Lead Water Main Replacement Project - Authorization to Solicit Consulting Eingeering Design Services RFQCity of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS # 12.
Copyrighted
March 16, 2026
ITEM TITLE: Lead Water Main Replacement Project - Authorization to
Solicit Consulting Engineering Design Services RFQ
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council approval to release
a request for qualifications (RFQ) for design of the Lead
Water Main Replacement Project (CIP No. 4281000024) and
to submit an Iowa SRF Planning and Design (P&D) Loan to
finance planning and design costs associated with the
project.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Approve
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo Lead Water Main Replacement Project - Authorization to Solicit
Consulting Engineering Design Services RFQ
2. Lead WMR Authorize Design RFQ Memo
Page 243 of 811
Dubuque
THE CITY OF
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi zoo�•*o
rP PP 2017202019
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Lead Water Main Replacement Project - Authorization to Solicit Consulting
Engineering Design Services RFQ
DATE: March 10, 2026
Water Department Director Christopher Lester is recommending City Council approval
to release a request for qualifications (RFQ) for design of the Lead Water Main
Replacement Project (CIP No. 4281000024) and to submit an Iowa SRF Planning and
Design (P&D) Loan to finance planning and design costs associated with the project.
This project provides funding for the removal and replacement of the Water
Department's existing public lead water mains: May Place, Union Street, Austin Street,
Washington Street, and Roland Street. This project will eliminate the department's
public lead line water mains that were installed in the early 1920's. This project will also
include replacement of lead service lines affected by the main replacements.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Christopher Lester, Water Department Director
Jennifer Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Max O'Brien, Assistant Public Works Director - Project Manager
Eldon Schneider, Water Project Supervisor
Carl Plumley, Water Distribution Supervisor
Page 244 of 811
THE CF
DUIj---B E-E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Christopher Lester, Water Department Director
DATE: March 9, 2026
Dubuque
All -America City
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
SUBJECT: Lead Water Main Replacement Project - Authorization to Solicit Consulting
Engineering Design Services RFQ
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to request authorization from City Council to release a
request for qualifications (RFQ) for design of the Lead Water Main Replacement Project (CIP
No. 4281000024) and to submit an Iowa SRF Planning and Design (P&D) Loan to finance
planning and design costs associated with the project.
BACKGROUND
This project provides funding for the removal and replacement of the Water Department's
existing public lead water mains: May Place, Union Street, Austin Street, Washington Street,
and Roland Street. This project will eliminate the department's public lead line water mains that
were installed in the early 1920's. This project will also include replacement of lead service lines
affected by the main replacements.
The Lead Water Main Replacement Project (CIP No. 4281000024) includes a current FY26 total
expense budget $418,032.00 for the design and construction of portions of the total project, with
funding through the Drinking Water SRF program. The Water Department has requested
additional funds in FY27 to be able to complete construction at all of the replacement project
sites.
DISCUSSION
The Water Department is embarking on starting the design phase of the Lead Water Main
Replacement Project (CIP No. 4281000024) in the Spring of 2026. An RFQ has been prepared
with the input of various City staff members. The following staff members make up the RFQ
Committee. This team will review qualifications of firms that respond and formulate a
recommendation:
— Chris Lester, Water, Department Director
— Finance Representative (TBD)
— Eldon Schneider, Water (Project Supervisor for the Project)
— Carl Plumley, Water
— Max O'Brien, Public Works
Page 245 of 811
PROJECT SCHEDULE
The desired project schedule for the initial phase is as follows:
City Council Authorizes Submission of P&D Loan Application March 16, 2026
Water Department Submits P&D Loan Application Submitted April 3, 2026
City Council Authorizes Soliciting Design Services RFQ
March 16, 2026
City Advertises Design Services RFQ
March 20, 2026
Respondent Questions Due
March 27, 2026
Response Addendum Due
April 3, 2026
Respondent Qualifications Due
April 9, 2026
RFQ Committee Reviews Responses and Prepares Shortlist
April 15, 2026
RFQ Committee Completes Shortlist Interviews
April 21-22, 2026
RFQ Committee Completes Recommendation to City Manager
April 27, 2026
City Council Authorizes Design Services Award
May 4, 2026
RFQ Committee and Engineer Prepare Contract Scope Submittal May 15, 2026
RFQ Committee Completes Recommendation to City Manager
May 25, 2026
City Council Authorizes Design Services Agreement Execution
June 1, 2026
Design Engineer Completes Preliminary Engineering Report
July 31, 2026
City Council Authorizes Submission of PER and UP Application August 17, 2026
Water Department Submits SRF UP Application
August 21, 2026
Design Engineer Completes Final Design Documents
October 30, 2026
All Permits Acquired
December 4, 2026
City Council Authorizes Bid Initiation
January 4, 2027
City Advertises for Construction Bids
January 8, 2027
Council Advertises for Public Hearing
January 8, 2027
City Council Holds Public Hearing
January 18, 2027
City Conducts Bid Opening
February 4, 2027
City Council Authorizes Construction Bid Award
February 15, 2027
Contractor Mobilizes for Construction
April 5, 2027
Contractor Completes Construction
June 25, 2027
BUDGET IMPACT
The original estimate of probable cost for the Lead Water Main Replacement Project (CIP No.
4281000024) is provided as follows:
Description
Cost Estimate
Legal Expenses
$0.00
Land and Easements
$0.00
Professional Services (Report or Planning)
$10,000.00
Professional Services (Design)
$30,000.00
Professional Services (Construction)
$40,000.00
Construction
$590,000.00
Austin St
$150,000.00
2
Page 246 of 811
May PI
$110, 000.00
Roland St
$120,000.00
Union St
$100,000.00
Washington St
$110,000.00
Equipment
$0.00
Contingency
$78,000.00
Total Estimated Project Cost
$748,000.00
Budgeted Expenses for the Lead Water Main Replacement Project (CIP No. 4281000024) are
provided as follows:
CIP
Fund
Budgeted Expenses
Amount
4281000024
SRF
Consulting Engineer
(Design Phase
$28,240.00
4281000024
SRF
Construction
$389,792.00
Total Project Budgeted Expenses
$418,032.00
Proposed FY2027 Additions
4281000024
SRF
Consulting Engineer
Construction Phase
$30,000.00
4281000024
SRF
Construction
$300,000.00
Total Project Budgeted Expenses (pending FY27 Budget Approval)
$748,032.00
The proposed design phase funds will be pulled from the currently available FY26 Consulting
Engineer (Design Phase) line item which has a current available expense value of $28,240.00
and, if necessary, from the Construction line item.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
I respectfully request that the City Council authorize the Water Department to release a request
for qualifications (RFQ) for design of the Lead Water Main Replacement Project (CIP No.
4281000024) and to submit an Iowa SRF Planning and Design (P&D) Loan to finance planning
and design costs associated with the project.
Prepared by Eldon Schneider, Water Project Supervisor
cc: Jennifer Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Max O'Brien, Assistant Public Works Director - Project Manager
Eldon Schneider, Water Project Supervisor
Carl Plumley, Water Distribution Supervisor
3
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