To: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
From: Joy Eldredge, Utilities Director
Prepared By: Chris Jones, Senior Civil Engineer
TITLE:
Title
Emergency Declaration for 36-inch Asbestos Cement Water Transmission Main Replacement
LABEL
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommendation
Determine there is a need to continue the emergency action to execute and implement contracts for the construction to replace up to 8,200 linear feet of 36-inch asbestos cement water transmission main.
Body
DISCUSSION:
the Barwick Jamieson Treatment Plant through a 36-inch asbestos-cement (AC) transmission main to the City of Napa service area. The 36-inch AC transmission main was installed in 1968 and is only 56 years old. Typically, an AC main would have a 100-year service life.
On January 16, 2025, the City Manager determined that the 36-inch AC main replacement requires immediate action to resolve an emergency and authorized the Utilities Director to execute emergency contracts. On January 21, 2025, City Council adopted a Resolution and determined there is a need to continue the emergency action.
The City posted the Request for Proposals on a Design Build contract on Friday, January 17, 2025 and held the pre-bid job walk on Thursday, January 23. The City received three proposals on February 13, 2025.
The City evaluated the proposals and determined Azul Works, Inc (Azul). will provide the best value for the City at a contract price of $15,725,800 with a contingency for specialty construction inspection in the amount up to 5% or $800,000 and scheduled project completion in late October 2025. The contract with Azul was executed on March 26, 2025 and notice to proceed for the design was issued on March 27, 2025.
The project specifies installation of mortar lined and coated welded steel pipe for the critical transmission main requiring interim project milestones be accomplished and total project completion in 152 working days. The current lead time for pipe procurement is 12 weeks and 24 weeks for 36-inch valves, specialty fittings and bends.
Water Division staff has determined Phasing of the 36-inch AC water transmission main pipe replacement is as follows:
• Phase 2 Linda Vista Avenue to Robinson Lane
• Phase 3 Browns Valley Road and Laurel Street (north of Laurel Park)
• Phase 4 Laurel Street to Foothill Boulevard
Due to water system constraints associated with the 36-inch transmission main shutdown, Phases 2 & 3 can be constructed simultaneously, and Phase 4 can be shut down only after Phase 3 is returned to service. Water system improvements to replace 2,800 LF of 12-inch C900 water distribution pipe on Laurel Street from Griggs Lane to Freeway Drive is adjacent to Phase 4 but is not constrained by the completion of transmission main work of Phases 2 and 3.
Azul Works, Inc is completing final design activities on Phase 3 Browns Valley Road and Laurel Street (north of Laurel Park) while continuing with preliminary design on the other phases of work. Construction is expected to start on Phase 2 on May 12, 2025 starting at both the north end and south ends of this phase. The north end of Phase 2 starts on Robinson Lane and progresses south towards Browns Valley Road then south to Laurel Street. Work will simultaneously progress north from Laurel Park along Laurel Street to complete this phase. Near completion of Phase 2, work will continue to Phase 3 on Linda Vista Ave (projected to start in July) and finally Phase 4 Laurel Street south of Laurel Park to Foothill Boulevard (projected to start in August).
For Phase 2 of the work traffic on Browns Valley Road will be maintained in each direction. Lanes will be shifted between Laurel Street and Robinson Lane. Laurel Street will have closures to through traffic during construction while access for local traffic will be maintained or one lane traffic controlled by flaggers during construction hours.
The City conducted a public meeting on April 30, 2025 for residents at the Napa Valley Language Academy. City staff provided an update on the project, projected schedule, and answered questions from residents.
Project updates will be available on the City’s webpage (https://www.cityofnapa.org/929/Current-Water-Projects) or using the QR code below.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
Funds in the amount of $17,000,000 are available in CIP budget account 53160139-63WT25UTER for this project. The contract with Azul Works, Inc is valued at $15,725,800 with a contingency for specialty construction inspection in the amount up to 5% or $800,000 for a total contract price of $16,525,800.
CEQA:
City staff recommends that the City Council determine that the Recommended Action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to: CEQA Guidelines Section 15269 (Statutory exemption for emergency repairs, in accordance with California Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(2)); CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Categorical exemption Class 1 Existing Facilities), which exempts repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing facilities involving negligible or no expansion of use; and CEQA Guidelines Section 15302 (Categorical Exemption Class 2 Replacement or Reconstruction), which exempts replacement or reconstruction of existing facilities on the same site and with the same purpose.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
None.
NOTIFICATION:
None.