HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-08-066 - Amendment To The Purchse Order For Consulting Services - Class EA Study - Strasburg Creek Flood Control Structure~R ..~.
Developmenr&
Technical Services
Report To: Development & Technical Services Committee
Date of Meeting: May 12, 2008
Submitted By: K. Grant Murphy, P. Eng, Director of Engineering Services
Prepared By: Binu Korah, P. Eng., Manager of Development Engineering
Ward(s) Involved: Ward # 4
Date of Report: April 23,2008
Report No.: DTS-08-066
Subject: AMENDMENT TO THE PURCHSE ORDER FOR
CONSULTING SERVICES - CLASS ENVIRONEMTAL
ASSESSMENT STUDY FOR THE STRASBURG CREEK
FLOOD CONTROL STRUCTURE
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT Council approve the extension of the purchase order for consulting services to
Stantec Consulting Limited for the additional amount of $65,000 plus GST to complete
the Class Environmental Assessment Study for the Strasburg Creek Flood Control
Structure, and the funds to be allocated from the Development Charges Project,
MiddlelSouth Strasburg Creek Water Course, Index Code 855221.
BACKGROUND:
The Strasburg Creek watershed is located in the southwest part of the City of Kitchener. The
Main/Middle, branch of Strasburg Creek originates northwest of the intersection of Fischer-
Hallman Road and Bleams Road and flows generally southeast through awell-defined, well-
vegetated valley crossing Huron Road approximately 1 km west of Strasburg Road. The
dra2nage area contributing to the Main Branch of the Creek is approximately 3.6 km and 6.4
km at the Fischer-Hallman and Huron Road crossings, respectively.
The Strasburg Creek Master Watershed Plan (SCMWP) was completed by Paragon
Engineering Ltd. (now Stantec Consulting Ltd.) and Ecologistics Ltd. in 1991. As part of the
study, a hydrologic modelling for the watershed was completed based on assumed
development patterns and recommended a series of major on-line flood control structures to
minimize the potential for downstream flooding and erosion impacts. The Grand River
Conservation Authority (G RCA) and the City of Kitchener approved the SCMWP shortly after its
completion.
One of the primary results of the SCMWP was the recommended construction of Flood Control
Structure, at a location just upstream of the Main Branch's crossing of Huron Road. This
structure is to replace the existing berm l spillway structure that has historically created Battler's
Pond. The function of the proposed structure is to control outflows for infrequent storm events
to minimize the potential for negative downstream flooding impacts due to the development of
the upstream catchments.
As a result of the SCMWP, the City had identified the necessity of preparing a Schedule "B"
Environmental Assessment (EA) for this project to examine alternatives for the proposed means
of providing sufficient controls upstream of Huron Road to minimize the potential for flooding
within this area.
REPORT:
The City appointed (Council resolution, DTS-03-038) Stantec Consulting Limited in 2003 to
initiate the Class EA study. The consultant began the work in 2003 and progressed through the
fieldwork and modelling analyses necessary for the study. The Upper Strasburg Creek
Subwatershed Study and EA Study for the Fischer-Hallman Road crossing was also proceeding
concurrently. In late 2003, there were concerns on discrepancies between the modelling from
the original SCMWP and the ongoing Alder/Upper Strasburg Creek Watershed Study. Therefore
it was decided to wait for the updated watershed modelling as part of the Alder/Upper Strasburg
Watershed Study before the completion of the Strasburg Creek flood control structure EA.
The main important reason for considering the flood control EA including the following:
• A large storm event in July 2005 breached the existing Battler's Pond weir, causing the
pond to drain and the area to revert from awetland/pond to stream conditions. The City,
as owners of the parcel completed stabilization works to minimize additional damage to
Strasburg Creek
• In 2007 beavers constructed a dam at the same location, partially restoring pond
conditions to Battler's pond
• Ongoing development of the Huron Village subdivision west of Strasburg Creek has
implemented temporary stormwater management controls to provide the required major
storm flood control function of an on-line structure
• Further development is proposed upstream of Fischer-Hallman Road
• The Upper Strasburg Creek Subwatershed Plan update and Fischer-Hallman Road
Culvert EA have been completed, thereby finalizing the anticipated flows to Strasburg
Creek
• The proposed widening of Huron Road through the Strasburg Creek crossing is about to
be initiated
The Strasburg Creek Watershed Study Update and Upper Strasburg Creek (Fischer Hallman
Culvert) Class EA have been completed. At this time the City would like to complete the
Strasburg Flood Control EA to resolve the flooding issues within this area. The Stantec has
submitted the revised budget to continue their previous assignment. The original purchase order
for this project was $19,275.00 excluding applicable taxes. Due to the scope change there is a
need to increase the purchase order from $19,275 to $84,275.00 excluding the applicable taxes.
i.e., additional funding of $65,000.00 is required to complete the project.
These are the major reason for the increase in the consultant fees:
Change inconditions -Current conditions at the site have changed significantly since the
original field work was completed in 2004 with the loss of Battler's Pond during a severe
storm in 2005 and therefore field work must be repeated to re-assess current ecological
conditions. Additional environmental work has been completed for the Huron Natural
Area, which must be reviewed and considered in this EA, including the presence of an
endangered species (Blanding's Turtle)
2
Change inscope -The scope of work has increased to include additional analysis and
recommendations related to the Fischer-Hallman Road culvert configuration, and further
coordination with the recommendations of the Upper Strasburg Creek Subwatershed
Plan Update and the Fischer-Hallman Road Culvert EA are required. Further, Stantec
has to coordinate the work with the Huron Road Class EA consultant if the flood control
structure is identified within the Huron Road.
• Public Consultation expectations -Public and agency expectations have increased
considerably since 2003, and therefore a greater level of effort is required to provide and
document design informationldetails. The City is anticipated to meet with the public,
developers, affected land owners and agencies to discuss the study finding during the
process.
Due to the changes to the overall system with in the study area of this EA, additional
environmental fieldwork and an update to the modelling is required to complete the Flood
Control EA. Additionally, since one of the alternatives is to integrate the flood control structure
with Huron Road, it is also important to link this study with the Road EA.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The total additional funding of $65,000 is required to complete this project. The funding is
available in the Development Charges Project, Middle/South Strasburg Creek Water Course,
Index Code 855221.
CONCLUSION:
The Strasburg Creek Watershed Study Update and Upper Strasburg Creek Class EA have
been completed. At this time the City would like to complete the Strasburg Flood Control EA to
resolve the flooding issues within this area. Due to the scope changes to this project staff
recommend that the Stantec Consulting Limited Purchase Order be increased to complete the
Class Environmental Assessment study for the Strasburg Flood Control Structure.
Binu Korah, P. Eng.
Manager of Development Engineering
K. Grant Murphy, P. Eng.
Director of Engineering Services