HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 06/04/2019 - FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 075, 2019, MAKING AAgenda Item 10
Item # 10 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY June 4, 2019
City Council
STAFF
Link Mueller, Utilities Special Projects Manager
Carol Webb, Deputy Director, Utilities
Eric Potyondy, Legal
SUBJECT
First Reading of Ordinance No. 075, 2019, Making Appropriations and Authorizing Transfers of Appropriations
for the Drake Water Reclamation Facility Sidestream Treatment Project and Related Art in Public Places.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to request an appropriation for additional funding for the Drake Water Reclamation
Facility (DWRF) Sidestream Treatment Project. This request is necessary to complete the permit-required
project within the required timeframe to meet DWRF’s National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) phosphorus compliance schedule deadline of December 31, 2020. Successful operation of this
infrastructure will also earn regulatory credits to delay future capital project expenses by upwards of 10 years.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
The purpose of this agenda item is to request an appropriation of $1.1 million for additional funding for the
Drake Water Reclamation Facility (DWRF) Sidestream Treatment Project. The current project budget is $4.3
million. The additional $1.1 million appropriation will increase the project budget to $5.4 million. The cost
estimate at 60% project design, completed in January 2019, for the Sidestream Treatment project is greater
than the approved budget.
Key Project Drivers
The Sidestream Treatment Project is necessary for DWRF to meet future nutrient water quality regulations by
the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The DWRF NPDES permit includes a
phosphorus compliance schedule to ensure the City is successful in meeting the required phosphorus limits by
January 1, 2021. The Sidestream Treatment Project is a necessary addition required for DWRF to meet these
proposed phosphorus standards.
Nutrient removal projects have been identified as part of the Utility’s Capital Improvement Planning (CIP) and
Master Planning efforts for the last ten years. The current CIP-identified Nutrient Removal Projects required to
meet future nutrient limits by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and CDPHE and have future
potential costs of approximately $70 million by 2028. The Wastewater Utility has been actively planning to
minimize this cost as much as possible through participation in the CDPHE Nutrient Incentive Program and the
American Water Works Association Clean Water Partnership. Participation in these programs could provide
the City both schedule and financial relief of up to 10 years.
Agenda Item 10
Item # 10 Page 2
Rationale for Appropriation Request
A conceptual class 5 cost estimate of $4.3 million was developed for the 2017-2018 BFO cycle based upon
capacity, modeling, analogous projects and the available sidestream treatment technologies. As stated in the
BFO offer, the design was based on a conceptual design and a complete design could result in an increase or
decrease of the cost to meet the design deliverables. As design progressed, additional detail, including
equipment selection, and other specifications resulted in increased project costs. A contingency in the
additional budget request has been included, appropriate for the current level of design. The following three
major factors impacted the budget requiring this appropriation request:
1. A new sludge feed pump station was required in addition to other improvements increasing construction
costs approximately $625,000. It had been anticipated, but not feasible, that the existing sludge pumps
could be used. Thus, staff has now determined that their use is not feasible.
2. Completion of the 60% design cost estimate (class 2) revealed an error in the original BFO class 5
estimate allowing the original BFO request to be approximately $325,000 under-funded. In the future, BFO
offer estimates, including backup documentation, will be provided to management staff for review.
3. The retirement of the Utilities’ lead programming engineer impacted the ability to self-perform all the
process programming, integration, and operator interface requirements of the plants. Additional support
from the equipment manufacturers and consulting engineers is required for process programming and
integration costing approximately $150,000.
For the 2019-2020 BFO budget cycle, staff initiated a process where larger projects will start with a “design
only” phase so that better construction estimates can be obtained prior to appropriation. This practice will
address the budgeting issues that occurred for this project.
The current DWRF NPDES permit requires the City to comply with nutrient regulations by January 1, 2021.
