Agenda No. 4.
CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
| City Council Meeting: | May 6, 2025 |
| Department: | Parks, Recreation & Community Servic |
| Subject: | Resolution 25-R-048 - Authorizing a contract with Kutscher Drilling to drill a replacement well at the Schertz Soccer Complex (S.Gonzalez/L.Shrum/J.Montney) |
BACKGROUND
As part of the Soccer Complex Irrigation Water Storage Project, it was discovered that the current well casing is too porous and out of compliance with Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) standards and a new well needs to be drilled. Porous well casings can be sources of contamination to the Edwards Aquifer and thus need to be repaired when discovered. After camera review, it was deemed our well casing had deteriorated to the point beyond a typical patch because almost all sections of pipe were porous. Staff and the City's contracted Engineer also ruled out a liner or sleeve, because it would not leave enough clearance for the pump.
Staff and the City's contracted Engineer also evaluated options for bringing in reclaimed water versus drilling a new well, and while the goal is to move to reclaimed water in the future, the process of bringing it to the site currently is more costly and time-intensive than time allows for compliance. City staff would need to acquire easements across adjacent private property, go through the bidding process, and construct a new reclaimed water line to the site, so staff are proposing to build this into the CIP Program in future years, as the goal is to tap into reclaimed water wherever possible to irrigate parkland. The immediate need is to provide irrigation water to the site, so the City does not lose its investment in the complex turf, and drilling a new well gets us water faster and puts us into compliance with Edwards Aquifer Authority rules. The original compliance deadline was December 14, 2024, but EAA extended our deadline as long as we were making reasonable efforts to obtain a contractor to complete the work.
The current pump is providing water, but it is not an adequate amount to irrigate efficiently and thus the last phase of this project is up-sizing the storage tanks to store the appropriate amount of water to irrigate all 12 fields per calculations by the City's contracted Engineer. Storage tanks are not part of this project and will be coordinated separately by City staff.
City staff published a Request for Bids 2024-026 to drill a new well which includes all new casing and pipe, an up-sized pump to maximize draw, and received one bid from Kutscher Drilling. City staff determined the sole bidder is qualified to complete the project. The total price of the project is $146,500 and staff has added a 10% contingency in the not-to-exceed amount to cover any possible tariffs from components manufactured outside the United States that the vendor has identified.
Staff and the City's contracted Engineer also evaluated options for bringing in reclaimed water versus drilling a new well, and while the goal is to move to reclaimed water in the future, the process of bringing it to the site currently is more costly and time-intensive than time allows for compliance. City staff would need to acquire easements across adjacent private property, go through the bidding process, and construct a new reclaimed water line to the site, so staff are proposing to build this into the CIP Program in future years, as the goal is to tap into reclaimed water wherever possible to irrigate parkland. The immediate need is to provide irrigation water to the site, so the City does not lose its investment in the complex turf, and drilling a new well gets us water faster and puts us into compliance with Edwards Aquifer Authority rules. The original compliance deadline was December 14, 2024, but EAA extended our deadline as long as we were making reasonable efforts to obtain a contractor to complete the work.
The current pump is providing water, but it is not an adequate amount to irrigate efficiently and thus the last phase of this project is up-sizing the storage tanks to store the appropriate amount of water to irrigate all 12 fields per calculations by the City's contracted Engineer. Storage tanks are not part of this project and will be coordinated separately by City staff.
City staff published a Request for Bids 2024-026 to drill a new well which includes all new casing and pipe, an up-sized pump to maximize draw, and received one bid from Kutscher Drilling. City staff determined the sole bidder is qualified to complete the project. The total price of the project is $146,500 and staff has added a 10% contingency in the not-to-exceed amount to cover any possible tariffs from components manufactured outside the United States that the vendor has identified.
GOAL
The goal is to dig a new well and install new casing, pipe, and pump that is compliant with Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) standards and to preserve the source of irrigation water for the Schertz Soccer Complex.
COMMUNITY BENEFIT
The community benefits from having a beautiful soccer complex that supports multiple leagues and city programs and events. This new well is needed to irrigate the complex and support that overall quality of life mission.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTION
Approve Resolution 25-R-048.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total price is $146,500 and staff has added a 10% contingency for a total not-to-exceed amount of $161,150 to cover any possible tariffs on components manufactured outside the United States that the vendor has identified. The funding for the project would come from remaining Soccer Field development funds from 2013 and the existing approved Parks Budget in the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve Resolution 25-R-048.