GLWA CEO Sue McCormick Resigns

In the wake of several heavy rain storms in late June and early July, and the flood of criticism that followed (pun intended), the CEO of the Great Lakes Water Authority, Sue McCormick, submitted her resignation on Tuesday. Ms. McCormick was appointed to lead the GLWA in October, 2015.

Comment:  During her nearly six year tenure, Sue was instrumental in standing up the GLWA as a brand new authority and restoring integrity and transparency to a system that was marred by scandal and corruption. Running one of the country's largest water and wastewater systems is a tough job on a good day. Sue did a good job and is to commended for her efforts.   

 

Ric-Man Submits Low Bid on North Rosedale Park Project, DWSD Contract DWS-907

From bids submitted on March 20, 2019, Ric-Man Construction was the low bidder on DWSD Contract DWS-907, Water and Sewer Improvements for North Rosedale Park.

1. Ric-Man Construction . . . . . . $13,032.292
2. LGC Global . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $15,282,416
3. Major Cement . . . . . . . . . . . .  $15, 498,015
4. L. D'Agostini & Sons . . . . . . .  $16,034,455
5. Blaze Contracting . . . . . . . . . . $16,700,000 

For more about DWSD Update, click here.

DWSD Plans to Offer Tiered Pricing for Water

The Detroit News reported yesterday [2/2] that the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department is planning to roll out a tiered billing system that would offer residents and businesses a lower rate on the first 1,500 gallons used per month. Consumption above that amount would be charged at a higher rate. 

Details, including the actual rates being proposed, have not been released.

Note: It is unclear whether rates for sewerage, which are generally tied to water consumption, would be included in the new tiered rate plan. The Detroit News also notes that the proposed block method of billing could shift $5 to $7 million dollars of water cost from residential to business and commercial customers. 

Along with DWSD's new drainage charge (what some have dubbed a "rain tax") that was rolled out last October, adding $750 per impervious acre per month to many business and commercial property owner's utility bills, higher water rates to subsidize residential customer rates may not be welcome news.
 
For more about DWSD Update, click here.  

Flint Water Treatment Plant, Costs to Upgrade Could Now Exceed $100 Million (UPDATED)

A new draft report prepared by CDM Michigan pegs the cost to upgrade Flint's Water Treatment Plant at  more than $100 million. Completion of these upgrades may be required before Flint is permitted to switch its source water (again) to the Karegnondi Water Authority. 

In 2011, before the Flint Water Crisis erupted, the estimated capital upgrades for Flint's WTP were estimated at $61.5 million.

So, what's changed to drive the estimated capital costs 50% higher?   

Update (2/7): MLive.com is reporting here that a final report has been issued by CDM Michigan that puts the estimated upgrade cost at $108 million. And the time to make these upgrades? According to CDM Michigan, it will be somewhere between August, 2019 and October, 2020. Without a current source of funding, these dates seem very optimistic. In 2012, when DWSD contracted for upgrades to the Springwells Water Treatment Plant, it allotted 1,710 days for the $75.8 million project.  

For more about DWSD Update, click here.

Lakeshore Global Low Bidder on DWSD Contract WS-693A

On April 18, 2016, Lakeshore Global Corporation submitted the low bid on project known as "Water Main Replacement, Various Locations in the City of Detroit," Contract WS-693A. Lakeshore Global was the low bidder when this project was originally bid last November as WS-693. 

Here's the as-read bid tab:

1. Lakeshore Global . . . . . . . . $9,479,876
2. Major Cement . . . . . . . . . . . $9,887,717
3. Imperial Construction . . . . $13,287,753

For more about DWSD Update, click here.  

Tooles Contracting Low Bidder on New Maintenance Contract, GLWA Contract PC-798 (UPDATED)

On April 18, 2016, Tooles Contracting Group, LLC submitted the lowest bid for the project known as "Facilities Maintenance Requirement Contract," GLWA Contract PC-798.

