Baybridge Water & Sewer Replacement

BACKGROUND:
In 1992, with the completion of the Baybridge construction, the city declined the acceptance of the water system and the sewer collection system in the Baybridge divisions. Only the sewer collection system in the Baybridge Villas and the lift station serving all three subdivisions were accepted by the city. However, the Baybridge Villas water system was not accepted because it was supplied from deficient systems. In 1992, with the completion of the Baybridge construction, the city declined the acceptance of the water system and the sewer collection system in the Baybridge divisions. Only the sewer collection system in the Baybridge Villas and the lift station serving all three subdivisions were accepted by the city. However, the Baybridge Villas water system was not accepted because it was supplied from deficient systems. In August, the City Council authorized staff to proceed with letters seeking the approval of the majority of property owners prior to committing to the cost of the design. majority of property owners prior to committing to the cost of the design.

DISCUSSION:
Staff sent letters to the property owners and received forty (40) positive responses and seven (7) negative responses, with twenty-six (26) properties providing no response. This equates to a 54.8% positive response from the total property owners.  While this response is not overwhelmingly in favor of the project, it does show a majority of property owners are aware of the issues with the utility systems and wish to resolve them. The utility staff favors this project because of the water loss, service reliability, and potential system contamination. The system is a water loss burden the utility has no control over, and the City is often informed of uncontrolled water leaks that have been happening for days. The owners of the private system are also limited by the availability of commercial plumbers and contractors to maintain the system. Owners complain about monthly outages causing problems, and there is no control over precautionary boil water notices and bacteriological testing of restored mains.

On August 7, the City Council approved the professional services fee of $165,700 under the Master Services Agreement with Baskerville-Donovan, Inc. for the Baybridge Water and Sewer Replacement Project.