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Operations and Resources Committee: Otter Voice Meeting Notes

Operations and Resources Committee

Detroit Documenters53min

Cadillac

00:00

Oh, seven minutes from the August 9 on our committee meeting. Questions on that on those minutes, if not a motion to approve as an order. removed. Support. Mr. Sec. All in favor? Aye. Motion passes public comment. Mr. Wilkes.

Speaker 1

00:17

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, the opportunity for members of the public to address the committee although not this committee has not served as the Open Meetings Act. We do try to conduct the meetings in accordance, and anyone who wishes to address this committee can either raise their hand on the application or press star nine on their telephone at this time, Mr. Chairman, I do not see any hands up so a second call for public comment will be

Cadillac

00:38

public comment. Is there a call for public comment? Anyone who wish to make the public comment now would be the time

Speaker 1

00:44

and this chairman? There are still no hands up. So a third and final call is in order.

Cadillac

00:49

I don't call for public comment. Public comment.

Unknown Speaker

00:53

Mr. Chairman, no hands up and so it's appropriate to

Cadillac

00:56

none for public comment. We'll move on from item five to six building we have any correspondence, any communications

Speaker 1

01:03

there are no correspondence or communications for this committee, Mr. okay. And

Cadillac

01:07

there being no old business that takes us into new business on the agenda. And the first item is a proposed amendment number three. This is a snow removal and de icing services contract Miss Ford,

Cheryl Porter, GLWA

01:21

show Porter chief operating officer for water and fuel services. What you have is an amendment for a six month time extension only for our snow removal and de icing which supports 71 of our site locations. We are in the process of bidding this out for a new contract. That process should be concluding soon. We did have funds available in that we have not seen a lot of severe snowstorms. So there was not a high utilization on this contract. So we had the funds available and we just extended it for another six months while we're working on the new contract. And with that, I'll take any questions

Cadillac

02:05

your contract on this is the premier group associates. Miss Porter. Have we always had an outside contractor doing this de icing and snow removal? Or is this is this company the first company that we contracted with when this contract began?

Cheryl Porter, GLWA

02:25

Um I believe we have always had. Thank you, Sonia. We've always had support for snow removal and de icing.

Cadillac

02:36

Okay, sounds good. And of course we said it to her with effort in that regard.

Cheryl Porter, GLWA

02:43

That is correct.

Cadillac

02:44

questions on this item? This is Item A snow removal and de icing extension and time. Questions. Motion to approve is in order.

john zech

02:57

So moved or

Cadillac

02:59

moved to support it all in favor. All right. Motion passes. Item B is proposed amendment number three. This is for furniture flooring and space design services Miss Porter.

Cheryl Porter, GLWA

03:13

Again we have another time extension before you the rationale for this time extends a little bit different COVID kind of derailed our plans. We were able to set up the appropriate business processes get standardization for furniture is just the organization has changed and been influenced by the pandemic and we need to know what that looks like moving forward. So right now we are would like to continue to hold this in place. This allows us to do the structural changes that we need as we see organizational changes amongst the teams. It's mostly supports things like chairs for the 24/7 operation. You know they can get get damaged and so we need replacements or chairs in the training room. You know high usage areas and with that, I guess we'll take any questions.

Cadillac

04:13

So Cheryl in this one, you indicate that a new RFP is going to be planned for next year. Yes. One of the things that jumped out at me in this one is that all steel sledge gun law which is the product brand that we embrace, I'm assuming that that's all patent and trademark. My question is, in this what we need to do what we need to do regarding furnishing is interior environment. Do they have an exclusive contract with all steel gunlock to provide this particular product to us or is other other contractors have access to the same product? In the event that we go out and do this bid next year?

Cheryl Porter, GLWA

05:07

Good question. My procurement partners are are ready to go to answer that. Please. Yes,

Sonya Collins, GLWA

05:16

we there are other contractors who can we already do have access to their furniture as well. And last time we went around we did get participation from other vendors to

Cadillac

05:30

to provide to provide the all steel gunlock product Great. Yes sir. Okay, that's that that's key for me, obviously, since that's what we've married ourselves to. We want to make sure that there's a competitive environment within the contractors providing the same product brand so thank you for that. Other questions on this item? This item

john zech

05:57

I have no question. Chairman. I'll make the motion. So I'll support it.

