8.1 SR 11-18-2024The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community
engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity
Request for Action
To
City Council
Item Number
8.1
Meeting Date
November 18, 2024
Prepared By
Justin Femrite, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Item Description
Northeast Sewer and Water Sub-Area Study
Reviewed by
Justin Femrite
Cal Portner
Tina Allard
Action Requested
Approve, by motion, execution of the attached proposal for $89,800 for professional services to complete a
sub-study in the extended Northeast sewer and water services area.
Background/Discussion
As directed from the September 3, 2024, meeting, staff has further reviewed and gathered some costs for
additional study into the existing sewer and water systems capacity to support a revised/smaller Northeastern
service area. The attached proposal details work tasks and costs associated with the necessary modeling and
system review required to help guide the determination of our existing system's ability to handle new service
areas.
Financial Impact
The costs for this study would come from the Trunk Utility Fund.
Mission/Policy/Goal
Meet changing needs - agile
Attachments
1. Elk River Northeast Development Area Optimization AE2S Proposal 11.01.24
Page 99 of 204
November 1, 2024
Mr. Justin Femrite, PE
Public Works Director / Chief Engineer
City of Elk River
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
Re: Northeast Development Area Optimization Proposal
City of Elk River, MN
Dear Mr. Femrite:
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this proposal to complete a serviceability analysis to
provide sewer and water service to future growth areas within the City of Elk River (City). Based
upon the information provided to the AE2S project team during a meeting held on September 30,
2024, we are confident that the following general scope of services and associated fee proposal
will meet the City’s needs.
Project Understanding
The City of Elk River completed a serviceability analysis of the proposed Northeast and Northwest
Urban Expansion Areas in 2023 in response to the projected growth. The northeast and northwest
study areas span approximately 2,200 acres and 2,800 acres, respectively; and both areas are
projected to be annexed to the City’s utility systems over the next 20 years per the City’s 2040
Comprehensive Plan. After accounting for the removal of wetlands and other non-developable
areas, the net developable acreage in the northeast area is reduced to approximately 1,300 acres,
while the northwest area decreases to around 1,900 acres. The majority of the developable
acreage includes traditional single family residential land use, followed by mixed residential, and
commercial. Annexing both study areas would increase the City’s municipal service area
significantly considering the City’s existing service area spans approximately 8,000 acres. The City
is now in the process of re-evaluating infrastructure needs to serve the northeast area as the
ultimate boundary for this urban expansion area will potentially be modified/optimized.
Therefore, the City is seeking services from a qualified consultant to assist with this optimization
effort.
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City of Elk River
Northeast Development Area Optimization Proposal
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Data Request Items
The following data is requested from the City to complete the analysis:
1. 2024 Flow data for the sanitary sewer lift stations identified to be located downstream of
the proposed development(s). Influent flow data at the WWTF will also be beneficial.
2. Pump drawdown test data for the sanitary sewer lift stations located downstream of the
proposed development(s). A drawdown test form will be provided for City staff to utilize.
3. Updated water distribution system model reflecting existing development conditions for
the water distribution system. To be provided by Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU).
4. ERMU will provide 1-year of water meter billing data, including the service address.
Meter billing data can be joined to georeferenced meter locations (or a GIS layer) by
meter ID, account number, or physical address.
5. ERMU will provide a list of capital improvements (new wells, treatment plants, storage
tanks, etc.), if any are already planned for the next 20-years.
6. GIS data for the following:
o Existing sanitary sewer system (including pipe diameters and inverts). Sanitary
sewer as-built data may be needed should trunk invert data not be available via
GIS.
o Sewershed boundaries.
o Existing water distribution system layout (including pipe diameters).
o Land use data for the areas served by the existing system (water and sewer
service areas) and the projected land use designations for the proposed areas to
be served.
Additional data may be required upon initial review of the data provided by the City.
Project Approach
Planning level sanitary sewer and watermain extension alternatives will be developed to provide
the City with recommendations of future utility extensions based upon the existing conditions and
anticipated development growth.
The proposed scope of services includes the following:
1. Project Communication:
a. Provide project management and coordination with City staff.
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Northeast Development Area Optimization Proposal
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b. Attend one (1) in-person kick-off meeting to discuss project goals, data request
needs, project timeline, etc.
c. Attend two (2) virtual check-in meetings with City staff to discuss proposed utility
extensions, findings, and recommendations.
d. Attend one (1) virtual project summary meeting with City staff to discuss the draft
report.
e. Prepare and deliver one (1) in-person presentation on the final report and
recommendations to the City Council.
