Information Items:
May 5, 2009 Rain Event
Resource:
Jennifer Smith, Storm Water Services, 704-336-7924, jgsmith@ci.charlotte.nc.us
On Tuesday evening, May 5, the Charlotte area received rainfall amounts that ranged from 0.1 inches to almost 4.5 inches. The largest amounts were in the uptown area and just south and east of the uptown. Storm Water Services has received over 70 calls reporting flooding and/or blockage which is three times more than normally received. Storm Water Services will be investigating these areas to determine if they qualify for storm water assistance.
Runway Grading Contract Completion
Resource:
T. J. Orr, Aviation, 704-359-4006, tjorr@charlotteairport.com
In February 2007, City Council approved a contract with E.S. Wagner Company, LLC of Piedmont, S.C. in the amount of $43,626,829 for the grading and drainage for the third parallel runway. In the same action, City Council also appropriated $51,000,000 in Airport Discretionary Fund balance, which was later replaced with proceeds from the 2007 General Airport Revenue Bond issue and FAA federal grants.
The contract provided for the clearing of 640 acres of land, the installation of a drainage system under the project, and the placement of approximately 9 million cubic yards of earthwork for the runway and the related taxiways. The work was divided into two phases: Phase 1-A included the work within the pavement areas; and Phase 1-B included the work outside of the pavement areas. The contract gave the contractor 720 calendar days to complete Phase 1-A and 840 days to complete Phase 1-B. Based on these stipulations, Phase 1-A needed to be completed no later than May 16, 2009 and Phase 1-B no later than September 16, 2009.
The contract contained a bonus/liquidated damages clause that provided the opportunity for E.S. Wagner to earn a bonus of $10,000 a day, not to exceed $1,500,000 for the early completion of Phase 1-A, and $1,000,000 for the early completion of Phase 1-B. Likewise, in each phase, the contractor would be charged $10,000 a day, with no cap, if the work extended beyond the number of each calendar days in each phase of work. In October 2008, E.S. Wagner completed the work in Phase 1-A of the contract and was awarded a $1,500,000 bonus for that phase of work. Early completion of this phase permitted the Airport to start paving the runway earlier, saving money on concrete cost escalation.
As of May 5, 2009, E.S. Wagner has completed the work in Phase 1-B of the contract. By completing this work, they have earned the $1,000,000 bonus for this phase and have asked the Airport for payment. The Airport has verified that the work is complete and will process the bonus payment as part of their next pay application. There are funds available in the original budget to pay this bonus.
Alexander Road Improvements
Resource:
Becky Chambers, Engineering & Property Management, 704-336-3280, rchambers@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Engineering & Property Management is in the process of making improvements to Alexander Road. The improvements consist of sidewalk, minor roadway widening and pedestrian refuge islands. Two accidents have occurred where construction of one of the new pedestrian refuge islands is underway. Accidents sometimes occur when new traffic patterns are being established and this location has the additional factor that vehicles are travelling directly into the sun around 7:30 a.m., which is the approximate time of both accidents.
Following the installation of new traffic controls, experience shows that drivers become accustomed to the new traffic pattern and accidents are no longer an issue. That is expected to occur here. Staff has instructed the contractor to make some temporary changes during the remainder of construction, such as temporary paint marking the new traffic pattern, to assist motorists in traveling safely through the construction area.
Water Quality Report Demonstrates Exceptional Treatment
Resource:
Doug Bean, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities, 704-391-5070, dbean@ci.charlotte.nc.us
CMU continues to deliver on its commitment to Clean Water for a Healthy Community. The tenth Water Quality Report will be mailed late this week to 445,000 postal customers countywide, as federally required, to inform them of drinking water test results from calendar year 2008. Our community's tap water again meets and exceeds state and federal drinking water standards and, again, CMU had no water quality violations.
CMU conducts more than 150,000 tests on drinking water annually, and this report summarizes the substances detected in Charlotte-Mecklenburg's tap water. Customers can find the report and a list of all the substances tested for but not detected in their tap water at www.cmutilities.com.
CMU has taken several measures to manage the cost of the report while keeping it informative and educational for residents. The report size has been adjusted, and like last year, it is printed in black and white. We've also expedited production to mail prior to the upcoming postage rate increase. The report costs 21 cents per piece for design, printing, mailing and Spanish translation, which will run in Mi Gente newspaper in mid-May.
Dilworth Criterium
Resource:
Dave Christopher, CDOT, 704-336-3889, dchristopher@ci.charlotte.nc.us
The Dilworth Criterium was held last Saturday, May 2. The Criterium is a set of closed-circuit bike races that run on the perimeter of Latta Park. The Dilworth Community Development Association (DCDA) has been an active partner and sponsor for much of the race's 36-year history. The race has drawn several top named professional riders and future Olympians in past years. Two charities receive benefits from this race. The Bicycle Recyclery reconditions used bikes for underprivileged children and donations are made to The Relatives group home in the neighborhood.
The application for the event was received on December 30, 2008 and the route was approved in January by the DCDA and City staff. The street closures were the same as the last several years. The event holder posted the required signage adjacent to the course 3 days before the event and a flyer detailing race impact on the area was distributed to every house on the course.
There were four other permitted events on that Saturday (the Aids Walk Charlotte, the Great Harvest 5K, the Midwood Mania 5K and Midwood Mania Pet Parade) in addition to the PGA golf championship. Permitted events peak in the spring and fall with another four events scheduled for the upcoming weekend. This includes the Girls on the Run 5K which utilizes the same course as the Criterium since 2001.
An after-action meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 14 where CDOT staff will review the event with internal and external stakeholders. The agenda includes discussion of ways to lessen the impacts to the neighborhood.