Cadillac

06:03

Move to support it. All in favor. All right. That motion is passed. That was item b by the way. Now we move on to ground maintenance services, which is Item C as poor

Cheryl Porter, GLWA

06:17

so this is a ground maintenance report. In this particular new contract, which is with the new vendor, we are asking for three years with an option for two one year renewals. It does cover all ground maintenance at 83 site locations which is a little bit different from the prior contract because we do have support other sites. We also added into this contract tree trimming in storm cleanup we have been seeing trees fall over on fences and so we've just decided to add that into the contract as well. And the reason I'm identifying that and the fact that the prior contract was a two year with two one year renewals, which we did exercise those renewals plus a six month extension while we were working on this new contract, we saw an increase in the site locations and there has been an overall escalation in labor and fuel costs. So that is reason why you're seeing the cost difference between the prior contract and this particular contract. covering more facilities have seen some costs increases and we did add in additional services that we'd like cover that are based on our experience. I'll take any questions.

Cadillac

07:44

Questions on the site. This is Item C ground maintenance services.

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

07:48

Sure, I'll couple questions. The 12 additional sites is that are those new properties or are they properties that we did in house? The services prior?

Cheryl Porter, GLWA

08:05

I believe that those are all new property acquisitions based on what we were doing for our capital investments. Okay, but I will double check that

Cadillac

08:20

Other questions on this side. Is item C. Chairman, motion to approve is in order. Approval. Mr. Baker, support is back. All in favor? Aye. That motion passes. Next item on the agenda is Item D. This is change order number one for the seven mountain Nevada transmission Renewal Project Miss Porter.

Cheryl Porter, GLWA

08:48

So with this particular change order, there is a cost increase. This contract was a progressive design build which was intended to do inspections before the design was created. During the inspection phase of this particular contract, we did find a just distressed piece of pipe that we would like to do a renewal on about 600 feet under the expressway i 75. So we are going to use the remaining funds in this contract to address that distress pipe so that we can make sure we can continue service in this particular area. We don't want that pipe to fail. So that's what this additional cost is going to help cover.

Cadillac

09:38

So is that it Miss Porter? Yes. So progressive design bill. Can you kind of break that down a little bit and what are the alternative processes that can be used? Other than that,

Cheryl Porter, GLWA

09:55

so I'm gonna get it wrong and I because I design bid build as the one that I'm most familiar with. Sorry, Tim has come on camera, so I'm gonna have him unmute and talk. Talk through the different

Cadillac

10:10

designs regressive design bill versus some of the other methods or processes that we use. And why this

Tim Kuhns

10:19

Yeah, so progressive design build is is as a method of project delivery where we bring the the engineer and the contractor on under the same contract under the same contract. And we're able to develop the design in concert with with both parties to develop the best, the best method, including constructability. And so that that's basically the the delivery method. And then at the end of the design phase of it, which is typically the the initial contract award, the contractor can provide a a lump sum price for the work and GLBA either accept it or take the design that they developed and then bid it out as you normally do and design bid build. In this case, this was part of the original decommissioning set of projects. And since we're scaling back on that, significantly, we didn't end up doing all the design work on the full seven miles of this pipeline through Detroit. And so there was significant budget remaining so in this case, we were able to use we identified this this vulnerable section of pipe and we're able to use a large chunk of the design money to actually do the work in this case and only only asked for the additional 93,000 But that's that's how progressive design build works. That it's a little bit different than design bid build design bid build, you bring the contractor and the construction that then the consulting engineer in under different contracts and then develop the design independently with the engineer and then bring the contractor on board. So this one allows you to use both parties to kind of inform the design.

Cadillac

12:22

Gotcha. All right. Thank you. Other questions on item D?

john zech

12:27

Uh, Mr. Chairman, I just have a comment, not a question. I'm, I'm very happy that they discovered this distressed pipe at this point, rather than thinking we have the project all buttoned up, and then we've got to go back in and take take up take part of it apart I guess. And also I I'm I'm glad about Tim's explanation about why this was done the way it's done. I'd be glad to make the motion to approve this change order number one for this

Cadillac

13:02

is their support for it. Mr. Baker, all in favor, aye. That motion passes are thank you for that Tim. The next item on the agenda is Item D this is a change order first change order for Structure Manager at risk for 96 inch water Miss water transmission main relocation was poor.

