Title
Resolution Approving a Contract with Schnabel Engineering South P.C., to Perform a Risk Analysis for Lake Brandt Dam
Body
Department: Water Resources
Council District: 3
Public Hearing: N/A
Advertising Date/By: N/A
Contact 1 and Phone: Steven D. Drew, 373-7893
Contact 2 and Phone: Michael Borchers, 373-2494
PURPOSE:
The City of Greensboro Water Resources Department is requesting approval of a professional services contract with Schnabel Engineering South, P.C. to review the existing Lake Brandt Operations Gate Plan, perform a risk assessment of the dam and develop recommendations for risk reduction measures in the event Greensboro is faced with extreme flooding conditions.
BACKGROUND:
In October of 2015, Hurricane Joaquin demonstrated the severity of flooding a municipality like the City of Greensboro could experience from a similar storm event over a very short period of time. This particular storm caused catastrophic flooding in South Carolina due to the path and severity of the storm. The storm will be remembered not only for the lives that it took and the destruction it brought, but also for the sheer amount of rainfall it delivered.
The potential for a similar flooding event in the Piedmont Triad prompted the Water Resources Management Team to take a closer look at our water supply dams’ conditions and operations, in particular Lake Brandt. The City contacted Schnabel Engineering South, PC, to perform this evaluation because of their experience with dam engineering project design as well as their knowledge and experience with Lake Brandt Dam and its gates. The proposal submitted by Schnabel Engineering South, PC includes updating the gate operation plan, evaluating potential failure modes, perform risk analysis for Lake Brandt and providing information that can be used in the future for rehabilitation or replacement of the dam structure. Staff will rely on the information provided by the consultant in future decision making concerning the operations of Lake Brandt when severe rains threaten our jurisdiction.
Schnabel is one of the few firms on the East Cost that specialize in the design of geotechnical, tunnel and dam engineering projects. They have established themselves as experts on this topic and their experience with our lakes made them the ideal candidate to provide the requested services for this project. The City Manager’s Office approved a waiver to the City’s policy for service contracts in order to forgo the Request for Proposal (RFP) procurement process and allow the Department to contract directly with Schnabel Engineering South, PC.
Schnabel Engineering South PC interviewed MWBE firms within the 10 county area showing good faith efforts in the pursuit of M/WBE participation. Due to the specialized nature of the analysis and the limited availability of consultants with this expertise, Schnabel will self perform all of the work associated with the project. The M/WBE Office issued a memo verifying good faith efforts were met.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Funding for this project is budgeted in Water Resources Operations Fund account 501-7025-01.5413 in the amount of $142,500.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
The Water Resources Department recommends City Council approve the Risk Analysis contract for Lake Brandt Dam with Schnabel Engineering South PC, in the amount of $142,500.
COMMITTEE ACTION: This item was referred to Council by the Infrastructure Committee.