The as-read bids are as follows:

1. Tooles Contracting . . . . . . . $10,218,093.48
2. Lakeshore Global . . . . . . . . $10,980,858.84
3. Weiss Construction . . . . . . .$11,398,940.88
4. DeMaria Building Co. . . . . .$11,584,094.00
5. Barton Malow Co. . . . . . . . .$13,671,698.92

The scope of Contract PC-798 includes furnishing the skilled labor, working foremen and overall supervision required to complete major and minor skilled trades maintenance projects as well as specialized subcontract maintenance services on an as-required basis at the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations, Group Facilities, CSO Facilities, Wastewater Treatment Plant, Industrial Waste Control Facilities, and all other GLWA facilities related directly or indirectly to the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Note:  DeMaria Building Co. held the prior maintenance contract (PC-790), which was awarded in 2012. At that time, Commissioner Fred Barnes referred to the maintenance contract as a "dinosaur" which he "hopes will go extinct." Although much has changed in the past 4 years, some things haven't changed. 

Update (5/3): On May 2, 2016, the Great Lakes Water Authority issued a bulletin canceling this solicitation. 

For more about DWSD Update, click here.

Ric-Man Construction Low Bidder on Rebid of Water Main Project, DWSD Contract WS-684A (UPDATED)

On December 7, 2015, Ric-Man Construction submitted the low bid for the project known as "36-Inch Water Main in Telegraph Road, Cherry Hill Avenue to Warren Avenue," DWSD Contract WS-684A. This was a rebid of a project originally bid on May 5, 2015 as WS-684. 

 The as-read bids are as follows:

1. Ric-Man Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,061,316
2. L. D'Agostini & Sons . . . . . . . . . .$9,711,728
3. Dunigan Bros.  . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,935,855
4. Lawrence M. Clarke, Inc. . . . $10,957,438

The Scope of Work for Contract WS-684A includes furnishing and installing 10,526 lineal feet of 36" water main, approximately 2 miles, together about 300 feet of 24" and 164 feet of 12" water main. 

Update (12/9): This post was updated to correct the name of the low bidder, and to correct the as-read bid amount for Dunigan Bros. 

For more about DWSD Update, click here.

Detroit Bankrutptcy: City Demands Repayment from "Essential Vendors" Assured Payment by DWSD in 2013

On November 30, 2015, the City of Detroit began filing claims against contractors and other vendors who were received payments in the 90 days leading up to the City's July 18, 2013 bankruptcy filing. Crain's first reported this story here.

When the dust settled last Friday, the filing deadline was December 5th, over 185 preference claims had been filed, including almost 40 against DWSD contractors, vendors, and professional service providers: 

1. Alexander Chemical Corp.
2. Applied Science, Inc.
3. Bankston Construction
4. Bill Johnson Group
5. Camp Dresser & McKee
6. Carmeuse Lime, Inc.
7. CDM Michigan, Inc.
8. Clow Water Systems Company
9. Colasanti Corporation
10. DA Central, Inc.
11. DeMaria Building Company
12. Detroit Advanced Technology Application Network (DataNET)
13. Detroit Radio Team
14. EJ USA, Inc.
15. Federal Pipe & Supply Inc.
16. Hercules & Hercules, Inc.
17. Hesco Hamlett Engineering Sales Company
18. Hinshon Environmental Consulting, Inc.
19. Imperial Construction Co.
20. Inland Waters Pollution Control Inc.
21. L. D'Agostini & Sons, Inc.
22. Lakeshore Engineering Services, Inc. 
23. Macomb Pipe & Supply
24. Metco Services, Inc.
25. Motor City Electric Technologies, Inc.
26. Motor City Pipe & Supply Co. 
27. New England Fertilizer Company (NEFCO)
28. North-West Trading Co.
29. Project Innovations
30. PVS Technologies, Inc.
31. Tetra Tech MPS
32. Tooles Contracting Group, LLC
33. Trinity Environmental Solutions, LLC
34. Tucker Young Jackson Tull
35. Wade Trim Associates, Inc.
36. Waste Management of Michigan, Inc.
37. Z Contractors, Inc. 

Many of these contractors and vendors are quite surprised, outraged actually, at having been sued to return payments when DWSD explicitly assured many of them in 2013 when it issued so-called "essential vendor" letters which represented in part:

"DWSD intends to pay all amounts owed to you, even if such amounts relate to your supply of goods or services to DWSD prior to the City of Detroit's bankruptcy filing."

