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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-11-1996 Meeting I I I ENGINEERING SERVICES COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ROOM ~ March 11, 1996 4:00 P. M. PRESENT: Hons. Larry E. Sconyers, Mayor; Powell, Chairman; Todd, Vice-Chairman; Handy and J. Brigham, members; Drew Goins, Asst. Com. of P.W. & Director of Engineering; Charles Dillard, Interim Urban Services Administrator; Linda Beazley, Interim Suburban Services Administrator; Tom Wiedmeier, Director of Water Pollution Control; Max Hicks, General Supt. of Waterworks operations; George McElveen, Director of Water and Sewerage; Jack Murphy and Mike Greene of the Public Works Department; Millard Gooding, Public Works Director; David Smith, Solid Waste Manager; Jim Leiper, Environmental Engineer; Jim Wall, Interim Attorney; Barry Smith, Director of Trees & Parks; Lena Bonner, Clerk of Commission-Council and Nancy Morawski, Deputy Clerk of Commission-Council. Also Present: Wayne Partridge of the Augusta Chronicle, Gale Mino of WBBQ Radio and Hons. Bridges and Beard, Commissioners. The Clerk: We have three requests for additions. One is for awarding of a bid on sewer and road repair on Highway 25, a request from Mr. Tom Wiedmeier on liming of land application sites and the awarding of an emergency bid for Boy Scout Road. Mr. Todd: I so move that we add these by unanimous consent. Mr. Brigham: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Director of Trees & Parks stating due to extensive layoffs, the Old Government House grounds are declining due to neglect from inadequate personnel to regularly service this maintenance area. Trees & Parks cannot schedule maintenance visits on a'timely basis to accommodate the numerous functions held at the facility that expect orderly grounds care. I am recommending the issue to be placed on Committee agenda for subcontractural bids to be received. Recommendations are also suggested for Augusta-Richmond County Museum grounds as previously recommended in an earlier memo dated February 10, 1996, was read. Mr. Smith: I would like to bid this out and see what the costs would be for the Old Government House as well as the Museum. Mr. Todd: I move that we accept it as information, do further study and bring it back. Mr. Brigham: I'll second the motion. will help Ms. Beazley: be receiving him. We met this morning about the inmate crew he within the next two weeks. This would probably I Mr. Smith: That would help a lot. When I asked for this to be put on the agenda, I didn't know about that. Mr. Mayor: Could we let him get some proposals from various companies so you would have the information if he needed them? Mr. Chairman: I think we should do that. Mr. Todd: I'll amend the motion to allow him to go out for proposals. Mr. Brigham: I'll accept that but he may not have anything ready by Masters. Mr. Mayor: We will have a massive Countywide clean up on March 22 and we want to get everyone that can to be involved. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Solid Waste Manager requesting that the solid waste user disposal fee for the urban services area be set for the 1996 operational year at $27.00 per ton. Also that I said user fee be adjusted yearly by the Commission-Council considering the following factors: 1. Actual solid waste disposal operation costs; 2. Closure/post-closure costs; 3. Solid waste landfill debt retirement; 4. Unfunded State and Federal mandates; 5. Minimal profit margin to be set by Comptroller for future Solid Waste operations and/or programs. Mr. Todd: I move that we approve it. Mr. Powell: I'll second the motion. Motion adopted with Mr. Handy not voting. Communication from Mr. Harry D. Revell requesting approval of a rail crossing agreement between International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. and Richmond County, was read. Mr. Wall: This is similar to the agreement with Huron Tech and there is some language revision that I want to do to paragraph five to make it clear that any signalization that might go into that intersection at a future time would be at no cost to Richmond County. Mr. Todd: I so move with that amendment. I Mr. Handy: Second. I I I Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from Mr. Harry D. Revell requesting approval of option for easement on Project Parcel 29 of the Raes Creek Channel Improvement Project, Phase II. This property is owned by Gustave H. Dugas, Jr. The appraised value and the option amount are both $1,868.00, was read. Mr. Brigham: I so move. Mr. Todd: Second. It might be a good time for an update on the Raes Creek project and maybe we could do that at the next meeting. