On May 26, 2021, city staff was notified that the asphalt on Park Place was heaving.  Upon inspection, it was discovered that the slope above Park Place was unstable.  City staff contacted a local geotechnical firm to ask them to inspect the slope.  The geotechnical professionals indicated to staff that a landslide was imminent and that if it occurred, the BBWA Canal at the top of the slope would be breached thereby causing flooding throughout a large part of the city.

Due to the concerns about slope stability and the catastrophic risk of failure, it was the City Staff’s decision that the work to stabilize the slope needed to begin immediately.  Section 18-8-203 of the MCA requires advanced publishing for Request for Proposals (RFPs) for professional consulting and engineering services. However, section 18-8-211, MCA, provides that 18-8-203 does not need to complied with when the contracting authority makes a finding that an emergency requires the immediate execution of the work involved. Based on the immediate necessity to stabilize the slope to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public, it was not practical to publish for RFPs due to the time to advertise and analyze RFPs and award a contract would require several weeks before the work could begin.  The City has extensive experience working with SK Geotechnical, Geostabilization International and Castlercock Excavating.  Each have been reliable, fair and perform quality work.    

Therefore, city staff is asking Council to make the appropriate finding that this emergency situation required the immediate execution of the work involved thereby ratifying the contracts city staff entered into for the work that was completed.

City Council may:

• Approve the emergency resolution for bank stabilization near Park Place.  There are no viable alternatives for this item given city staff has already contracted with contractors to perform the work.

Three contracts were necessary to perform the work to stabilize the bank.  SK Geotechnical was used to assess the slope, install monitoring equipment, monitor the slope, and develop a strategy for the stabilization.  Geostabilization International was hired to perform the construction work necessary to stabilize the bank.  Castlerock Excavating constructed an access road and removed material from the site that was necessary to provide access for the equipment.

SK Geotechnical contract amount: $160,000
Geostabilization International contract amount: $328,118
Castlerock Excavating: contract amount $50,000