Bill Reddish Asks About The WWTP

During the interview this morning Debbie Campbell was asked unanticipated questions by the host, Bill Reddish. To clarify further, we offer the following for your information.

March 13, 2009 Stover Group Proposal

March 16, 2009 Memo Request Stover

E. Stover's Resume


The e-mails that accompanied the letters are provided as context.

From: John Pick [mailto:jpick@ci.salisbury.md.us]
Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:55 PM
To: ALL City Council Members; Barrie Tilghman
Cc: Brenda Colegrove; Lore Chambers; James Caldwell; Pamela Oland; Karen Reddersen; Chip Messick
Subject: WWTP Consultant Services

All – As you are aware we have been experiencing difficulties in getting all of the new components of the waste water treatment pant operating as they were designed. Since the last work session update, we have continued working with the design engineer, the construction manager and the contractor to resolve these problems. We have come to a point, however, that we feel it is necessary to bring in a specialized consultant to help us specifically with the biological nutrient removal (BNR) processes because the design engineer is apparently unable to make any further progress in determining how to fix this problem and because we have a deadline by which this process needs to be working in order for us to be in compliance with our permit. Accordingly, we have retained the services of Dr. Enos Stover, of Oklahoma State University, who is a specialist in this field and who has submitted a proposal to consult with us on this problem. Attached is a copy of the memo from Public Works requesting that we retain Dr. Stover’s services. Attached also are copies of Dr. Stover’s proposal and his resume. Retaining Dr.Stover’s services would qualify as specialized professional services under Section SC 16-3 (3) of the Charter allowing exceptions to competitive bidding for this type of service. Public Works is confident that this cost can be charged to the loan we received from MDE on this project and they are working with MDE to determine if it qualifies for grant funds. As you can see, Dr. Stover estimates this work to cost approximately $20,000. John

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From: Debbie S Campbell [mailto:debbiescampbell@comcast.net]
Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:20 PM
To: John Pick; ALL City Council Members; Barrie Tilghman
Cc: Brenda Colegrove; Lore Chambers; James Caldwell; Pamela Oland; Karen Reddersen; Chip Messick
Subject: RE: WWTP Consultant Services

Why would we be paying for the services? Wouldn’t this be the responsibility of the design engineer firm?

Debbie

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From: John Pick [mailto:jpick@ci.salisbury.md.us]
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 7:24 AM
To: Deborah S. Campbell; ALL City Council Members; Barrie Tilghman
Cc: Brenda Colegrove; Lore Chambers; James Caldwell; Pamela Oland; Karen Reddersen; Chip Messick
Subject: RE: WWTP Consultant Services

Debbie -The design engineering firm, O’Brien & Gere (OBG) may be responsible for this cost. OBG has been advising the City on start-up and we have temporarily suspended that effort from them. John

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From: Debbie S Campbell [mailto:debbiescampbell@comcast.net]
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 8:50 AM
To: John Pick
Subject: RE: WWTP Consultant Services

John –

When was this decision made? Was it in writing? If so, I would like a copy. Who made the decision to suspend OBG? What is the state compliance deadline? Is the new contractor taking the place of OBG? In the absence of OBG who is managing the project? Thank you n advance for your prompt response to these questions.

Deb

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From: John Pick
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 9:11 AM
To: James Caldwell
Subject: FW: WWTP Consultant Services

Jim – please see Ms. Campbell’s questions below. I know the answer to most but I’m not sure about the compliance deadline. John

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From: John Pick [mailto:jpick@ci.salisbury.md.us]
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 3:26 PM
To: Deborah S. Campbell
Cc: ALL City Council Members; Barrie Tilghman; Brenda Colegrove; Lore Chambers; James Caldwell; Paul D. Wilber
Subject: FW: WWTP Consultant Services

Debbie – please see the following e-mail from Jim Caldwell in response to your follow-up questions concerning the additional WWTp consultant services. John

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From: James Caldwell
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 1:48 PM
To: John Pick
Cc: pwilber@webbnetlaw.com
Subject: RE: WWTP Consultant Services

The decision to recommend a contract with a specialist to assist in plant startup was made on March 13, 2009 during a conference call including Public Works, City Attorney and Aqualaw. The City Attorney and SPW staff had conducted a phone interview with Dr. Stover on March 12th. The City Administrator was briefed on March 16th prior to the submittal of the memo of request to the Internal Services Department.

The decision to suspend the efforts of OBG relating to the Nutrient Removal Process startup was made on March 17th. This decision was a result of a conference call involving SPW staff, City Attorney and Aqualaw. A copy of the notice to OBG is attached. It is pointed out that the notice to OBG only impacts their startup advice for the Nutrient Removal Process. OBG remains fully engaged with all other services of the design engineer in their construction phase contract. Also, Arcadis (Construction Dynamics Group) remains fully engaged as the Construction Manager

The plant discharge permit for Nitrogen at a level of 6.6 mg/l will become effective May 1, 2009. We have verbally asked MDE for an extension of this date and will be formalizing this request immediately.

Campbell on Reddish

Debbie Campbell will be on WICO 1320 AM the Bill Reddish morning show at 7:40 a.m. WICO 1320 AM

Salisbury Crime Statistics

Maryland Crime Stats for 2007

Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reports
FBI Crime Reports

City Council Work Session

SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA
MARCH 16 2009
430PM
CONFERENCE ROOM 305
GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING

Special Meeting
Ordinance No 2075 2nd reading amendment of the FY09 City Marina Fund budget and the FY09 General Fund budget to appropriate funds for the increased costs of managing the Marina

Closed Session
Acquisition of property as permitted under the Annotated code of Maryland Sections 10-508(a)(3)(8)Wilber

Work Session
Presentation Environmental Policy Task Force - Dave Nemazie
Parking meter rates - Pam Oland
Briefing parking arrangement at Brew River Restaurant - Pam Oland
COPS grant - Chief Allan Webster
Amendments to health insurance plan - John Pick
General discussion/upcoming agendas

March 2 Council Work Session to Be Rescheduled

Tonight's work session is canceled and will be rescheduled, but as usual, the agenda appears below and the briefing packet is available for download via the links at right.

Please use all due caution when out and about today, whether driving or walking.

City Council Work Session - Monday March 2

MARCh 2 2009
430PM
CONFERENCE ROOM 305
GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING

Closed Session Paul Wilber
To consult with legal counsel on pending litigation as permitted under the Annotated
Code of Maryland Sections 10-508(a)(7)(8)

Open Session
Briefing on pavement maintenance study Jim Caldwell/Infrastructure Management
Services

Energy Management Plan - Karen Redderson Dick Anderson

Briefing on Lemmon Hill Standpipe Jim Caldwell

Change order on Isabella Street Shoreline Protection project Jim Caldwell

Marina discussion John Pick/Jim Caldwell

General discussion/upcoming agendas