2. Sanitary Sewer System Analysis:
a. Assessment of Baseline Flows:
i. Evaluate previous studies completed by the City.
ii. Evaluate sanitary sewer flow pumped by lift stations located downstream
of the proposed development(s).
1. City staff to provide historical flow data at each lift station in the
form of pump runtime data.
2. City staff to provide historical influent flow data at the system’s
wastewater treatment facility (WWTF).
3. City staff to complete pump drawdown tests, with guidance from
AE2S staff, to identify each lift station’s existing firm pumping
capacity.
4. Calculate residual pumping capacity at each lift station by
calculating existing average and peak hourly flows pumped and
comparing them to each lift station’s firm pumping capacity.
5. Calculate residual flow capacity for each lift station’s forcemain
based on industry-standard recommended headloss and velocity
design points.
b. Sanitary Sewer Model Development:
i. Develop a sanitary sewer system model for the sanitary sewersheds located
downstream of the proposed development(s). Model to include lift stations,
forcemains, and gravity pipe 8-inch in diameter and larger.
ii. Develop two (2) flow scenarios (steady state average daily flow and steady
state peak hourly flow).
c. Sanitary Sewer Flow Projections:
i. Project the existing, 2045, and ultimate average daily and peak hourly
sanitary sewer flows for the areas to be served based upon the planned
growth and future zoning classifications. If City-specific peak hourly
peaking factors cannot be used due to a lack of available historical data,
Metropolitan Council Environmental Services Flow Variation Factors for
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Sewer Design and/or Ten States Standards shall be used for planning
purposes to calculate sanitary sewer peak hourly flows.
d. Sewer Infrastructure Needs Assessment:
i. Utilize the newly created sanitary sewer model to estimate residual capacity
of the relevant portion of the City’s existing sewer trunk system. Residual
capacity will be identified for each trunk section. Provide recommendations
for upsizing existing trunk gravity sewer lines and/or existing sanitary sewer
lift stations, if needed, to accommodate projected flow.
ii. Provide preliminary trunk sanitary sewer sizing recommendations for the
growth areas based on the peak hourly flow estimates of the Elk River flow.
Diameter recommendations will be based on the proposed trunks flowing
85-percent full at the Ten States Standards’ recommended minimum slopes
for ultimate growth and peak hourly flow conditions.
iii. Determine if existing trunk sanitary sewer can be extended to serve the
growth areas by gravity. Gravity service will be given priority over
pressurized flow. Gravity service will be extended such that a minimum
cover depth of 10-feet and a maximum bury depth of 30-feet are
maintained. Bury depths beyond 30-feet will be studied on a case-by-case
basis if a greater bury depth can help avoid the need for a lift station.
iv. Recommendations will be provided for areas that cannot be served by
gravity in the form of sanitary sewer lift stations. If lift stations are needed,
provide recommendations for initial design firm pumping capacity,
ultimate design firm pumping capacity, recommended pump quantity
(initial and ultimate), recommended layout (wet well & valve vault, dry
pit/wet pit, etc.), forcemain diameter, quantity (single or dual forcemains),
forcemain material, and standby power recommendations. Forcemain
sizing recommendations will balance maintaining adequate velocities and
head losses per Ten States Standards’ recommendations.
v. A maximum of two (2) sanitary sewer alternatives/alignments will be
evaluated to serve the growth areas. One iteration per alternative is
anticipated upon initial City review.
vi. Develop one exhibit for each alternative showing proposed sewer
alignment to serve the planning areas and any recommended
improvements to the existing system. Alignments will be prepared using
ArcGIS Pro Software and will identify the following: recommended trunk
diameters, recommended sanitary sewer inverts for select inverts along the
trunk alignment, and recommended lift station locations with associated
forcemain alignment (if needed).
3. Water Distribution System Analysis:
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a. Assessment of Baseline Demand:
i. Evaluate previous studies completed by the City.
ii. Assess the City’s existing water demands for current development
conditions.
b. Water Demand Projections:
i. Project the existing, 2045, ultimate average and maximum day demands for
the areas to be served based on the planned growth and future zoning
classifications. The boundary of the service area to be studied for the water
system study will match the service areas identified as part of the sewer
study.
c. Water Infrastructure Needs Assessment:
i. Utilize the City’s water distribution system model in conjunction with the
projected demand to plan for infrastructure needs.
ii. Provide preliminary transmission watermain sizing recommendations for
the development areas based on the maximum day demand.
iii. Determine if additional infrastructure beyond transmission watermains
(booster stations, pressure reducing stations, water towers, treatment, etc.)
will be needed.
iv. Develop a planning level transmission watermain alignment to serve the
planning areas. A single alignment will be prepared using ArcGIS Pro
Software and will identify the following: recommended transmission
diameters and other recommended infrastructure. One iteration per
alignment is anticipated upon initial City review.
