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Home My WebLink AboutProposal Narrative Augusta Richmond GA DOCUMENT NAME:VVapO'::::Q \ . No..YYCtT\ V G DOCUMENT TYPE: WD?O'2C'L I YEAR: BOX NUMBER: ~ FILE NUMBER: ~! '2JC) NUMBER OF PAGES: ~ I. II I I I I I I I I I -- I I II - II , II ~. ,.,~~ ' 1; ,!i~i" /:;7~i') , i:;,t!~ ~ '1 P, 1,,~I~'r~;" ~ ..... : 1{..~ " ..,1m", Proposal for Stormwater Management Program Feasibility Study RFP #04-0,53 1. Proposal Narrative Earth Tech is a world leader in global water management, transportation, engineering, architecture, and environmental services. With more than 8,000 employees operating from more than 200 offices, Earth Tech provides a full range of engineering services to government, commercial, and industrial clients around the globe. In Georgia, our offices house a staff of 120. Founded in 1970, the company is headquartered in Long Beach, California. Through strategic growth, Earth Tech has steadily expanded its technical capabilities, geographic presence, and client base. Through globalization of its business segments, the company is able to pursue worldwide opportunities for its diverse services and provide seamless execution for its clients. Earth Tech is involved in a broad range of areas, such as public and private water and wastewater infrastructure systems, microelectronics, cleanup operations at closing military bases and industrial properties, helping industry meet air quality emission standards, and airport, freeway and rail projects. Earth Tech enables clients to maintain environmental stewardship while building profitable businesses and healthy communities. Industry Recognition In 2003, the Engineering News-Record (ENR) ranked Earth Tech among the top 20 firms overall in the Top 500 Design Firms, the Top 200 Environmental Firms, and the Top 100 Design-Build Firms, and among the top 20 in each of the following subcategories: . Water . Sewerage and Solid Waste . Hazardous Waste . Transportation . Construction/Remediation · Air Pollution Control . Environmental Science Our projects have won national and regional awards from industry organizations, including the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Consulting Engineers Council, the American Public Works Association, and the Construction Management Association of America. . Designers in International Markets . Manufacturing . Power . Program Management Firms . \Vastewater/Stortnwater Treatment . Environmental Firms Working Abroad Project Approach Project Understanding NPDES MS4 Permit Requirements - Augusta-Richmond County (Augusta) was issued a Phase I NPDES StoID1water Permit (GAS000200) for Medium Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer System (MS4) initially in 1995, and later renewed in February 2000. The permit requires Augusta to establish a Stortnwater Management Program (Sw:MP) and a Water Quality Monitoring Program (wQ:MP). The SW1vfP objective is to reduce Nonpoint Source (NPS) pollution. The WQMP objective is to access the health of local watersheds and develop procedures to maintain water quality of Augusta's streams. In response to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) permit requirements, Augusta has identified four major components in its SW1vfP: . Sw:MP activity within drainage basin of impacted waterbody (such as water bodies on the 1998 active 303(d) list), · Monitor illicit discharge, . Monitor pollutants from industrial activity, and . Public education and outreach. Capital Improvement Program (CIP) - In 2003, the Augusta Department of Public Works and Engineering spent more than $4.5 million on Capital Improvement Projects. Development and redevelopment within the County requires increasing expenditures on a regular annual basis in: EARTH@TIiCH Page 1 II II II I II II II I I II II I II I I I I I II @ii))~ ;Jf~:EI ~; , ,; . '(-'~.;; ~ ~_,E '-"!!!'" ' , , '::.;. ,,; t;:;;' }:: ' ' Proposal for Stormwater Management Program Feasibility Study . System modernization: bring a storm sewer/storm drainage system up to current standards by replacing old pipes and/ or supplementing old pipes; and · System modifications: re-routing storm sewers and storm water alignments away from sanitary sewers to reduce infiltration of stormwater into sanitary sewer collection systems and, ultimately, into treatment plants. Engineering Maintenance - Augusta currently provides regular engineering maintenance to its citizens, such as clearing/maintaining drainage easements, street sweeping, and storm drain