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Council approves contract with Olson LLC for irrigation backflow testing up to $700,000
Summary
Council authorized a contract allowing the city to continue a bulk backflow testing program for residential irrigation assemblies, citing customer savings and protection of the potable water system.
The Redmond City Council approved a contract with Olson LLC to provide annual testing of residential irrigation backflow assemblies, authorizing up to five years and a total not-to-exceed amount of $700,000 over the contract life.
Travis Robbins, Redmond’s water division manager, told the council the contract is for three years initially, with the ability to extend for two additional years. He said, “This is a 3 year contract with a not to exceed amount of $140,000 annually with the ability to extend an additional 2 years with a not to exceed amount of $700,000 over the life of the contract.” Robbins said the city has offered bulk pricing through this program since February 2004 and that the service protects the potable-water system from a rare but serious risk of contamination from backflow.
Robbins described customer benefits: annual testing during irrigation season (May–October) and lower per-assembly costs billed through the city. He said customers pay about $15.96 per assembly under the city program, compared with $40–$55 on the open market. The program places the testing and repair coordination responsibility with the city rather than requiring individual residents to locate and schedule private certified testers.
A council member moved to approve the contract and authorize the city manager to sign. The motion passed on a voice vote; the meeting record shows an affirmative voice vote and the chair declared the motion adopted. The council did not record an individual roll-call tally in the transcript.
The staff report notes the contract term, annual not-to-exceed amount ($140,000) and an overall not-to-exceed amount of $700,000 if extensions are exercised. Staff said they will notify HOAs and customers of the service through the city newsletter and social media so customers do not pay private-market rates unnecessarily.
