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TO:

Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council

FROM:

James Rabe, Director of Public Works

DATE:

October 22, 2024

SUBJECT:

Res 24-553 Approve Resolution to Declare End to Emergency Issued on May 25, 2023 in Response to Blockage of the City’s Water Filtration Plant Intake Pipe

BACKGROUND

On May 25, 2023, City Manager, Mark Rohloff, acting in his role as the Board of Public Works, signed an Emergency Declaration declaring an emergency for the purpose of authorizing the emergency action for the cleaning of the primary intake pipe at the Water Filtration Plant (WFP) that supplies water to the WFP from Lake Winnebago and for purchases and/or contracts for services. In May 2023, it was discovered that this intake pipe was significantly blocked (50% - 60%) by sediment. While not an immediate threat in warm weather, the blockage causes velocities in the pipe to increase and can lead to the formation of frazil ice during the winter. The City of Oshkosh (City) suffered from an ice blockage during the winter of 2015-2016. At that time, the WFP had two 24” backup intake pipes that were used to supply water to the plant. Since then, ice shoves have damaged one (1) of these backups, restricting the capacity of the pipe. Without completion of the primary intake cleaning, the City is at a significant risk of not being able to supply water during the winter months. The lack of safe drinking water and fire protection water is a significant public health and safety concern.

ANALYSIS

Pursuant to the Declaration of Emergency, the cleaning of the primary intake pipe was completed. There is no longer a need for the emergency declaration. Therefore, it is necessary for the Council to declare an end to the emergency.

FISCAL IMPACT

There is no fiscal impact to this resolution. Costs related to the cleaning of the primary intake pipe totaled $1,827,185.60. Funds were available within the 2023 and 2024 Water Utility Operating Budget (Account No. 05411864-6529-08643/Water Treatment Operating-Non-Inv – Supplies-Sundry & Other Fixed Charges, 05411864-6401-08643/Water Treatment Operating-PS – Engineer/Survey/Appraisal-Sundry & Other Fixed Charges, and 05411861-6529-08613/Supply Expense/Operations-Non-Inv – Supplies-Maint of Intakes) and 2023 and 2024 Water Utility Capital Improvements Program (Account No. 03221810-7206-64110/Water Capital Fund-Capital Construction-WFP – Infrastrc Imprvmt).

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended the Council pass the Resolution declaring an end to the Emergency declared on May 25, 2023 for the purpose of authorizing the emergency action for the cleaning of the primary intake pipe and for purchases and/or contracts for services.

Attachments

Res 24-553