Cheryl Porter, GLWA

13:27

So this is what we consider a smart contract and this change order is for cost and time. Difference. We are closing out the smart contract phase one which was installing a piece of pipe across the Clinton river we have completed that crossing and some associated projects with with neighboring communities. They also had projects going on at same time. That was done then we were preparing for the phase two. The engineering team felt like we could get a better cost by doing a design bid build. So that we did bid that out and we did see a significant cost savings we're going to see about a $60 million cost savings. So these are the funds that are associated with this particular is to close the CMR contract out and we will be proceeding with other methods to finish out the 96 relocation project.

Cadillac

14:37

All right. This is item II any questions? For Miss Porter or staff? Were it me?

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

14:45

Sure the the revised contract is going to be much lower than what's shown here right because we're terminating a.

Cheryl Porter, GLWA

14:59

I don't think they saw the general pricing for phase. Did they turn phase two? Was that ever brought before the board or do we stop that?

Tim Kuhns

15:11

I don't think that was ever presented to the board. The right so this particular phase, phase one or GMP one will see an increase in the total contract cost. But we're realizing the decrease decrease costs in the phase two. If that

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

15:30

38 million is phase one. Yes. Okay. And because they have to. They were going to not charge us for demobilization phases. They

Cheryl Porter, GLWA

15:43

would have been doing phase two, correct. Okay. I'm good. Thank you.

Cadillac

15:49

Other questions on this item? This is item II. Hearing none. Is there a motion to support? The Motion to approve item eat? Pork take MysTech Thank you very much. All in favor. Aye. Hi. Passes. It takes us over to Item F. Item F is proposed change order number one. This is the bill out seawall rehab. There's four.

Cheryl Porter, GLWA

16:19

So with this particular change order, it is a time and cost increase. Bail out is the intake structure that supports that brings in the source water or raw water for three location waterworks Park, spring was in northeast. This is also the location where we can do pretreatment for zebra mussels. That allows us to make sure that we are addressing any potential tasting in order to taste and odor issues ahead of time. What we have noticed at this site location is that we're seeing the seawall fail and that is just going to have repercussions with other structures. At this location. We want to get in and address this. It's worse than we thought once they went underwater and started doing the survey they noticed that the structural failures are worse than what we anticipated, which is the reason for the additional cost. And so we want to get in and address this before we see any additional erosion there is we also are doing a design difference. So we can deal with the higher water table which we've also seen. And so we are requesting the additional time and funds to get in and address this structure.

Cadillac

17:47

Okay, any questions on this item for Porter or staff?

john zech

17:53

No questions for me, Mr. Chairman.

Cadillac

17:56

So Miss Porter, Dean Murray. And then excavate maybe this is to the procurement team. That's obviously a pretty specialized service. I mean, it involves underworld surveying and analysis and so forth. Was that is that A is that the kind of contract that's competitively bid on the others out there in our area that provides the same type of service and surveying?

Sonya Collins, GLWA

18:32

Yes, sir. This is Sonia Collins procurement director. Yes. Are there other bidders out there that could have done this work? We did a thorough assessment of the dollars that de marine added and are with the previous bid that we had, and based on the new scope of work, we've we felt like it would be not responsible for our group to award anybody else from getting this back out based on the costing and what it would cost for us to move forward.

Cadillac

19:04

Yeah, that's fair. And I guess I probably misstated my question, because I wasn't questioning the additional edit dollars would trigger some kind of rebid. I guess I'm going back to the original contract. When you guys put it out? Yes. Back in October of 22. There were other bidders that competitively sought this contract. Yes, sir. Five, five minutes. Okay, great. That was that's really what I was trying to get to. And thank you for that. If there are no other questions on Item F, this is the bill I'll see you all we have a motion to approve is in order. So moved. This is Mr. Baker. All in favor. Aye. That motion passes. on to Item G item G is reservoir rehabilitation contract, phase two. Miss Porter.

