DEPARTMENT: Capital Improvements Management Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 3
SUBJECT:
Amendment: Belford Area Drainage
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing an amendment in the increased amount of $821,323 to the $216,785 professional services agreement with Freese and Nichols, Inc. for additional design services for Belford Area Drainage, a 2007 Bond Savings and 2012-2017 General Obligation Bond funded Project, located in Council District 3.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Voters approved $8 million from the 2012 - 2017 Bond for Belford Area Drainage Project on May 12, 2012. On May 19, 2011 City Council approved the reallocation of approximately $47 million in 2007 - 2012 Bond Program savings. Included in this reallocation was $1.9 million for Belford Area Drainage Project.
Project Background
This project provides for the design of street and drainage improvements along Belford Drive from Utopia Lane to Galway Street and Utopia Lane from Belford Drive west to halfway to Pickwell Drive. Drainage improvements include improving an existing, off-site channel from the intersection of Belford Drive and Utopia Lane to IH-37. Project construction is anticipated to begin May 2015 and estimated to be completed by August 2016.
Previous Council Action
On November 17, 2011, through Ordinance 2011-11-17-0935, City Council approved a professional design services contract with Freese and Nichols in the amount not to exceed $400,000 for the Belford Area Drainage Project. Freese and Nichols' design services contract was negotiated and executed in the amount of $216,785 to provide for a study of the existing drainage conditions in the Belford Area located in the Fairlawn drainage watershed and construction documents for an improved outfall. The balance of the initial $1.8 million in 2007 Bond savings have been earmarked for construction costs of this outfall. This amendment will compensate Freese and Nichols to complete the design of identified drainage improvements of the Belford Area Drainage Project. This will be the first amendment for this contract and will increase the contract by $821,323 to a contract amount of $1,038,108.
The following table illustrates the amendments which have occurred:
This contract was developed utilizing a formal request for qualifications process; therefore, as required by the Ethics Ordinance, a Discretionary Contracts Disclosure Form is included herein as an attachment.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes an amendment in the increased amount of $821,323 to the $216,785 professional services agreement with Freese and Nichols, Inc. for additional design services for Belford Area Drainage, a 2007 Bond Savings and 2012-2017 General Obligation Bond funded Project, located in Council District 3.
Belford Area Drainage, a 2007 Bond Savings and 2012 Bond Project, approved by voters, provides for the design of street and drainage improvements along Belford Drive from Utopia Lane to Galway Street and Utopia Lane from Belford Drive west to halfway to Pickwell Drive. Drainage improvements include improving an existing, off-site channel from the intersection of Belford Drive and Utopia Lane to IH-37. Project construction is anticipated to begin May 2015 and estimated to be completed by August 2016.
Freese and Nichols, selected through City's 2007 - 2012 Bond Savings Program Consultant Selection, was approved by Council in November 2011 to provide for a study of the existing drainage conditions in the Belford Area located in the Fairlawn drainage watershed (adjacent to Highland Hills) and construction documents for an improved outfall. The construction documents were to include, at minimum, plans, specifications, information and calculations necessary to secure all applicable state and local development permits. The study area was bounded by IH-37 and SE Military Drive to the south, Pecan Valley Drive to the west and natural ridges to north and east. The results of the study were summarized in a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) on how to alleviate localized flooding. The results identified drainage improvements, including an underground storm sewer system and street improvements throughout the Belford Area which were not defined prior to Freese and Nichols's completion of the PER. Unfortunately, due to the lack of funding for both the design and construction of the identified drainage improvements, Freese & Nichols' design services scope was reduced to only providing the PER. Given the voter's approval of the 2012 - 2017 Bond Program, funds are now available to complete the design and construction of the Belford Area Drainage Project. This amendment will compensate Freese and Nichols to complete the design of identified drainage improvements of the Belford Area Drainage Project.
Approval of this ordinance will be a continuation of City Council policy to complete previously approved 2007 Bond Savings and 2012-2017 General Obligation Bond funded projects and are included in the FY 2014 - 2019 Capital Improvement Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose not to approve this item and recommend the solicitation of these services. Considering the additional time required for another selection process, this would adversely affect the timely completion of the project and potential loss is design continuity. Furthermore, re-advertising the project would not guarantee an experienced or as qualified consultant as Freese and Nichols, Inc. who has worked extensively on this project.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This is a one-time capital improvement expenditure in the amount of $821,323 authorized payable to Freese and Nichols, Inc. Funds are available from 2007 Bond Savings and 2012-2017 General Obligation Bond and are included in the project's contingency fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance amending a professional service agreement with Freese and Nichols, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $821,323 for additional design services.