The City's actions, however, are common to many bankruptcy proceedings where the trustee of a debtor, asserts its power under Section 547(b) of the Bankruptcy Code to recapture or claw back payments made by the debtor during the 90 days prior to filing of the bankruptcy petition.

Since Detroit filed bankruptcy on July 18, 2013, the preference period in this case begins on April 19, 2013. 

The burden of establishing that a payment is a preference, and subject to repayment, initially falls on the trustee. The trustee must show that the payment was: (1) to or for the benefit of a creditor; (2) for or on account of an antecedent debt owed by the debtor before such transfer was made; (3) made while the debtor was insolvent;  (4) made on or within 90 days before the date of the filing of the petition; (5) that enables such creditor to receive more than such creditor would receive if— (A) there was a liquidation of the of the debtor's estate under Chapter 7. 

Comment: What's unclear about the City's actions against DWSD contractors and vendors is what affect, if any, the City's post-bankruptcy assurances ("essential vendor" letters) will have, together with other representations that DWSD has made over the years that it operated as "an enterprise fund department" and did not receive funds from the City's general fund.  If projects were funded by bonds sold and earmarked for specific projects, can the City claim payments made were "preferences"?

In addition, many of the projects were undertaken by DWSD in order to comply with federal regulations and its own federal (NDPES) discharge permit.

What is clear, however, is that many DWSD contractors now feel betrayed by the City's actions. There are more than a few multi-million dollar preference claims on the list above, and I fully expect that these claims will be litigated, and appealed if necessary.

We'll keep monitoring developments in the City's bankruptcy proceeding.

For more about DWSD Update, click here.

Lakeshore Global Submits Low Bid for Water Main Replacement Project, Contract WS-693

On November 5, 2015, Lakeshore Global Corporation submitted a low bid of $7,383,786 for the project known as "Water Main Replacement, Various Locations in the City of Detroit," DWSD Contract WS-693. 

There were only three (3) bidders on this project. The as-read bids received by DWSD are as follows:

1. Lakeshore Global Corporation . . . . $ 7,383,786
2. Major Cement Company . . . . . . . . . $10,908,851
3. Inland Waters Pollution Control . . $11,220,902  

All three of these contractors are Detroit Based Businesses.

The scope of work for Contract WS-693 includes the replacement of approximately 23,300 lineal feet of existing 8-inch, 12-inch, 16-inch, and 24-inch water mains.

Comment: Lakeshore's bid is quite low, more than 30% below Major Cement's bid. Lakeshore was also significantly low on the prior water main replacement project, Contract WS-691, which was bid in May, 2014. Major Cement was ultimately awarded the contract.


For more about DWSD Update, click here. 

DWSD Files Price-Fixing Claim Against General Chemical, Alum Pricing at Issue (UPDATED)

On November 4, 2015, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department filed a Class Action Complaint in U.S. District Court in New Jersey against General Chemical Corporation and Frank Reichl, a former vice president of sales and marketing alleging price-fixing for aluminum sulfate (alum), a key chemical used in the water treatment process.

DWSD's lawsuit alleges that between January 1, 1997 through at least July 31, 2010, Defendants General Chemical Corporation and General Chemical Performance Products, LLC (Genchem) and Frank Reichl participated in a price-fixing and bid-rigging conspiracy involving the supply of alum.  

Alum is used in the water treatment process to remove fine particles from raw water. Alum causes fine particles to stick together (coagulate), which allows for settlement and removal as alum sludge. 

DWSD's lawsuit follows Frank Reichl's guilty plea in a federal criminal investigation in New Jersey on October 27, 2015. DWSD's lawsuit seeks certification as a class action lawsuit with DWSD as the lead plaintiff.

Comment: One stark example of how General Chemical's actions impacted DWSD can be seen in the Minutes of the April 27, 2011 Water Board Meeting, during which the Board approved a new three year alum contract with PVS Nolwood Chemical for $13,440,000. DWSD had previously contracted with General Chemical to supply liquid alum. 

DWSD requested bids from three alum suppliers. And although PVS was the only supplier to submit a bid, usually not a good sign, its quoted price to supply alum was $280 per ton. Under the previous contract with General Chemical, DWSD had been paying $404 per ton! PVS Nolwood Chemical's price was 30% less than General Chemical's price.

