Title
Resolution to Approve a Professional Service Agreement with Northwest Consultants, Inc. ($148,904.57), Appropriate Funds ($33,000.00) and Establish a Project Budget for the 2008/2009 Bridge Inspection Program ($188,000.00) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
Attached for your review and approval, please find a resolution to approve a professional services agreement with Northwest Consultants, Inc. (NCI) in the amount of $148,904.57 for the completion of the 2008/2009 Bridge Inspection Program. This resolution also appropriates funding from the 2006/2007 Annual Bridge Inspection Project budget and establishes the 2008/2009 Bridge Inspection project budget of $188,000.00.
The project includes the inspection and evaluation of fifteen City bridges over the course of the next two years. In 2008, we will inspect the following bridges: Island Drive over the Traver Creek; Maiden Lane over the Huron River; Fuller Road (Eastbound and Westbound) over the Huron River; Huron Parkway over the Huron River, Norfolk Southern Railroad and Geddes Road; Wastewater Treatment Plant Drive over the Huron River; and, E. Stadium Boulevard over S. State Street. In 2009, we will inspect the following bridges: Broadway over the Huron River; Broadway over Depot Street and the Norfolk Southern Railroad; Fuller Road over the Norfolk Southern Railroad; East Medical Center Drive over the Norfolk Southern Railroad; Eisenhower Parkway over the Ann Arbor Railroad; E. Stadium Boulevard over the Ann Arbor Railroad; E. Stadium Boulevard over S. State Street; and the Pfizer Tunnel under Huron Parkway.
We are required by federal law to inspect our bridges every two years and submit updated inspection forms to the Michigan Department of Transportation. We inspect about one-half of our bridges each year in order to normalize our costs as much as possible. This year, the bridges scheduled for inspection will be completed following contract execution and the specified forms will be submitted to the State in early November. We will not begin the inspections scheduled for 2009 until next fall. We are hiring a professional engineering firm to perform the next two sets of bridge inspections in order to help reduce our overall project costs.
Due to its poor condition, we will begin inspecting the E. Stadium Boulevard Bridge over S. State Street every year. Last winter we reduced the weight limits for this bridge due to continued deterioration of the bridge beams that support E. Stadium Boulevard. We continue to closely observe the bridge to check for signs of further deterioration. We are also coordinating with the Field Operations Service Unit to remove some additional spalled concrete from the abutments of the bridge before this winter.
On July 29, 2008, we received thirteen proposals from professional engineering firms for the performance of the work. A selection committee comprised of Project Management staff thoroughly evaluated each proposal and interviewed four firms. We believe NCI to be the most qualified firm for the project based on their proposed scope of work, competitive fee schedule, and interview. NCI received Human Rights approval on July 30, 2008, and complies with the living wage ordinance. The form of contract will be the standard professional services agreement drafted by the City Attorney.
The funding for this work will be from two sources. They are the Major Street Fund ($176,500.00) and the Sewage Disposal Fund ($11,500.00). Pfizer will reimburse the City for the costs associated with the inspection of their tunnel. This amount is estimated to be $7,950.00.
An element of our funding plan for this work includes the utilization of the unspent portion of the approved 2006/2007 Annual Bridge Inspection Project budget. This amount is estimated to be $33,000.00.
Staff
Prepared by: Homayoon Pirooz, P.E., Manager, Project Management
Reviewed by: Sue F. McCormick, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Roger W. Fraser, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, It is necessary to retain the services of a professional consulting engineering firm to perform the 2008/2009 Bridge Inspection Program;
Whereas, The professional engineering firm of Northwest Consultants, Inc., of Toledo, Ohio, has submitted to the City a proposal for the necessary services, setting forth the services to be performed by said firm, and the payments to be made by the City therefore, all of which are agreeable to the City;
Whereas, Funding is available in the Major Street Fund, the Sewage Disposal Fund and the 2006/2007 Annual Bridge Inspection Project budget; and
Whereas, Northwest Consultants, Inc. received Human Rights approval on July 30, 2008, and complies with the Living Wage Ordinance;
RESOLVED, That a professional services agreement with Northwest Consultants, Inc. in the amount of $148,904.57 be approved;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute said agreement, after approval as to form by the City Attorney and approval as to substance by the City Administrator;
RESOLVED, That funds be appropriated from the 2006/2007 Annual Bridge Inspection Project budget ($33,000.00);
RESOLVED, That a project budget in the amount of $188,000.00 as shown on the attached document be adopted for the life of the project, to be available without regard to fiscal year, and pending FY 10 budget approval and funding availability;
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take the necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.