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The Board of Water Commissioners for the City of Detroit, Water and Sewerage Department authorizes the Director to approve Amendment No. 1 to DWSD Contract No. 6006660 with Zausmer, P.C. to support the Brightmoor Stormwater Private Property Acquisition Project, by adding $500,000.00, for a total amended contract amount not-to-exceed $700,000.00. No changes to the scope of work, or terms and conditions. This also authorizes the Director to take such other action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote.
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Agenda of September 17, 2025
Item No. 2025-201
Proposed Amendment No. 1
Contract No.: 6006660
Contractor: Zausmer, P.C.
Address: 32255 Northwestern Hwy Suite 225, Farmington Hills, MI, 48334
Current Contract Amount: $200,000.00
Proposed Amendment No. 1 Amount: $500,000.00
Proposed New Total Contract Amount: $700,000.00
Contract Term: 12/1/24 - 11/30/26
TO: The Honorable
Board of Water Commissioners
City of Detroit, Michigan
FROM: Gary Brown, Director
Detroit Water and Sewerage Department
RE: Proposed Amendment No. 1 to DWSD Contract No. 6006660
For private property acquisition support for the Brightmoor Stormwater project
Zausmer, P.C.
MOTION
Upon recommendation of Marqaicha Welch, Procurement Manager, the Board of Water Commissioners for the City of Detroit, Water and Sewerage Department authorizes the Director to approve Amendment No. 1 to DWSD Contract No. 6006660 with Zausmer, P.C. to support the Brightmoor Stormwater Private Property Acquisition Project, by adding $500,000.00, for a total amended contract amount not-to-exceed $700,000.00. No changes to the scope of work, or terms and conditions. This also authorizes the Director to take such other action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote.
BACKGROUND / JUSTIFICATION
Zausmer P.C. was contracted in December 2024 as a legal consultant for the Brightmoor Stormwater Improvement Project property acquisition. Zausmer serves as an extension of the DWSD Legal team, leading the strategy and compliance for the project. As outlined in contract 6006660, Zausmer is responsible for all legal activities related to property acquisition including condemnation actions. When originally contracted, DWSD was in preliminary stages of getting resident and property owner support in order to move forward with the project.
The initial $200,000 contracted for Zausmer was utilized to develop the acquisition offers, identify federal requirements, review title work to identify owners/interest parties, and create project documents (Resolution of Necessity, Good Faith Offers, Purchase Agreements, etc.). Now that DWSD has interest from the property owners and funding to construct the stormwater project, the acquisition process must be executed in a timely manner in order to utilize federal grant funds for construction. Additional funds for the Zausmer contract are required to move forward with the outstanding steps in the acquisition process.
PROCUREMENT METHOD
The DWSD Director approved the award of the initial contract with Zausmer, P.C. in the amount of $200,000 on 12/20/24. According to DWSD Procurement's Policy, Section 7.5, competitive solicitation is not required for legal services.
Proposed Amendment 1 was submitted through requisition #538384, which was approved by Budget on 8/4/25. This Amendment requests adding $500,000.00 in funding. There will be no change in scope or terms and conditions.
Zausmer, P.C. clearances are set to expire on 3/28/26 and a formal contract document has been sent to the contractor for signature. Per procurement protocol, no additional approvals are required.
SUMMARY
A. Contract No.: 6006660
B. Contractor: Zausmer, P.C.
C. Contract Term: 12/1/24 - 11/30/26
D. Initial Contract Amount: $200,000.00
E. Proposed Amendment No. 1 Amount: $500,000.00
F. Proposed New Total Contract Amount: $700,000.00
G. Funding Source: O&M Funds
H. GL String(s):
5820-20179-493101-613100-000225-15805-0000-000000 - 100% Sewer
This proposed amendment was presented to the DWSD Finance Committee on September 3, 2025. Per the DWSD Procurement Policy, no other approvals are required.