And in April, 2015, when the alum supply contract came up for bids again, DWSD received 4 bids. Chemtrade, a Canadian company which acquired General Chemical in December, 2013, submitted the low bid of $184 per ton! That's less than half what General Chemical had charged the Department in 2011. 

At its April 22, 2015 Regular Meeting, the Board of Water Commissioners approved a two-year contract with Chemtrade for $3,668,960 (9,970 tons x $184) with two, one (1) year renewal options at the same unit price. See Minutes, Item 15-1019.      

   Class Action Complaint - DWSD v General Chemical

For more about DWSD Update, click here. 

Sue McCormick Selected to Lead Great Lakes Water Authority

The Board of Directors of the Great Lakes Water Authority voted 5-1 this afternoon for Sue McCormick to serve as the Authority's first CEO.  Ms. McCormick currently serves as the Interim-CEO. She most recently served as Director of DWSD from January, 2012 until two weeks ago when Gary Brown was selected to replace her. 

The only opposition to Ms. McCormick among the Board members was from Robert Daddow, who is the Oakland County representative on the GLWA. Mr. Daddow favored Randy Moore, an executive from American Water. Under the GLWA By-Laws, a minimum of 5 affirmative votes was required to approve the resolution approving Ms. McCormick's selection. The Board still must approve an employment agreement with Ms. McCormick.

For more about DWSD Update, click here. 

Great Lakes Water Board Reduces List of CEO Candidates, Delays Final Vote until Monday

The Great Lakes Water Authority Board of Directors met this afternoon at 4:00 p.m. to select a new CEO, but decided instead to cut the list of candidates down to two - Sue McCormick and Randy Moore - and postpone a final vote until Monday, October 19th at 1:30 p.m. 

Ms. McCormick and Mr. Moore reportedly garnered the highest rankings among the four candidates, following a lengthy interview process on October 12th that ran more than 4 hours.  So, the decision was made to cut the short list in half.  

The decision to delay a final vote until next Monday was to give the Board enough time to receive and review complete background checks on the two finalists.

The GLWA Board meets in the 5th Floor Board Room in the Water Board Building at 735 Randolph.   

For more about DWSD Update, click here.

City of Flint Set to Return to DWSD for its Drinking Water, at least Temporarily (UPDATED)

On October 8, 2015, nearly 18 months after ending its 50 year relationship with Detroit, the City of Flint has decided to resume buying its drinking water from the DWSD system after encountering a myriad of problems with its source water, the Flint River.

The problems the Flint encountered with drawing water from the Flint River have ranged from taste, foul odor, and most recently, high levels of lead. The increase in lead levels is thought to be caused by corrosive elements in the Flint River. The finding of elevated lead levels in the blood of Flint children was the last straw, and compelled local and state leaders to support a return to DWSD. 

The issues concerning Flint's water problems are well documented in the FlintWaterStudy.org, which is a website published and maintained by Virginia Tech researchers who are involved in studying Flint's drinking water. The Flint Journal has also followed this issue very closely.

Flint's return to DWSD is expected to take 2 weeks to complete. However, this will only be a temporary measure as Flint is committed to joining the Karegnondi Water Authroty (KWA), which is still constructing its new 63 mile raw water intake pipe. KWA's pipeline project is slated for completion in mid-2016. Once completed, Flint will receive raw water from Lake Huron, which it still must process through its own water treatment plant. Water from DWSD is already purified potable (drinking) water.  

Update (10/11): The Detroit Free Press has a very comprehensive article about Flint water woes and how better advanced planning and testing might have averted the current crisis.

Update (10/14): A copy of the water licensing agreement between the City of Flint and Genesee County Drain Commissioner can be found here. This agreement was required because after Flint terminated its contract with DWSD, it sold off a segment of water main to Genesee County.

For more about DWSD Update, click here.

Great Lakes Water Authority Approves Short List of Candidates for CEO (UPDATED)

On October 7, 2015, shortly after the Detroit Board of Water Commissioners approved a new Director and Deputy Director, the Board of Directors of the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) held a public meeting and approved a short list of 4 candidates to fill the top position with the new Authority. 

