Adopt Resolution #21-150 Approving Water Treatment Plant Request for Proposals and Authorizing Solicitation of Proposals.

In early 2019, the Minnesota Department of Health detected manganese concentrations above recommended health guidelines in several of Ramsey's city wells. Since then, the following actions have been completed.

• Staff drafted a letter outlining the new manganese issue and the City's short and long-term plans to address the issue and mailed the letter on 5/15/2019 to 5,600 Ramsey households.
• A public meeting was held at city hall to address concerns from residents.
• Wells #5, 6 and 7 are being exclusively utilized since these three wells have the lowest concentrations of manganese (however, these three wells have the largest concentrations of Iron which leads to increased rusty water complaints).
• Wells #1, 3, 4 and 8 all have Manganese concentrations above the MDH guidelines. These wells have only been utilized when water demand increases beyond the capabilities of wells #5, 6 and 7. 
• A Manganese hot line was established and Staff spoke to 88 concerned residents regarding Manganese and Iron in Ramsey's municipal water supply. 
• Several articles have been published to Facebook, The Ramsey Resident, also monthly updates to the Ramsey web site regarding current Manganese concentrations.
• Staff collects and tests 15 random water samples monthly and publishes the test results on the City web site. 
• SEH did a pilot plant study on Wells #3 and #4 to determine the correct filtering process to remove Manganese and Iron from Ramsey's municipal supply.  
• SEH was contracted with to prepare a water treatment plant Feasibility Study. 
• SEH was contracted to prepare final plans and specifications for the required raw and finished water trunk lines needed to serve the proposed water treatment plant.
• Staff drafted the attached Request for Proposals (RFP) for professional engineering services to prepare final plans and specifications, to administer the bid process, and to provide construction administration services for a new municipal water treatment plant designated as City Improvement Project #21-09.
• The RFP has two enclosures including the proposal evaluation form and the approved Feasibility Study, which are also attached.

As outlined in the project schedule in the attached RFP, the RFP will be advertised twice in the City's official newspaper, the Anoka Union Herald, and twice in Finance and Commerce. This is the standard process for advertising City improvement projects.

City Staff will also submit RFP's directly to consultants known ot be qualified to complete the requested professional services, all of whom either previously showed interest in or submitted proposals for the Water Treatment Plant Feasibility Study.     

A 10 million gallon per day (MGD) Water Treatment Plant is recommended to remove the high concentrations of manganese and iron from Ramsey's municipal wells. The Water Treatment Plant would serve Ramsey's municipal water users through 2040. 

The only funds required for this work are the costs required to advertise the RFP, which is estimated to cost $550. These costs will be paid through Water enterprise funds.

Staff recommends approving and advertising the attached RFP, including the two enclosures. 

Motion to adopt Resolution #21-150 approving the Water Treatment Plant Request for Proposals and authorizing solicitation of proposals.