City Council Meeting: June 23, 2009

Agenda Item: 1-E

To: Mayor and City Council

From: Lee E. Swain, Director of Public Works

Subject: Water Main Replacement/Upgrade Project

Recommended Action

Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a professional services agreement with CSD Engineering, Inc. (a.k.a. Cannon), in the amount of $380,000 plus 10% contingency of $38,000 for a total amount not to exceed $418,000 to provide design services for the Water Main Replacement/Upgrade Project.

Executive Summary

The Water Main Replacement/Upgrade Project will construct improvements to existing water distribution pipelines at various locations to ensure an adequate and reliable supply of water to customers. CSD Engineering, Inc., was selected through a competitive process and recommended to provide design services associated with the implementation of this project. Funds for this service are available in the Water Main Replacement account of the Fiscal Year 2008-2009 Capital Improvement Program budget.

Background

The City of Santa Monica’s water utility provides water to all residents and businesses throughout the City. The mission of the City’s water utility is to deliver a dependable supply of safe, quality water to customers in an efficient and publicly responsible manner. Each year, the City Council appropriates funds to the Water Main Replacement Program. This program is based on a long-term replacement and/or upgrading plan for water mains based on age, condition and capacity demands.

Discussion

The City’s Water Resources Division reviewed maintenance records to identify the most problematic areas of the water distribution system. Based on this information, a list of priority water distribution system improvements was developed. This report recommends authorizing a professional services agreement to provide design services for the highest priority improvements, including development of plans and specifications for water main replacements/upgrades at the following locations:

· 3^rd Court from Broadway to Wilshire Boulevard

· 10^th Court from Marguerita Avenue to Montana Avenue

· Marguerita Avenue from 7^th Court to 11^th Court

· 11^th Court from Washington Avenue to Wilshire Boulevard

· 12^th Court from Idaho Avenue to Montana Avenue

· Euclid Court from Georgina Avenue to Wilshire Boulevard

Contractor/Consultant Selection

On February 29, 2009, a Request for Proposal was posted on the City’s website soliciting proposals for professional design services for the Water Main Replacement/Upgrade Project. On March 13, 2009, twelve proposals were received. A selection committee consisting of staff from the Civil Engineering Division and Water Resources Division reviewed the proposals. The selection criteria included the firm’s technical competence; understanding of the project’s scope; direct experience on similar projects; approach to the work; qualifications of the proposed staff; staffing capabilities to meet the desired time frames; and cost of services. On April 7, 2009, the selection committee interviewed the five highest ranked firms: CSD Engineering, Inc.; Psomas; RBF; AECOM; and Tetra Tech. The selection committee recommends CSD Engineering, Inc., to provide design services for this project. CSD Engineering, Inc., has extensive water main design experience for municipalities and water districts in Southern California; an experienced project design team; the ability to complete the design of the project in an expeditious manner; and hourly rates compatible with all proposals by other consultants.

Financial Impacts & Budget Actions

Funds for this project are available in C250136.589000, Water Main Replacement.

Prepared by: Mark Cuneo, P.E., Principal Civil Engineer

Approved:	Forwarded to Council:
Lee E. Swain, Director Department of Public Works	P. Lamont Ewell City Manager