Carefree Truth
Issue #493, June 24, 2016
Gary Neiss reported that the Federal Clean Water Act National Pollution Discharge Elimination Program contains a phased program called the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). The vision is to reduce the quantity of pollutants that flow into the storm water system. Many communities in Phase 1 have populations of over 100,000. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is working with smaller communities such as Carefree to initiate Phase 2. ADEQ is expected to finalize the rules this summer. Carefree has 90 days to file a Notice of Intent, after which the Town has 12 months to complete and submit the plan for MS4 compliance. The complexity and time commitment necessitate the retention of an environmental engineering company which specializes in these issues.
In March, the Town produced and advertised a statement of qualifications for professional services. Four responses were received in April. The respective companies were vetted in May and the teams were interviewed. A local company, Environmental Engineering Consultants (EEC), rated highest based on individual experience working with communities comparable to Carefree's scale. EEC presented a practical economic approach to comply with MS4 requirements, an ability to implement rational cost effective solutions, and a cost effective professional service contract. Funding for this Federal mandate is included under the Engineering Department in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016/17 budget.
Councilman Gene Orrico noted that the contract is for $20,000 with a 20% contingency. Mr. Neiss said the service contract estimate for the hours and scope of work was $20,000, but it might take more time, depending on the findings once the work is underway, but he confirmed that $25,000 total would cover any contingencies.
Councilman Mike Farrar asked if it would require physical site inspections. Project manager John Burton confirmed that it would, stating maintenance facilities and outfalls into washes and waterways are the most important inspection points. Mr. Farrar asked if EEC carries insurance to indemnify the Town should an inspector be injured on Town property. Mr. Burton replied that EEC's insurance company covers it. Mr. Neiss said that stipulation was part of the statement of qualification requirements.
Vice Mayor John Crane expressed concern that because ADEQ is still refining the requirements, the scope of work might change, requiring more consulting time and money. Mr. Neiss said that Mr. Burton participated in the stakeholders meetings with ADEQ, and was confident about the scope of work. The Vice Mayor asked if the final product would be a boilerplate for compliance. Mr. Burton said EEC will produce an actual document so the Town Administrator and the Town Engineer know what needs to be done. It is a 5 year stepped program, so doesn't all need to be done up-front. EEC will provide an outline of what needs to be done each year and how to achieve those goals. Mr. Neiss added that some of the biggest items would be code amendments to be in full compliance.
Mr. Farrar asked how it would impact new developments, particularly those with private streets. Mr. Neiss replied that the burden for enforcement will be placed on the local communities, rather than on County or State agencies, so would require more inspections and enforcement during the development process, but there would be no significant changes to the current practices. Mr. Burton said there are existing permits with State requirements for contractors. The Town must make sure that erosion and settlement plans are in place and followed.
Councilman Glenn Miller wondered if there would be costs involved, such as monitoring stations, after the study is finished. Mr. Burton replied that because Carefree contained no "unique or impaired waterways", no laboratory sampling of storm water would be required as of now, just a visual assessment. It would have to be documented if storm water is cloudy, dirty, or smells of oil. Mr. Miller noted that the Public Works Department assessed the streets after each monsoon storm and does the necessary clean up, so could monitor the storm water then. Mr. Burton agreed there are many opportunities to tie into services already being performed without adding more activities and requirements.
The Council approved funding the project, not to exceed $25,000, and granted the contract to EEC.
https://vimeo.com/170377777
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list. Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.
Issue #493, June 24, 2016
Gary Neiss reported that the Federal Clean Water Act National Pollution Discharge Elimination Program contains a phased program called the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). The vision is to reduce the quantity of pollutants that flow into the storm water system. Many communities in Phase 1 have populations of over 100,000. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is working with smaller communities such as Carefree to initiate Phase 2. ADEQ is expected to finalize the rules this summer. Carefree has 90 days to file a Notice of Intent, after which the Town has 12 months to complete and submit the plan for MS4 compliance. The complexity and time commitment necessitate the retention of an environmental engineering company which specializes in these issues.
In March, the Town produced and advertised a statement of qualifications for professional services. Four responses were received in April. The respective companies were vetted in May and the teams were interviewed. A local company, Environmental Engineering Consultants (EEC), rated highest based on individual experience working with communities comparable to Carefree's scale. EEC presented a practical economic approach to comply with MS4 requirements, an ability to implement rational cost effective solutions, and a cost effective professional service contract. Funding for this Federal mandate is included under the Engineering Department in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016/17 budget.
Councilman Gene Orrico noted that the contract is for $20,000 with a 20% contingency. Mr. Neiss said the service contract estimate for the hours and scope of work was $20,000, but it might take more time, depending on the findings once the work is underway, but he confirmed that $25,000 total would cover any contingencies.
Councilman Mike Farrar asked if it would require physical site inspections. Project manager John Burton confirmed that it would, stating maintenance facilities and outfalls into washes and waterways are the most important inspection points. Mr. Farrar asked if EEC carries insurance to indemnify the Town should an inspector be injured on Town property. Mr. Burton replied that EEC's insurance company covers it. Mr. Neiss said that stipulation was part of the statement of qualification requirements.
Vice Mayor John Crane expressed concern that because ADEQ is still refining the requirements, the scope of work might change, requiring more consulting time and money. Mr. Neiss said that Mr. Burton participated in the stakeholders meetings with ADEQ, and was confident about the scope of work. The Vice Mayor asked if the final product would be a boilerplate for compliance. Mr. Burton said EEC will produce an actual document so the Town Administrator and the Town Engineer know what needs to be done. It is a 5 year stepped program, so doesn't all need to be done up-front. EEC will provide an outline of what needs to be done each year and how to achieve those goals. Mr. Neiss added that some of the biggest items would be code amendments to be in full compliance.
Mr. Farrar asked how it would impact new developments, particularly those with private streets. Mr. Neiss replied that the burden for enforcement will be placed on the local communities, rather than on County or State agencies, so would require more inspections and enforcement during the development process, but there would be no significant changes to the current practices. Mr. Burton said there are existing permits with State requirements for contractors. The Town must make sure that erosion and settlement plans are in place and followed.
Councilman Glenn Miller wondered if there would be costs involved, such as monitoring stations, after the study is finished. Mr. Burton replied that because Carefree contained no "unique or impaired waterways", no laboratory sampling of storm water would be required as of now, just a visual assessment. It would have to be documented if storm water is cloudy, dirty, or smells of oil. Mr. Miller noted that the Public Works Department assessed the streets after each monsoon storm and does the necessary clean up, so could monitor the storm water then. Mr. Burton agreed there are many opportunities to tie into services already being performed without adding more activities and requirements.
The Council approved funding the project, not to exceed $25,000, and granted the contract to EEC.
https://vimeo.com/170377777
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list. Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.