HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 Pioneer Trail Pipeline Material Pre-PurchaseAGENDA ITEM #12
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MEETING DATE: April 6, 2021
TO:Board of Directors
FROM: Neil Kaufman, Water System Engineer
Chad J. Reed, Water Utility Director
SUBJECT:Consideration to Pre-Purchase Selected Materials for the Pioneer
Trail Pipeline Project
APPROVED BY______________________________
Brian C. Wright, General Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize the General Manager to execute a procurement contract with Western Nevada
Supply in the amount of $25,135.64 plus sales tax for the purchase of selected water
pipeline materials for the Pioneer Trail Pipeline project.
BACKGROUND:
The Tahoe Donner subdivision consists of approximately 5,600 single family homes,
approximately 400 multi-family residential units, a golf course, downhill ski area, cross-
country ski area and other amenities. This represents approximately 44% of the District’s
water system customers. An additional 500 residential units are expected in the Tahoe
Donner area at buildout conditions. The delivery of potable into the subdivision is served
by a single 14” welded steel pipeline with two pump stations and three storage tanks that
essentially serve as forebays. These facilities were constructed in the early 1970s and are
approaching the end of their useful life.
The District previously identified the need to construct a second pipeline into Tahoe
Donner and this project was discussed in the current Water System Master Plan. The
master plan identified the need for a 20” pipeline, but more recent estimates of buildout
water demand have determined that the pipeline can be downsized to 16” diameter.
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On the eastern end, the new pipeline will connect to an existing 24” pipe near Pioneer Trail
and Comstock Drive. The western end will connect to an existing 16” pipe at the
intersection of Northwoods Boulevard and Lamplighter Way. The general route of the
pipeline follows previously disturbed areas. The western half of the alignment will follow
the existing paved Trout Creek Trail. The pipeline will cross Trout Creek using the existing
pedestrian bridge owned by the Town of Truckee. The eastern half of the alignment will
follow an existing unpaved maintenance road and then an existing overhead electrical
transmission corridor.
It is currently planned to install electrical and communications conduits in a joint trench
with the water pipeline. Southwest Gas (SWG) had previously expressed interest in
constructing a gas pipe along with the water and electric facilities. However, SWG has
informed the District that they will not be participating in the project.
A new pump station will be needed to lift water into the Tahoe Donner area. The planned
location for the pump station is on District-owned property in close proximity to the TNT
Materials concrete batch plant. It is planned to break the overall project into two separate
construction contracts – one covering the pump station and the other covering the pipeline
and conduits.
The Board previously awarded three contracts with outside consulting firms associated
with this project:
In November 2020, a contract was awarded Water Works Engineers (WWE) to
design the crossing of Trout Creek and perform a hydraulic transient analysis.
In October 2021, a contract was awarded to Sauers Engineering to design the
pump station.
In October 2021, a contract was awarded to Helix Environmental Consulting to
perform the environmental review of the project.
Helix has completed the environmental review and determined that a mitigated negative
declaration (MND) is appropriate. The CEQA Initial Study has been completed and made
public. The public comment period began on March 14, 2022 and will end on April 12,
2022. It is planned to present the CEQA Initial Study to the Board for final approval at the
May 4, 2022 meeting.
The current project schedule is listed below:
March 11 – Initial Study/MND filed with Nevada County and State Clearing House
March 14 to April 12 – CEQA Public Comment Period
April 20 – Begin advertising for bids for pipeline construction contract
May 4 – Board Approval of CEQA Initial Study
May 19 – Bid opening for pipeline construction contract
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June 1 – Award contract for pipeline construction contract
September 2023 – Overall project completion
ANALYSIS:
Sauers Engineering is actively working on the pump station design with the goal of
recommending a pump station construction contract at the June 1 Board meeting.
The environmental review determined that the work to attach the utilities to the existing
pedestrian bridge across Trout Creek should be performed during the lowest flow period
(late August through October). Ideally, this work should be constructed in the fall of 2022.
Recent conversations with materials suppliers have determined that the current lead time
for 16-inch water pipe and fittings is about five months. With the schedule outlined above,
the pipeline contractor would not be able to order the 16-inch pipe until late June and
delivery would likely occur in November, which is too late to construct the bridge crossing
this year.
These conversations also determined that there are limited quantities (approximately 200
feet) of 16-inch water pipe available and in stock, with one supplier. This quantity of pipe
is sufficient to construct the creek crossing. It was decided that the District should directly
purchase this pipe and furnish it to the contractor so that the creek crossing can be
constructed in 2022. Also planned for construction in 2022 is a small amount of pipe and a
valve at the eastern end of the project. This valve will serve as the interface point between
the two construction contracts. The pipeline contractor would be responsible to procure
the remainder of the pipe and fittings for installation in 2023.
A request for bids for selected piping materials was issued on March 15, 2022. The bid
opening was held on March 23, 2022. One bid from Western Nevada Supply was received.
The bid is responsive.
Objective and Goals:
1.05.020 Objectives:
1. Responsibly serve the public.
3. Provide reliable and high quality water supply and distribution system to meet
current and future needs.
6. Manage the District in an effective, efficient and fiscally responsible manner.
1.05.030 Goals:
1. Manage for Financial Stability and Resiliency.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
The subject materials are a component of the 2022 Budget capital project, Pioneer Trail
New Pipeline for a budgeted amount of $2.555 million. This project is identified as new
debt funded, for which planning is in process, and the total project cost is currently
forecasted to be over the $2.555 million due to now estimated greater length and current
inflation trends. In the interim, from a cash flow basis, the subject purchase can be
afforded with existing reserve funds of the District.
ATTACHMENTS:
None