4. Opinion of Probable Project Cost Development:
a. Prepare planning-level Opinion of Probable Project Cost for the proposed sanitary
sewer and water system improvement options. Normalize the cost to a “per unit”
basis considering the anticipated number of residential equivalent units to be
served by the revised service area boundary.
5. Feasibility Study Amendment Report:
a. Prepare a draft report summarizing the findings and recommendations of the
study. The report is intended to be an update to the previous service area
expansion report. Review the draft report with City staff.
b. Prepare a final report based upon the City’s review comments.
c. The following GIS figures have been identified to be included in the report:
i. Existing sanitary sewer system highlighting City-Owned infrastructure
(interceptors, meters, and lift stations), sewersheds, and the development
areas to be studied.
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ii. Existing water distribution system highlighted infrastructure (wells,
treatment plants, storage facilities, booster stations, PRV stations, etc.),
pressure zones, and the development areas to be studied.
iii. Figure showing the limits of the planned developments and the proposed
land use for the development areas that will be used to estimate sanitary
sewer flows and water demands.
iv. Figure of the existing sanitary sewer trunk system showing residual
capacity in percentage and flow for ultimate development conditions.
v. Three (3) figures, one for each proposed utility alignment (two (2) sanitary
alignments and one (1) for the water system) to serve the development
areas.
Assumptions
The proposed scope of services includes the following assumptions:
1. City staff will provide the data request items in a timely manner.
2. A review of recent studies is limited to the City’s most recent Comprehensive Plan adopted
in 2021 and the Northeast & Northwest Urban Service Area Expansion Study completed
in 2023.
3. City staff will perform draw down test(s) with guidance from AE2S staff. A drawdown test
form will be provided for City staff to utilize.
4. Metropolitan Council Environmental Services Flow Variation Factors for Sewer Design
and/or Ten States Standards shall be used for planning purposes to calculate sanitary
sewer peak hourly flows.
5. A capacity analysis of the WWTF is not included in this scope.
6. Most of the data needed for the development of the sanitary sewer system model
including pipe diameters, invert elevations, trunk alignments, etc. is available in GIS
format. A detailed review of sanitary sewer as-builts to identify pipe diameters, invert
elevations, etc. is not included in this scope and fee. However, it is anticipated that as-
builts may be needed to verify some of the GIS data.
7. Completing sanitary sewer flow monitoring is not included in this scope and fee as it is
anticipated that lift station flow data will be sufficient for the study. If needed, flow
monitoring could be completed for an additional fee. If needed, it would be
recommended to complete sanitary sewer flow monitoring in the spring of 2025 to
evaluate the impact of infiltration/inflow (I/I) in the existing sanitary sewer infrastructure.
8. Sanitary sewer model will be developed using AquaTwin Sewer software.
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9. ERMU will provide historical water demand data (up to 5 years) for the existing water
distribution system for each pressure zone.
10. Water distribution system model will be updated using WaterGems. Modeling scenarios
will be limited to steady-state only.
11. The scope and fee does not include identifying permit requirements for stormwater,
erosion control, DNR, MPCA, MDH, etc.
Schedule
We anticipate that full project delivery will be completed within the schedule depicted in the table
below. The virtual check-in meetings are to be scheduled during the model setup and alternative
development period. The project summary meeting is anticipated to be held upon delivery of the
cost estimate and draft engineering report. The final in-person presentation of the findings and
recommendations to the City Council will be scheduled upon delivery of the final report.
Task Description Duration(1)
Model Setup and Alternative Development 4 months
Cost Estimate & Draft Report 1 month
Final Report 1 month
(1) Most of the data requested within this proposal is required to develop the
new sanitary sewer model, which is the first task of this project. Therefore,
task durations may be impacted should data not be readily available at the
beginning of the study.
Fee Proposal Estimate
AE2S will complete the proposed scope of services outlined above for an hourly, not-to-exceed,
fee of $89,800. The table below depicts the anticipated fee estimate to complete each task based
on our 2024 hourly rate schedule. A detailed fee table is provided as an attachment to this
proposal. Professional fees and expenses are based on the understanding presented within this
letter.