The four finalists for the CEO position are:

• Kofi Boateng
• Tom Heikkinen
• Sue McCormick
• Randy Moore

The GLWA Board will interview the 4 candidates in an open session on Monday, October 12, 2015 at 3:00 p.m.  (Update: According the GLWA's Calendar - http://glwater.org/event/glwa-special-meeting-ceo-selection/ - the CEO interviews are scheduled for Tuesday, October 13th at 4:00 p.m.)  The GLWA Board meets in the 5th Floor Board Room in the Water Board Building at 735 Randolph. 

The GLWA Board is also expected to deliberate in open session and select a CEO candidate with whom it will engage in contract negotiations.

Comment: Other than Sue McCormick, who is currently serving as Interim-CEO, and served as Director of DWSD for the past 4 years, I don't know any of the other candidates. I have linked each candidate to their LinkedIn profile. If any of you have insights about the other three candidates, now is the time to speak up!  

For more about DWSD Update, click here.     

Water Board Approves New Leadership at DWSD

Earlier this morning, the Board of Water Commissioners approved the appointment of Gary Brown to serve as Director of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. Mr. Brown will replace Sue McCormick, who was appointed in November, 2011 to lead the Department. 

Mr. Brown currently serves as Group Executive of Operations for the City of Detroit. He previously served on the Detroit City Council and was a member of the "Root Cause" Committee created by Judge Sean Cox in 2011.

The Board of Water Commissioners also confirmed the appointment of  Palencia Mobley, P.E. to serve as Deputy Director and Chief Engineer.  Ms. Mobley currently serves as Transition Manager for DWSD, a position she's held since December, 2014.  

Prior to entering government service, Ms. Mobley worked as a Project Engineer for two private engineering firms -- Malcom Pirnie (now part of Arcadis) and Tetra Tech. Ms. Mobely has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering (Univ of Michigan, 2001), and a M.S. in Civil Engineering (Wayne State Univ, 2004). She is also a licensed professional engineer in the state of Michigan since 2006.  Click here for Ms. Mobely's complete professional profile. 

Mayor Mike Duggan recommended the appointment of Mr. Brown and Ms. Mobley in a September 21, 2015 letter to the Board of Water Commissioners. 

For more about DWSD Update, click here. 

Tooles Contracting Submits Low Bid on Lake Huron WTP Project, LH-397

On September 29, 2015, Tooles Contracting Group submitted the low bid for the project known as "Miscellaneous Concrete Crack Repairs and Restoration at Lake Huron Water Treatment Plant," DWSD Contract LH-397. 

The as-read bids are as follows:

1. Tooles Contracting Group, LLC . . . . $ 922,264
2. Detroit Contracting, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . $ 942,510
3. Ram Construction Services . . . . . . . . $ 987,710
4. Lakeshore Global Corporation . . . . . $1,049,000
5. Elgin Builders, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$,1094,450
6. Mark 1 Restoration Services . . . . . . . $1,182,260

Comment: It may be due to the nature of the work for this project, but there are a number of new faces in the bid tab. That's good.  Competition is a good thing. And in the case of Elgin Builders, a blast from the past.
 
For more about DWSD Update, click here.

Mediator's Tenure Extended, May Signal Extension of June 14th Deadline to Reach Deal with GLWA (UPDATED)

Update (6/8): At 8:37 a.m. this morning, the order entered on Friday extending Judge Cox's role as mediator was vacated by the Clerk of the Court. The order indicates that Friday's order was entered in error.   

Last Friday, June 5, 2015, the judge overseeing the remainder of Detroit's Chapter 9 bankruptcy entered  an order extending until January 1, 2016,  Judge Sean Cox's appointment as mediator of matters involving DWSD and the Great Lakes Water Authority.

Without an extension, Judge Cox's appointment would have expired on June 14, 2015, which is the deadline for DWSD and the Great Lakes Water Authority to finalize and execute the terms of a long-term lease. 

Under the contemplated lease agreements, the GLWA would operate and maintain DWSD's water and wastewater treatment facilities for 40 years in consideration of annual lease payments to the City of $50 million.

