TITLE
title
LETTER OF AGREEMENT WITH THE TIMMONS GROUP TO CONDUCT AN ENGINEERING STUDY TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF DEVELOPING A REGIONAL WATER SYSTEM IN NORTHWESTERN GUILFORD COUNTY
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SPONSOR
sponsor
Marty Lawing, County Manager
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BACKGROUND
background
The towns of Oak Ridge, Stokesdale and Summerfield and Guilford County are interested in developing a regional water system in northwestern Guilford County to service the residents and businesses in the area. A public water system could address the public health concerns associated with poor quality drinking water and contaminated wells and the public safety concerns related to the lack of a public water system with the capacity and volume for fire suppression services.
In 2016, the North Carolina General Assembly approved a Bill to provide $14,548,981 regional water infrastructure funding in Rockling ham and Guilford Counties. During the current 2017 legislative session House Bill 637 was adopted by the General Assembly to clarify and provide additional flexibility for the infrastructure funding. House Bill 637 stipulates that 75% of the funds will be used in Rockingham County and 25% will be used in Guilford County. It also clarifies that the funds may be used for planning, design, survey, real property acquisition, construction, repair. It also give the flexibility for the counties and municipalities to use various interlocal agreements or regional water and sewer authorities provided by the North Carolina General Statutes to govern the ownership, operation and maintenance of the infrastructure.
In January of this year Guilford County and the towns of Oak Ridge, Stokesdale and Summerfield entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to outline the terms under which the local governments would jointly participate in a feasibility study for the development of a regional water system. The Town of Stokesdale currently owns and operates a water system that serves a portion of the town. The group requested qualifications from engineering firms interested in performing the study in March. Three firms presented qualifications and each firm presented their qualifications and experience in a written proposal and in person before representatives of each local government. The Timmons Group was deemed to be the most qualified for the work. The group worked with Timmons to develop a Scope of Work that will provide adequate information to make decisions regarding the development of a regional water system. The Scope of Work includes the following tasks and associated fee structure:
Task 1: Kickoff Meeting with All Parties……………………………………………………………………………… $ 2,200
Task 2: Establish Needs of each Community / Project Goals………………………………………………………….$ 19,000
Task 3: Planning Documents for Water Supply Sources and Water System Coverage Area…………………………$ 32,000
Task 4: Review Existing Privately-Owned Water Systems and Determine Implementation …………………………..$ 4,300
Task 5: Develop Exhibit Mapping and Conceptual Plans………………………………………………………………$ 19,500
Task 6: Provide Supporting Design Calculations, Including Water Demand Projections………………………………$ 29,500
Task 7: Develop Opinion of Probable Construction Costs and Operational Costs…………………………………….$ 11,900
Task 8: Preliminary Rate / Fee Structure Development………………………………………………………………...$ 19,800
Task 9: Investigation of Funding Alternatives………………………………………………………………………….$ 2,500
Task 10: High Level Governance Summary: …………………………………………………………………………$ 2,500
Task 11: Feasibility Study Preparation and Submittal………………………………………………………………….$ 18,800
Task 12: (General) Project Meetings / Reports……………………………………………………………………… $ 13,000
TOTAL…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………$175,000
This Letter of Agreement will be presented to the municipalities this month for approval. It is estimated that the project will be completed within six (6) months of authorizing the consultant to proceed.
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BUDGET IMPACT
budget impact
Guilford County is responsible for 25% of the total cost or $34,750 to paid with State funds.
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REQUESTED ACTION
requested action
Approve the Letter of Agreement with The Timmons Group to conduct an Engineering Study to determine the feasibility of developing a regional water system in northwestern Guilford County.