Title
Resolution to Approve Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with NTH Consultants, Ltd. for the Barton Dam Piezometer Installation and Slope Stability Analysis Project - RFP989 ($ 26,400.00)
Memorandum
This memorandum and resolution requests approval of Amendment No. 1 to the professional services agreement for professional engineering services with NTH Consultants, Ltd. Council approved a professional services agreement for $189,400.00 with NTH Consultants in February 2017 as part of Resolution No. R-17-047.
The City is seeking to amend the professional services agreement with NTH Consultants to accommodate additional professional engineering services based on initial field exploration of an observed sinkhole at Barton Dam on the embankment. An approximately 4” dia. x 18” deep sinkhole was discovered on top of the embankment near the Barton Dam concrete spillway on April 7, 2017. The dam impounds the Barton Pond, which serves as the source of 85% of the City’s raw water. The sinkhole represents a potential dam safety issue.
NTH conducted an initial site visit after a sinkhole was discovered during a routine inspection of the Barton Dam embankment. NTH performed a field evaluation, testing and recommended temporary remedial measures. The additional scope that comprises this amendment includes providing further investigation and evaluation of the sinkhole, developing recommendations for permanent remedial action, as well as providing support, coordination and report preparation for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) who regulates the dam.
The original scope of this project included installing additional piezometers, collecting piezometer data, performing a stability analysis of the embankment, developing recommendations for remediation, and coordinating and responding to FERC. The scope of work in this Amendment consists of non-destructive subsurface soil exploration, dye testing, inspection of dam components, assessing the stability of the embankment section, and preparing recommendations for corrective measures.
It is therefore recommended that City Council approve Amendment No. 1 to the professional services agreement with NTH Consultants, to provide the additional investigation of the sinkhole, develop recommendations of remedial action and provide coordination support to meet FERC regulatory requirements.
The overall budget for NTH Consultants is estimated at $234,800.00 which includes the original scope of work ($189,400.00), contingency for change orders to be approved by the City Administrator ($19,000.00), and the Amendment 1 ($26,400.00).
NTH Consultants, Ltd. complies with the City’s Living Wage and Non-discrimination ordinances.
The Barton Dam Embankment Project is included in the FY17-FY23 CIP and is a multi-year capital project totaling $2,030,000.00. Because the Barton Dam embankment functions to benefit both the hydroelectric production and the water supply system, funding for the project is equally split between the Water Supply System Capital Fund and the General Capital Funds. The original phase of the project was included in the FY 17 capital budgets of both funds and subsequently modified via resolution #R-17-047. In order to address the general fund share funding shortage of $13,200.00 for the increased scope, staff is recommending the reallocation of that amount from the FY 18 approved Barton Dam Turbine Rebuild project, ($400,000.00). Based on bids received late FY 17, the project will likely have sufficient funds to reallocate to this issue. The Barton Dam embankment functions to benefit both the hydroelectric production and the water supply system.
Staff
Prepared by: Brian Steglitz, P.E., Water Treatment Services Unit Manager
Reviewed by: Craig Hupy, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Howard S. Lazarus, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, During a routine inspection of the Barton Dam embankment a sinkhole was discovered that raised concerns about dam safety;
Whereas, The Water Treatment Services Unit hired NTH Consultants, Ltd. to investigate the sink hole due to their geotechnical experience working on the Barton Dam embankment and the fact that they were already mobilized and working on site;
Whereas, The Water Treatment Services Unit is seeking to amend the Professional Services Agreement with NTH Consultants, Ltd. to accommodate additional professional engineering services;
Whereas, Additional services are required to further investigate and evaluate the sinkhole, develop recommendations for permanent remedial action based the results, as well as provide coordination and report preparation support for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC);
Whereas, The existing Professional Services Agreement does not have sufficient funds to support the additional scope of services, including the Council approved contingency;
Whereas, Funding in the amount of $13,200.00 from the Barton Dam Turbine Rebuild project can be reallocated to ensure sufficient funds are available for investigation of this emerging issue at Barton Dam; and
Whereas, NTH Consultants, Ltd. complies with the City’s Living Wage and Non-Discrimination Ordinances;
RESOLVED, That the Amendment No.1 to the Professional Services Agreement with NTH Consultants, Ltd. is approved in the amount of $26,400.00;
RESOLVED, That the City make the following declaration for the purposes of complying with the reimbursement rules of Treasury Regulations 1.150-2 pursuant to the internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, that the City reasonably expect to reimburse itself for expenditures for the costs of the Project with proceeds of Bonds;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement after approval as to substance by the City Administrator and approval as to form by the City Attorney; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take the necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.