TO: Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Douglas E. Smith, City Manager
DATE: May 4, 2016
Title
APPROVING SERVICES FROM E SCIENCES, INCORPORATED (E SCIENCES) FOR DEVELOPMENT OF AN ASSESSMENT STRATEGY AND SAMPLING PLAN AND ADDITIONAL SERVICES FOR EAGLE LAKES/PALM LAKES GOLF COURSE IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED SEVENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($70,000).
BACKGROUND: At the direction of the City Commission, City staff and E Sciences representatives met with Broward County Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department (EPGMD) to generally determine the future regulatory and assessment requirements and closure options for the site. Following a meeting with EPGMD staff, E Sciences developed the attached proposal dated March 29, 2016 with two options: full site assessment or limited assessment. For the EPGMD staff to review a full site assessment report, the City will be required to obtain an Environmental Assessment and Remediation (EAR) license. An EAR license obligates the City to complete the assessment and the cleanup required for regulatory site closure. However, during the meeting, EPGMD staff agreed to conduct an informal review of data, in lieu of a full site assessment report (which would not obligate the City to be responsible for the cleanup).
The cost for full site assessment proposed is approximately $55,000 with additional costs of $9,000 for a total cost of approximately $64,000. A revised proposal dated April 20, 2016 was also provided at the request of the City with breakdown of costs for various tasks to complete a limited scope site assessment (total cost of approximately $37,000). Copies of both draft proposals are attached for reference. A chart is attached providing for a cost comparison of the two approaches.
The Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council has a grant for environmental site assessments; we could apply for funding through this grant for assessment activities. E Sciences indicated a cost of $5,000 to $10,000 for grant funding coordination.
Staff recommends approval for a not to exceed amount of $70,000. Initially, staff would then proceed with the site assessment report level of environmental testing through E Sciences (not to exceed $47,500; however, this whole amount may end up not being expended). Once this stage is completed, staff can then give direction to the consultant regarding the reporting phase of the project and other services, such as meeting with the County to discuss the results.
Once the testing and reporting phases are complete, and a further meeting with the County occurs, the consulting firm can provide additional feedback regarding cost estimates for remediation and whether additional service fees would be applicable to develop the estimates.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve not to exceed amount of $70,000 for environmental testing and other associated services.
FISCAL IMPACT: Not to Exceed $70,000 through grant funding, if acquired, or through FY 2016 contingency funds.
CONTACT PERSON: Douglas E. Smith, City Manager