2015-06-23_PWETC_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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around the I -35E construction area, and the School District to accommodate school schedules while still accomplishing the work within one construction season. At the request of Chair Stenlund, Mr. Culver reviewed proposals received and reviewed as part of the Best Value process versus typical bidding, and variables from one contractor to another. In the current bidding climate, Mr. Culver reported that contractors are bidding higher to increase their profit and/or employ more workers as they're busier now than during the economic downturn several years ago. Mr. Culver reported, unfortunately, that increased costs to the City as well as limiting the number of proposals as some contractors simply didn't have time to submit a proposal that took more time to do than submitting a bid. Mr. Culver opined that one solution was to make sure the Request for Proposals (RFP) was very clear as to the project itself. At the request of Chair Stenlund in the increased number of water meters being installed now compared to when the contractor becomes fully operational, Mr. Culver clarified that he didn't see any concern with less quality in the work, since those technicians performing the work were very qualified and that was why they could perform the work more efficiently, as well as due to their support staff. Mr. Culver noted that Ferguson has been performing this type of work for many years, and have up to three technicians working on any given day; and there should be no concern that just because they're doing more replacements on any given day, the quality of their work was being impacted. Mr. Culver noted that City staff would continue installing meters as time allowed, but also as they performed their other daily work responsibilities. Mr. Culver advised that if a homeowner sees any indication of water around the floor by the meter after meter replacement, to be on the safe side, they should call the City or the number left by Ferguson Contractors to double-check the connections. At the request of Chair Stenlund, Mr. Culver advised that the Victoria Street Project was a little behind schedule due to the land acquisition just approved by the City Council last week Mr. Culver noted that this slowed down the contractor's ability to excavate the pond for the stormwater system until the property had been legally acquired. However, Mr. Culver advised they were still well within the specified timeline requirements. 5. Community Solar Update and Discussion Mr. Culver introduced Trevor Drake from Great Plains Institute, also a representative from the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) to provide an update on the options for community solar garden participation. Mr. Drake provided a summary of the eighteen -year-old Great Plains Institute and their mission to transform the way energy is produced, distributed and consumed for economic and environmental sustainability. Mr. Drake noted the four organizations partnering in the CERT's, one of seven regions across the State of MN. Page 3 of 16