AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET
DEPARTMENT: Utility Administration
ACM: Howard Martin, Utilities 349-8232
Date: February 27, 2017
SUBJECT
Title
Consider recommending approval of a Professional Services Agreement for Architect or Engineer between the City of Denton and Freese and Nichols Inc. (FNI) in the lump sum amount of $213,300.00 for Engineering Services associated with Water Distribution System Master Planning. (PSA 6388)
Body
BACKGROUND
Water distribution system master planning is used for a variety of purposes in a water utility to manage growth and budget for capital improvements. The primary uses for a water distribution system master plan include:
1. Identifying water transmission pipeline, storage and pumping improvements for inclusion in the Water Utilities 5 year Capital Improvements Program or 10 year Impact Fee Capital Improvements Program.
2. Identifying future waterline sizes for developer oversize participation agreements.
Staff has researched several local engineering firms’ qualifications to perform this project and selected Freese and Nichols, Inc., from Fort Worth due to their extensive work experience in this area as well as their familiarity with the City of Denton’s water distribution system. The firm’s prior experience with performing these studies along with the proposed project team and their resumes are included as Exhibit 1 in the agenda back up. The proposed scope of services and estimated fees are also included as Exhibits 2 and 3.
The development of a Water Distribution System Master Plan requires the use of computer modeling to simulate existing conditions and project future conditions and anticipated growth over a 25 year planning window. From this modeling effort, capital improvement plans are then developed to satisfy anticipated water demands for the long range 25 year condition, the 10 year Water Impact Fee Capital Plan condition and the 5 year Water Utility Capital Plan. Freese and Nichols, Inc., performed the last Water Distribution System Master Plan for the City of Denton in 2007. This master plan was updated in 2012 as a part of the 2013 update of the City’s Water and Wastewater Impact Fee update. The Water Utilities Department typically performs this type of master planning effort every 10 years with a minor update for the Impact Fee Capital Improvements Plan every 5 years. Updating the City’s Water Impact Fees is required by state law every 5 years and this master plan updating process will accomplish both of these goals. The Water Wastewater Impact Fee Update is scheduled for 2018 and this effort needs to begin this year to help facilitate this update process and planned schedule.
Staff continues to maintain the software program and water distribution master plan that was developed by Freese and Nichols, Inc., for the City back in 2007 but needs their assistance with the modeling and updating of future water demands and the engineering analysis required to develop the 25 year, 10 year and 5 year CIP plans. Many of the key personnel within Freese and Nichols, Inc., that developed the plan for the City back in 2007 are still with the firm and are a part of the consultant team that has been negotiated to perform this work under this contract.
OPTIONS
1. Approve the Professional Services Agreement.
2. Request changes to the Professional Services Agreement.
3. Reject the Professional Services Agreement.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of the Professional Services Agreement between the City of Denton and Freese and Nichols, Inc. in the lump sum amount of $213,300.00 for Engineering Services associated with Water Distribution System Master Planning.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (Council, Boards, Commissions)
None
FISCAL INFORMATION
A total of $165,000 was moved into a JDE project account from consulting fee and legal fee accounts remaining at the end of the FY 2016 Water Administration’s O & M Budget. The balance of the funds needed to perform this work will come from the FY 2017 Water Administration’s O & M Budget for consulting fees.
BID INFORMATION
Not applicable
DATE SCHEDULED FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL
March 7, 2017
EXHIBITS
1. Scope of Services and Fee Estimate
2. Project Schedule
Respectfully submitted,
Tim Fisher, P.E., General Manager
Water Utilities