cleaning and repair. In 2003, Augusta swept approximately 500 miles of roadways and cleaned/repaired more than 700 storm drains. Future development in Augusta will likely intensify this demand, which will lead to increased budgetary needs. Financing Stormwater - Augusta is looking for a long-term and stable financial strategy to achieve the desired level of service for stormwater management and regulatory compliance. The challenge will be to devise a way to adequately fund its stormwater management programs. A number of funding mechanisms can be used to finance stormwater management programs. Table 1 contains a partial list of common altemativeJ],lllding mechanisms. Table 1 also identifies those stormwater management functions (i.e., administration, capital improvements, operation/maintenance, and water quality monitoring) best financed by each method. In 2003, the three largest single funding sources in Augusta's budget were utilities (28%), general funds (21%), and SPLOST (11%). RFP#04-053 Table 1 Functional Progl"am Elements Stormwalcl' Management Capilal Aclmirlistrallon hnprovcl11cnl Operation and Water QUillity FUJutil19 Alternative and Design Prog,am Maintenance Monitoring General Fun~ .-/ : -/ ..t:, . I -/ Specla' Taxing District -/ -/ -/ Sla1e GrantS -/ -/ -/ Homeowners' Associations -/ -/ -/ Gas:rax -/ I -/ Local OpUon Sales Tax -/ Bonds . '-/ , Pay-As-You-Go Sinking Fund -/ -/ SUbdivision' ExacUons ,-/ Fee~n-lleu.()f -/ Devoloperlncentlves -/ Bellerment Chargas -/ ~enalUeslFlnes -/ ,,-/ .-/ FeeslPermlts -/ ty Project Goals - Earth Tech's goal is to work with Augusta to develop a comprehensive financing strategy that generates long-term and stable revenue to support the SWMP and meet regulatory requirements. The recommended funding sources/ options should advocate a fair and equitable allocation of the costs for stormwater management to all responsible parties. Our ultimate objective is to ensure that the project produces implementable solutions that can move Augusta from a position of problem solving to proactive in stormwater management. Technical Approach The Stormwater Management Program Feasibility Study for Augusta will consist of five tasks: Task 1 Stormwater Program Description, Problems and Needs, Task 2 Program Objectives and Priorities, Task 3 Projected Stormwater Program, Task 4 Basic Funding Feasibility, and Task 5 Summary Report with Recommendation. Task 1- Stormwater Program Description, Problems, and Needs The first step is defining the SWMP for Augusta, Earth Tech will develop a summary explaining why stormwater is a problem about which the citizens of Augusta should be concerned. It is important to clearly explain which problems will and will not be addressed by the new financing program. Problems should cover the full spectrum of stormwater problems from drainage and flooding for the protection of public safety, to the protection and improvement of water quality mandated by the County's NPDES stormwater permit and TIv1DLs for local water bodies. Establishing Existing Level of Service - Earth Tech will conduct an audit of each element of Augusta's stormwater program to determine what is currently being done and what should or needs to be done. This can be categorized into five broad functional elements: . Administration and Financing . Planning and Engineering . Capital Improvements . Regulation and Enforcement . Operations and Maintenance EARTH@TECH Page 2 II - II I - - - II II II II I I I I I I I I ij'" .....""~ ' : ' '~"'~!';;." ,...~~ ~,....,~J,,'jli' !~:) , .",.. ~ ,r. ,.t"~i,,,,- ,~~~ ,,:: L' :1~~1 Proposal for Stormwater Management Program Feas,ibility Study RFP #04.053 1bis analysis will summarize the services provided by Augusta's SWMP, along with associated costs. Earth Tech will also review operating policies and the development of standards and ordinance. Costs for each program element will be summarized in a similar format as Earth Tech compiled for the City of Racine, Wisconsin (fable 2). Identifying Future Level of Service - Development and stormwater permitting requirements are increasing the demands for services and infrastructure provided by Augusta. There will have to be a substantial investment in drainage infrastructure to support the projected future growth in Augusta. Earth Tech will review the recommendations from Augusta's NPDES Stormwater Permit, area TMDL Implementation Plans, and Watershed Assessments to identify projects and programs currently not budgeted for by Augusta. Other regulation such as GASB34 