Council approves Bellevue waterwork
Crowsnest Pass council approved a multimillion-dollar water infrastructure project for Bellevue after hearing the work is needed to reduce the risk of a major service disruption and improve fire flow in the community.
At the April 28 regular council meeting, council ratified the award of the Bellevue Water Systems Upgrades contract to United Utilities for $3,332,184.82. The motion, made by Councillor Doreen Glavin, passed with the understanding that administration will work to implement cost savings as the project moves forward.
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Kristin Colucci told council the project involves two pieces of work identified in the municipality’s Infrastructure Master Plan. She said the upgrades are intended to address risks associated with the single water main feed to south Bellevue.
“It resolves risks involved with the single water main feed to Bellevue,” said Colucci.
She said the work would help ensure the municipality can continue serving residents in the case of a break, while also improving water pressure and fire flows.
Colucci pointed to the recent Calgary water main break as an example of the kind of infrastructure vulnerability municipalities need to consider. She said Bellevue’s conditions are also difficult because of the rocky ground, which could make emergency repairs more challenging.
“We want to have some system resilience and not rely on a single feed,” said Colucci.
The project was originally identified two years ago with an estimated budget of $1.5 million and was to be funded through Borrowing Bylaw 1258. Colucci said the lowest bid came in much higher at $3.3 million.
She said engineers identified tariffs and rapidly increasing material costs as factors contributing to the increase. Colucci told council that even between the time she received updated information and the time of the meeting, administration was advised the price of pipe was continuing to rise.
“I was asked if we could approve it quicker because the pipe is increasing,” said Colucci.
She said administration did not have authority to approve the award without council, but the contractor agreed to hold the price until council made a decision.
Four bids were received. United Utilities submitted the lowest bid at $3.3 million. The other bids came in at $4.1 million, $4.3 million and $6.1 million.
Colucci said ISL Engineering reviewed the bids and recommended moving ahead with United Utilities. She said the municipality has worked with the company on two previous projects.
She also said ISL identified possible reductions in tendered quantities that could cut between $500,000 and $1 million from the final cost. Due to fairness in the tendering process, however, council still had to award the contract based on the submitted tender amount.
The proposed funding plan includes $1.5 million from Borrowing Bylaw 1258, $425,000 from the 2026 mill rate bylaw, $400,000 from the water utility reserve and up to $500,000 from the mill rate stabilization reserve. Colucci said the mill rate stabilization reserve would be used last and only if needed.
Councillor Darren Nastasi said the work is necessary because a major break could leave part of Bellevue without water.
He said the project cannot be delayed because costs are unlikely to decrease. Nastasi said Bellevue is already facing construction work this year and acknowledged the project would create disruption.
Councillor Dean Ward said council has seen the cost of delayed infrastructure work rise in the past. He said other municipalities are also seeing sharp increases in infrastructure pricing.
“I talked to six councillors from other communities … they’re all seeing 20 to 30 per cent jumps in infrastructure. It’s not just us,” said Ward.
Ward said council had limited options because prices are not expected to fall.
“I don’t think we have a choice,” said Ward.
Councillor Doreen Johnson said she was thankful ISL had reviewed the bids and the recommended contractor.
“I’m so thankful that we do have ISL on board and doing a full review,” said Johnson.
She asked whether the contract included bid bonds to protect the municipality if problems arise. Administration confirmed that bonds were included.
Councillor Tony Vastenhout asked who would oversee the work to make sure it is completed properly. Colucci said ISL would oversee the project, with the municipality also having an owner’s representative.
Council also discussed whether upcoming work in Bellevue could be bundled with similar work to save money. Colucci said other Bellevue work had already been awarded, meaning there was likely little opportunity to combine contracts.
During public input later in the meeting, Bellevue resident Ken Hunger raised concerns about water pressure in his neighbourhood, saying he had measured pressure at about 100 pounds per square inch before installing a pressure reducing valve.
“I obviously came to the right meeting because my issue is about water pressure,” said Hunger.
The project is expected to move ahead this year, with administration directed to pursue cost savings where possible while addressing a key water system risk in Bellevue.