The permit’s compliance schedule also indicates the construction must begin by December 31, 2019. It is
critical to begin construction as soon as possible in 2019 in order to give facility staff adequate time to optimize
the system to comply with required nutrient limits by the January 1, 2021 deadline.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
In March 2013, CDPHE promulgated Regulation #85, requiring Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs)
with greater than 2 million gallons per day capacity to meet more stringent effluent water quality standards.
The regulation mandates that existing POTWs limit their effluent discharge on a monthly median value of Total
Phosphorus to 1.0 mg/L and Total Inorganic Nitrogen (TIN) of 15 mg/L. DWRF currently meets the TIN limit,
but the improvements installed with the Sidestream Treatment Project are necessary to help meet the Total
Phosphorus limit.
While phosphorus and nitrogen are building blocks of organic life, high concentrations in lakes, reservoirs, and
receiving waters can lead to lower dissolved oxygen levels, poison aquatic life, and eutrophication. POTWs are
only one of three major sources of nutrient contamination of receiving waters (urban and agricultural non-point
source run-off being the other two) but are the easiest to regulate being a point source contributor.
ALTERNATIVE ANALYSIS
As project design evolved and the need for additional funding became apparent, the project team evaluated
the following project alternatives:
1. Value engineering. The project team, including City staff, the general contractor, and the design engineer
evaluated construction and design variables that could be eliminated and/or reduced and still deliver an
effective project. While numerous items were removed or revised, this evaluation was not successful in
bringing the overall project costs down to within the available budget.
2. Not complete the project. This alternative would jeopardize not only immediate regulatory compliance
performance but future nutrient compliance issues as well.
Agenda Item 10
Item # 10 Page 3
3. Request $1.1M as an off-cycle appropriation request. This is the preferred and recommended alternative
by City staff. This alternative is also recommended by the City’s Water Board.
CITY FINANCIAL IMPACTS
This Ordinance appropriates $1,111,000 of Wastewater Fund Reserves for the DWRF Sidestream Treatment
Project (which includes $11,000 for Art in Public Places). Adequate funds exist in the Wastewater Fund
reserves to cover this request for additional appropriations. In the latest 10-year Wastewater Capital
Improvement Program (CIP), $80-$100 million of capital improvements were identified and this is a relatively
small increase. A rate increase beyond what is already planned will not be required as a result of this request.
BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
At its April 18, 2019, meeting, the Water Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the
appropriation. (Attachment 2)
At its May 20, 2019, meeting, the Council Finance Committee supported the additional appropriation.
(Attachment 3)
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2017-2018 BFO Offer (PDF)
2. Water Board minutes, April 18, 2019 (draft) (PDF)
3. Council Finance Committee minutes, May 20, 2019 (draft) (PDF)
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Packages and Offers Budget Years: 2017 - 2018
6.55 2017 - $62,453
2018 - $77,065
ENHANCEMENT 1.0 FTE - Utilities: Wastewater - Resource Recovery Specialist - Funded
This offer will provide funding for an additional Resource Recovery (RR) Specialist at Meadow Springs Ranch (MSR). MSR is a 26,600-acre property
managed by the Water Reclamation and Biosolids Division. The primary function and purpose of MSR is for biosolids land application, cattle grazing and
environmental stewardship of rangeland ecology.
RR Specialists perform daily operational activities on MSR, located 30 miles north of Fort Collins. Currently two dedicated FTEs perform all operations on
the property. Because of this current lack of FTEs, staff must work alone, which presents a safety risk and limits the efficiency of work completed on such
a large property. In addition, because of this lack of redundancy, staff has limited opportunities for training and development. Maintaining an acceptable
work/life balance is also a challenge when scheduling vacations and ensuring adequate coverage.
Since 1994, biosolids production has increased 40% with early months of 2016 indicating this increase will continue. Because of the increase, the need to
maintain one dedicated biosolids hauler/driver (Resource Recovery Specialist) has further limited the staff available for day-to-day field operations and
maintenance activities on Meadow Springs Ranch.
