New Search
4 <br />EUGEN E'. <br />PRAS and <br />Open Space <br />; <br />Keeping Eugene Green <br />A DIVISION OF PUBLIC WORKS j <br />1820 ROOSEVELT BLVD ; <br />EUGENE, OREGON 97402 <br />(541) 682 -4800 <br />FAX (541) 6824882 <br />NWW.EUGE NE -0R.GOV /PARKS <br />PARKS AND OPEN SPACE PLANNING j <br />PARK OPERATIONS <br />URBAN FORESTRY <br />NATURAI RESOURCES <br />March 12, 2010 <br />Wendy Hudson <br />Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board <br />775 Summer Street NE Suite 360 <br />Salem, Oregon 97301 -1290 <br />Subject: Proposal to implement additional work within existing budget <br />Dear Wendy, <br />As we've discussed on the phone, the City of Eugene has realized cost savings on our <br />OWEB - funded Delta Ponds Habitat Restoration Project. You indicated that OWEB <br />would entertain a proposal from us to spend the surplus funds for work items that are <br />consistent with the project goals and OWEB's grant program. This is an exciting <br />opportunity for us because with these funds we can implement additional work to <br />improve the long -term success of the project and provide greater ecological benefits. <br />The purposes of this letter are to: <br />1. Describe the source and amount of the cost savings. <br />2. Propose additional work items on the Delta Ponds Habitat Restoration Project <br />that will enhance the ecological impact of the project. <br />3. Seek your approval for these additional work items. <br />Source of Cost Savings <br />We have realized substantial cost savings in our contractual services line item. Due to <br />the recession, many contractors are responding to our competitive bid processes with <br />bids that are substantially below our estimates. Like elsewhere in the country, many <br />local companies are struggling to survive the current economic recession. Because of <br />this, companies are responding to our competitive bid process with very low bids, <br />apparently just to keep people working but with little profit margin. As the result of a <br />very low bid on a contract for riparian planting work, we estimate that our project is <br />ap p ro ximately $70,000 below budget all because of savings in our "Contracted <br />Services" line item <br />Proposal to Improve Ecological Impact of Project <br />We have developed a list of proposed actions that are consistent with previous <br />planning efforts for the project and our OWEB grant proposal. These actions will meet <br />multiple goals, including improving the ecological impact of the project and <br />I improving the long -term success of the project. All these actions can be implemented <br />within the existing budget. Furthermore, most ($60,000 out of $70,000) of the <br />proposed additional work will remain in the "Contracted Services" line item. I have <br />attached the OWEB Form for Budget Amendments to reflect the shift of the remaining <br />$10,000. <br />i <br />i <br />Page 1 <br />