It has recently come to the our attention that the City's Team Leader bridge inspection certification has expired, or is no longer valid due to the recent loss of our staff liaison.  We are currently working through the process to come into compliance with the required state inspections and certifications of the 4 bridges within our jurisdiction, but it will take some time to resolve this matter.  In the short term we are requesting approval to consult these services for the 2011 calendar year, with the intention of securing the required certifications prior to 2012.

 

Staff solicited proposals from 3 engineering firms, and contacted Anoka County to gauge their interest in performing the City's inspections for 2011 since they have the appropriate certified staff members.  Of the 3 firms contacted only 1 had the appropriate certifications to perform the required inspections, but from those points of contact another firm was recommended as having performed those services for them as a subconsultant.  Anoka County stated that they could not assist the City at this time because it is not a service they perform for other municipalities within their jurisdiction, and they had concerns with work load and liability issues.

 

This item was discussed at the January 18, 2010 Public Works Committee, where the consensus of the group was to award a contract to Erickson Engineering in an amount not to exceed $2,800.  Since these inspections are required to be completed by mid-Feruary we are bringing it forwarding for Council consideration at the next available meeting instead of waiting for the report from public works at the first meeting in February.

 

Funding is proposed to come from the engineering department's miscellaneous professional services budget.