Item V4
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: March 19, 2003
Division: County Administrator
Bulk Item: Yes
No X
Department: County Administrator
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Discussion of letter from the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority
and approval to move ahead with the Aqueduct Authority as a partner in addressing the
wastewater program in the Keys.
ITEM BACKGROUND: The attached letter was received from the Interim Executive
Director of the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority. Basically it asks for a clarification of the
relationship between the County and the Aqueduct, especially in light of the Request for
Qualifications approved by the BOCC in February 2003.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: Agreement to work with the FKAA in implementing
the Wastewater Master Plan for unincorporated Monroe County and the provision of funds
and other support in moving ahead on various projects.
CONTRACT I AGREEMENT CHANGES: N/ A
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Approval
TOTAL COST: Ongoing financial relationships
BUDGETED: Yes -X- No
COST TO COUNTY: Ongoing financial relationships
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes
No
AMOUNT PER MONTH
YR
APPROVED BY: County Atty _ OMB/Purchasing _
Risk Management
DIVISION DIRECTOR APPROVAL:
--:7-?~
-
James L. Roberts, County Administrator
DOCUMENTATION:
Included X
To Follow
Not Required
DISPOSITION:
AGENDA ITEM #--4
Florida Keys
Aqueduct Authority
Post Office Box 1239
11 00 Kennedy Drive
Key West, Florida 33041-1239 [\\.3 ^ !.....
Telephone (305) 296-2454 ". ~ '\ ~ I}
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March 3, 2003
Mr. Janles Roberts
Monroe County Administrator
1100 Simonton Street
Key West, Florida 33040
Dear Jim:
MAR
6 2003
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At the February meeting of the FKAA Board of Directors, the report by FKAA' s wastewater staff resulted
in a discussion regarding the County's plan for initiating surveying and design for the provision of
wastewater services on Big Coppitt Key. This letter is intended to convey the FKAA Board's concern
over the County's process for obtaining survey information and developing design documents.
The FKAA supports the County's desire to move forward with wastewater services on Big Coppitt.
However, we question the manner in which the County has initiated the planning and design activities.
Although most believe that projects that are "ready-to-go" will be the first to receive grant fimds when they
become available, the FKAA is concerned about the County's proposed RFQ process and what role the
FKAA will ultimately be expected to have, or not have, in the development and provision ofwastewater
services for Big Coppitt Key.
The recent direction the Commission provided to County staffis inconsistent with the understanding the
FKAA had several months ago when the FKAA agreed to remain with the County as its wastewater utility
and the County Administrator was named Wastewater "Point Person".
This past fall, the FKAA advertised RFQ' s for Utility Engineering Services and General Engineering
Services. The result ofthat RFQ process was contracts with seven engineering firms, four of which are
specifically for water and wastewater project planning and design services. Therefore, the FKAA is
presently capable of initiating surveying and design services immediately, or when fimding is made available,
and perceives the County's RFQ process as unnecessary and redundant.
Should the County proceed with the proposed RFQ process, kindly be aware that the FKAA has assisted
and cooperated with County Staff and has provided the FKAA RFQ documents for use as a guide.
However, also please be advised that if the County contracts with a company to provide
Mr. Jim Roberts
March 3,2003
Page 2
survey and design services, that it should not be assumed that the FKAA will accept the work products
to implement the project. The FKAA will be very reluctant to assume work products not developed under
its direction.
Whether or not the County pursues an Engineering Finn for Big Coppitt, please be advised that the FKAA
has recently authorized one of its consultants to perform a grant funded cost of service study to identify the
most cost effective option for servicing Big Coppitt. The study will evaluate the feasibility of servicing Big
Coppitt through several sub-regional systems, a regional system with a plant on Rockland Key, or a
regional system that pumps wastewater to Key West Resort Utilities.
Based on the results ofthe evaluation, it is the FKAA' s intention to bid the most cost effective option as
typically done.
An alternative process may be considered where proposals could be received from Contractors bidding
on one or more ofthe identified concepts. In essence, Key West Resort Utilities could be competing
against contractors that may propose a wastewater facility on Rockland Key. The most cost effective and
technically sound proposal would get the contract.
Under either condition, the FKAA would coordinate the planning, bid the project, review the proposals,
oversee the construction, and administer the operations contract of the most cost effective proposal.
The FKAA remains committed to working with the County in the development of technically sound and
cost effective wastewater infrastructure that has been properly planned with sufficient public input and
education. However, we need a clear indication from the Commission how it will reciprocate.
Sincerely,
FLORIDA KEYS AQ
ueT AUTHORITY
cc: FKAA Board of Directors
Robert Feldman, FKAA General Counsel
BOCC Commissioners