Okaloosa County BOCC — July 21, 2015 — Public Hearing - Approval to Authorize OCWS to Construct the Meigs — agenda request — reading text

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: July 21, 2015 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Jeff Littrell SUBJECT: Public Hearing - Approval to Authorize OCWS to Construct the Meigs Seminole Pump Station Project DEPARTMENT: Water and Sewer BCC DISTRICT: District 5 STATEMENT OF ISSUE: In accordance with Chapter 255, Public Property and Publicly Owned Buildings, Florida State Statues (F.S.), Section 255.20, Local bids and contracts for public construction works; specification of state-produced lumber, the BCC must hold a public meeting to discuss the County’s proposal to construct a new pump station and force main to serve the Bluewater Bay Service Area using Okaloosa County Water and Sewer Department (OCWS) staff and equipment. Specifically, the statute states that a County government may “self-perform” public works projects valued at greater than $300,000... “When the governing board of the local government, after public notice, conducts a public meeting under s. 286.011 and finds by a majority vote of the governing board that it is in the public's best interest to perform the project using its own services, employees, and equipment.” The public hearing shall constitute the public meeting as required by Section 255.20 of the Florida State Statues. Therefore, OCWS staff request approval to self-perform construction of the Meigs Seminole Pump Station and Force Main Improvements Project. BACKGROUND: The proposed project will replace the existing Meigs Seminole Pump Station located in Bluewater Bay, with a new submersible sewer pumping station, electrical control building and emergency/backup power generator. The new pump station is designed to handle all projected future flows from the Bluewater Bay Area. The project includes approximately 1,000 LF of sanitary sewer force main along SR 20 at the Bolton Branch Bridge in the Niceville Area. This new force main will replace the existing undersized force main currently running along SR 20 in that area. The new force main is sized to handle all projected future flows from the Bluewater Bay Area. This project also includes approximately 5,500 LF of sanitary force main along Highway 20 to reroute the flow coming from the Lancaster Area to the new Meigs Seminole Pump Station. This new force main is required to reroute the flows that currently discharge to the Rocky Bayou Pump Station. The Meigs Seminole Pump Station and Force Main Improvements Project is part of the East County Master Sewer Plan. Upon completion of this project and the new East County Repump Station (currently under construction) we will be able to replace one aging and failing pump station (Meigs Seminole) and bypass two aging and failing pump stations (Post Office Pump Station and Rocky Bayou Pump Station) and also bypass an aging and failing 14 inch force main running along SR 20 and Palm Blvd. Funding for this project is available from our 2012 bank loan. The project is in our fiscal year 2015-2016 budget under capital improvements. OCWS is proposing to self-perform the construction of the new pump station and installation of the new force mains using OCWS staff and equipment to expedite completion of the project. OCWS estimates that using their own forces and equipment to construct the project will shorten the construction schedule and will reduce the project costs over contracting with an outside construction company. OCWS has estimated the project to cost approximately $1,779,000.00. As stated in the attached Public Notice, a cost breakdown of the project could be viewed by the public at our office anytime between publication of the notice and the public hearing. The cost includes material (with fringe/insurance), labor, equipment (with maintenance), and subcontracted work. OCWS staff have reviewed the construction requirements for the project and have determined that they have the necessary qualifications, labor and available time to complete the project. As presented earlier, Section 255.20 F.S., Local bids and contracts for public construction works; specification of state-produced lumber includes specific requirements for County governments that choose to construct projects valued at greater than $300,000 using their own forces and equipment. OPTIONS: Approve or Deny. RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff requests BCC approval to authorize OCWS to construct the Meigs Seminole Pump Station and Force Main Improvements Project using OCWS staff and equipment, as supplemented in accordance with County Ordinances and State Statutes. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: John Hofstad, County Administrator