Task
Number Task Description Fee
Estimate
1 Project Management & Communication $12,985
2 Sanitary Sewer System Analysis $38,719
3 Water Distribution System Analysis $13,715
4 Opinion of Probable Project Cost $6,558
5 Feasibility Study Report Preparation $17,823
Total Hourly Not-to-Exceed Fee $89,800
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We appreciate the opportunity to assist the City of Elk River with this work and look forward to
collaborating with you on this effort. If you have any questions or comments regarding our
proposed services or if you need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at
(763)-204-5303.
Sincerely,
AE2S
Ursinio Puga, PE
Project Manager
Page 107 of 204
Date: November 1, 2024
Puga, PE Schaefer, PE Puffe, PE Calhoon Landrus, PE Amundson Staff
PM QAQC Modeling Lead Modeling Support Civil Lead Engineer EIT Admin
2024 Billing Rate 197$ 282$ 197$ 168$ 197$ 140$ 166$
2025 Billing Rate (assumed rate 4% increase)213$ 293$ 205$ 175$ 205$ 146$ 173$
Task 1 - Project Management and Communication 33 9 17 0 0 0 0 59 $12,693 $292 $12,985
Project Management and Coordination 8 8 $1,576 $1,576
In-Person Kickoff Meeting (1 Hr) and Meeting Prep.6 4 3 13 $2,901 $202 $3,103
Virtual Check-In Meeting No. 1 (1 Hr) and Meeting Prep.3 1 3 7 $1,464 $1,464
Virtual Check-In Meeting No. 2 (1 Hr) and Meeting Prep.3 1 3 7 $1,464 $1,464
Virtual Project Summary Meeting (1 Hr) and Meeting Prep.4 3 4 11 $2,551 $2,551
In-Person City Council Presentation (1 Hr) and Prep.9 4 13 $2,737 $90 $2,827
Task 2 - Sanitary Sewer System Analysis 22 2 72 54 15 50 0 215 $38,669 $50 $38,719
Review Previous Sanitary Sewer Planning Studies 1 5 8 14 $2,302 $2,302
Existing Lift Station Flow Assessment 1 5 6 $897 $897
Sanitary Sewer Model Development (existing / 2045 / ultimate scenarios)10 40 54 104 $18,922 $50 $18,972
Sanitary Sewer Flow Projections (average day & peak hour)1 6 2 9 $1,659 $1,659
Estimate Existing Residual Capacity 2 10 12 $2,364 $2,364
Develop Optimization Alternatives (2 alternatives)8 2 10 15 35 70 $12,525 $12,525
Task 3 - Water Distribution System Analysis 7 2 34 0 8 23 0 74 $13,715 $0 $13,715
Review Previous Water Distribution System Planning Studies 4 5 9 $1,488 $1,488
Determine Historical (5-year) and Existing Water Demands 4 8 12 $1,908 $1,908
Water Demand Projections (average day & max day)1 6 2 9 $1,659 $1,659
Assess Other Infrastructure Needs (towers, wells, etc.)2 10 12 $2,364 $2,364
Develop Optimization Alternative (1 alternative)4 2 10 8 8 32 $6,296 $6,296
Task 4 - Opinion of Probable Cost Development 8 2 2 0 6 18 0 36 $6,558 $0 $6,558
Opinion of Probable Cost for Alternatives (3 alternatives)6 1 2 6 15 30 $5,401 $5,401
Cost Normalization and Comparison to Initial Northeast Study 2 1 3 6 $1,157 $1,157
Task 5 - Feasibility Study Report 16 3 36 0 0 36 5 96 $17,788 $35 $17,823
Development of Final Exhibits (GIS Figures) for the Draft Report 2 25 5 32 $6,281 $6,281
Draft Report Preparation 10 3 6 25 5 49 $8,754 $8,754
Final Report and Exhibit Preparation 4 5 6 15 $2,753 $35 $2,788
Estimated Subtotal Hours for AE2S Staff - 2024 37 6 95 54 0 30 0 222
Estimated Subtotal Hours for AE2S Staff - 2025 49 12 66 0 29 97 5 258
Estimated Labor and Expenses for AE2S Staff 17,726$ 5,208$ 32,245$ 9,072$ 5,945$ 18,362$ 865$ $89,423 $377
Puga, PE Schaefer, PE Puffe, PE Calhoon Landrus, PE Amundson Staff $89,800Total AE2S Not-to-Exceed Fee
Expenses Total
Northeast Development Area Optimization
Fee Estimate Subtotal
Hours Labor
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