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from Mr. Harry D. Revell requesting approval of counter-offer option, which is enclosed, on Project Parcel 36 of the Raes Creek Channel Improvement Project, Phase II, which is owned by Staci E. Story a/k/a Staci E. Story Masline. The appraised value was $110.00 and the counter-offer is $200.00. I am attaching a copy of a letter from Millard Gooding regarding this counter-offer option, was read. Mr. Brigham: I move that we approve it. Mr. Todd: Second it. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from Mr. Harry D. Revell requesting approval of settlement agreement and release of Richmond County with Ralph Bietz and Debra Bietz pertaining to White awl Forest Drainage Improvement project, was read. Mr. Wall: This is where the drainage ditch goes through the property and basically renders the property unusable. This is the tax value, $7,400. The property owner has requested an abatement of the taxes for 1995 and I don't have the dollar amount of that but I think it's a couple of hundred dollars. I recommend approval of it. Mr. Todd: I so move. Mr. Brigham: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Asst. Com. of P.W. & Director of Engineering stating we have received a final payment request Heaton Stadium after completion of the purchased list items. final payment included a deduction for unused allowances in various areas. The total credit is $34,172.00. We request authorization to proceed with change order #2 to process the for The deduction. If approved by the Committee, the revised total contract amount is $3,861,828.00, was read. Mr. Goins: This is a deduction of some $34,000. I Mr. Todd: I so move. Mr. Brigham: I'll second it. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Asst. Com. of P.W. & Director of Engineering stating the Engineering Department became aware of an issue at Lake Olmstead Stadium in January 1996. Apparently the issue centered around an interpretation of the Health Department's requirement for running hot water in each of the four public restrooms. As designed by the Architect, hot water was provided in the concession areas and concession restrooms, but not public restrooms. After discussions with the Interim Attorney's office, the Architect, the Contractor, and General Manager of the Green Jackets, it was determined that hot water should be provided. In the interest of time, we recommended that the GreenJackets contract the modification directly with the original plumber and the Commission-Council reimburse the Green Jackets for the work. The GreenJackets Club is now requesting reimbursement in the amount of $9,728.83. We recommend this I request for reimbursement be approved and the cost be charged as deemed appropriate by the Comptroller, was read. Mr. Brigham: I so move. Mr. Todd: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Director of Water Pollution Control stating the construction of the Wetlands Treatment System project will impact approximately 27 acres of existing jurisdictional wetlands and the Corps of Engineers requires that mitigation consists of replacing the lost wetland acreage in another location. We have the opportunity to offer other mitigation measures in lieu of replacement which we feel would advantageous to Augusta-Richmond County. These measures are described below. 1. Place the remaining wetland acreage on the 900 acre tract in a conservation easement or under a restrictive covenant. We have presented this to Mr. Steve Atha of Bush Field and he perceives no conflict between this action and the proposed arrangement with the FAA. 2. Present and Environmental Education Plan expressing Augusta- Richmond County's willingness to promote the educational and research opportunities afforded by this project. A copy of I the proposed plan is attached for your reference. Dr. Gene Eidson, who served as the consulting biologist for the Wetland Treatment System, has proposed establishing a non- I I I profit corporation for the purpose of conducting educational and research programs at this location. The proposed plan calls for Augusta-Richmond County to provide $25,000 in seed money to help establish the non-profit corporation, provide the use of a house and several out-buildings on the site to serve as a base of operation, and to assist in the repair and restoration of these buildings (an estimate of this cost will be developed and available at the time of the Engineering Services Committee meeting). The intent of this Program is that it will be a self-sustaining enterprise, and that further financial support from Augusta-Richmond County will not be required after the initial investment. Bids for the Wetland Treatment System were opened on February 8 and we will bring a recommendation for award of the contract to this Committee in the near future. All financial data necessary to process the 4% State Revolving Loan for this project has been delivered to the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority and we expect approval in the near future, was read. Mr. Todd: I move that we approve it providing the FAA approves this use