Public Works and Natural Resources Committee

**Project Delivery Method Selection** Staff presented a comprehensive evaluation comparing traditional Design-Bid-Build (DBB) with the collaborative GC/CM approach. Plants Engineer Steve Day explained that GC/CM allows early contractor engagement during the design phase, providing vital input on constructability, operational continuity, and equipment procurement strategies. The method was selected after workshops evaluating project complexity, regulatory deadlines, and the need to maintain uninterrupted plant operations during construction. The $40 million project must meet aggressive timelines driven by regulatory compliance, with basis of design completion targeted for early 2026, full design by late 2027, and construction from 2028 to early 2031. The collaborative approach enables pre-procurement of specialized equipment with long lead times and provides cost transparency through negotiated pricing rather than fixed bids. **Community Concerns and Alternative Approaches** Council Member Anderson acknowledged receiving significant community …

**City Staff** - Steve Day (Plants Engineer): Advocated for GC/CM delivery method based on project complexity, operational constraints, and successful prior experience with the approach at Post Point - Mike Olinger (Deputy Public Works Director): Supported collaborative delivery approach and emphasized experience from previous biosolids and wetside upgrade projects - Matt Stamps (City Attorney): Highlighted regulatory compliance imperatives and legal framework requiring emission control improvements **Council Members** - Lisa Anderson…

**Steve Day, on collaborative delivery benefits:** "The gist of this collaborative delivery is to bring the contractor on board early so that during that design phase, we can get vital input from the contractor and the contracting community on how the project should be built to maintain operations at Post Point." **Lisa Anderson, on community engagement:** "I want to make sure that those community members have an opportunity to sit at the table and share what their information is and have tha…

The authorization represents a procedural advancement rather than substantive policy change, as the council previously supported Post Point emission control upgrades. However, the decision formally commits the city to a collaborative project delivery approach that differs from traditional municipal contracting. The approval establishes a pathway for early contractor engagement during the design phase, potentially accelerating project delivery and im…

### Meeting Overview The Public Works and Natural Resources Committee met on September 29, 2025, to consider using a collaborative construction delivery method for the Post Point Wastewater Treatment Plant emission control upgrades. The committee unanimously approved staff's request to apply to the State Project Review Committee to use a General Contractor/Construction Manager (GC/CM) approach for this $40 million project. ### Key Terms and Concepts **General Contractor/Construction Manager (GC/CM):** A collaborative project delivery method where a contractor is brought on board during the design phase to provide construction input, rather than only after design is complete. **Design-Bid-Build:** The traditional construction delivery method where design is completed first, then the project is competitively bid for construction. **Project Review Committee (PRC):** A state committee that must approve the use of alternative delivery methods like GC/CM for public projects in Washington State. **Post Point Wastewater Treatment Plant:** Bellingham's sewage treatment facility that serves over 95,000 residents and processes up to 72 million gallons per day. **Quad L Emission Limits:** Federal air quality standards (40 CFR Part 60 Subpart LLLL) that require more stringent emission controls than current standards. **Notice of Violation (NOV):** A pending enforcement action from the Northwest Clean Air Agency regarding Post Point's current operations. **Biosolids Project:** A previous Post Point project that was stopped in 2021 due to PFAS contamination concerns in the end product. **PFAS:** Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, often called "forever chemicals," that are persistent environmental contaminants. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Hannah Stone | Committee Chair, First Ward Council Member | | Lisa Anderson | Committee Member, Fifth Ward Council Member | | Jace Cotton | Committee Member, At-Large Council Member | | Kim Lund | Mayor | | Mike Olinger | Deputy Director, Public Works | | Steve Day | Plants Engineer, Public Works | | Matt Stamps | Assistant City Attorney | | Michael Loulakis | Legal consultant for GC/CM process | ### Background Context This decision comes after the city stopped its previous biosolids processing project due to PFAS contamination concerns. Now the city must upgrade its emission control equipment to meet stricter federal air quality standards while c…