TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Allison Swisher, Director of Public Utilities
SUBJECT:
title
Award of Professional Services Agreement for Pre-Treatment Program Assistance to Baxter & Woodman Inc. for the Not-to-Exceed Amount of $120,000.00
end
BACKGROUND:
The City’s IEPA National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) discharge permits for the Westside, Eastside, and Aux Sable Wastewater Treatment Plants include special conditions that require the City of Joliet to comply with USEPA Pre-treatment Standards.
Since the inception of the program, the City has relied on consultants to assist Plant Operations staff with various tasks best suited for a specialized engineer. The day-to-day management of the program is handled by City staff. For the last twelve years the City has contracted with Baxter & Woodman Inc. to help with these tasks. Baxter & Woodman Inc. has an entire department dedicated to wastewater pretreatment allowing them to be on the forefront of regulations. In the Fall of 2023, the City advertised a Municipal Services RFQ to solicit qualifications from engineers for consideration by the City to be short listed for various types of professional services. Baxter & Woodman Inc. was short listed as a selected engineer to assist the City with wastewater pretreatment.
The Public Service Committee will review this matter.
CONCLUSION:
Baxter & Woodman Inc. has submitted a proposal to complete the following tasks on an hourly basis at the not-to-exceed amount of $120,000.00: USEPA audit preparation and attendance, facility inspections, compliance assistance, permit renewal, and general assistance tasks.
Section 2-438 of the City of Joliet Code of Ordinances states that purchases whose estimated cost is in excess of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) may be awarded without written specifications or bidding under certain circumstances. Two (2) of these circumstances apply:
(f) Purchases when authorized by a concurring vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Mayor and City Council;
(g) Purchases of professional services.
Funds will be charged to the 2026 Water & Sewer Operating Fund / Plant Ops Administration / Professional Services (Org 50080310, Object 523300, $120,000.00).
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Based on the above, it is recommended that the Mayor and City Council approve the award of a Professional Services Agreement for Pre-Treatment Program Assistance, for an amount not-to-exceed $120,000.00, on behalf of Baxter & Woodman Inc.
end