HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR 17435: PURCHASE OF POLYMERS AND OTHER CHEMICALS MEMORANDUM
CITY OF PORT ARTHUR
UTILITY OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT
TO: Floyd T. Johnson, City Manager
FROM: Kelly Eldridge, Director of Utility Operations j
l
DATE: December 3, 2012
SUBJECT: Proposed Resolution No. 17435
RECOMMENDATION
We recommend the approval of Proposed Resolution No. 17435 authorizing the purchase of sole
source polymers by the Utility Operations Department.
BACKGROUND
The Utility Operations Department 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 system at any given time. This Resolution also 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
This Proposed Resolution establishes maximum unit prices for the various types of polymeric
chemicals we use. The unit prices reflect no increase projected for the upcoming year. We expect
to use same amount of polymers this year as we did last year, and added one dewatering polymer
for the WWTP division. We estimate that polymer purchases this year for the Water Purification
Division will total an estimated $1,122,000 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 $211,000, also used on an as- needed basis and
charged to account no. 410 - 1256 - 532.29 -00.
STAFF/EMPLOYEE EFFECT
All water /wastewater treatment chemicals are administered by trained employees who are
properly certified by the TCEQ.
SUMMARY
Approval of Proposed Resolution No. 17435 will allow staff to determine and utilize the most
cost effective treatment scheme and is recommended for approval.
P. R. No. 17435
12/03/12
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 -1252-
532.29 -02 & 410 -1256- 532.29 -00
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 public; and,
WHEREAS, the Wastewater Treatment Plants receive wastewater from throughout the
City, clarify, disinfect, stabilize, and treat the wastewater 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, t hese chemicals are usually polymers used at the treatment
WHE � Y P Ym plants for p
various purposes; and,
P. R. No. 17435
Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS, these proprietary 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 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 Utility Operations 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, 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 charged therefore. If through testing, the Director of Utility Operations
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. 17435
Page 3 of 3
READ, ADOPTED, AND APPROVED this day of , 2012
at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor
Councilmembers:
NOES:
Deloris Prince
Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Sherri Bellard Valecia Tizeno
City Secretary City Attorney
APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION:
i/
Floyd T. Johnson Kelly El idge
City Manager Director of Utility Operations
APPROVED AS TO
AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS:
Ross Blackketter Deborah Echols 0
Director of Public Works Director of Finance
410 - 1251 - 532.29 -02 (Water)
410 - 1256 - 532.29 -02 (Wastewater)
Exhibit A
P. R. No. 17435
Exhibit A
Polymer Vendors & Maximum Prices
Name Bulk Price Tote Price Drum Price
Advance Oxidation Services $0.65/lb $1.55/lb N/A
Product No. AOS 7050 - coagulant polymer used at WTP
Product No. AOS 7702 - anionic dewatering polymer used at WTP
Advance Oxidation Services $1.20 /1b N/A $2.50/lb
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 $1.90/1b
Product No. C -9458 - coagulant polymer used at WWTP
Polytech, Inc. N/A $1.60 /lb $2.00 /lb
Product No. PT- 1126TRM - coagulant polymer used at WWTP
Product No. PT -515 - anionic dewatering polymer used at the WTP
Product No.PT -515i anionic dewatering polymer used at the WTP
Neo Solutions, Inc.
Product No. NS4150 N/A N/A $1.45/lb
Product No. NS4407 N/A N/A $2.25/lb
Fort Bend Services
Product No. FBS -7802 N/A N/A $2.60/lb
- anionic dewatering polymer used at the WWTP