Meadow Springs Ranch is an industry-recognized best management example of successful regulatory compliant biosolids application, cattle operations,
endangered species protection, neighbor relationships and environmental stewardship. All of the above have been validated by third-party accreditation
through the EPA National Biosolids Management Program (ISO 14001 based), EPA 503 Regulations, revenue generation from cattle grazing operation,
and numerous scientific studies with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Colorado State University (CSU), Colorado Fish and Game, Natural
Areas and many more.
This Offer supports the following Strategic Objectives:
- ENV 4.9 - Meet all regulatory requirements while supporting programs that go beyond compliance
- HPG 7.4 - Develop and implement initiatives to achieve safety goals and continue to focus on employee health and wellness
- ENV 4.8 - Expand, improve, restore and protect wildlife habitat, urban forests and the ecosystems of the Poudre River and other ecosystems
6.56 2017 - $0
2018 - $4,300,000
ENHANCEMENT CAPITAL - Utilities: Wastewater - Sidestream Treatment - Funded
This offer funds the design and installation of a wastewater side stream treatment system to meet future nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) regulations.
The recycle stream from biosolids dewatering carries high nutrient concentrations back to the main stream treatment system. Side stream treatment will
remove nutrients from the recycle stream, which can potentially be turned into fertilizer and reused.
The offer funds the design and installation of the side stream treatment system, a building to house the equipment; and ancillary piping, structural, and
electrical improvements. Depending on equipment chosen, the equipment manufacturers also assist with handling and selling of the fertilizer to the
marketplace.
247
ATTACHMENT 1
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Packages and Offers Budget Years: 2017 - 2018
As part of its Asset Management Program, Utilities determines its capital project priorities through established levels of service for sustainability, product
quality and availability, reliability, compliance, customer satisfaction and safety. Performance and targets for established levels of service and
organizational objectives drive the priorities of the Utilities Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
The proposed dewatering improvements were evaluated in the Utilities CIP and Prioritization process and ranked No. 4 out of 46 projects within the
Wastewater Fund. The project ranked high for compliance and sustainability due to the importance of side stream treatment in meeting regulatory
requirements and the opportunity to beneficially reuse the solids produced for fertilizer.
The cost estimate for this project is based on a conceptual design. A complete design may result in an increase or decrease in the cost to meet the
project deliverables.
This Offer supports the following Strategic Objectives:
- ENV 4.9 - Meet all regulatory requirements while supporting programs that go beyond compliance
- ENV 4.6 - Work towards long-term zero waste goals within the community and the City organization
- HPG 7.8 - Optimize the use of City assets through capital improvement planning, preventative maintenance and asset management
6.65 2017 - $4,234,054
2018 - $4,263,877
Utilities: Light & Power - Energy Services - Funded
This offer funds energy services programs, including the staffing and resources to deliver annual efficiency and conservation program savings at an
ongoing level from 2015 and 2016. Together with offers 76 and 77 (Energy Services Enhancement and FTE), this offer will achieve the Energy Policy
annual portfolio savings targets in 2017 and 2018 (1.75% and 2.0% of community electricity use respectively). Program planning, administration and
funding are coordinated with Platte River Power Authority.
This offer funds:
• Efficiency Works Business incentives and technical assistance
• Efficiency Works Home incentives, technical assistance and program management
• Consumer product incentives
• Home energy reports
• Staff implementation and coordination for the Energy Policy, Journey to 2020, FortZED, ClimateWise, On Bill Financing, Green Building, Renewable
Energy and Demand Response initiatives
Savings also result in annual carbon emissions reductions of more than 20,000 metric tons annually. Efficiency program savings are generated at an
average cost of 3.5 cents per kilowatt hour, 40% lower than the cost of wholesale electricity. Approximately 75% of the funding in this offer provides direct
rebates or services to customers.
