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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR 14982: PURCHASE OF POLYMERS AND OTHER CHEMICALS - UTILITY OPERATIONSMEMORANDUM CITY OF PO]~T ARTHUR UTILITY OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT TO: Steve Fitzgibbons, City Manager FROM: Kelly Eldridge, Director of Utility Operations /~~~~~ DATE: November 11, 2008 SUBJECT: Proposed Resolution No. 14982 RECOMMENDATION We recommend the approval of Proposed Resolution No. 14982 authorizing the purcha~ce of sole source polymers by the Utility Operations Department. BACKGROUND The Utility purchases various polymeric chemicals for the treatment of drinking water and wastewater. Each polymer is unique and available only from its respective manufacturing company. Normally, only one of the listed coagulant polymers is required to properly treat drinking water. On occasion, multiple products may be necessary to produce the best results. However, when water conditions change, a different product(s) may produce the most cost-effective treatment scheme. Thies Resolution authorizes the purchase of eaclh of these products as needed so that our treatment personnel may determine the most cost effective treatment scheme at any given time. This Resolution allows us to qualify ne.w products to broaden our treatment options. It further provides that all other chemical purchases will continue to be in accordance with existing, established bid procedures. This Resolution is updated and presented to Council at least once annually. BUDGET/FISCAL EFFECT We are projecting to use same amount of polymers this year as we did last year, noting that the current unit prices for the primary and secondary coagulants have increased 6% over last year. We estimate that polymer purchases this year for the Water Purification Division will total approximately $800,000 to be used on an as- needed basis and charged to account no. 410-1252-532.29-02. We estimate that polymer purchases for the Wastewater Treatment Division will total approximately $110,000, to be used on an asaleeded basis and charged to account no. 410-1256-532.29-02. STAFF/EMPLOYEE EFFECT All polymers, like all water/wastewater treatment chemicals, are administered by trained employees who are properly certified by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. SUMMARY Approval of Proposed Resolution No. 14982 will allow staff to determine and utilize the most cost: effective treatment scheme and is recommended for approval. P. R. No. 14982 avN 11/11/08 RESOLUTION NO. A Resolution Authorizing; The Director of Utility Operations to Purchase ]Polymers and Delineating Procedures For The Purchase of Other Chemicals. WHEREAS, the Director of Utilities is responsible for the Water Purification Plant: and the Wastewater Treatment Plants; and, WHEREAS, the Water Purification Plant takes raw water from the Lower Neches Valley Authority canal, clarifies, disinfects, stabilizes, and treats the water so that it can be distributed as drinking water for the citizens; and, WHEREAS, the Wastewater Treatment Plants receive wastewater from throughout the City, clarify, disinfect, stabilize, and treat the water so that it can be safely discharged back into our nation's waterways; and, WHEREAS, most of the chemicals used for treatment are common commodities of standard. chemical composition, which are sold by numerous distributors, and the City can obtain these chemicals through the bid process; and, WHEREAS, these types of common commodities include but are not limited to: sodium hydroxide, liquid chlorine, anhydrous ammonia, hydrofluosilicic acid, sodium chlorite, and phosphates; and, WHEREAS, other chemicals are not of standard chemical composition and are available only from one source because of patents, copyrights, secret processes, or natural monopolies; and, WHEREAS, these chemicals are usually polymers used at the treatment plants for various purposes; and, WHEREAS, these proprietary chemicals have to be tested at the plant to deterrnine if they can properly treat, and not create adverse conditions to the plant or to the water; now therefore, P. R. 'Ko. 14982 Page 2 of 3 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNC][L OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR: Section 1. That the facts and opinions in the preamble are true and correct. Section 2. That the Director of Utility Operations shall present to the City Councia for approval the purchase of common commodities that are expected to cost more than $15,000 per year after advertising for bids. Section 3. That the Director of Utility Operations shall present to the City Council for approval the purchase of proprietary chemicals that are expected to cost more than $15,000 per year without advertising for bids. Section 4. That the Director of Utilities shall have the discretion to choose the amount of proprietary chemicals-polymers so long as he does not exceed his ;yearly budget for this item, the chemicals are approved by the TCEQ and National Sanitation Foundation, are successfully tested at the plant, ands that the manufacturer thereof is financially stable and has liability insurance and is on the list attached. hereto in Exhibit "A" which also includes the maximum price to be charged therefore. If through testing, the Diirector of Utilities discovers other proprietary chemicals that he desires to purchase in excess of $5,000 per year; he shall submit that chemical to the City Council for adding to the approved list. Section 5. That a copy of the caption of this Resolution shall be spread upon the Minutes of the Meeting of the City Council. READ, ADOPTED, AND APPROVED this _ day of „ 2008 at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Councilmembers P. R. No. 14982 Page 3 of 3 NOES Debris Prince Mayor ATTEST: Evangeline Green City Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM: Mark Sokolow City Attorney APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION: Steve Fitzgibbons City Manager APPROVED AS TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS: Rebecca Underhill Director of Finance Kelly El 'dge Director of Utility Operations Exhibit A P. R. lvo. 14982 Exhi~~bit A Polymer Vendors ~k Maximum Prices Name Bulk Pricey Tote Price Drum Price Advance Oxidation Services 0.58 1.55 N/A Water Plant Product No. AOS 7050 Product No. AOS 7702 Advance Oxidation Services Sewer Plant - coagulant polymer used at WTP - anionic dewatering polymer used at WTP 1.10 N/A 1.85 Product No. 7513-10 -coagulant polymer used at WWTP Product No. AOS 7369-30 -coagulant polymer used at WWTP Polydyne, Inc. N/A N/A 1.25 Product No. C-9458 -coagulant polymer used at WWTP Polytech, Inc. 0.55 1.50 1.60 Product No. PT-1126TRM -coagulant polymer used at WWTP Product No. PT-515 -anionic dewatering polymer used at the WTP Neo Solutions, Inc. Sewer Plant Product No. NS4150 N/A N/A 1.10 Product No. NS4407 N/A N/A 1.65