Under the terms of the Amended Plan of Adjustment submitted in the City's Chapter 9 bankruptcy, which created the Great Lakes Water Authority effective November 26, 2014, the new authority and the City of Detroit have 200 days to completion negotiations and execute the contemplated lease agreements. That deadline is June 14, 2015.

To date, these negotiations have occurred behind closed doors with Judge Cox serving as mediator, but subject to a court order prohibiting the participants from discussing any of the matters.  Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel has been very outspoken in his criticism of these confidential (secret) negotiations. Reports indicate that Macomb County has been shut out of the process. 

Comment: I have no inside information (which I couldn't share with you anyhow), but entry of last Friday's order, extending Judge Cox's tenure as mediator to the end of 2015, strongly suggests to me that the June 14, 2015 deadline to complete a deal on a long-term lease agreement is going to be extended. I don't know how you can finalize a deal if Macomb County is not part of the process. That makes no sense to me. If I were to guess, I would say the parties will ask (or have already asked) for a new deadline that goes to mid-October or early November. What do you think? 

For more about DWSD Update, click here. 

New Program to Keep the Water Running, Receives $1 Million Donation

With about 21,000 residents due to receive shut-off notices, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) announced over the weekend that The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) had received a $1 million donation  aimed at helping City residents pay their water bills. 

The money was donated by Miller Buckfire, a New York investment firm that help shepherd Detroit through its historic bankruptcy in 2013-14 and earned $22 million in fees.

According to CEO, Saunteel Jenkins, the donation will be used for THAW's Water Assistance Program, which will launch on June 1, 2015. The program will pay up to $2,500 per household for families that are subject to shut-off and have incomes at 200% of the federal poverty level.  The new program will help about 1,000 families. 

News reports here indicate that Miller Buckfire's donation was part of a settlement it reached in December, 2014 with the City of Detroit, which had disputed its fees as part of the City's Chapter 9 bankruptcy proceeding. During mediation ordered by Judge Rhodes, Miller Buckfire reduced its fees from $28 to $22 million. 

Comment: I don't mean to diminish this significant contribution, but helping 1,000 families accounts for less than 5% of the households facing shut-off. There is nearly $49 million owed on delinquent accounts. There simply has to be a better long-term solution to the City's residential water needs.

For more about DWSD Update, click here. 

L. D'Agostini & Sons is Low Bidder on DWSD Water Main Project, WS-684 (UPDATED)

On May 5, 2015, L. D'Agostini & Sons, Inc. submitted the low bid for the project known as "36-Inch Water Main in Telegraph Road, Cherry Hill Avenue to Warren Avenue," DWSD Contract WS-684. LDS' bid was about 8.7% lower than the second bidder.

 The as-read bids are as follows:

1. L. D'Agostini & Sons . . . . . . $9,173,049
2. Tooles Contracting  . . . . . . $10,046,819
3. Lawrence M. Clarke, Inc. . .$10,234,748
4. Ric-Man Construction.  . . .$10,620,821

The Scope of Work for Contract WS-684 includes furnishing and installing 10,526 lineal feet of 36" water main, approximately 2 miles, together about 300 feet of 24" and 164 feet of 12" water main. 

Update (11/17): This project is being rebid on November 30, 2015 as Contract WS-684A. 

For more about DWSD Update, click here.

Imperial Construction Submits Low Bid on Water System Improvements Project, WS-686

On February 26, 2015, Imperial Construction submitted the low bid for the project known as "Water System Improvements, Various Streets" DWSD Contract WS-686. The as-read bids are as follows:  

1.  Imperial Construction . . . . . . .$7,547,121
2.  Major Cement Company . . . . . $7,894,134
3.  Lakeshore Global Corp. . . . . . $10,463,330 

The scope of this project includes replacement of approximately 30,626 lineal feet of ductile iron water main and related fittings.

Imperial Construction was low bidder in 2012 on a similar project, WS-682A.

For more about DWSD Update, click here. 

 

Lakeshore Global Low Bidder on PRV Vault Improvements Project, DWS-891

On December 23, 2014, Lakeshore Global  Corporation submitted the low bid for the project known as "Pressure Regulating Valve Vault Improvements," DWSD Contract DWS-891.  Lakeshore's bid was about 14% lower than the second bidder.