The City's efficiency and conservation programs are important pieces to the Journey to 2020 plan, comprising over 50% of the required savings to reach
the 2020 goals. Efficiency and conservation are widely acknowledged as the most cost-effective path toward carbon emissions reductions. These
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Offer # Offer Name 2017 2018
CULTURE & RECREATION
20.3 Grandview Cemetery Mausoleum $ 50,000 $ 450,000
56.14 Gardens on Spring Creek Visitor Center - CCIP 0 2,185,000
70.3 East Community Park 200,000 0
70.3 Northeast Community Park 1,360,000 0
71.1 Poudre River Downtown Project - CCIP 4,744,000 0
Recreational Trail Development
70.1 Trail Acquisition/Development 1,336,000 1,069,000
Total Recreational Trail Development 1,336,000 1,069,000
Neighborhood Park Development
70.2 Trailhead Park 814,000 343,000
Total Neighborhood Park Development 814,000 343,000
TOTAL CULTURE & RECREATION $ 8,504,000 $ 4,047,000
ECONOMIC HEALTH
5.8 Utilities: Light & Power - New Feeder Capacity $ 4,615,492 $ 1,287,440
5.9 Utilities: Light & Power - System Purchases 140,000 15,000
5.11 Utilities: Light & Power - Distribution System Conversions 0 800,000
5.12 Utilities: Light & Power - System Improvements & Replacements 2,062,000 2,225,000
5.23 Utilities: Light & Power - Operational Technology - 1.0 FTE 2,579,927 182,457
5.27 Utilities: Light & Power - Electric Distribution System Corrosion Mitigation 150,000 175,000
TOTAL ECONOMIC HEALTH $ 9,547,419 $ 4,684,897
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
6.5 Utilities: Water - Treatment and Source of Supply $ 1,000,000 $ 1,000,000
6.6 Utilities: Water - Distribution Master Plan Priority Projects 1,900,000 1,350,000
6.7 Utilities: Water - Distribution Small Projects 1,000,000 1,110,000
6.8 Utilities: Water - Meter Replacement 800,000 800,000
6.11 Utilities: Water - Water Quality Instrumentation 50,000 50,000
6.16 Utilities: Water - Water Quality Lab Infrastructure Replacement 1,300,000 1,300,000
6.17 Utilities: Water - Water Quality/Pollution Control Master Plan 210,000 0
6.26 Utilities: Water - Underground Electrical Power Supply 650,000 650,000
6.29 Utilities: Water - Cathodic Protection 0 2,280,000
6.30 Utilities: Water - Azalea Waterline Replacement 450,000 0
6.31 Utilities: Water - Poudre Canyon Raw Water Line Improvements 800,000 0
6.41 Utilities: Wastewater - Collection System Master Plan Priority Projects 450,000 350,000
6.42 Utilities: Wastewater - Collection System Small Projects 706,000 743,000
6.43 Utilities: Wastewater - Cured in Place Pipe Lining 450,000 450,000
6.44 Utilities: Wastewater - Water Reclamation and Biosolids 1,000,000 1,000,000
6.45 Utilities: Wastewater - Pollution Control Lab Instrumentation 50,000 30,000
6.50 Utilities: Wastewater - Inflow-Infiltration Study 200,000 0
6.51 Utilities: Wastewater - Anaerobic Digester Lid Replacement 0 2,100,000
6.52 Utilities: Wastewater - Dewatering Improvements 2,135,000 2,135,000
6.53 Utilities: Wastewater - Facility Sludge Strain Press Redundancy 720,000 800,000
6.54 Utilities: Wastewater - Water Reclamation and Biosolids Master Plan 500,000 0
6.56 Utilities: Wastewater - Sidestream Treatment 0 4,300,000
84.4 Nature in the City - CCIP 190,111 189,865
86.6 Natural Areas Shop Expansion 125,000 1,250,000
TOTAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH $ 14,686,111 $ 21,887,865
CAPITAL PROJECTS 2017-2018
By Outcome
561
6.56 Utilities: Wastewater - Sidestream Treatment 0 4,300,000
Excerpt from Unapproved DRAFT MINUTES - WATER BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
April 18, 2019, 5:30 p.m.
