Stormwater firm switched

By Trevor Busch
Taber Times
tbusch@tabertimes.com

The Town of Taber has contracted another engineering firm to complete a stormwater master plan following the termination of the previous contract with Associated Engineering.

At their Jan. 12 meeting, town council voted unanimously to award the completion of the town’s stormwater master plan to MPE Engineering for an upset fee $59,000.

“I’m looking forward to seeing this report done, so we can take action shortly after,” said Mayor Henk De Vlieger. “It’s a long time coming.”

Council previously directed administration to contact consultant engineering firms for the purpose of finishing the stormwater master plan. Two firms were contacted, AECOM and MPE Engineering, with only one form submitting a proposal.

AECOM was unable to meet the town’s design deadlines of completion by March 31, 2015 or provide the level of service the project deserves, due to other commitments.

The previous contract was terminated due to council’s dissatisfaction with preliminary materials provided by Associated Engineering, according to CAO Greg Birch.

“In short, council was not satisfied with the material it was getting from Associated Engineering, and said let’s put a stop to that study, and look for somebody else to finish it. There was a lack of satisfaction with some of the preliminary material that was provided to council.”

MPE Engineering’s proposal includes reviewing available information on the stormwater drainage situation, including catchment areas and storm drainage facilities; developing a stormwater model; reviewing drainage issues with operational staff; preparing options to alleviate existing issues; review stormwater management practices required for new developments; preparation of plot plans indicating existing catchments, drainage patterns, and ditches; preparation of plot plans of existing underground stormwater collection system; preparation of “order of magnitude” cost estimates for the required storm drainage works, identifying phasing of the work to accommodate budget considerations; and assisting the town with grant funding applications for identified flood mitigation projects.