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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.a.4) Written AnnouncementsAgenda Item Board Meeting of April 21, 2011 Written Announcements Project Related Updates a) Announcement on April 26 and May 4 for Public Bidding of Perimeter Fencing, DP 7282 The District has over 20,000 feet of fencing with gates, most of which is 6' tall chain -link installed in the 1970s. A few sections of fencing have been replaced over the years, such as the Main Gate, and parts around Basin B and Highway 4. Since installation of the original fence, the County Flood Control District raised the height of the levee road along the east side of the treatment plant, which makes the fence shorter in comparison and does not provide security from intrusion onto the plant site. Therefore, this project will replace 5200' of 6' fence along the levee road with 8' fence. This project will be advertised on April 26 and May 4. The bids will be opened on May 17 and the engineer's estimate is $110,000. More information will be presented when the Board is asked to approve the construction contract on June 2, 2011. b) Treatment Plant Piping Renovations Phase 5, District Project 7276 The primary focus of this piping renovation phase is to replace the 24 -inch air supply headers and downcomers on the aeration tanks due to significant corrosion. On May 6, 2010, the Board awarded a $2,077,440 contract to NCCI Inc. for the work. Due to construction constraints related to keeping adequate tankage in service, the replacement of the piping was phased over two construction seasons. Last year, the air supply headers for 4 of the 8 aeration tank passes were replaced. Replacement of the remaining air supply headers was scheduled to start at the end of April 2011. Staff has recently learned that NCCI may be experiencing significant financial difficulties. Staff and District Counsel are assessing the ramifications of these financial difficulties and evaluating whether it is prudent for the District to proceed with construction of the next phase under the current contract with NCCI. Staff will keep the Board apprised of developments as they occur. Written Announcements April 21, 2011 Page 2 of 3 General Updates C) Philip Services Corporation (PSC) Fined $108,475 for Waste Management Violations As per the specifications of the household hazardous waste services contract with Philip Services Corporation (PSC), staff was notified on April 6, 2011 that PSC's treatment, storage and disposal facility in Fernley, Nevada was fined $108,475 for violations during an August 2010 inspection by the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection. According to PSC, all of the violations have been corrected. The majority of the issues identified fell into two categories: Container Management and Facility Maintenance. The container management issues primarily included issues related to aisle space, stacking, condition of containers, labeling and issues related to storing waste outdoors. The facility maintenance issues were primarily related to condition of epoxy floor coatings in multiple containment areas. The District's HHW Program does not use the Fernley facility for the waste it collects. d) Online Bidding System and Cost Savings The Purchasing and Materials Services Division began utilizing an online bidding system called Bidsync in December 2009. This has increased competition for District procurements and has aided Purchasing and Materials Services staff to achieve a much broader outreach to the vendor community. Over 10,000 suppliers have been invited to participate in the District's solicitations since we began using this system. The online bidding system has been an important contributing factor to considerable savings reported out by the Purchasing and Materials Services Division. The cost savings recognized in 2010 was $130,000. Two significant RFP's done in 2010 were for uniform services and landscape maintenance services. Both resulting contracts started in January 2011. Both contracts have the potential term of five years, which results in cost savings of $440,000 over the next five years. In addition, staff is pleased with the service and smooth transition provided by our new vendors. Purchasing and Materials Services staff has focused on targeting older, high dollar contracts and taking them out to bid with good results. The online bidding system has aided the Purchasing and Materials Services Division in attaining their goals, like ensuring that the District receives the best value attainable and promoting competition and equal opportunity for all qualified suppliers. Now that staff has gained experience with this system, we look forward to exploring more opportunities to utilize it more in the future. Written Announcements April 21, 2011 Page 3 of 3 e) Kinder's Meats Capacity Fee Study Kinder's Meats plans to open a new restaurant in North Concord near the Solano Avenue exit from State Route 4 (about one mile from the Treatment Plant). This area of Concord is served by CCCSD sewers. After signing a lease for the space, completing plans and beginning the permitting and tenant improvement process, the business owner came to the Permit Counter to inquire about CCCSD requirements. The owner was very surprised when informed of the amount of Capacity Fees due for the added burden of the new restaurant. Since this first visit, staff has been working with the business and property owners to evaluate whether the availability of unused entitlements, participation in the Capacity Use Charge Program or calculation of Capacity Fees under a Special Study would mitigate the upfront cost that would otherwise apply. From information submitted by the business owner, it appears likely that the Special Study, where actual strength and quantity data from similar Kinder's restaurants is used to calculate fees, will result in significantly lower Capacity Fees.