DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT: San Antonio River Gate 4 Replacement Project
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the execution of a task order in accordance with the existing Interlocal Agreement (ILA) between the City of San Antonio (City) and the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) for design and construction services related to the San Antonio River Gate 4 Replacement Project. This ordinance also authorizes an additional $500,000.00 in funding related to the Project for a total amount not-to-exceed $2,000,000.00 reimbursable to SARA.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On September 10, 2014, the Center City Development Office (CCDO) electrical staff was performing routine maintenance on Flood Gate 4 located at the International Center. The routine maintenance of Flood Gate 4 requires the electrician to exercise the gate by lifting the flood gate to the up position and then to the down position. In the process of lifting the gate to the up position, the flood gate froze. Electrical staff inspected the mechanical vaults where the hydraulic pistons are housed and discovered the north flood gate hydraulic cylinder had pulled away from the concrete vault wall and was discharging hydraulic fluid. Staff contacted SARA to assist with disconnecting the gate and to place it in the down position, which is required to allow boat traffic to pass.
Flood Gate 4, located at the southern end of the River Loop, is a critical component of the Riverwalk. Not only could it be used to assist with flood control during an extreme storm event, it also is used to contain water in the River Loop during river clean-up events. It is important to be able to contain water as long as possible to keep the River Loop functioning.
CCDO, the Transportation & Capital Improvements Department (TCI), and SARA have discussed options to repair Flood Gate 4. The recommendation is a full replacement instead of rehabilitating any potentially useable parts (the existing gate was installed in 1986 and is approximately 30 years old, likely reaching its useful life). The Project scope includes removal and disposal of the existing gate and installation of a new gate later in the Project schedule, which will require a coffer dam around the gate location. The replacement gate and all ancillary equipment will be designed and fabricated by a gate equipment vendor.
Previous Council Action
An ILA between City and SARA was approved by City Council on March 12, 2015, through Ordinance No. 2015-03-12-0202, to establish and promote cooperative and collaborative development, management, and operation of storm water related programs, to improve the management of public funding sources, and ensure coordination of governmental resources and functions. This Agreement also described roles and responsibilities between City and SARA, and established procedures to allocate specific funding to support programs, projects, and activities. To date, five task orders have been authorized in accordance with this ILA.
Task Order No. 4 between City and SARA was approved by City Council on June 11, 2015, through Ordinance No. 2015-06-11-0514, to develop the bridging documents required to solicit a Design-Build contractor related to the San Antonio River Gate 4 Replacement Project. In addition, this ordinance stated a subsequent task order would be issued to provide design and construction management services for the Project once a contractor has been selected.
ISSUE:
City Council previously approved a task order (Task Order No. 4) on June 11, 2015, through Ordinance No. 2015-06-11-0514, to develop the bridging documents required to solicit a Design-Build contractor related to the San Antonio River Gate 4 Replacement Project. In addition, this ordinance stated a subsequent task order would be issued in an amount not-to-exceed $1,500,000.00 to provide design and construction services for the Project once a contractor has been selected.
SARA has developed the bridging documents and successfully completed the solicitation of a Design-Build contractor for the Project. However, the anticipated costs associated with the Project exceed the previously authorized amount of $1,500,000.00. It is now estimated that a total amount of $2,000,000.00 is needed to complete the Project. This proposed ordinance and task order (Task Order No. 6) will establish the terms for design and construction services for the Project and also authorize an additional amount not-to-exceed $500,000.00 to complete the Project. It is anticipated that project will begin in June 2016 and end in May 2017.
ALTERNATIVES:
An alternative is that Council could not approve the two task orders. However, City would lose the partnership opportunity with SARA to leverage program funding, improve the management of public funding sources and ensure coordination of governmental resources and functions. In addition, SARA is experienced with recent gate construction, including Flood Gate 6 and the Lock and Dam.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes an additional $500,000.00 for a task order payment to SARA in a total amount not-to-exceed $2,000,000.00 for design and construction services related to the San Antonio River Gate 4 Replacement Project. The additional $500,000.00 in funding is contingent upon approval of the FY 2017 Budget and appropriation from Fiscal Year 2017 Storm Water Operating Fund capital project funding. Previous funding of $1,500,000.00 was appropriated through Ordinance No. 2015-06-11-0514 in the not-to-exceed amounts of $200,000.00 from the River Walk Capital Improvement Fund, $1,000,000.00 from Municipal Drainage Utility System Revenue Bonds, and $300,000.00 from Fiscal Year 2016 Storm Water Operating Fund capital project funding.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance authorizing the execution of a task order in accordance with the existing ILA between City and SARA for design and construction services related to the San Antonio River Gate 4 Replacement Project.