Consent 1.I.
Regular City Council Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 01/27/2020
- TITLE
- W.O. 20-35 Rims Waterline Replacement Emergency Resolution
- PRESENTED BY:
- David Mumford
- Department:
- Public Works
Presentation:
No
PROBLEM/ISSUE STATEMENT
Over the last few weeks, the water main that supplies water to the area on top of the rims has had several leaks. The waterline is the sole supply for the airport and adjacent areas. The main was installed in 1955 and is in a tunnel up through the Rimrocks. Staff is currently developing options for repairing or replacing the waterline.
Due to the difficult construction methods that will be required, the lack of redundancy for the waterline, the potential for additional issues during construction, and the urgency of getting the repair or replacement complete, it is the City Staff’s recommendation that an emergency resolution be approved. Section 7-5-4302, MCA, requires advertising for competitive bids and accepting the lowest responsive bid. Competitive bidding is impractical because the time to advertise and analyze bids and award a contract would require several weeks before the work could begin. Section 7-5-4303, MCA, allows cities to declare an emergency and waive the requirement for advertising and competitive bidding when ¾ of the Council members present at the meeting declare an emergency.
In addition, City staff is asking to have the City Administrator be given the signing authority to enter into the construction contracts necessary to accomplish the work described in this emergency resolution. While there are still several unknowns about the work that is needed, City staff is anticipating the cost of the initial work to be approximately $250,000. The actual cost of the work may be significantly more depending on unknown conditions or situations that may be encountered.
Due to the difficult construction methods that will be required, the lack of redundancy for the waterline, the potential for additional issues during construction, and the urgency of getting the repair or replacement complete, it is the City Staff’s recommendation that an emergency resolution be approved. Section 7-5-4302, MCA, requires advertising for competitive bids and accepting the lowest responsive bid. Competitive bidding is impractical because the time to advertise and analyze bids and award a contract would require several weeks before the work could begin. Section 7-5-4303, MCA, allows cities to declare an emergency and waive the requirement for advertising and competitive bidding when ¾ of the Council members present at the meeting declare an emergency.
In addition, City staff is asking to have the City Administrator be given the signing authority to enter into the construction contracts necessary to accomplish the work described in this emergency resolution. While there are still several unknowns about the work that is needed, City staff is anticipating the cost of the initial work to be approximately $250,000. The actual cost of the work may be significantly more depending on unknown conditions or situations that may be encountered.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED
City Council may:
- Approve the emergency resolution for the rims waterline and give the City Administrator signing authority, or;
- Disapprove the emergency resolution for the rims waterline and do not give the City Administrator signing authority. If the resolution and signing authority are not approved, the time to construct a reliable water supply for the area will be delayed.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The estimate to perform the initial work is approximately $250,000 although there are several unknown conditions that will not be known until construction begins so the cost may be significantly more. Water funds allocated for water rehabilitation projects will be used for the work.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council adopt a resolution declaring an emergency and grant the City Administrator the signing authority to repair or replace the rims waterline.