10.C.
City Council Meeting - FINAL
- Meeting Date:
- 10/06/2026
- From:
- David Pedersen, Capital Improvements Project Manager
TITLE:
Consideration and Approval of Contract: Inner Basin Waterline Roadway and Critical Water Infrastructure Project
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
1.Approve the cooperative contract for Waterline Road repair and critical water infrastructure work with Hunter Contracting Co. for $958,643.39 and 60 calendar days; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Executive Summary:
Following an active monsoon season, the Waterline Road has experienced large-scale erosion in key areas of the road that were not part of the original scope or locations of work with the Inner Basin Restoration Project. The scope of work will include repairing these sections of road which no longer supply safe passage for the City's fuel trucks and other operation and maintenance equipment to access the critical water infrastructure in the Inner Basin. Furthermore, this scope of work will allow for the concrete encasement of a large section of waterline pipe which crosses a large drainage and is currently suspended in the air and unprotected.
Financial Impact:
The cost of the roadway and water infrastructure repairs is $958,643.39.
The budget authority for this contract is in account 202-08-370-3677-0-4441 with an amended FY2026-27 budget of $1,024,973.
Funding Source: Drinking Water Fund
The budget authority for this contract is in account 202-08-370-3677-0-4441 with an amended FY2026-27 budget of $1,024,973.
Funding Source: Drinking Water Fund
Policy Impact:
No impact.
Previous Council Decision or Community Discussion:
The Inner Basin Restoration Project was before City Council seven times. However, this additional work request has not been before City Council before.
Occurrences of City Council Dates for the Inner Basin Restoration Project:
Occurrences of City Council Dates for the Inner Basin Restoration Project:
- 10 January 2023 - Presentation with Project details was presented by City Staff and USFS personnel
- 17 January 2023 - Contract and GMP 1 approved by City Council (30% design work)
- 2 May 2023 – GMP 2 approved by City Council (90% design work)
- 3 July 2023 - Contract for Inspection Services approved by City Council
- 28 August 2023 – GMP 3 for Final Design and Maintenance Repair Services
- 20 February 2024 – GMP 4 for Construction and Repair Services
- 17 September 2024 – Change Order 3 for spring catchment systems repair
Options and Alternatives to Recommended Action:
- Approve the cooperative contract for Waterline Road repair and critical water infrastructure work at with Hunter Contracting Co. for $958,643.39 and 60 calendar days; or,
- Reject approval of the award as recommended. This action would delay or cancel the repairs.
Background and History:
Over the course of the past 14 months, since the completion of the Inner Basin Restoration Project, the Waterline Road has had two monsoon seasons and one winter season which has significantly impacted several portions of the Waterline Road which were not improved or repaired as part of the original project. These portions of the roadway have become impassable to the well fuel truck, and other larger equipment to operate and maintain the Waterline Road and water infrastructure system in the Inner Basin. Moreover, there is a section of spring catchment waterline that is suspended and exposed through a significant drainage and is fully compromised. This work will allow this portion of the waterline infrastructure to be concrete-encased and protected from further damage and breakage. The ability to work in these high-elevation environments is limited and this work is slated to take place immediately before the snowpack begins to form and the City could potentially miss the opportunity to collect a significant portion of next spring’s meltwater.
Spring water from the Inner Basin can peak as high as 2 million gallons per day (MGD) in summer months. Well water from the three wells (IB9, IB11 & IB14) in the Inner Basin has a similar peak capacity of about 2MGD. The design capacity of the North Reservoir Filtration Plant (NRFP), where Inner Basin water is treated, is 4MGD. Overall, Inner Basin water can account for at least 20% of Flagstaff’s daily potable water demand during peak consumption weeks of summer. In summary, spring and well water from the Inner Basin is a significant supply of both potable water to the residents in and around Flagstaff, as well as fire-fighting purposes. Repair and reinforcement of Waterline Road and Inner Basin spring water infrastructure and catchments are urgently needed to ensure the health and safety of the community.
Working with the Purchasing section, an agency contract for Hunter's services was found to support a cooperative contract with the City. The City of Tucson has supplied the documents to create the contract.
Purchasing staff has reviewed the agency contract and determined it to be valid, within the scope of this project and currently active.
Spring water from the Inner Basin can peak as high as 2 million gallons per day (MGD) in summer months. Well water from the three wells (IB9, IB11 & IB14) in the Inner Basin has a similar peak capacity of about 2MGD. The design capacity of the North Reservoir Filtration Plant (NRFP), where Inner Basin water is treated, is 4MGD. Overall, Inner Basin water can account for at least 20% of Flagstaff’s daily potable water demand during peak consumption weeks of summer. In summary, spring and well water from the Inner Basin is a significant supply of both potable water to the residents in and around Flagstaff, as well as fire-fighting purposes. Repair and reinforcement of Waterline Road and Inner Basin spring water infrastructure and catchments are urgently needed to ensure the health and safety of the community.
Working with the Purchasing section, an agency contract for Hunter's services was found to support a cooperative contract with the City. The City of Tucson has supplied the documents to create the contract.
Purchasing staff has reviewed the agency contract and determined it to be valid, within the scope of this project and currently active.
Connection to PBB Priorities and Objectives:
Safe and Healthy Community – Ensure the built environment is safe through the use of consistent standards, rules and regulations, and land use practices
Sustainable, Innovative Infrastructure – Deliver outstanding services to residents through a healthy, well-maintained infrastructure system
Sustainable, Innovative Infrastructure – Deliver outstanding services to residents through a healthy, well-maintained infrastructure system
Connection to Regional Plan:
Regional Plan – Goal E&C.7 – Environmentally Sensitive Lands Goals and Policies
Give special consideration to environmentally sensitive lands in the development design and review process
Regional Plan – Goal WR.5 – Stormwater and Watershed Management Goals and Policies
Manage watersheds and stormwater to address flooding concerns, water quality, environmental protections, and rainwater harvesting.
Regional Plan – Goal WR.3 – Water Demand Goals and Policies
Satisfy current and future human water demands and the needs of the natural environment through sustainable and renewable water resources and strategic conservation measures.
Give special consideration to environmentally sensitive lands in the development design and review process
Regional Plan – Goal WR.5 – Stormwater and Watershed Management Goals and Policies
Manage watersheds and stormwater to address flooding concerns, water quality, environmental protections, and rainwater harvesting.
Regional Plan – Goal WR.3 – Water Demand Goals and Policies
Satisfy current and future human water demands and the needs of the natural environment through sustainable and renewable water resources and strategic conservation measures.
Connection to Carbon Neutrality Plan:
Carbon Neutrality Strategies
Water Security (WS-1) – Improve water infrastructure and expand water reuse.
Water Security (WS-2) – Improve ecosystem management for protection of water resources.
Healthy Forests and Open Spaces (HF-2) – Restore and maintain the natural fire-adapted structure and pattern of the forests of the greater Flagstaff region through collaboration with partners.
Health and Safety (HS-4) – Improve the resilience of public infrastructure and City facilities.
Water Security (WS-1) – Improve water infrastructure and expand water reuse.
Water Security (WS-2) – Improve ecosystem management for protection of water resources.
Healthy Forests and Open Spaces (HF-2) – Restore and maintain the natural fire-adapted structure and pattern of the forests of the greater Flagstaff region through collaboration with partners.
Health and Safety (HS-4) – Improve the resilience of public infrastructure and City facilities.
Connection to 10-Year Housing Plan:
This project will help to ensure water supply to our community that will compliment the 10-Year Housing Plan.