Title
Resolution to Approve a Contract with TSP Environmental to Perform Maintenance and Restoration of the Wetland Mitigation Area, Sediment Basin and Steep Slopes at the Ann Arbor Maintenance Facility ITB-4192 ($331,589.00)
Memorandum
Attached for your review and action is a resolution to approve a $331,589.00 contract with TSP Environmental to make corrections to the wetland mitigation area at the Ann Arbor Maintenance Facility (Wheeler Service Center) to comply with Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) requirements, repair erosion, and improve storm water conveyance systems.
The Wheeler Service Center was constructed under a 2005 MDEQ permit and Pittsfield Township Commercial Site Plan that required the creation of 2.59 acres of new wetland, including 2.23 acres of forested and 0.16 acres of scrub/shrub wetland. The wetland types that have established are wetter than planned, consisting of emergent and wet meadow wetland, and the required number of trees and shrubs did not survive the original planting. In order for trees to survive in the constructed wetland mitigation area, topsoil mounds will be added in order to provide a root zone that is only semi-saturated rather than permanently inundated. Trees and shrubs will be planted on these mounds. In addition, sediment that has eroded into the wetland from a failing storm water conveyance swale will be removed, and the swale will be armored to prevent further erosion and sedimentation in the regulated wetland area.
Correction of several other bank erosion problems, removal of sediment from a sediment basin, re-installation of storm water pipe end sections, and installation of new drainage channels and culverts will also be included in this project. The new drainage structures will address ice formation on the main service access drive due to drainage problems. Access routes to the work areas are being planned to accommodate future maintenance needs. The additional storm water improvements are being performed concurrently with the wetland work to take advantage of cost savings during single contractor mobilization.
The City is performing corrective actions to the existing wetland mitigation area in response to concerns raised by the MDEQ and Pittsfield Township during review of the City's annual wetland monitoring reports. This project will address concerns about the low number and variety of surviving trees and the excessive water depth in parts of the wetland. These concerns have been voiced throughout the monitoring period, independent of the excessively wet weather during 2011. Other alternatives were considered at the request of MDEQ, such as re-grading the entire wetland mitigation area, or constructing a new wetland in a different location. The added engineering expense, and the requirement for five years of monitoring on any new cells, made these options less desirable than adding topsoil mounds to the existing area to create better growing conditions for wetland trees. The contract to be awarded includes three years of tree maintenance and replacement, to address the need for tree survival. The MDEQ and Pittsfield Township have granted conceptual approval for these corrective actions.
Construction is expected to start shortly after the contract is approved, so that frozen ground can help minimize equipment disturbance to wetland areas in which work is not planned, and so that trees can be planted during spring 2012. Installation of trees and shrubs during 2012 will position the City to complete wetland monitoring and seek MDEQ permit sign-off and release of the City's surety bond in a timely manner.
The funding for this work is available in the approved Wheeler Service Center capital project budget;
The following three bids were received in response to ITB 4192 for the proposed work:
TSP Environmental $331,589.00
Verdeterre Contracting, Inc. $392,425.00
CTI and Associates, Inc. $723,934.90
Staff is recommending awarding a contract to TSP Environmental in the amount of $331,589.00 to perform the necessary maintenance and restoration at the Ann Arbor Maintenance Facility (Wheeler Service Center). Staff is also requesting approval of a ten percent (10%) construction contingency ($33,159.00) to cover potential contract change orders to be approved by the City Administrator. Funding is available in the remaining approved Wheeler Service Center construction project budget.
TSP Environmental meets the living wage and prevailing wage requirements and received Human Rights approval on November 2, 2011
Staff
Prepared by: Lara Treemore Spears, Natural Area Technician
Reviewed by: Matt Kulhanek, Fleet and Facilities Manager and Craig Hupy, P.E., Interim Public Services Administrator
Approved by: Steven D. Powers, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The MDEQ and Pittsfield Township are requiring that corrective actions be taken, in order for the wetland mitigation area constructed at the Ann Arbor Maintenance Facility (Wheeler Service Center) to meet the requirements of the MDEQ and Township wetland permits;
Whereas, Storm water improvements and erosion control are also needed in the vicinity of the wetland mitigation area at the Wheeler Service Center;
Whereas, TSP Environmental submitted the lowest responsible bid to ITB 4192 in the amount of $331,589.00, for the Ann Arbor Maintenance Facility Maintenance/Restoration Plan that includes these wetland mitigation corrections, storm water improvements and erosion control;
Whereas, TSP Environmental received Living Wage and Human Rights approval on November 2, 2011;
Whereas, Funding for the project is available in the remaining Wheeler Service Center construction project budget;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve a contract with TSP Environmental to make corrections to the wetland mitigation area, repair erosion, and improve storm water systems for $331,589.00 and authorize a construction contingency of $33,159.00 (10%) to cover potential contract change orders to be approved by the City Administrator;
RESOLVED, That the total amount of the construction contract and associated contingency ($364,748.00) be approved for the life of the project without regard to fiscal year;
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take all necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution including the authority to approve change orders within the approved contingency; and
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute the contract after approval as to substance by the City Administrator and approval as to form by the City Attorney.