HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-07-023 - Forensic Review of the Victoria St & Joseph/Gaukel St Reconstruction Projects~ ~, ~
TC E
Development &
Technical Services
Report To: Mayor Zehr and Members of Council
Date of Meeting: February 5, 2007
Submitted By: Carla Ladd, CAO
Rob Browning, General Manager, Development & Technical
Services Department
Prepared By: Rob Browning, General Manager, Develeopment & Technical
Services Department
Ward(s~ Involved: N/A
Date of Report: January 26, 2007
Report No.: DTS 07-023
Subject: FORENSIC REVIEW OF THE VICTORIA STREET AND THE
JOSELPH/GAUKEL STREETS RECONSTRUCTION
PROJECTS
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council support the undertaking of an independent forensic review of the Victoria Street
Reconstruction and the Joseph/Gaukel Streets Reconstruction projects.
REPORT:
During the past two construction seasons, the City of Kitchener has undertaken two of its largest
and most complex projects in recent times if not in its history. These projects are the Victoria
Street reconstruction and what is known as the Joseph/Gaukel Streets reconstruction. Both
projects were broad in scope and complex in the sense that large volumes of contaminated soils
were involved in each project.
Staff worked diligently with contracted consultants to determine the scope of the projects and
specifically, the extent of contamination and the process by which these are addressed. The best
estimates were included in the tender documents relevant to each project and bids were received
based on that information. As we have been advised consistently on each project involving
contaminated soils, soil testing is a viable method of determining the extent to which
contamination exists and the nature of the contamination, however, as experience has shown
time and time again, complete and accurate understanding of existing contamination cannot be
known conclusively until the ground is actually opened up.
In the case of both the Victoria Street and Joseph/Gaukel projects, the extent of contamination
was far greater than originally estimated and the proportion of non-hazardous to hazardous was
also far greater affecting the ultimate costs of the both projects significantly.
While staff has continued to develop strength and expertise in the field of environmental
contamination and remediation, we continue to encounter significant difficulties with these kinds
of projects including but not limited to scheduling and financing. In light of these issues, staff is
recommending that an independent review of the project development and construction
processes used for projects that have an element of contamination be conducted. The review
would be conducted by someone external to the City and would include a comprehensive review
from project inception through to completion using both the Victoria Street and Joseph/Gaukel
projects as working examples. It is intended that this review would determine both the strengths
and weaknesses inherent in our current project management process and ultimately help us to
improve our process and avoid or better manage future difficulties on similar projects.
An Expression of Interest will be developed to obtain a consultant to complete this review and
staff anticipate that a report could be completed and submitted to audit committee before the
summer break.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The cost of these reviews is unknown at this time. A successful bidder would be chosen
according to the policies and procedures for the selection of consultant and professional services.
Carla Ladd, CAO
Rob Browning, General Manager
Development and Technical Services