Title
Declaration of Public Works Emergency for the Failure of sanitary sewer main on Tulane Ave (near 3572 Hargrove St.) (District 15)
Body
On October 13th City Engineering Operations discovered a sink hole on Tulane Ave in front of 3572 Hargrove St. Engineering discovered the sink hole after being alerted of a sanitary sewer back up at 3722 Wilshire Lane. After investigating into the cause, staff discovered where the City sewer was not operating and rather wastewater was accumulating in a manhole structure at the intersection of Tulane Ave. and Ogden St. While televising and cleaning the sewer main to remove a suspected blockage from Hargrove St., they observed sandy water and the camera got stuck. Given the history of the sewer with its recent break history (2025), Operation staff discovered a depressed sidewalk which is located above the sewer, near the point where the camera equipment was stuck. Engineering Operations alerted Engineering office staff of the sink hole and the need for a point repair. The development at 3572 Hargrove St. installed a sewer lateral connection in close proximity to the sink hole (within 5’) and this sink hole may be result of failure with the new sewer lateral connection, but the exact cause of the sewer main failure cannot be determined until the sewer main is exposed.
Based on past experience in this area of the city, due to high groundwater, poor soil conditions, and close proximity of the sanitary sewer main to the building, this repair exceeds the capability of the Engineering Operations crews. If we determine that the repair is the result of faulty sewer lateral connection, we intend to bill developer of the 3752 Hargrove St. site per provisions provided in City Ordinance.
The broken sewer main and resulting back-ups of wastewater within the collection system endangers the public health and welfare. The damage to the sewer main presented a public works emergency due to the field conditions around this specific location and that reliable sewer service could only be restored to properties in the area via bypass pumping around the damaged main. The City Engineering has declared a Public Works Emergency, and City Engineering has hired a contractor to complete the work. Engineering will continue to assist the contractor until completion of the repair.
In accordance with the emergency provisions of State Statutes 62.15(1b) and MGO 4.26(4)(c), the City Engineer expedited the contracting process and hired Speedway Sand & Gravel and will enter into a purchase of services agreement with the contractor to make the needed repairs to the sewer main without the need to follow the standard public works contracting requirements.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Board of Public Works that, in accordance with the emergency provisions of Wis. Stat. Sec. 62.15(1b), because of the damage caused by the October 13, 2026 sewer main break, the public health or welfare of the city is endangered and the emergency repair and reconstruction of public facilities is necessary. Based upon this declaration of a public works emergency, the City Engineer is authorized to expedite the contracting process and obtain construction services without the need to follow the standard public works contracting process for necessary emergency repairs. Contracts shall be authorized pursuant to Madison General Ordinances Sec. 4.26(4)(c), or as otherwise authorized by Ordinance or the Common Council.