The seven largest cities in Montana (Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Bozeman, Helena, Butte, and Kalispell) are working with Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) on a two year program to develop a new State of Montana MS4 stormwater general permit and a stormwater manual to meet our common needs.  The seven cities and MDEQ are forming an MS4 storm water working group for this purpose.   

This contract focuses on HDR Engineering, Inc. providing the City of Billings and the other six cities with technical input and support for this working group during the two year period leading up to a new MS4 general permit.  HDR Engineering was selected for this work  on their expertise and experience with the Montana MS4 storm water program as well as their past work history with MDEQ and other MS4 cities.  The contract amount is $119,900.

City Council may: 

• Award the Contract for Professional Services to HDR Engineering; or 
• Do not award the contract.  If the contract is not awarded, the required engineering support for the new MS4 general permit will not be available, affecting the outcome of the general permit.  This could adversely affect the storm water discharge requirements for the City of Billings. 

The cost of engineering support services is $119,900.  Staff is working with the other six cities to proportionately spread the cost across the seven MS4 Cities.  The City of Billings share will be paid using Storm Water funds. 

Staff recommends that Council authorize the Mayor to execute a Contract for Professional Services with HDR Engineering, Inc. in the amount of $119,900 for engineering support work for the new MS4 general permit.