McMillan, Acquanette (Netta)
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Ken Kules .
Saturday, May 2, 2026 10:05 AM
PublicComment-AutoResponse
May 4, 2026 City Council Agenda Item 2: Washington Park Stormwater Capture Project Consultant Services
[ l ] CAUTION: This email was delivered from the Internet. Do not click links or open attachments unless you know the content is safe. Report phish using the Phish Alert Button. For more information about the Phish Alert Button view article "KB0011474" on the DolT portal.
The Staff report regarding the Washington Park Stormwater Capture Project allocates $2,089,007 for engineering and design services for a project with a construction cost of $10,560,264 ($1 2,649,271 - $2,089,007). That is a 20% fee when compared to construction cost. There are industry "rules-of-thumb" that say that E&D cost could range from 3% to 15% of the construction cost depending on project complication. This project is not complicated.
Graphics presented to the City Council at its April 1 4, 2025 meeting regarding acceptance of the grant funding don't portray a project that is particularly complicated. The proposed funding is excessive and is the definition of "profligate spending." While the money to pay the fees will come from grant funding, that funding is backstopped by property taxes and you - and your constituents - are paying for it.
A good first step to understanding whether the costs are excessive would be to request that City staff conduct a forensic audit of the engineering/design costs for the Eaton Wash Stormwater Capture project that is also funded through similar grant funding. You should reject the request pending results of that audit.
04/20/
1 05/04/2026
Item 2