222 Laporte Avenue, Colorado River Community Room
04/18/2019 – Excerpt from Unapproved DRAFT MINUTES Page 1
▪ Budgeting for Outcomes (BFO) Offer 6.56 Drake Water Reclamation
Facility (DWRF) Sidestream Treatment Additional Appropriation
Request
Link Mueller, Special Projects Manager
Jason Graham, Plant Operations Director
(Attachments available upon request)
Presentation Summary
• Special Projects Manager, Link Mueller explained the need for an
additional appropriation of $1.1 million dollars for the DWRF Sidestream
Project. The Sidestream Treatment Project will remove soluble
phosphorus with an Airprex System that chemically precipitates
phosphorus out of the liquid stream. DWRF doesn’t currently meet
Regulation 85 phosphorus limit (< 1mg/L). The Airprex System will
remove 90% of soluble phosphorus from the sludge. The sludge centrate
loading accounts for 25% of total plant phosphorus load. By treating the
sludge, prior to dewatering, it removes the phosphorus and some of the
ammonia while also improving the dewatering capabilities. The newly
proposed construction start date is July 19, 2019. The System must be
on-line and operational by December 31, 2020. The reason for an off-
cycle appropriation is because with a mid-cycle appropriation, DWRF
could obtain funding but it couldn’t be spent until January 1, 2020.
Discussion Summary
Board members commented on and inquired about various related topics
including if the struvite is harmful to the system (although some facilities
have struvite issues, DWRF doesn’t; The struvite will be formed in the
reactor and initially sequestered in the biosolids. A future project could
modify the process to allow struvite harvesting from the reactor); why
Airprex was chosen for the phosphorus removal process (Airprex has
already gone through Colorado state process and it fit best with DWRF’s
system); whether there is an “Option B” (DWRF needs to meet
compliance. There is not necessarily an “Option B” at this point, but there
is another project that involves carbon addition and will help ensure
DWRF meets the phosphorus limit); if there is a way to avoid
appropriation requests in the future (Budgeting for Outcomes process
provides more transparency and accountability, so appropriations will at
ATTACHMENT 2
WATER BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
0/15/2018 – Excerpt from Unapproved DRAFT MINUTES Page 2
times need to occur); and a suggestion to include information about the
Colorado incentive fund to Council (If DWRF meets compliance of Reg.
85 in 2020 and then meets Reg. 31 by 2028, incentive credits could be
earned. Funding to meet these future requirements has been set aside in
the Wastewater Fund reserves).
Board Member Bovee moved that the Water Board recommends to City
Council the approval of the additional appropriation request of $1.1 million
dollars from Wastewater Fund reserves for the DWRF Sidestream Project as
recommended by City staff.
Board Member Ortman seconded the motion.
Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously, 7-0.
Finance Administration
215 N. Mason
2nd Floor
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6788
970.221.6782 - fax
fcgov.com
Finance Committee Meeting Minutes
05/20/19
10 am - noon
CIC Room - City Hall
Council Attendees: Mayor Wade Troxell, Ross Cunniff, Ken Summers
Staff: Darin Atteberry, Kelly DiMartino, Jeff Mihelich, Mike Beckstead, Travis Storin, Blaine
Dunn, John Voss, Kevin Gertig, John Phelan, Terra Sampson, Theresa Connor, Sean
Carpenter, Lance Smith, Randy Reuscher, Jennifer Poznanovic, Carol Webb, Jason
Graham, Link Mueller, John Duval, Noelle Currell, Tyler Marr, Jo Cech, Ricketts, Zach
Mozer, Carolyn Koontz
Others: Joel Stewart, Milliman, Dale Adamy, RIST
______________________________________________________________________________
Meeting called to order at 10:14 am
Approval of Minutes from the April 19th 2019 Council Finance Committee Meeting. Ross Cunniff moved for approval
of the minutes. Ken Summers seconded the motion. Minutes were approved unanimously.
