HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR 15588: PURCHASE OF POLYMERS FOR UTILITY OPERATIONS DEPARTMENTMEMORANDUM
CITY OF PORT ARTHUR
UTILITY OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT
TO: Stephen Fitzgibbons, City Manager
FROM: Kelly Eldridge, Director of Utility Operations ;~~~~~~,
DATE: November 2, 2009
SUBJECT: Proposed Resolution No. 15588
RECOMMENDATION
We recommend the approval of Proposed Resolution No. 15588 authorizing the purchase 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. This Resolution authorizes the purchase of each 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 new 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 aze projecting to use same amount of polymers this yeaz as we did last year, noting that the
current unit prices for the primary and secondary coagulants have increased 6% over last yeaz.
We estimate that polymer purchases this yeaz for the Water Purification Division will total
approximately $800,000 to be used on an as-needed basis and chazged to account no. 410-1252-
532.29-02. We estimate that polymer purchases for the Wastewater Treatment Division will total
approximately $155,000, to be used on an as-needed basis and chazged to account no. 410-1256-
532.29-02.
STAFF/EMPLOYEE EFFECT
All polymers, like all water/wastewater treatment chemicals, aze administered by trained
employees who aze properly certified by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
SUMMARY
Approval of Proposed Resolution No. 15588 will allow staff to determine and utilize the most
cost effective treatment scheme and is recommended for approval.
P. R No. 15588
aw 11/02/09
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE
DIRECTOR OF UTILITY OPERATIONS TO
PURCHASE POLYMERS AND DELINEATING
PROCEDURES FOR THE PURCHASE OF
OTHER CHEMICALS. FUND NOS. 410-1251-
532.29-02 & 410-1256-532.29-02
WHEREAS, the Director of Utility Operations 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 dischazged back into
our nation's waterways; and,
WHEREAS, most of the chemicals used for treatment aze common commodities of
standazd 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 aze not limited to: sodium
hydroxide, liquid chlorine, anhydrous ammonia, hydrofluosilicic acid, sodium chlorite, and
phosphates; and,
WHEREAS, other chemicals aze not of standazd chemical composition and aze 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,
P. R No. 15588
Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS, these proprietazy chemicals have to be tested at the plant to determine if
they can properly treat, and not create adverse conditions to the plant or to the water; NOW
THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL 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 Council for
approval the purchase of common commodities that aze expected to cost more than $15,000 per
yeaz after advertising for bids.
Section 3. That the Director of Utility Operations shall present to the City Council for
approval the purchase of proprietazy chemicals that are expected to cost more than $15,000 per
yeaz 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, aze successfully tested
at the plant, and 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
chazged therefore. If through testing, the Director 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.
P. R. No. 15588
Page 3 of 3
READ, ADOPTED, AND APPROVED this day of , 2009
at a Regulaz Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor
Councihnembers:
NOES:
Deloris Prince
Mayor
ATTEST:
Terri Hanks
City Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
4~
Valecia Tizeno
Acting City Attorney
APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION:
Steve Fitzgibbons
City Manager
~~
Kelly Eldridge
Director of Utility Operations
APPROVED AS TO
AVAII,ABII,TI'Y OF FUNDS:
Ross Blackketter
Director of Public Works
K~SL~ofil`~( A~
Deborah Echols
Director of Finance
410-1251-532.29-02 (Water)
410-1256-532.29-02 (Wastewater)
Exhibit A
P. R. No. 15588
Exhibit A
Polymer Vendors & Maximum Prices
Name
Advance Oxidation Services
Water Plant
Product No. AOS 7050
Product No. AOS 7702
Bulk Price Tote Price Drum Price
0.58 1.55 N/A
- coagulant polymer used at WTP
- anionic dewatering polymer used at WTP
Advance Oxidation Services 1.18 N/A 2.10
Sewer Plant
Product No. 7545-10 -coagulant polymer used at WWTP
Product No. AOS 7369-30 -coagulant polymer used at WWTP
Polydyne, Inc. N/A N/A 1.75
Product No. C-9458 -coagulant polymer used at W WTP
Polytech, Inc. N/A 1.50 1.85
Product No. PT-1126TRM -coagulant polymer used at W WTP
Product No. PT-515 -anionic dewatering polymer used at the WTP
Neo Solutions, Inc.
Sewer Plant
Product No. NS4150
Product No. NS4407
N/A N/A 1.45
N/A N/A 2.10
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