2015-03-24_PWETC_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chair Stenlund expressed his personal thanks and gratitude for the services of Commissioners Felice and Gjerdingen as they completed their terms on the PWETC. Chair Stenlund noted their invaluable knowledge of the City's pedestrian and bicycle trails in the community, as well as those segments still needed. Chair Stenlund stated that he had been honored to serve with both Commissioners; and encouraged them to be present at the April 6, 2015 City Council meeting for a formal recognition of their service. Public Works Director Schwartz concurred, and included staff's appreciation of Commissioners Felice and Gjerdingen. 5. Communication Items Mr. Schwartz and Mr. Culver each briefly reviewed project updates and maintenance activities listed in the staff report and attachments dated March 24, 2015. Mr. Culver expanded on the comments regarding the City Council's rejection, at staff's recommendation, of all bids recently received for the Evergreen Stormwater Re-use Project due to their wide variation in pricing and bids coming in higher than the engineer's estimate. Mr. Culver advised that staff had met with the contractor, but with the uptick in the economic situation, contractor prices were based on their increased business and private projects, with them no longer being as needy for work. Mr. Culver noted that this system is relatively deep compared to a typical system, and extra depth and complexity of the project included the need to run it underneath the sanitary sewer line, increasing unknowns for estimating by contractors, as well as their additional risk involved. At the request of the PWETC, Mr. Culver advised that, while staff was still reviewing the situation, it may be determined that it would not be prudent to rebid the project later in the year, given the proximity to the ballfield and the actual scope of a project that would not negatively impact the construction work planned there; and while it may be possible, it would be challenging to find a design that could work. Under the circumstanced, Mr. Culver noted that the City would most likely be returning the $300,000 grant awarded for the project. Further discussion included a report by staff that spring street sweeping had been done in approximately half of the City; a review of types of curbs and annual replacement as applicable and as funds allow; staff changes within the Public Works Department with City Council approval of organizational changes related to building maintenance management by a private firm on a one-year trial basis, allowing for creation of an Office Assistant position for entry-level clerical duties; and upcoming retirements of the Utility Working Foreman, as well as the retirement of Public Works Director Schwartz at the end of April. 6. Leaf Pickup Program Discussion Mr. Schwartz provided a presentation on the current program and anticipated cost impacts for equipment replacement in the next budget cycle. Mr. Schwartz Page 2 of 17