Sidestream Treatment Project
Jason Graham, Director, Plant Operations
Carol Webb, Deputy Director, Utilities
Link Meuller, Special Projects Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this agenda item is to request an appropriation for additional funding for the Drake Water
Reclamation Facility (DWRF) Sidestream Treatment Project. This request is necessary to complete the permit-
required project within the required timeframe to meet DWRF’s National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) Phosphorus (P) Compliance Schedule deadline of December 31, 2020. Successful operation of this
infrastructure also will earn regulatory credits to delay future capital project expenses by upwards of 10 years.
This request is an off-cycle request vs. a mid-cycle request due to the regulatory nature and schedule deadlines
required by CDPHE.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
Should staff move forward with this off-cycle appropriation request for the Sidestream Project?
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
ATTACHMENT 3
2
The cost estimate at 60% project design, completed in January 2019, for the Sidestream Treatment project is
greater than the approved budget. The purpose of this agenda item is to request Council’s approval increase the
project budget from $4.3 million to $5.4 million for an additional appropriation of $1.1 million.
KEY PROJECT DRIVERS
The Sidestream Treatment project is necessary for DWRF to meet future nutrient water quality regulations by
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The DWRF National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) permit includes a phosphorus Compliance Schedule to ensure the City is successful in
meeting the required phosphorus limits by January 01, 2021. The Sidestream Treatment project is a necessary
addition required for DWRF to meet these proposed phosphorus standards.
Nutrient Removal Projects have been identified as part of the Utility’s Capital Improvement Planning (CIP) and
Master Planning efforts for the last ten years. The current CIP identified Nutrient Removal projects required to
meet future nutrient limits by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and CDPHE and have future potential
costs of approximately $70 million by 2028. The Wastewater Utility has been actively planning to minimize this
cost as much as possible through participation in the CDPHE Nutrient Incentive Program and the AWWA Clean
Water Partnership. Participation in these programs could provide the City both schedule and financial relief of
up to 10 years.
A conceptual class 5 cost estimate of $4.3 million was developed for the 2017-2018 BFO cycle based upon
capacity, modeling, analogous projects and the available Sidestream Treatment technologies. As stated in the
BFO offer, the design was based on a conceptual design and a complete design could result in an increase or
decrease of the cost to meet the design deliverables. As designed progressed, additional detail, including
equipment selection, and other specifications resulted in increased project costs. A contingency in the additional
budget request has been included, appropriate for the current level of design. The following three major factors
impacted the budget requiring this appropriation request:
1. A new sludge feed pump station was required in addition to other improvements increasing construction
costs approximately $625,000. It had been anticipated, but not feasible, that the existing sludge pumps
could be used
2. Completion of the 60% design cost estimate (class 2) revealed an error in the original BFO class 5 estimate
allowing the original BFO request to be approximately $325,000 under-funded. In the future BFO offer
estimates, including backup documentation will be provide to management staff for review
3. The retirement of the Utilities’ lead programming engineer impacted the ability to self-perform all the
process programming, integration, and operator interface requirements of the plants. Additional support
from the equipment manufacturers and consulting engineers is required for process programming and
integration costing approximately $150,000
For the 2019-2020 BFO budget cycle, steps were taken to address the budgeting issues that occurred for this
project. Larger projects will start with a “design only” phase so that better construction estimates can be
obtained prior to appropriation.
The current DWRF discharge permit requires the City to be in compliance with nutrient regulations by January 1,
2021. The permit’s compliance schedule also indicates the construction must be started by December 31, 2019.
It is critical to begin construction as soon as possible in 2019 in order to give facility staff adequate time to
optimize the system to comply with required nutrient limits by the January 1, 2021 deadline.
