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Council OKs $242,727 design contract for 8‑Mile water main; city seeks federal funds for construction
Summary
Council approved a professional‑services agreement with Giffels & Webster for up to $242,727 to design 8‑Mile Road water‑main improvements. Staff said the design will improve grant competitiveness for a pending federal request (roughly $3.63 million with a 75/25 match) and aims to relocate the 85‑year‑old cast‑iron main to Ferndale’s greenbelt for improved reliability.
The City Council approved a design‑only contract with Giffels & Webster for 8‑Mile Road water‑main improvements in an amount not to exceed $242,727.
DPW staff described the scope as topographic survey, geotechnical and environmental investigations, permitting and bidding support for relocation of an 85‑year‑old 12‑inch cast‑iron main from the roadway to the greenbelt on the Ferndale side of 8‑Mile. Staff said the existing main is a high‑consequence asset: when it breaks, traffic impacts and emergency repairs can be extensive because the pipe lies near the median and requires lane closures. Replacing or relocating the main would reduce the frequency and consequences of emergency repairs while improving fire flow and service reliability.
Staff explained the city is pursuing federal appropriations for construction and has requested about $3.63 million (75/25 match chosen to be competitive); design work now will strengthen grant applications by making the project ‘‘shovel‑ready’’ if funding is awarded. The presentation explained why the design phase is limited to design only and that construction would return for separate council approval.
Councilmembers asked about coordination with neighboring jurisdictions, traffic impacts during construction (work is expected to use the sidewalk/greenbelt to minimize road closures), and whether sidewalks and curb repairs would be covered in project unit costs. Staff said affected sidewalks and curbs are included in project unit costs and that the city is seeking letters of support from adjacent agencies to bolster federal applications. The motion passed by roll call.