Cheryl Porter, GLWA

20:03

So what you have before you is a new contract that is dealing with our reservoir inspections, which is a program for asset management, we are required by the state to get in and do inspections of our reservoirs to ensure structural stability so that we are ensuring that we are protecting water quality. We do have quite a few finished water reservoirs. We cycle these through with a certain like we're doing 16 reservoirs with this particular contract. We did 10 The last and then we have another contract is ongoing with another 16. And that's so that we can stay on trying to get in and inspect these structures on a five year cycle. And if we see any significant structural defects, it gives us an opportunity to address that and makes sure that we are doing all that we can to ensure water quality in our system. And with that this was a low bid contract and we did the three bidders and we are going with the lowest responsive bidder and with that I'll open up for questions.

Cadillac

21:19

Now no questions. Mr. Baker.

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

21:21

I'll make the motion and no portion support.

Cadillac

21:25

Move this support it all in favor. Aye. That motion passes. Miss Miss Porter. After the fact there are 30 of these reservoirs. This contract is for 16. who handled the previous 14 Is that in the narrative, or did I miss some?

Cheryl Porter, GLWA

21:50

I don't know if they mentioned to the no Brown and Caldwell has the other contract

Cadillac

21:58

in here. sections on 16 has been conducted under a separate engineering services contract. That's Brown and Caldwell.

Cheryl Porter, GLWA

22:09

Right. The prior contract they had the contract numbers they do not have the name of the organization's

Tim Kuhns

22:18

the prior contract that worked on the previous reservoirs was Pohlmann. Cool.

Cadillac

22:24

Okay. That was That was my question. Thank you Tim. That moves us on to Item h. This is an as needed pump repair services for water treatment plants and look like there are two contractors that are being recommended here. Miss Porter.

Cheryl Porter, GLWA

22:47

Yes, this is a new contract. We had a peel structure with local vendors that was supporting our facilities. And what we've decided to do is have a larger structure that will support all five water treatment plants. Having to vendors works in that we have two major types of pumps, the horizontal centrifugal pumps and then the vertical turbines. We also have a variety of sizes and in these five different locations at the water treatment plants. This is for a three year contract with two one year renewals. We will be using this service for our low lift pumps, our high lift pumps and our wash water pumps and wash water pumps are usually the pumps that are associated with revitalizing our filtration system and and and we are going with the to contract services. So that we can ensure that we have services at all five locations at all times for the the major categories of pumps that we have. We eventually will bring you a similar type structure for the motors as well and this is to support the maintenance team so that we can effectively rehabilitate our pumps when they go out.

Cadillac

24:09

Great. Okay, this is item H as needed pump repair services. Any questions for Miss Porter on this item? Mr. Baker,

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

24:24

hey Cheryl, a couple question. The two incumbent bidding bid any ideas why or can they change their name or?

Cheryl Porter, GLWA

24:36

Um, ah see, Kennedy, I believe is working with LGC so I sometimes these smaller shops don't want to take on I'll let procurement speak to me. looked up and saw your faces. We're

Sonya Collins, GLWA

25:03

good, good afternoon again. On our board and this is Tony Collins procurement director. Um, yes, we we ourselves were very distressed that we did not get the individuals to come back and bid we reached out to each one of them. One of them we did not get a response. And Kurt was curved. We did not get a response like shorts. And they really didn't give us a response. Either of why they didn't bid independently. So we apologize for not being able to provide you that that.

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

25:38

Second question is the amount that we've got split between the two vendors. It looks like we're giving more money to the lower rank than under meter. And and the higher price point as well. Is that just how the pump specialties breakout with their knowledge or skills or why is that?

Sonya Collins, GLWA

26:01

Yeah, so um, we're going to be revisiting how we look at these contracts in the future. Director Baker. Really this is a unit price contract. There are no minimums or maximums guaranteed. So when we let this contract out, we will be based on the unit cost only and as the services are requested. That's how the dollars will pan out. So we suspect that and Cheryl can correct me if I'm wrong, but we suspect that the operations team will use the lower priced vendor. Absolutely. And use the other vendor as again as needed and again, there are no minimums or maximums guaranteed for either of these vendors.

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

26:45

Okay, Bill for the board action, are we appropriating or are we having contracts up to this amount? Is that a problem like if we go over with Cleveland and go under with LDC

Speaker 1

27:00

I mean, just pull it up and recheck the word in the speaker. I don't want to give you the wrong answer.