3
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
In March 2013, the State of Colorado passed Regulation #85, requiring Publicly Owned Treatment Works
(POTWs) with greater than 2 million gallons per day capacity to meet more stringent effluent water quality. The
regulation mandates that existing POTWs limit their effluent discharge on a monthly median value of Total
Phosphorus to 1.0 mg/L and Total Inorganic Nitrogen (TIN) of 15 mg/L. DWRF currently meets the TIN limit but
the improvements installed with the Side Stream project are necessary to help meet the Total Phosphorus limit.
While phosphorus and nitrogen are building blocks of organic life, high concentrations in lakes, reservoirs and
receiving waters can lead to lower dissolved oxygen levels, poison aquatic life, and eutrophication. POTWs are
only one of three major sources of nutrient contamination of receiving waters (urban and agricultural non-point
source run-off being the other two) but are the easiest to regulate being a point source contributor.
ALTERNATIVE ANALYSIS
As project design evolved and the need for additional funding became apparent, the project team evaluate the
following project alternatives:
1. Value Engineering – The project team, including City staff, general contractor, and design engineer
evaluated construction and design variables that could be eliminated and / or reduced and still deliver an
effective project. While numerous items were removed or revised, this evaluation was not successful in
bringing the overall project costs down to within the available budget.
2. Not complete the project – This alternative would jeopardize not only immediate regulatory compliance
performance but future nutrient compliance issues as well.
3. Request $1.1 M as a mid – cycle appropriation request – This alternative would jeopardize the City’s ability
to comply with NPDES P Standard Compliance Schedule deadlines.
4. Request $1.1 M as an off – cycle appropriation request – This is the preferred and recommended alternative
by City Staff. This alternative is also recommended by the City’s Water Board.
CITY FINANCIAL IMPACTS
This O appropriate $1,111,000 of Wastewater Fund Reserves for the DWRF Sidestream Treatment Project.
Adequate funds exist in the Wastewater Fund reserves to cover this request for additional appropriations. In the
latest 10-year Wastewater Capital Improvement Program (CIP), $89M of capital improvements were identified
and this is a relatively small increase. A rate increase beyond what is already planned will not be needed as a
result of this request.
DISCUSSION / NEXT STEPS
Phosphorus Removal
The Water Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of this appropriation at their April 18th 2019
meeting.
Ross Cunniff; this looks great – Confirming that this an appropriation out of the Wastewater Fund.
Jason Graham; that is correct
New part is the reactor - will add – will precipitate out the phosphorus
4
Ross Cunniff; what would we do with it? Would be part of biosolids?
Jason Graham; the bio solids will continue to go to Meadow Springs Ranch which we have owned since the mid
90’s - 26,600 acres - (this function used to be done at Prospect and I25)
Jason Graham; this project does not harvest it as there isn’t a market for it currently - but could be a potential
revenue source in the future
Link Mueller; we are designing the system to be able to add on the harvesting aspect easily.
Ken Summers; slide 9 states - $80 -100M of capital work is expected to be needed between 2017 and 2026 in
addition to the current capital appropriations. What is current? not current? - what are some of those projects
Jason Graham; we are discussing Regulation 85. Another regulation (31) comes in effect as of 2027 which has
the potential to drive down the regulations even more - Associated with that level of compliance – this project
does have the potential to offset - we get credit for each year we are compliant / stay below the black line.
Carol Webb; I believe that the $80-100M is the fund as a whole - we anticipate that much across the fund over
the next ten years. We already have projects that Council has appropriated funds for.
Mike Beckstead; every 2 years we bring the long term capital plans for each of the utilities to Council Finance.
We are planning to bring these plans forward in November of this year. We could copy you on the last long term
financial plan if you would like.
Mayor Troxell; You need the financing now to meet construction start.
