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Council approves design contract to upgrade Zone 9 booster station to meet fire-flow standard
Summary
Council authorized a professional services agreement with NCS Engineers up to $94,376 to design and begin permitting for an upgrade to the Zone 9 booster (Rockaway Reservoir area) to provide the town's 500 gpm fire-flow requirement; the developer Continental Mountain Estates will contribute $350,000 toward the estimated $960,000 project.
The town authorized a professional services agreement with NCS Engineers up to $94,376 to start design, permitting and limited construction-phase services to upgrade the Zone 9 booster pump site tied to Rockaway Reservoir so it can meet the town's adopted 500 gallons-per-minute fire-flow requirement.
Why it matters: The existing below-grade booster pump assembly in Pressure Zone 9 was designed for domestic demand only and cannot currently provide adopted fire flows. Council heard that Continental Mountain Estates (a developer in the zone) has agreed to cost-share and will contribute $350,000 toward an estimated total upgrade cost of roughly $960,000; the town plans to carry forward design work this fiscal year and seek construction funding in next year's capital program.
Project details: Staff said the current pump station sits 10'20 feet below grade in a confined structure that complicates pump upgrades and requires a more substantial site design. NCS Engineers prepared the basis-of-design and cost estimate used in discussions with the developer and was selected as a direct select (sole-source) consultant to expedite continuity from design through construction.
Council discussion and vote: Council members expressed support for improving fire flows in outlying zones and asked that future phases include competitive bidding for construction; the motion to authorize the agreement with NCS Engineers carried on roll-call 6-0. Staff noted the $94,376 includes some construction-phase services but much of the funding impact will appear next fiscal year when construction is scheduled.
Next steps: Town staff will execute the professional services agreement, begin design and permitting work, and plan for construction-phase funding in the FY26 capital improvement program. The developer's contribution will be applied to the project per the terms of the development agreement.