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

27:07

I can look into motion to Well, I guess the motion

Sonya Collins, GLWA

27:13

in the contract director Baker that there are no minimums or maximums guarantee.

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

27:16

Yeah, and the motion does the motion once a man is just the total 1.6. So it would be founders. Yes. Okay. Thank you

Cadillac

27:28

for the question. Other questions on this side? This is item H questions for me. Is there a motion to approve item H. Move. movements to Baker's supported by Mr. Zack. All in favor? Aye. That motion passes. Thank you, Miss Porter.

Cheryl Porter, GLWA

27:50

Thank you very much.

Cadillac

27:52

All right, next item is item i. This is contract number 2303191. Mr. Moran.

Navid Mehram_GLWA

28:02

Thank you Mr. Chair. And now V Moran chief operating officer for wastewater operations before you is a three year contract. With poly dine polymer supplier for water resource recovery facility in in general polymer is a product that we add to our sludge to help improve its the water ability. The water ability is is where we actually squeeze the water out of a product to be able to use to proceed with other biosolid processes. So in our case incineration. We have to reduce the water concentration within the sludge to a set amount before we can actually incinerate it in our case about 20% solids. So Polymer is something specialized. It's sludge dependent, it'd be what we do is we do bench testing, and we identify a special type of if you've made patent or chemical structure of pot that Polymer so that's why this request before you was actually specialized procurement because we do bench testing to identify what polymer fits our sludge to give us the best performance and based on that we procure that product and at this point, I will take any

Cadillac

29:22

questions. Questions on Item ah, for Mr. Moran.

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

29:28

Yes, pray for procurement. So it looks like the the unit rate did not go up. Right? It's 16 and a half

Navid Mehram_GLWA

29:39

went up about 10% It went I think the last contract previous purchase order was for 15 cents.

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

29:49

Outside your four and five it had gone out already 16 Yes,

Sonya Collins, GLWA

29:54

yes sir. This is when you call this procurement director. Yes sir. they I probably need to give a shout out to our chemical buyer Joan saw Wofford. Yes she she negotiated this contract for the next five years and she had them keep their price which they said they would honor for the next five years, which was in my mind. Amazing. Yeah.

Cadillac

30:20

That's great. And what was a shout out?

Sonya Collins, GLWA

30:23

Don't sow author. So yeah, go ahead, Mr. Baker.

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

30:27

Thank you. Good job.

Cadillac

30:29

All right. And thank you to June. No, there are no other questions on this item. Motion to approve. Has anyone

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

30:39

moved or

Cadillac

30:41

moved to support? All in favor? Aye. And motion passes. Next item on the agenda is Item j this is change order number three for H vac and odor control improvements at the Oakland CSL Mr. Moran.

Navid Mehram_GLWA

31:00

Thank you Mr. Chairman, before us change order I believe number two for for commercial contracting corporations they are working on the awkward HVAC system upgrade. In September we issued a change order number one, which was for a replacement of an additional air handling unit that was not in the original scope since it had failed during that course of the construction. We had identified it and it was a good investment for us to make and proceed with that improvement. The project is continuing along but it has exceeded its final completion deadline and Gil wa intends to review with the contractor and apply liquid damages as appropriate. But just because of policy, we do have to extend the contract duration although we're not increasing the substantial completion time just to ensure that the insurance and everything else is still valid while the contractor is working on site. But the team is working with the contractor intends to apply the code of damages in accordance to the contract as appropriate. This change orders a no cost change order with a time extension or

Cadillac

32:22

as a custom here on this agenda. A where appropriate BCE score is missed. Here. You listen to BCE score of 20. Put that into context please. So the 74 There's a 63 above that. Put that 20 into context.

Navid Mehram_GLWA

32:41

So these are the projects that sometimes are low scoring because when we do the BCE scores, they cover a full spectrum of serviceability and the half projects that are ancillary to our process that might necessarily get a high score because they do not have a direct impact, let's say to our permit or a direct impact to water quality, but it is a health and safety issue but also an equipment reliability issue. So it may have a lower because originally it was intended for odor right. So I may have a lower BCE score but the criticality necessarily is not low either because it is a it is necessary for that equipment and therefore I would have a low score, but it's still needed. See,

Cadillac

33:34

I noticed Mr. Baker's wheelhouse, and I see him smiling over there. So, Mr. Baker, did you have anything on this particular item? I didn't steal your thunder did it I'm sorry,

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

33:44

cherry you are on your game today.

