By Brian Mittge, The Chronicle, 6/14/2001
The city of Centralia took a big step toward building a new wastewater treatment plant Tuesday, approving a contract to begin spending $7 million for design, permitting and construction management.
The contract with international contracting giant CH2M Hill puts the city on a June 2005 time schedule to complete its wastewater treatment plant.
Out of three firms interviewed, CH2M Hill stood head and shoulders above the crowd, said city Utilities Director Dick Southworth.
CH2M Hill showed an extraordinary understanding of the project and its complexity," Southworth said in a written memo to the council.
The firm has worked with Centralia for several years preparing preliminary studies on the wastewater treatment plant, so "you would expect they would have a leg up," he admitted Tuesday night.
Southworth also listed its commitment to open a regional office in Centralia and to use local subcontractors as "distinct advantages."
The company was the citizens' advisory committee unanimous choice, Southworth said.
Other bidders were AMEC and Black and Veatch, both large international firms, and Gray and Osbome.
AMEC later withdrew its bid, citing inability to perform all of the services required.
CH2M Hill's first task will be to design the plant and the long series of pipes necessary to bring the city's waste to it.
Biddable plans and specifications should be ready by the end of the year, with construction beginning as soon as next spring, Southworth said.
The company will also acquire permits and oversee construction once it begins. CH2M Hill will supervise work, but will not actually build the wastewater treatment plant, Southworth said.
The entire project, including CH2M Hill's $6,926,000 contract and construction contingencies, will total $35,121,000, according to estimates in the contract.
If CH2M Hill comes in under budget on its portion, the savings will be evenly split between the city and the company.
This savings split will help entice the company to produce rapidly, which in turn will help the city make "timely decisions," a vital part of the time-sensitive project, Southworth predicted.
Centralia is under a consent decree with the Washington Department of Ecology to reduce dissolved oxygen in the Chehalis River by building a new wastewater treatment plant so time is of the essence.
"In a project like this, time really; is money," Southworth said.
Mayor Tim Browning, although voting for the contract with CH2M Hill, expressed reservations about splitting any savings.
"I'm going to have to explore this profit sharing a little more," Browning said. The city has also received a $27 million zero-interest loan from the state's Revolving Fund. Councilors also directed City Manager J.D. Fouts to accept the loan from the state.
The new wastewater treatment plant will be located north of the city on Fords Prairie.
The contract estimates $7,180,000 will have to be spent on pipes to transport the city's waste from the current wastewater treatment plant on Mellen Street to the new location.
Brian Mittge covers local government for The Chronicle. He may be reached by e-mail at bmittge@chronline.com, or by telephoning 807-8237.
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