SS9301-CS 921002 MEMO
TO: Alan D. Ratliff, City Manager
FROM: Kenneth M. Griffin, P.E., City Engineer
SUBJECT: Grapevine Creek Sanitary Sewer Project
DATE: October 2, 1992
On September 29, 1992, bids were received and opened for the sanitary sewer project. Those bids are
currently under review by the Ginn Corporation. However, the initial review indicates that tho bids have
come in approximately $400,000 under the Engineer's estimate. The Engineer's estimate was about $3.0
millon and the low base bid was approximately $2.6 million. There were several alternates bid with the
project. The alternates included additional micro-tunneling, as opposed to open cutting. In particularly,
the portion beneath the wall, immediately west of Mockingbird, was bid as an alternate to micro-tunnel,
as opposed to open cut. That section bid lower to micro-tunnel. The other alternates included micro-
tunneling a portion of Bethel Road near Denton Tap and micro-tunneling behind some houses on
Crestview because of the steep grade of the bank. If all those alternates were considered, there would be
approximately a $9,000.00 increase in the project. Also, Wayne Ginn is looking at the cost to micro-
tunnel the entire length of Bethel Road, as opposed to open cutting approximately 30 foot deep down
Bethel Road. Micro-tunneling the street would be a much more attractive alternative than open cut.
Because of tho complication of this project, the need to check the references of the low bidder, and the
need to look at the alternative of micro-tunneling Bethel Road, I've discussed with Wayne Ginn the
possibility of meeting with City Council in executive session on November 10, 1992 to go over the
options on this bid. Once clear direction has been received from City Council, I anticipate bringing the
project back for award of the bid on December $, 1992. There is no delay to the contractor, as he has
indicated he possibly will not be in a position to start this project until after the first of the year.
Because micro-tunneling beneath the wall immediately west of Mockingbird is going to be recommended
and is less expensive than open cutting along that area, I would suggest that we recontact the property
owner to see if the fact that we will not be disturbing the wall, soil, etc. affects his decision about tho
easements on those lots. It is possible that because we are not open cutting and we will be 30 foot deep,
that he might be amenable to granting us the easements, if thc City will allow him to construct/develop
over the easements with either his house or any other improvements he so chooses. I do not anticipate
a big problem if he constructs on top of this easement, as it is highly improbable and unlikely that the
City would ever need to access that area to repair or replace the sewer lines. If at some time in the future
maintenance is needed to this line, several options exist, i.e. slip line or insituform the existing sewer line
or micro-tunnel to one side or the other of the sewer line to create a new line location. If this suggestion
is agreeable, then with your concurrence, myself, Steve Goram, or the attorneys can contact the property
owner to discuss the possibility of obtaining the easement under these new circumstances.
I'd be happy to discuss any aspect of this memo with you at your convenience.