Cadillac

33:48

And when it comes to BCE school, I take a back seat and I let you handle your business. I've just noticed that 20 So it jumped out at me. But please go ahead, Mr. Baker, anything else?

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

34:01

No, I think you know, maybe it criticality isn't factored into the BC V score, that maybe somehow either shouldn't be or should there should be another score but I have the same question.

Cadillac

34:17

Apologize. All right, that then with that, I will make a motion to approve about that.

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

34:26

poorly. You are on your game.

Cadillac

34:29

Supported only only that you say so. So moving support it all in favor, aye. All right. That motion passes. The next item is item K. This is an engineering project management and inspection staff Mr. Moran

Navid Mehram_GLWA

34:46

Thank you Mr. Chairman Navi muram Chief Operating Officer for wastewater operations. Before you is a request to award PMA consulting for a three year contract to provide staff augmenta services for engineering support this is to really bridge our entire CIP effort that we're driving forward on as the board is aware that a comm contract task I believe it was test seven where we utilize a comm services to assist us as we stand up the implementation of the the overall CIP program delivery that was kind of outlined by a program manager AECOM, the the effort has continued we have been successful in recruiting many lifecycle project managers to hand off projects and off board EECOM project managers as we onboard GL wa project managers and hand off those projects and continue forward. We recognize we still have a long ways to go with recruitment. And as one of our directives and our missions is to really cut back on the AE comm staff augment services not only because of the expenses, but also just as we transition out. We want to make sure that we bring those team members on board and make them GL W A team members. So this contract is really to help us with that transition. We will continue actively recruiting for positions, but this is us bringing more engineering support online to be able to continue delivering our CIP commitment and also assisting operation and maintenance projects as well and managing those projects specific to Job Order contracting and or task order engineering or task order. Instrumentation services. So this is something that was anticipated for us. So it's just us executing and working the plan that we had put together. Where we transition from a you calm to potentially an as needed, staff Augment, and then hopefully build the resources that's necessary in house to be able to deliver the entire CIP portfolio for wastewater. And at this point, I'll take any questions.

Cadillac

37:07

All right item K. Any questions for Mr. Moran?

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

37:12

Here intervene how much how many hours or how many after?

Navid Mehram_GLWA

37:25

I have not done I think I will turn it over to Christmas Sally, our Director of Engineering. He had developed some of the numbers so you can share it and Chris, you want to talk about that a little bit?

Chris Nastally, GLWA

37:42

Yeah, sure. Director Baker. Good question. What we are anticipating for project management is anywhere from about three to five. FTE is depending on our workload. For the inspection, it's about similar for providing inspectors for our various projects.

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

38:09

What isn't this all inspection or what else is it besides inspection?

Chris Nastally, GLWA

38:14

This is project management and inspection.

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

38:18

Okay, so, so you think three to five of each inspectors and engineers? Yes, that is correct. So six to 10 Yes, that is correct. Okay, so the hours might be a little bit but

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

38:41

I mean, this is our core business and I know we are trying to ramp up. I don't have a problem that clearly with you know, the first year level one seems like a pretty good rate. It does ramp up. significantly. I assume everyone, pretty much if they're good, they'll continue to develop these levels every year. So I'll

Navid Mehram_GLWA

39:05

speak a little bit of a clarification and then Chris, maybe you can speak on it a little bit more so. So I had the same question and I don't know director Baker if you're looking at this is level one, level two is different yours. It's actually level one is more of a junior team member. And level four is more of a senior team member. And then the year escalation is actually just in a percentage, which is a 3% escalation. The two things that play a big role here mean I you know I had that same conversations with Chris, one in this contract versus where we have a ucomm. There's a program management costs for the staff augment portion here. The project managers that are going to be managing is the direct cost that we're going to be enduring. We're not going to pay for management of the staff augmentation contract, which will be an additional markup associated with that. And then furthermore, the project manager, the senior project managers that are going to be involved in let's say billing for the for the staff augment services. Have to also be involved in that project providing a value to the project, not necessarily just managing the staff augment. And I think there was a percentage Chris, that you had identified, that they have to be involved in or kind of a level of involvement that they are required to provide. If you could share that with director Barry as well. It's

Chris Nastally, GLWA

40:33

actually a maximum level the contract manager has a maximum amount of time that they're allowed to bill unless it's actual time worked on a particular project. So management of the contract creating invoices, creating the monthly reports about the work that their firm has provided overall, is limited to no more than 5% of what the invoice is, unless they are also specifically working on projects. And then it's hours worked.