 The as-read bids are as follows:

1. Lakeshore Global . . . . . . . . . $1,849,500
2. Trojan Development . . . . . . $2,125,000
3. Tooles Contracting . . . . . . . $2,178,440
4. Lawrence M. Clarke, Inc. . . $2,190,000
5. Detroit Contracting, Inc. . . .$2,460,338
6. Weiss Construction . . . . . . . $2,596,000

The Scope of Work for Contract DWS-891 includes demolition and reconstruction of pressure regulating valve vaults in five different locations: at Sixth and Porter, Park and Elizabeth and Chane at Maple in the City of Detroit; Marquette and Inkster in Garden City; and South Boulevard at North Service Center in the City of Troy. 

The Scope of Work also includes removal and replacement of PRV and gate valves at all five locations, plus installation of ship ladders and sump pumps. 

For more about DWSD Update, click here.

Great Lakes Water Authority Seminar planned by Oakland County Bar Association

The Oakland County Bar Association is planning a lunch seminar on January 13, 2015 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. to discuss the Great Lakes Water Authority.

Hosted by the Energy, Sustainability and Environmental Law Committee, this event will feature speakers L. Brooks Patterson, Oakland County Executive, and J. Bryan Williams, who is the Oakland County representative on the current Board of Water Commissioners. 

For more details concerning this event, check out the OCBA's Facebook page here. The Oakland County Bar Association is located at 1760 S. Telegraph Rd., Ste 100, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302-0181. 

For more about DWSD Update, click here.   

Wayne County Appoints Nardone to Great Lakes Water Authority

The Detroit News reported last Friday [12/19] that the Wayne County Commission voted unanimously to appoint Joseph Nardone as the County's representative to the Great Lakes Water Authority. Mr. Nardone currently serves as Director of Development for the Wayne County Airport Authority. 

Mr. Nardone's LinkedIn profile (here) doesn't reveal very much information about his education or background prior to his appointment to the Airport Authority in November, 2012. The Detroit News reports here that Mr. Nardone previously worked for the Wayne County Parks Division and is a 1985 graduate of Michigan State University. 

For more about DWSD Update, click here.

Great Lakes Water Authority Schedules First Public Meeting (UPDATED)

The Detroit Free Press reports this morning (here) that the Great Lakes Water Authority is scheduled to hold its first public meeting on Friday, December 12, 2014.  The meeting will  be held in the Water Board Building, 5th Floor Board Room and begin at 1:30 p.m.

Notice for the meeting, published on the DWSD website, describes the meeting as an organizational meeting. To date, only two members of the GLWA Board have been appointed -- Robert Daddow for Oakland County and Brian Baker for Macomb County --  which is not enough for a quorum.  

The GLWA Board consists of 6 members, one appointed by Oakland, Macomb and Wayne Counties; two appointed by the City of Detroit; and one by the State of Michigan. The remaining four board members have not been announced publicly. 

Comment: Presumably, the new authority would not be meeting unless the remaining board members had been selected privately. I anticipate a public announcement of the remaining four board members within the next 24 hours. There's no reason to delay things further. Time to get down to business.   

Update (12/12/14 - 8:45 a.m.): Mayor Duggan has reportedly appointed Gary Brown and Ike McKinnon to the Board, both of whom are members of the Mayor's Administration. Governor Snyder has reportedly appointed Edward Hood, a retired attorney from Ann Arbor. Mr. Hood previously practiced with Dykema Gossett. No word yet on who has been selected to represent Wayne County. 

For more about DWSD Update, click here.    

Peter Cavanaugh Appointed to Pure Oakland Water Board of Directors

On November 7, 2014, Attorney Peter Cavanaugh was appointed to the Board of Directors of Pure Oakland Water for a three-year term.

Pure Oakland Water is a Michigan not-for-profit organization dedicated to protecting Oakland County and regional water resources through public education, community organizing, environmental advocacy, and promotion of a sustainable future. 

Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner, Jim Nash, is Chairman of Pure Oakland Water. 

Peter Cavanaugh is a Construction Attorney and Partner with the law firm of Cavanaugh & Quesada, PLC.