An amendment with GRW Engineers Inc. in the amount of $55,000 will add to Phase I of the project, beginning at the Eldridge tank off Blue Springs Road and extending five miles east around the bypass to 20th Street N.E. This approval increases the engineering contract from $134,900 to $189,000.
The board also approved a contract with Morgan Contracting Inc. in the amount of $3,178,684 for the installation of 28,000 lineal feet of 20-inch ductile iron pipe, including fire hydrants, for the project. The pipe will be installed from the Eldridge tank to Benton Pike NE.
Also connected to this project, the board approved a change order with Morgan Contracting for a decrease in the contract amount by $466,826. The decrease lowers the contract from $3,178,684 to $2,711,858. This change order reflects efforts by the local utility and Morgan Contracting to meet CU’s budget.
The original low bid from Morgan Contracting, one of 13 bids on the project, was still $480,000 over CU’s budget.
The change order reflects deductions that enables the projects to get closer to CU’s budget numbers.
The new end-of-line will be at a connection to an existing 20-inch transmission main in the vicinity of Benton Pike. This removes 2,550 lineal feet from the project, a savings of $275,925.
Restrained joint gaskets are to be removed from all locations except within the casing pipes for bore and jack installations, saving another $92,625. Restrained joint glands will be removed from hydrant locations and bends 22 1/2 inches and smaller, saving $16,776. Butterfly valves will be installed in lieu of most gate valves, saving $65,000. Finally, casing pipes for bore and jack installations will be reduced to 30-inch diameter, saving a final $16,500 ... effectively lowering the bid to the amended total of $2,711,858.
Although the $3,178,684 by Morgan Contracting was the low bid, there were 12 other bids received by Cleveland Utilities.
Other bids include Merkel Brothers Construction ($3,218,411.10); Cleary Construction ($3,226,661); Roy Joe Angel Construction ($3,307,007); Thomas Brothers Construction ($3,381,622.30); Talley Construction ($3,387,075.26); Mike Smith Pump Service ($3,438,952.50); Mayse Construction Company ($3,490,032,35); Garney Construction ($3,529,009); W.L. Hailey ($3,570,207); Norris Brothers Excavating ($3,684,078.50); Adams and Sons Inc. ($4,180,207); and Thomas Construction Company ($4,855,736).
Other old business issues:
- The board approved a change order with Metroplex Services Inc. for a decrease in the contract amount (by $885.90) for the repainting and rehabilitation of the Eldridge Drive water tank.
This decrease will lower the contract amount from $418,573 to $417,687.10.
The decrease was due to elimination of the existing cathodic protection system. CU will contract directly with a contractor to upgrade this system. This change order closes the repainting project.
- The board also approved a revised organizational chart for CU management. Tom Wheeler will be recognized as the president-CEO, while all divisional managers will be vice presidents.
In old business, the utility’s board renewed a contract with public accountants Arnett, Kirksey, Kimsey, Sullivan, Lay and Hall to audit utility accounts for the year ending June 30, 2012. The contract price remains at $36,000.
- Board members approved the purchase of chlorine and sulfur dioxide from DPC Enterprises in the amount of $127,511,
The chlorine will be used as a disinfectant at the Cleveland Filter Plant, Waterville Springs, the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and Hiwassee Utilities Commission Plant. Sulfur dioxide will be used to neutralize chlorine at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The board also recognized CU for receiving the 2012-2014 Platinum Award from the Reliable Public Power Provider Association, and the 2012 Tree Line USA Award. The board formally adopted the APPA Safety Manual for the utility.
- The next meeting of the board is scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday, May 24, at the Tom Wheeler Training Center adjacent to the CU headquarters.
