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Consider and ratify the action of the Lawton Water Authority accepting a State Competitive ARPA grant through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board in the amount of $2,000,000.00. The Grant funds are designated for the construction of a dewatering facility at the Southeast Water Treatment Plant.
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INITIATOR: Rusty Whisenhunt, Director of Public Utilities
STAFF INFORMATION SOURCE: Rusty Whisenhunt, Director of Public Utilities
BACKGROUND: On December 4, 2020, the City of Lawton received Consent Order 20-214 from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) as a result of OPDES Permit violations stemming from discharges at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). In order to comply with the expected details of the Consent Order and bring the WWTP into compliance, additional funding in the amount of up to $47 million was obtained through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program to address repairs and improvements as identified in the Consent Order and the WWTP Condition Assessment conducted by Garver, LLC. On June 22, 2021, Council awarded a contract to Garver, LLC in the amount of $6,296,700.00 for the design of PU2103 WWTP Improvements Phase 1 Project. The Engineering and Design contract provides full Engineering and Design services for items identified as Phase 1 Improvements in the Final Engineering report approved by City Council on June 8th, 2021. The Final Engineering Report outlined three distinct phases of improvement. Originally listed in Phase 2 was replacing the influent screening structure, however, the condition of the current equipment dictates that replacement must be moved from Phase 2 to Phase 1 to ensure continued compliance. Amendment No. 1 to the contract with Garver, LLC incorporates the additional professional services necessary to include the design of a new influent screening structure in the Phase 1 Improvements project rather than in the Phase II improvement project. As a result, the overall cost of Phase II Design and Construction will be reduced. A new contract with Garver, LLC for design services for the WWTP Improvements Phase II project identified in the approved Engineering report and include the sludge removal designs for the Southeast Water Treatment Plant (SEWTP) that currently cause overloading of the WWTP solids will be authorized. The SEWTP Sludge handling design will stop the sludge being transferred to the WWTP that causes overloading of WWTP a RFQ for Public Utilities related Professional Engineering Services was sent out on April 3, 2023, to ten (10) Engineering firms. Six (6) firms responded to the RFQ on May 3, 2023. A competitive evaluation grading process was conducted on the RFQ’s received. Three (3) Firms (Jacobs Engineering Group, Freese and Nichols, and Garver LLC) were determined to meet the desired qualification of a Master Services Agreement for Public Utilities Engineering needs. Garver LLC was selected to be the most qualified in terms of knowledge and experience at the City of Lawton’s WWTP and SEWTP. The WWTP Improvements Phase II design will take approximately 15 months to complete. The design is being funded in large part by a Federal Communities Grant ($6 Million) and remaining funds are available through the CWSRF loan obtained in fall of 2022. The design was awarded to Garver, LLC, on June 27, 2023.
The Oklahoma Water Resources Board is administering a State Competitive ARPA grant in the amount of $2,000,000 that has been awarded to the Lawton Water Authority. The grant fund has been designated to be used for construction of a dewatering facility at the Southeast Water Treatment Plant and replacement of water and wastewater lines in high need areas.
EXHIBIT: Grant Approval Letter, EFT Authorization, LWA Agreement, Grant Application Order
KEY ISSUES: Does City Council wish to ratify the action of Lawton Water Authority a State Competitive ARPA grant through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board in the amount of $2,000,000.00?
FUNDING SOURCE: N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION: Ratify the action of the Lawton Water Authority accepting a State Competitive ARPA Grant through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board in the amount of $2,000,000.00.