SUBJECT:
Title
A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Erie Approving an Agreement for Professional Services with HDR Engineering, Inc. for Erie Lake Dam Seepage Rehabilitation, Analysis, and Design
Body
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
Department
PRESENTER(S): Todd Fessenden, Utilities Director
Bruce Chameroy, Water & Wastewater Division Manager
First Name Last Name, Title
FISCAL SUMMARY:
Cost as Recommended: $336,300
Balance Available: $6,754,187
Budget Line Item Number: 500-75-110-605000-257502
Budget Transfer: $336,300 from 500-75-100-605000-100365
(previously 500-70-110-605000-100365)
New Appropriation Required: No
POLICY ISSUES:
Ensuring adequate water supplies in the event of an emergency are critical to life/safety in the Town. This project addresses that issue.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Approve the Resolution
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
In late 2022 a leak was discovered in Erie Lake by the State Dam Inspector. This was considered an emergency due to the potential for downstream property damage and safety issues to the same population. Staff worked diligently to quickly to find an engineering firm that could assist us in evaluating the cause of the leak and found that HDR Inc had staff specialized in this area. The Town has been working with HDR, in conjunction with the State of Colorado, as well as limiting the volume and level of storage in Erie Lake during this time. The analysis and approach required by the State has been very exhaustive and detailed with many meetings between the State, Town staff, and HDR.
This project is now ready to begin engineering a remedy to fix the leak and thus allow the Town to fill Erie Lake back at full capacity. Erie Lake is Erie’s emergency storage in the event of a broad supply issue from Northern, at its full capacity the lake could provide about 10 days of indoor use to the Town. It is currently drained to about half capacity to keep it from leaking. Given all of this, and the path that led to this point, staff recommend the Town continues working with HDR and award them the design for the fix, which the State Dam Inspector will also need to review.
The design fees are well above the threshold for bidding and staff approval, at $336,300 but given the overall history, that it started as an emergency and that it is Erie’s emergency storage; the Town should work expeditiously to repair the dam and fill the lake to capacity. Staff think it is in the Town's best interest to continue to work with HDR and not competitively bid the repair design work. The proposed design cost is within norms for what the ultimate construction costs will be. Time is of the essence to get this emergency storage back to full and avoid further degradation.
This project is currently budgeted in 2025 but within the budget for the overall project. To complete this project, staff asks Council to transfer $336,300 to Budget Line Number 500-75-100-605000-257502 (Erie Lake Repairs) from 500-75-100-605000-100365 (Water Treatment Facility - New).
COUNCIL PRIORITY(S) ADDRESSED:
ü Attractive Community Amenities
ü Prosperous Economy
ü Well-Maintained Transportation Infrastructure
ü Safe and Healthy Community
ü Effective Governance
ü Fiscally Responsible
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Resolution 24-299
2. Agreement
3. Budget Change Request Form