2005 NS Purchasing Surveyor Services - Homestead Community Center Wastewater System Repair

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 17, 2005 Action AgenJCda Item No. _~_ SUBJECT: Surveyor Services -Homestead Communit Center Wastewater System Repair DEPARTMENT: Purchasing/Engineer PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): None INFORMATION CONTACT: Pam Jones, 245-2652 Paul Thames; 245-2300 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To authorize staff to enter into an agreement for surveying services associated with the connection of the Homestead Community Center by sewer extension to the Orange Water and Sewer Authority's sanitary sewer system. BACKGROUND: The Homestead Community Center is a County-owned facility that is managed by the Recreation and Parks Department, and is located at the intersection of Homestead Road and Lake Hogan Farms Road just north of the Carrboro municipal limits. The septic system at this facility failed in 2004. During recent months, the building has been able to remain open and in service because the County has arranged for the septic tank to be pumped out and the waste hauled away periodically: This approach has been viable in the short term, but is not an appropriate long-term solution. The Board approved a capital project ordinance in March 2005 that appropriated funds to construct a connection from the Homestead Center to OWASA's sanitary sewer system, which is located within about 700 feet of the building. A construction/alignment survey will be required prior to commencement of the sewer connection engineering design work, which will be conducted in house by the County Engineer staff. Contracts for surveyors must by North Carolina statute be based on qualifications rather than cost. NCGS § 143-64.32 allows counties to exempt themselves from a selection process for surveyors on any project if the professional fee will be less than $30,000, or, in their discretion, on any project by stating the reasons therefore. In order to expedite the survey work and since the cost of the work is estimated to be substantially less than the $30,000 threshold, staff recommend that the County exempt this project from the selection process.