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Agenda Item: 7(b) |
Prepared By: Jeffrey E. Poteet, General Manager, Water & Sewer |
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Business: Consent Agenda Item |
Department: Water & Sewer |
Subject:
Title
Authorize the City Manager to Issue a Purchase Order to Titan Concrete & Utilities Inc., for the Replacement of Approximately 220 Linear Feet of Potable Watermain in the Amount of $84,202.60 - Jeffrey E. Poteet, General Manager, Water & Sewer Department
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BACKGROUND:
The City’s Water and Sewer Department has identified approximately 220 linear feet of aging 8-inch asbestos cement (AC) water main that requires replacement. The existing water main is approximately 50 years old and is buried only 12 to 18 inches below the ground surface, making it particularly vulnerable to damage from construction activities and external loading.
As asbestos cement pipe ages, it becomes increasingly brittle and susceptible to cracking and failure, particularly when exposed to ground movement, vibration, or additional surface loads. Planned construction activities adjacent to the existing water main brought these concerns to staff’s attention and prompted an evaluation of the pipe's condition and location.
Given the age of the pipe, its shallow installation depth, and the potential impacts of the planned construction, staff recommends proactively replacing the existing water main with approximately 220 linear feet of 8-inch PVC C900 pipe. The replacement main will be installed at a depth of approximately 36 inches below the ground surface, providing greater protection from external loading and future construction activities. The proposed improvements will enhance the reliability of the City's potable water distribution system and reduce the potential for watermain failures, unplanned service interruptions, and emergency repairs.
To complete the proposed improvements, staff solicited quotations from three contractors under the City's continuing services contracts. The following quotations were received:
Contractor Quoted Amount
Titan $84,202.60
QE $147,270.00
DN Higgins (rejected) $58,780.00
Although DN Higgins submitted the lowest quotation, the City is currently engaged in discussions with the contractor to resolve outstanding issues associated with the North Marco Water Main project. The City has also experienced performance-related concerns with DN Higgins on previous bike path improvements. Given these unresolved matters, staff determined that awarding additional work to DN Higgins at this time would not be in the City's best interest.
Staff therefore recommends proceeding with Titan, the second-lowest quoter, at a cost of $84,202.60. Titan's quotation is $25,422.60 higher than DN Higgins' quotation. While this represents an additional project cost, staff believes the recommendation is justified given the outstanding contractual issues and the importance of completing the watermain replacement in a timely and reliable manner.
Funding for the proposed water main replacement is available in the approved Fiscal Year 2027 Water and Sewer Department budget.
FUNDING SOURCE / FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for this watermain replacement is available in the approved FY2027 Water and Sewer Capital Improvement Program under GL Account No. 430-5300-5336-606350-16171, Main Improvements. The total fiscal impact associated with this proposal is $84,202.60.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that City Council approve the replacement of approximately 220 linear feet of 8-inch asbestos cement water main with 8-inch PVC C900 pipe and authorize Titan Concrete & Utilities Inc under the City’s continuing services contract 23-029TC to perform the work for a total amount of $84,202.60.
POTENTIAL MOTION:
“I move to authorize the City Manager to issue a Purchase Order to Titan Concrete & Utilities Inc., for the Replacement of Approximately 220 Linear Feet of Potable Watermain in the Amount of $84,202.60.”