may also require increased expenditures to maintain the Augusta's financial rating and meet the long-term stormwater goals and. Earth Tech's analysis will include a staffing needs assessment, similar to Table 3, to be completed for Augusta to determine additional staff and equipment that might be needed to provide the necessary stormwater services. Changes to existing policies, standards, and ordinances will be recommended as necessary to meet Augusta's long-term goals. Institutional/Management Assessment - Earth Tech will audit the coordination of SWMP and institutional structures among all of the Augusta government offices. The audit will identify the institutional barriers and financing obstacles that need to be addressed if t!uly effective stormwater control is to be achieved. In Augusta, the majority of the stormwater- related activities are scattered among the various offices within the Public \Vorks and Engineering Department. However, departments like Planning and Zoning and Utilities may also playa role. If deemed appropriate, Earth Tech will suggest changes to the existing organizational structure. Task 2 - Program Objectives and Priorities We recommend at least one public input session to discuss and prioritize existing and additional program elements, Public involvement at this early stage is an opportunity to begin their education and, at the same time, we will learn about the expectations from citizen's perspective. This input will be used to evaluate the costs of providing services that meet the goals and objectives specified by the community, Earth Tech will develop project-ranking factors to assign priority to the final recommendations, The intent is to assist Augusta with the scheduling of the projects as funds becomes available. Potential factors may relate to magnitude of problem, permitting and construction, and water quantity and quality benefits. For instance, reactive projects are those that are of higher priority to address problems that are already identified in the past studies or reported and verified by citizen complaints. Proactive projects are those aimed to prevent potential stormwater problems such as meeting regulatory control requirements. Task 3 - Projected Stonnwater Program Earth Tech will prepare a multi-year cash flow analysis to establish Augusta's anticipated changing annual financial needs and obligations (Table 2), Earth Tech will discuss the options for financing capital improvement with Augusta staff (e.g., on a pay-as-you-go basis or carrying a debt service). We recommend at least one input session with elected officials and the financing department to get their buy in to the annual budget. This is another opportunity to get the public involved, so they begin to understand the magnitude of the financial issue facing the city government. Task 4 - Basic Funding Feasibility Earth Tech will assist Augusta to develop a long-term funding strategy that is fiscally responsible, stable, and fair and equitable to Augusta residents and businesses. The strategy will be developed based on Earth Tech's financing alternatives evaluation. For instance, the strategy may focus on the establishment of a new user fee system to provide the financial umbrella needed to support the long-range planning and obligations of the city. It may also include refining financial policies related to SPLOST, developer fee, and other potential grants. Earth Tech's financial alternative evaluation will examine all funding mechanisms (fable 1) Augusta could take advantage of to supplement existing revenue sources. .E ART H @ TEe H Page 3 I . I ~ ~ .J"';....~1ii~" ':.~, ~ ,J" , \ ~ :. ~./J . ,.,'.....", " ~: "';"}~::;. . .. . . ~ ,'I..';: k;, Proposal for StormwaterManagement Program Feasibility Study RFP#04.053 Table 2: Example Cash Flow Analysis from City of Racine, Wisconsin ell .ego ry AdmlnlatrllUon Dave 10 pm ont of II Storm weter Me Mgement and Ero.lon Control Ordlnanc. Public Infonnatlon Form .18WPPP', for City FaclBtlu (ZoolDPWlPublc Trllnaport) Public partlcfpatlon Oovelop & Implem ont FortlUur, Postlclda, Management Plan (Municipal) Develop roadway do--tclng policy & program Devolopmont ala Stonnweto, UtlBty "0,000 S10,OOO 510,000 $10,609 $10.927 $11.255 $11,593 511,000 $12,020 All $10,000 $10,300 $10,609 $10,927 $11.256 $11,593 5~.000 $5.305 '5,000 $5.150 "0,000 $60,000 Subtobll $1".000 $132,100 $711."'3 S81,705 '"0,80e $81.148 Add City Stonnwa.., E nglnn, Ero.lon Conlroland SW MaNlgamont lnap.c:tlonlEnforcementITralnlng Ollelt Dl:.ctulrge O.tecHon DUclt Olllcharg. Monitoring & Control Wot W..ther Monitoring Grou p Permit Req. Bank SUlbiJlullon ASlSlJ8lImanl S80,OOO S~O.OOO $30.000 55.000 S7.