Jason Graham; we are hoping to bring this to Council in June (schedule permitting)
5
Jason Graham; O&M will be absorbed by our staff – we have a contract for year 1 to maintain it as we start it up
and get it going
Meeting adjourned at 11:18 am
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ORDINANCE NO. 075, 2019
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
MAKING APPROPRIATIONS AND AUTHORIZING TRANSFERS OF
APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE DRAKE WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY
SIDESTREAM TREATMENT PROJECT AND RELATED ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
WHEREAS, the City is pursuing the Drake Water Reclamation Facility Sidestream
Treatment Project (“Project”) in order to meet anticipated future water quality standards under
regulations promulgated by the Water Quality Control Commission of the Colorado Department
of Public Health and Environment; and
WHEREAS, a conceptual cost estimate of $4.3 million for the Project was developed for
the 2017-2018 Budgeting for Outcomes cycle based on capacity, modeling, analogous projects,
and available sidestream treatment technologies; and
WHEREAS, the total cost for the Project has since increased as design progressed,
requiring an additional appropriation in order to complete the Project; and
WHEREAS, there are unappropriated prior year reserves in the Wastewater Fund that are
available to be appropriated for the Project; and
WHEREAS, Article V, Section 9 of the City Charter permits the City Council to
appropriate by ordinance at any time during the fiscal year such funds for expenditure as may be
available from reserves accumulated in prior years, notwithstanding that such reserves were not
previously appropriated; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager has recommended the appropriation described herein and
determined that funds for this appropriation are available and previously unappropriated from the
Wastewater Fund and that this appropriation will not cause the total amount appropriated in the
Wastewater Fund to exceed the current estimate of actual and anticipated revenues to be received
in that fund during any fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, Article V, Section 10 of the City Charter authorizes the City Council to
transfer by ordinance any unexpended and unencumbered appropriated amount or portion thereof
from one fund or capital project to another fund or capital project, provided that the purpose for
which the transferred funds are to be expended remains unchanged; the purpose for which the
funds were initially appropriated no longer exists; or the proposed transfer is from a fund or
capital project in which the amount appropriated exceeds the amount needed to accomplish the
purpose specified in the appropriation ordinance; and
WHEREAS, this Project involves construction estimated to cost more than $250,000, as
such, Section 23-304 of the City Code requires one percent of these qualified appropriations to
be transferred to the Cultural Services and Facilities Fund for a contribution to the Art in Public
Places program; and
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WHEREAS, in accordance with Article V, Section 10 of the City Charter, the
appropriation of reserves for the Project from the Wastewater Fund and the transfer of a portion
of those unexpended and unencumbered appropriated funds to the Art in Public Places program
established by City Code Section 23-304(a) will be used for Wastewater purposes and
improvements in connection with the Project.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations and
findings contained in the recitals set forth above.
Section 2. That there is hereby appropriated for expenditure from prior year reserves
in the Wastewater Fund the sum of ONE MILLION ONE HUNDRED ELEVEN THOUSAND
DOLLARS ($1,111,000) for the Drake Water Reclamation Facility Sidestream Treatment
Project as follows:
Drake Water Reclamation Facility Sidestream Treatment
Project
$1,100,000
Art in Public Places Project (Artwork) 8,580
Art in Public Places Project (transfer to Cultural Services
Fund for APP Operations)
2,200
Art in Public Places Project (transfer to Cultural Services
Fund for APP Maintenance)
220
TOTAL $1,111,000
Section 3. That the unexpended appropriated amount of TWO THOUSAND TWO
HUNDRED DOLLARS ($2,200) in the Wastewater Fund is authorized for transfer to the
Cultural Services and Facilities Fund and appropriated therein for the Art in Public Places
Program Operations.
Section 4. That the unexpended appropriated amount of TWO HUNDRED
TWENTY DOLLARS ($220) in the Wastewater Fund is authorized for transfer to the Cultural
Services and Facilities Fund and appropriated therein for the Art in Public Places Program
Maintenance.
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Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 4th day of
June, A.D. 2019, and to be presented for final passage on the 2nd day of July, A.D. 2019.
__________________________________
Mayor Pro Tem
ATTEST:
_______________________________
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 2nd day of July, A.D. 2019.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
City Clerk