in their deed before deeding the properties over. Motion dies for lack of a second. Mr. Brigham: I'll make a motion that we approve it as presented. Mr. Todd: I'll second Mr. Brigham's motion to get this on the floor for discussion. I don't think it's up to us whether this is going to be used for this purpose. It's up to the FAA and Bush Field. Hopefully Bush Field can convince folks that we should be able to use it for this without interfering with their use. Mr. Wall: It does have to come from us and needs to go forward. We would only give title to the Airport for a portion of the land, not the whole tract. We want to move ahead with the contracts so that we can avoid the EPD penalties. After further discussion Dr. Gene Eidson made a presentation regarding details concerning the environmental education plan for the wetland treatment system. Motion adopted unanimously. Mr. Todd: I'm voting in favor of this with the understanding that I don't feel that we can tell FAA and Bush Field what we're going to do with this land and we've got to get permission from them. Communication from W. R. Toole Engineers, Inc. submitting a bid tabulation for the Greenland Road Elevated Water Storage Tank with an apparent low bidder of Caldwell Tank, Inc. in the total amount of $543,500. An optional price of $2,500 was included for FAA Double Obstruction Lights as may be required, was read. Mr. Todd: I move we award it to the lowest bidder. I Mr. Brigham: Second. Mr. McElveen: We request that you have the contracts reviewed by Mr. Wall and if they're in order, go ahead and approve the contracts as well. Mr. Todd: I'll accept that as an amendment to my motion. Mr. Brigham: I'll also accept that. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Public Works Director stating all phases of preconstruction are complete on the Glenn Hills Bridge Safety Fence project and all funds have been identified and allocated within Special One Percent Sales Tax, Phase II. Therefore, plans and bid documents are ready to let out for bids. Approval to let for bid is recommended, was read. Mr. Todd: When can we expect something on the Windsor Spring elementary situation? I Mr. Murphy: We're having to get a permit with DOT to do that one just as we did on this one. Mr. Todd: I so move. Mr. Handy: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Public Works Director submitting a Capital Project Budget and an engineering proposal from James G. Swift & Associates in the amount of $9,800 for the Sand Ridge Storm Drainage Improvements. This amount will be funded from County Forces account number 55-8081-00-0882 in Special One Percent Sales Tax, Phase II. The purpose of this project is to install an adequate drainage system which will collect and control overland water flows coming from the Crest Drive area. This overland flow is causing severe flooding and siltation on residences located on Sand Ridge Court. Approval of the Capital Project Budget with funding and engineering proposal is recommended, was read. Mr. Todd: I so move. Mr. Handy: Second. Some friends of mine live out there and II they said the street was torn up. Is this the new section they're building? I I I Mr. Murphy: I don't know. I'll have to look at it in the morning. Mr. Todd: The subdivision coming off of New Karleen Road, there is a dead end street adjacent to the back yard of a Sand Ridge Estate home where the man has changed the elevation in his yard and there is a tremendous drop-off there and hopefully we can get that included in what we're doing here and maybe get a dead end sign there. Ms. Beazley: Are there plans for a stop light at Tobacco Road and the entrance to Sand Ridge? Mr. Murphy: No. Ms. Beazley: That is a very bad location and some of the residents have asked me about the possibility of that being looked into. I would like for you to check on that. Mr. Murphy: We'll be glad to ask the Georgia DOT to check it. Mr. Todd: I'd like to see them look at other locations as well. We need to talk to them about the completion of the work out there where it has been slow in some areas. Mr. Handy: Wasn't there some talk about a lane at Sand Ridge? Mr. Murphy: Not to my knowledge but there could have been. Motion adopted unanimously. The Committee next discussed the matter of the parking deck at James Brown Blvd. and Greene Street. Mr. Chairman: I asked that this be put on the agenda and the reason for that was the change in the parking on Broad Street. We're going to have to provide some parking for the employees and what I'd like to do is get your approval for us to start a study on this for Traffic Engineering and Mr. Dillard to work on and come up with some alternatives to use this parking deck for. Mr. Brigham: Can we add security in there and identify possible sources of funding? Mr. Chairman: Yes, we can do that. Mr. Todd: I so move. Mr. Handy: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Director