages are steel reinforced concrete structures.  Due to water and chemical intrusion and heavy use, the concrete, steel and other equipment conditions must be evaluated every 5-7 years in order to protect structural integrity and safety.  The last condition audit was conducted in 2004 and the reconditioning work was performed 2005-2007.  Staff requested proposals from qualified firms and received six (6) responses.  A staff committee selected Walker Restoration Consultants from Greenwood Village, Colorado as the best qualified.  The same firm did the condition evaluation in 2004, which will save time and money because the firm is familiar with the garages and does not need to repeat some of the material testing.  The fee is $33,500 plus reimbursable expenses estimated to be $8,000.

The City Council may:

• Approve the contract.  The firm will complete the audit this winter and make repair recommendations and cost estimates available in time to include them in the FY15 budget.
• Not approve the contract.  Staff does not recommend delaying the work because a condition audit is overdue by 2-3 years.  New proposals could be requested but the responses and results would probably not change.

Parking is an enterprise fund, so the cost will be paid from operating revenue.  The study expense is included in the FY14 budget.

Staff recommends that the City Council approve a contract with Walker Restoration Consultants for a fee of $33,500 plus reimbursable expenses.