~00 S 1 83,~OO $90.000 $61,500 $30, gOO $8.000 $7,725 51 88,12~ $53,04 5 $31.627 556,275 $33.755 $57,964 $34,776 A' All 1 An $54,636 $32.762 $7.957 5'12,828 $6.441 11I8,482 $6.695 $101,438 $6.195 $9~.B14 Subto"l opll"'lm pro\lcmonl Silo 1: Retrofit W.Q.. Pond (High Ridge Shopping Contor) Sil:o 2: Now W.O. & Q. Pond (Regency Mall) SJI:o 3: RetrofItW.Q.. & Q. Pond (Prftcherd Park) Site 4: RotrofItW.Q.. & Q. Pond (Rullrv~r Park) Bite 5: RetrofHW.Q.. & Q. Pond (N. of Jon.. Schl.) Sit. 8: Rotroflt W. Q. &. au Pond (Me nerd Shorn Sub.) 91141 1: New W.O. & Q. Pond (Dillon Induatrlal Park.) Site 14: Storm..wer or atoRlgn . ft. matlvoa to prevent flooding Site 51; Ret,ofltW.Q.. Pond (Mound Cametery.) Site 13: New W.O.. Pond or InnM (N. of 21.t Indlllne.Ohlo) Slto 15: N.w Sedbnont ChamberBtu.RlverVelley Sa. 17: Exl.tl.ng FC Pond (Lockwood Park) S" 18: Retrofit w.a.. Pond 1St MUY'8 Hoapltal) Sfte 8: Flood ConlrolStorm 9 ewer (E. of "emorlel Or) OptJon 1 :fconnocllon to tho gO Inch neer RR) Option 2:(connectJon ot 21at and Memorial) Small Projectlmprovoments $75.000 $200,000 $76,000 $126.000 $45.000 $76.000 $7~,OOO $ 200,000 17~,OOO $ 125,000 $4~,000 $7~,OOO '380,000 $1,600,eoo 5308.000 S 27~,OOO $ e~o,ooo 5 ~30,OOO 52~.000 $316,270 $413,751 $291,748 $562.277 $27.316 $109,273 $112.551 $115.927 $1,377,048 $139,1168 511~,827 $327.616 $337.663 $347,762 $66.642 $70,907 $73,034 $68,325 588.916 $g1,583 $66.325 $88,916 $91,563 $85.564 567,631 $69.556 5534.874 S6~3.821 SB73,~38 52.278, 7~0 $1,073,118 51 ,054.783 $ 885,000 $665,000 All $103.000 $1.383,000 $100,000 $5,158,800 $108,090 $424,360 Subtotal pCf.llion .:Ind r,1oll1lononco StrutSw..plng All $ 300,000 $309,000 $316,270 Loaf Pick up All $63,000 $64,690 $66.637 Catch Buln Sum p Ctoonlng (1) All 578.000 $61,370 $63,611 BMP Malntenanca Pbn (Manual) 1 53,~00 $3,500 BMP Malntenonce ImplementaUon (existing) An $78,000 $61,370 $83,811 BMP Mefntanancelmplementatlon (tutu,..) All 580.000 $61,800 $83,654 Subtotal 5 ~84.~00 5501.830 S518,383 Annual10talll $2,35~,~~~ S1,287,3H One goal of the evaluation is to attempt to direct the financial burden onto those who are creating the problems, The limitations, advantages, and disadvantages that restrict the usefulness of the various funding mechanisms will also be presented. Our discussion of the alternatives will address issues that may select or eliminate certain options because they could possibly fund a specific activity, could not generate sufficient revenue, may be limited for only specific purposes, or may have legal limitations. Task 5 - Summary Report with Recommendation Earth Tech will prepare a summary of the findings and recommendations from the study. The report will also layout the sequencing of decisions that will have to be made to follow through with the selected alternative, The report will describe: Goals and objectives of Augusta's stormwater program, Summary of the stormwater problems the program will have to address, Existing services Augusta is providing, along with their associated costs, Services that will ultimately be needed to provide the desired drainage, flood protection, and regulatory compliance for water quality, Recommendation on staffing and institutional management, Recommended primary and secondary financing mechanisms, and Sequencing of events to implement the recommended financing alternatives, . . . . ~ . . E A A TH@)TECH Page 4 : , Proposal for St6rmw~t~t,Ma'i~g~h;~&~p~,8gr~~';:~~j~IbHity~~t~~~~ ,...., : . :~;,~~;.:~:>:~~~~~r~,~~~.t~?~1~;t~f,~~~{#,64~~~~ Table 3: Sample Staffing Needs Assessment Inventoried Recommended Recommended Existin'g Staff Additional Annual Stormwater Facility Maintenance Staff Field Units Frequency Days Field Days Maintenance Costs 1 Inlets & manholes 13,000 Annual 1,040 $208,000 2 Storm Sewers 200 miles 5-yr CYcle 317 375 $0 3 Ditches & Culyerts 4,5 miles 5-yr Cycle 59 5 $27,000 9 Detention Basins 5 3 Mowings Annually 8 20 $900 Dredging 10-yr Cycle 3 10 System Repairs 15,000 20-yr Cycle 1,125 250 $262,500 Total Field Days 3748 1,070 Additional Staff Required 17 Additional Annual Maintenance Costs $601 200 Project Schedule (insert project schedule - two month project) Earth Tech will perform the proposed scope of work in two months as shown below. We anticipate that there will be two workshops/presentations. 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 " ,