of Water and Sewerage I Department requesting consideration of engineering and surveying proposal for the extension of the National Science Center Sanitary Sewer across Gordon Highway and the CSX Railroad. DOT is now in the process of widening Gordon Highway and building the interchange at Gate 1. We need to extend the sewer before this work is completed for economic purposes. The proposal is in the amount of $6,837.12. Estimated costs for construction is $75,000 if the work is done prior to DOT completion, was read. Mr. Todd: I so move. Mr. Handy: I second that. Mr. McElveen: This will have to be done on emergency bids to get it done prior to the other work. Mr. Chairman: I can't support this because there are areas in my district where we've been trying to get sewerage in and sewerage is actually bubbling up and I just can't support it at this point. Motion adopted with the Chairman voting "No". Communication from the Director of Water & Sewerage Department requesting consideration of a change order (final) I with Parsons Engineering Service, Inc. in the amount of $17,167.17 for additional services required for the Aquifer Study of the Kimberly Clark well field development, was read. Mr. Todd: I so move. Mr. Handy: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Director of Water & Sewerage Department requesting ratification of emergency road repairs on Highway 25 near Howard Road due to rupture of water main. The invoice from Blair Construction is enclosed in the amount of $13,249.80, was read. Mr. Handy: I so move. Mr. Todd: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Director of Water & Sewerage Department requesting ratification of awarding of emergency bid on Highway 25 sewer and road repairs to Mabus Construction I Company, Inc. in the amount of $105,217.95. We received three other bids as follows: Beam's Paving $114,150.00 I' I I Blair Construction Eagle Utility Contracting I am enclosing copies of all bids, $197,250.00 $165,625.00 was read. Mr. Handy: I so move. Mr. Todd: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Director of Water Pollution Control stating proposals were accepted on March 8 for the application of agricultural lime to our land application sites. The results are as follows: McDuffie Feed and Seed $36.00 per ton Wheelabrator Water Technologies $32.00 per ton Hudson Grassing Company $32.00 per ton The vice-president of Hudson Grassing Company owns a large farm that is part of our land application program, and during earlier discussions regarding the possibility of his submitting a proposal, we had agreed that Augusta-Richmond County would participate only in the material cost for the lime applied to his land. Because of this arrangement, the proposal submitted by Hudson Grassing Company will result in the least cost for this contract. We will be applying lime only to those sites where the landowner has agreed to pay half the cost. The estimated total cost of this liming program is $288,000, half of which should be reimbursed by the participating landowners. Sufficient funds are available in our budget for this program, was read. Mr. Todd: Do you see a problem with him participating? Mr. Wall: I don't see a problem with it as long as proper procedures are employed to document and monitor the labor. Mr. Todd: I so move. Mr. Handy: Second. Mr. Brigham: I would want some kind of reassurance of us being held harmless in this on any future liabilities if something was to happen to his property. Motion adopted with Mr. Brigham voting "No". Communication from the Public Works Department submitting the following bids for Boy Scout Road Emergency Repairs: APAC-Georgia, Inc. $23,720.00 Beam's Pavement Maintenance $47,732.00 Blair Construction, Inc. $15,000.00 Mabus Brothers $46,350.00 The two lowest bidders stated that it would probably take three days to complete the work and would probably open to traffic by Friday or Saturday. Blair was told to begin work as soon as possible but no later than early Tuesday, March 12, 1996, was read. Mr. Murphy: Blair Construction was low and they have been told to go to work and we would like for you to ratify that action. I Mr. Todd: I so move that we ratify it under emergency bid practices. Mr. Handy: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Mr. Todd: I have a constituent who has a problem with a water meter. It deals with a state contract. The property owner had his property surveyed and it showed that we're on his property outside of the right-of-way with the water meter. I would like for Public Works and Waterworks to get together and look at their survey. We're talking about moving the water meter about a foot. We need to either move this water meter or do acquisition of property or do something. Mr. Greene: We're aware of it. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting I was adjourned. Lena J. Bonner Clerk of Commission-Council NWM I