Council Report

City Council Report 
 
Date:  
April 20, 2026 
To: 
 
City Council 
Through: 
Marc Heirshberg, Assistant City Manager 
From:  
Lance Webb, City Engineer 
Marc Ahlstrom, Assistant City Engineer 
 
Subject: 
NWWRP Process Improvements - 
Control System Improvements 
City Project No. CP0951CSI 
Council District 3 
 
 
Purpose and Recommendation 
 
The purpose of this report is to present the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the 
Northwest Water Reclamation Plant (NWWRP) Control System Improvements, a 
Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) project. (See Exhibit “A” for project location). 
  
GMP 2 includes improvements to the plant process control systems. Staff recommends 
that Council award a contract for this project to Archer Western Construction in the amount 
of $3,328,891.61 (GMP) and authorize a change order allowance in the amount of 
$332,889.16 (10%). 
  
Background 
  
In 2019, a facility evaluation study of the NWWRP facility included recommendations to 
upgrade various treatment processes at the facility.  A project was initiated to address the 
highest priority recommendations, including upgrades to the control systems.  The first 
phase of improvements was completed in January 2025. This is the second phase of 
improvements at the facility.  The work focuses on process control system improvements 
including replacement and modifications to the control panels, and fiber optic 
communication cable installation for the wastewater processing and disinfection systems.   
  
Discussion 
  
In May 2021, Staff received three “Statements of Qualifications” (SOQ) from contractors 
proposing to act as the CMAR for this project.  Based on an evaluation of the SOQ’s and 
subsequent interviews, Archer Western Construction was recommended as the most

2
qualified CMAR and was awarded a Pre-Construction Services contract on October 19, 
2022.  Archer Western Construction has performed pre-construction services during the 
design development including reviewing the design for constructability, preparing cost 
estimates, and developing the project schedule and phasing.  In January 2025, Archer 
Western Construction completed the work included in GMP 1. 
  
Community Impact – Work for this project will occur entirely within the NWWRP site.  
  
Once underway, construction of this project is anticipated to last 11 months.  
  
Alternatives 
  
An alternative to the approval of a Construction Services contract for this CMAR would be 
to construct this project using the traditional Design/Bid/Build method.  This is not 
recommended due to the complexity of the project.  The majority of all work in this project 
has been competitively bid by Archer Western Construction to multiple subcontractors. 
  
Another alternative is not to perform the work.  This is not recommended because the 
programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and remote input/outputs (RIOs) are no longer 
supported by their manufacturers and replacement components are no longer available. 
  
Fiscal Impact 
  
The total authorized amount recommended for this project is $3,661,780.77, based upon 
a GMP of $3,328,891.61, plus an additional $332,889.16  (10%) as a change order 
allowance.  This allowance will only be utilized for approved change orders.  
  
This project is funded by Utility Systems Revenue Obligations.   
  
Coordinated With 
 
The Water Resources Department concurs with this recommendation.