Storm-drain repairs could get $20 million more—and the same contractors

Atlanta’s Department of Watershed Management is seeking up to $20 million more for storm-sewer construction and another year with its two existing contractors. The department says the move would keep planned and active drainage work from being interrupted.⁠[1]

The work is intended to reduce street ponding and flooding. It includes replacing storm pipes, repairing drainage inlets, basins and manholes, cleaning and inspecting the system, and building new gray and green infrastructure.⁠[1]

Three ordinances make up the package. Two—26-O-1620 and 26-O-1621—would transfer $10 million apiece from reserves in the city’s water and wastewater commercial-paper fund to storm-sewer contracts B and A. The third, 26-O-1622, would authorize the corresponding contract increases: a combined $20 million, not another $20 million on top of those budget transfers.⁠[1]

The renewal ordinance also seeks a waiver of the city’s procurement source-selection rules. Contract A is with the joint venture of Southeastern Site Development and Precision 2000; Contract B is with Integral Municipal Services Corporation/Rockdale Pipeline Inc. JV. Both proposed renewals would run from May 1, 2027, through April 30, 2028.⁠[1]

Watershed’s commissioner argues that keeping the contracts in place would preserve continuity of construction services. That is the department’s rationale—not a finding that the added money has already reduced flooding.⁠[1]

The package is on the City Utilities Committee’s October 27 agenda for a 10 a.m. meeting in the Larry M. Dingle Committee Room at Atlanta City Hall, 55 Trinity Avenue. These remain proposals: the packet lists committee and full City Council action as pending.⁠[1]