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

41:03

Yeah. Well, I guess these tears are even worse than worse than I thought in terms of cost. And then we'd be paying an inspector a senior at $242 an hour. I mean, this is something I've been pushing the other we budget, the position, you know, this is a core business, right? We appreciate it. And we've been we had a big contract with ADA or with a con we knew it was common. I know you need more time, you know probably to get people but I just don't know for acting quick enough. But it seems costly. I mean, we've brought people in house right in or, you know, where I'm at in order to save money and hire them rather than contract out inspection. I don't know how it gets additional. So,

Navid Mehram_GLWA

42:07

so let me I'm going to lab rate a little bit here just for some clarity. So one, Director Baker we did compare I did compare this to a calm, and these rates are better than a comms rates. So that's, that's one one place of I guess, you know, validity to this contract. The second thing that I do want to mention is that on the large CIP project, so Chris, identify three to five but it's, it's really a contract limit. It's not what we expect to necessarily use. So to give you some idea, with these larger capital projects, we have our PR services that's actually built into those contracts.

Navid Mehram_GLWA

42:58

projects where the inspection kind of comes in with that continuation, right as part of that, lot of these inspection services and Chris feel free to add in as if I miss anything, but a lot of these have to do with like the job order contracting, the kind of more of our smaller jobs that we did not have RPR services that necessarily has been provided and we will be able to staff augment so they'll be have additional resources. The AECOM project really focused on project management needs for being able to deliver the CIP so when we created the positions and everything we really focused around lifecycle project managers, technical management leads to be able to ensure adequate large CIP delivery areas that I know that our organizational development team is working on is other supporting roles that are needed for the CIP inspectors being one of them. Engineers being another one. Those are positions that are also that our od team is working on. And Mr. Wilson can kind of speak on those things, but that so there there are differences. For us, the main focus is going to be around project management and making sure that the CIP delivery doesn't miss a beat as we go through and off board a car.

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

44:26

Yeah, well, it's good that they're cheaper than a but I guess my question is, why can't we bring these people in house?

Speaker 1

44:37

So we continue to try as you were call we showed you and I think it was October of 21. Some of the things and some of the challenges that we had as you recall, we settled with the Association of Professional contract inspectors union we made a substantial adjustment to our our compensation for inspector since that time. We have some data points, and we're obviously in discussions with our unions at this point, but but the answer to your question is particularly I think for construction sectors, the market the demand is well outpacing the market with the with the federal funding where there's a great deal of construction going that's one of the challenges that we have. So with that the issue but I do want to remind you that we we took two actions in the last contract with that bargaining, like last time to bargaining one was to make substantial adjustments for all that were there and the second was to was to make it easier for team members to progress this they came in the door because we were having a number of individuals coming in and joining the organization that were unable to progress and then going on to seek other employment. So to that extent, you're you know, no matter what we do, we always have to work at continuously improving, and it's one that we'll we'll move up on the priority list and see what we can do.

Speaker 2

46:15

I'd like to add something to Director bakery because we've heard you say this before and we share it right this is a bridge isn't at the end, and Bill said that right? We're making progress, but we're not all the way where we want to be. We see what you see. I think we've made significant progress, adding the lifecycle project manager, technical management leader, this is the stuff that Mr. Romm talked about. And we filled a number of those positions and we're making progress. We're just not quite there yet. And Mr. Wealth, Wilson talked about where we are with the inspector. So I see this as a bridge. It's a step in the right direction. It's not the destination though so we will continue to work at it.

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

46:50

Have we added any inspectors?

Unknown Speaker

46:55

Yes. In the last three years Yes,

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

46:57

we have that how many? Any? I

Speaker 1

47:00

don't I don't have that figure. I can't tell you what been that changes but I know that we have hired inspectors in the last three years. I'm a little a little removed from it from one when I was directly responsible, but we can get you that day. That's one.

