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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/25/1994 City Council MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ~-"'~l HELD ON April 25, 1994 The Work Session of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas was called to order at 6:30 p.m. on the 25th day of April, 1994 at City Hall with the following Council roll call: William Manning, Mayor Present Mike Lynch, Councilman Present Toby Pollard, Councilman Present Joe Agnew, Councilman Present Tom Bogan, Councilman Present John Dillard, Councilman Present Joel Marks, Mayor Pro-tem Absent and with six present, a quorum was established and the following items were addressed: 2. WORK SESSION TO INTERVIEW ENGINEERING FIRMS FOR THE DESIGN OF THE PROPOSED EXPANSION OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT Tom Cravens, Director of Public Works introduced each engineering firm as they arrived for their interview. The interviews were conducted as follows: Noe Garza Engineers, Inc. Mr. Garza advised his company is small, with only eight employees and that they have completed two boat projects. One in Elsa, Texas has been operating for 4 years and one in San Juan has been operating for 3 years. Mr. Garza stated the boat system requires lower initial capital expense and is lower to maintain and operate. He did say he recommends 24 hour operation. Mr. Garza said his firm would try to use as much of the existing equipment as possible in an effort to save money. He stated a construction inspector would be hired to be on site at the project and that his fee would be a fixed fee negotiated and decided on before the project begins. Duke Levy & Assoc. Mr. Levy commented on our existing plant and complimented our staff on a well maintained facility, noting that it is a high energy plant. Mr. Levy said the best technology for our city is the oxidation ditch with the boat clarifier and recommended keeping the existing system for reserve capacity, operable but not operating. Mr. Levy suggested a 2 phase project; (1) Equipment Procurement - the City would purchase all the equipment direct from the manufacturers and cut out the contractor's percentage of approximately 15%, (2) Construction. Mr. Levy said this is a very cost effective way to carry out this type ."-" 2 project. ~ He went on to suggest the preliminary study asked for in the RFQ be done on how big a system we need, not what process we want, going on to say he would prepare a report on a 2.5, 3.75 and 5 mgd plant, so the Council would have all the information they need to make the decision regarding size. Mr. Levy said he would be here at least weekly. His office is in Mississipps, but he can be here weekly. The fee would be a percentage of the total cost of the project, however Mr. Levy indicated he is flexible on fee structure. Mr. Levy recommended ultra violet disinfection due to ease and efficiency of operation. He said the new plant could be operated with only 5 employees and that he does not recommend 24 hour coverage. Wasteline Engineering Glen Breisch advised that the city can expand to 5 mgp on the property it now owns and that he believes the oxidation ditch with intrachannel clarifier is the best system due to efficience and maintenance and operation costs. Mr. Breisch said it appears the city now spends $1100.00 per day more to operate the existing plant than it would cost to operate an oxidation ditch with intrachannel clarifier. Mr. Breisch does not recommend the preliminary study, but said he would do a comparison of a 2.5, 3.3 and 5 mgp plant so the council will know the cost of each, noting he would need city staff input to complete this report. He recommended ultra violet disinfection. Mr. Breisch said his plan would be to prepa4re procurement documents for all 3 sizes, then bid all 3. At that time, council would decide which size should be built. He also recommended buying the equipment from the manufacturer and cutting out the contractor mark up of 10-15%. Mr. Breisch said the existing plant should be kept operable for reserve capacity. The fee would be a fixed fee based on a percentage of the total cost estimate, however he did say he is flexible on the fee structure. Mr. Breisch indicated he would be on site at the project whenever needed and that a construction inspector can be hired. Gutierrez, Smouse, Wilmut & Assoc. Inc. Charles Wilmut introduced several members of his team who would be working on this project. He said between the two firms, they have experience in working with tight spaces and with existing systems and equipment. His firm also recommended a boat system and gave examples of the work they have done. They also showed several scenarios of what could be done in The Colony. Mr. Wilmut and his associates indicated they could build an economically operated system in the City. This firm recommends ultra violet disinfection. The fee is a percentage of the construction cost, however they are flexible and a fixed fee can be set at the beginning of the project. Mr. Wilmut said they would ensure "hands on" management of the project and that a construction inspector can be hired. He said they will be present from design to on-line. At this time, Mayor Manning addressed item No. 1 1. CORRECTION OF DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY WITH REGARD TO ORDINANCE 846 Mayor Manning stated that the City Manager has authority to execute the documents for First Interstate Bank relating to the financing of the 1993-94 capital expenditures. At this time, Mayor Manning brought item No. 2 back to the table for further discussion. 2. WORK SESSION TO INTERVIEW ENGINEERING FIRMS FOR THE DESIGN OF THE PROPOSED EXPANSION OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT Mayor Manning advised that the Council would not be voting on the firm to be chosen tonight, but that he would like each Councilman to name their top two firms. Councilman Lynch stated we need to be careful not to take action tonight and went on to say based on the interviews he would like to continue checking into Wasteline Engineering and Duke Levy and Associates. Mayor Manning said his top two are Wasteline and GSW. He did express concern that Wasteline Engineering did not seem to be able to clarify their references regarding construction of the boat systems and if that could not be provided, then his next choice would be Levy. Councilman Agnew said his top two are Wasteline and GSW because of their location in the metroplex area and stated that if one of those was eliminated for some "-" reason, his next choice would be Levy. Councilman Dillard said all four firms would probably do a good job, but his top two are Levy and Wasteline. Councilman Bogan stated GSW and Wasteline are his top two, noting that all four firms have said the same thing and the question is really who can run the job the best. Councilman Pollard said he liked what Levy had to say, but that he is concerned with the company being located in Mississippi and that Mr. Levy would not be able to handle the job as it should be done. He went on to say his top two choices are Wasteline and GSW. Mayor Manning said the common thread is Wasteline. All agreed the question regarding the references and experience needs to be clarified. Tom Cravens state that no matter which firm is chosen, it would be better if the city hired it's own inspector for the project. Mayor Manning directed the City Secretary to place an item on the May 2 agenda for selection of an engineering firm with which to begin negotiations for design and construction of the expansion of the wastewater treatment plant. With no further business to address, Mayor Manning adjourned the meeting at 10:15 p.m. APPROVED: William W. Manning, Mayor ATrEST: Patti A. Hicks,TRMC City Secretary 5