On February 10, 2003, Morrison-Maierle, Inc. and the City of Billings entered into a contract to provide engineering services for the 6th Avenue North to Bench Boulevard project. After five contract amendments, the project has progressed to a final design stage.  Final plans were submitted for the Montana Department of Transportation’s review earlier this month.  The most recent contract amendment (approved by the Council on June 8, 2009) included right-of-way appraisal costs based on assumptions on the number of parcels which would require appraisal.  Since the design has been completed, it was determined that one of the parcels requiring appraisal needed to be sub-divided into additional parcels per the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions.  In order to progress with right-of-way appraisals on this project, the City Council must authorize the Mayor to amend the original contract to include the additional sub-parcels.

The Council may:

• Authorize the Mayor to sign the contract amendment; or
• Do not authorize the Mayor to sign the contract amendment.

The cost of the services for the additional right-of-way appraisals totals $2,917.00.  This cost will be split between the Montana Department of Transportation, Yellowstone County, and the City of Billings per two agreements approved by City council on May 26, 2009.  The first agreement is between the City of Billings and the Montana Department of Transportation and the second agreement is between the City of Billings and Yellowstone County.

Staff recommends that the Council authorize the Mayor to sign the Supplemental Amendment Number 6 to the Contract for Professional Architectural and Engineering Services for the 6th Avenue North to Bench Boulevard project.