Navid Mehram_GLWA

47:18

And I think on wastewater just to give you a data point on wastewater alone, we have had three we have hired three inspectors

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

47:28

that break is that in that or

Navid Mehram_GLWA

47:31

in wastewater I do not know if it's net or if it is just how many people we have on board.

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

47:39

Okay, well I've spoken enough I think you know that PMA is finding people to pay them 200 For an inspector $240 an hour. I don't like really bad names but up to 350 for a project manager. All right. Thank you.

Cadillac

48:02

Thank you. So can we get that information by the next meeting Mr. Wolf sorry, Mr. Moran, the net gain in

Speaker 1

48:12

so what what what I understand you would like to see is for the calendar year 20 to 23 How many inspectors were hired and how many inspectors left out? Do you want us to take that data just for the wastewater operations? SPEAKER

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

48:34

No I think I think management understand where I'm coming from. I'm trying to bring stuff more in house and what can we do to do that to have our own talent and not pay higher prices that to a contractor who is finding people especially when we have full time work, you know, that's our core business. So I don't know what kind of data I think I've communicated. Well, you know, my, my hope and I know you guys are working on it, but you know, AECOM, how long has it been for fourth, four or five years that we started with a? It's good. This is less than eight, but it's me. Still not good enough. And I think we'd all agree it's just, you know, how we get there.

Cadillac

49:25

Do we have to work? Nevermind meal Okay, so any other questions on this item? This is item K. There being no other questions. A motion to approve is in order. moved. It's been moved. Is there a support?

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

49:51

Gram and you're gonna have to support it.

Cadillac

49:54

So you do have questions. You do require additional information.

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

49:59

No, I'm just not happy.

Cadillac

50:02

You're not happy. I'm not happy. But I'm going to support it. All in favor? Aye. That motion passes.

Brian Baker, Macomb County/GLWA Board

50:11

I'm a no on that.

Cadillac

50:13

I know you are. Thank you. Okay. Do and duly noted, by the way, which is a sentiment we all share. You are not the Lone Ranger on that one, my friend. The next item is the amended item added to the agenda which is item L. This is the onr committee proposed meeting scheduled for 2024. Mr. Wilson, you want to take this one oh, do you want to hand

Speaker 1

50:43

I'll take this One's chairman. We have before you a proposed schedule of meetings for this committee in the year 2024. We'll be presenting a proposed schedule of meetings for the board at its meeting on on October 25. And this still obviously aligns with the practice that we have now that this committee would meet on the same day of the workshop meetings generally aligns excuse me, I shouldn't say that November. We have a little bit of a difference. Generally Alliance, but with that, and so would last the committee approved the schedule.

Cadillac

51:28

All right, is there a motion?

john zech

51:30

I move that we approve the schedule 2024 portal

Cadillac

51:34

moved to support it. Any other questions on this? If not, all in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Motion passes. Next item item nine is reports. Do we have any reports bill?

Speaker 1

51:47

No reports of this committee. Mr. Chairman, looking ahead,

Cadillac

51:50

our next on our committee meeting is scheduled for November 8. At the same time 11am. There's no information to be provided in any other matters by anyone. Anyone on the call to have other matters. If not

john zech

52:08

mentioned, Mr. Chairman. That I got the message this morning from over Shonda Willis about that we'll be going back to meeting at the on the fifth floor of the building. And I'm glad I'm glad not that I didn't like going to the church. But I'm I liked I liked the the meeting set up there on the fifth floor. And I'm glad that the ceiling has been repaired looking forward to seeing everybody then

Cadillac

52:38

back to the friendly confines of our meeting home correctness does that.

john zech

52:43

Yeah, that's our home court.

Cadillac

52:45

There you go. All right. Well, then if that's that said, I want to thank the staff and everybody for doing a great job. And if there are no objections, a me a motion to adjourn is in order.

john zech

53:01

So moved.

Cadillac

53:03

Moved and supported. We are adjourned everybody take care of Mr. Brown. Nice seeing you this morning. All dressed up and everything ready to go to your meeting. Everybody take care. Yeah.

Cheryl Porter, GLWA

53:20

Recording stuff

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