Villages C P2-CS 860825 PIERCE-LUNSFORD ASSO TES, INIC.
CONSULTING ENGINEERS
Ref. No. 515348.10
CF BL8256
August 25, 1986
RECEIVED
Mr. Bob Lenz
I)alcon Services, Inc.
;'639 Waln~t ttill lane, #217
I}al las, l'X 15229 C(JN~JUL. IJNG
Subject: Water, Sanitary Sewer and Storm Drainage Improvements
Villages of Coppe11, Phase Two
Coppell M.U.D. No. 1
Coppe11, Texas
Dear Mr. Lenz:
This letter is a follow up to the meeting held on August 21, 1986
at the above subject project. The meeting which was attended by
Bob Lenz, Randy McClelland and Ramone of Dalcon and Jeff Hawkins
and Brad Williams of Pierce-Lunsford. As the District's Engineer
for Coppe11 M.U.D. No. 1, Pierce-Lunsford expressed concern to
you and other Dalcon employees as to the progress, performance
and workmanship of crews performing work on the above subject
project. Though some progress has been made in correcting
deficiencies recognized during execution of the work, you are now
well beyond the contract time allowed for in the contract
documents. The deficiencies listed below were discussed at the
meeting and require immediate attention by Dalcon and
subcontractors to get the project to a level which is
acceptable before completing water line installation and
beginning utility line testing for the Villages of Coppell, Phase
Two Project.
Sanitary Sewer Deficiencies:
1. We discussed a number moisture and soil compacticn
tests performed by Duval and Associates on sanitary sewer
lines which have never met utility line backfill
specification requirements. From on-site observations by
representatives of Pi erce-Lunsford and Duval Testing
LaboratOry, it appears that the backfill was placed in
lifts too thick to get uniform compaction in the ditch
lines, and that the amount of water added during compaction
was insuf, ficient. The existing backfill must be removed
and recompacted to specified soil density and opt imam
moisture requirements. The cost of all retests required to
check densities in areas which did not originally satisf/
minimum compaction and moisture requirements are tY.e
responsibility of the Contractor per Article 1.42.3 of the
North Central Texas Counci 1 of Governments St andard
Specifications. You may have the samples retested by Dural
3109 CARLISLE, SUITE 206
DALLAS, TEXAS 75204 ARLINGTC,:,, TEXAS '~C' '-'
Mr. Bob Lenz
August 25, 1986
page 2
2. All precast or cast-in-place manholes need to be in place
before any testing of sanitary sewer lines can be
performed. It is common practice on utility construction
projects for manhole placement to occur simultaneously with
sanitary sewer construction. Each time I have inquired as
t~ tile sch(~dule f(~r manh~)le t)lacement, ! have been told the
~ndni~ule crew would be inuviflg of~ wiLilin the week, but
manholes have been placed to date. You should begin
construction of the manholes immediately as discussed in
our meeting.
3. All 4" sanitarY sewer service lines to lots in the
subdivision which were left off during construction of the
only partially extended to avoid conflicts with proposed
storm sewer lines need to be extended to the street R.O.W.
Service to each lot must be verified by Dalcon and
Pi erce-Lunsford.
Sewer tape must be extended from the end of t'he sewer
lateral to the natural ground and staked. The Contractor
must provide "field ties" of all sanitary sewer services to
fixed points such as manholes and/or lot corners for
preparation of "as-built" plans as provided in Special
Conditions to the Contract Documents. Any other changes or
deviations during construction of the utility lines must
also be noted.
4. After the items listed above are completed and accepted,
all sanitary sewer mains must be mandriled then air tested
in accordance with the standard specifications.
STORM SEWER DEFICIENCIES:
1. We also discussed a number of moisture and soil compaction
tests performed by Duval and Associates on storm sewer
lines which do not meet utility line backfill specification
requirements. The existing backfill must be removed and
water added during the compaction process in order to
satisfy minimum density and optimum moisture requirements.
In addition, backfill on Storm Sewer Line "A" from Sra.
0+50 to 2+00 + was placed with native material instead of
clean sand as-required in standard construction details.
It must be removed, replaced with proper materials and
compacted in accordance with plans and specifications.
Mr. Bob Lenz
August 25, 1986
page 3
2. Storm sewer lines must be flushed and cleaned of all mud,
sand, excess joint sealant or other debris before
acceptance can be made. Concrete col 1 ars at wye
connections and pipe to pipe connections were not completed
until some time after placement of tile storm sewer at these
lr~c~ti~ns and t'hn ends ~f the pipe hav~~ nat, hee. n snc,~rr~d
curb inlet locations. As a resu|t, sand and mud nas
washed into the pipes and shall be removed as soon as
possible to prevent further contamination of the system.
3. In the preconstruction conference for this project, it was
agreed by Contractor, Owner and Developer that curb inlets
would be cast-in-place and bottoms would be placed prior to
move on of the paving contractor to facilitate drainage of
the site and reduce contamination of the storm drainage
system. Any variance to previous agreements will have
be approved by these concerned parties.
In addition to the items discussed above, I have reCeived notice
that the company underwriting your comprehensive general
liability insurance has cancelled your policy due to non-payment
of premiums. Insurance must be reinstated before cancellation of
the policy becomes effective in accordance with coverage
requirements listed in the Special Conditions.
I have been informed by Tom Burns of B & E Sand and Gravel that
this company has supplied sand and rock for bedding and backfill
for this project but has not been paid to date by Dalcon. Y.~u
need to furnish satisfactory evidence that outstanding clains
have been paid in accordance with section 3.13 of the General
Contract Conditions.
Because of the problems already encountered on this project a~,d
the fact the project is beyond contract time limitations,
budgeted costs including project observation, laboratory testing,
contract and project administration are already higher th,n
normal for a project of this size. Agreement will have to ~e
reached on the amount of these expenses to be charged against
contract amount before final payment will be authorized. I haYe
reveiced no letter from you requesting an extension of time on
the project, so ! assume you realize liquidated damages will ~e
assessed at a rate of $150.00 per calendar day.
Mr. Bob Lenz
August 25, 1986
page 4
In the on-site meeting, it was agreed that immediate steps will
be taken by Dalcon to alleviate the above listed deficiences and
complete the work to a standard acceptable to all concerned
parties. With the amount of work remaining and the state of she
contract at the present time it is is imperative that you
accomplish this in a timely manner.
lu my k~uwledg~, no one has asked you to pertorm any operations
not in accordance with plans and specifications or the City of
Coppell subdivison ordinance. As the District's Engineer for the
Coppell Municipal Utility District No. 1, we strive to work w~th
the Developer, Contractor, City of Coppell officials and City
Engineer toward the successful and timely completion of all
projects. We expect Dalcon Services to do the same Dy
carrying through with your commitment.
Sincerely Yours,
PIERCE-LUNSFORD ASSOCIATES, INC.
/~1 ~'~'~ '
Jeffrey M. Hawkins, P.E.
JMH/DB
cc: Mr. Paul Phy- Legal Counsel for Coppell M.U.D. No. 1
Mr. Mark Kurtz - Dimensional/Brooks
Ms. Janet Vick - Nathen D. Maier Engineers j?f
Mr. Brad Williams - PLA