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
Adopt a resolution (1) determining there is a need to continue the emergency action to execute and implement contracts for the construction to replace up to 11,000 linear feet of 36-inch asbestos cement transmission main; (2) approving a transfer in the amount of $6,000,000 from water CIP reserve fund balance account 531-35102 to CIP project account 53160139-63WT25UTER as documented in Council budget amendment No. 05P09; and (3) determining that the actions authorized by this resolution are exempt from CEQA.
Body
DISCUSSION:
The City of Napa water system provides potable water to 86,906 persons throughout City of Napa and unincorporated Napa County. On the western side of the city, potable water is transported from 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. (See Attachment 2). On February 4, and February 18, 2025, the City Council 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 from the following respondents (in alphabetical order):
• Azul Works, Inc.
• Mountain Cascade, Inc.
• Sierra Mountain Construction, Inc.
The City evaluated the proposals and began negotiations with the respondents to determine who will provide the best value for the City at a guaranteed maximum price with scheduled project completion in October 2025.
The project specifies installation of mortar lined and coated welded steel pipe for the critical transmission main with project completion in 152 working days. The current lead time for pipe procurement is twelve weeks and 24 weeks for 36-inch valves, specialty fittings and bends. Upon contract execution and City issuance of the Notice to Proceed, the selected team will expedite design activities to account for procurement.
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 to the valve north of Griggs Lane
• 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 C900 water distribution pipe on Laurel Street from Griggs Lane to Freeway Drive is adjacent to Phase 4.
The City will execute separate contracts for specialty construction inspection services examples of which may include welding and compaction inspection.
The City Public Works Department has planned projects to pave Laurel Street and Browns Valley Road. The Laurel Street paving has been postponed until 2025 with temporary paving in place until final paving can be installed. The Browns Valley Road project is constructing concrete sidewalks through April 2025 and asphalt paving later in 2025. Due to these projects the main replacement is being prioritized on Laurel Street and Browns Valley Road. By prioritizing these streets, the City will realize cost savings by avoiding repairing leaks that cause greater damage when the road surface is sealed under new pavement or installing a new main in new pavement and then needing to repave after the repair or installation has been completed.
Staff anticipates returning to the March 18, 2025 City Council meeting to report project progress including the selected design build team and maximum guaranteed price.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
Funds in the amount of $11,000,000 are available in CIP budget account 53160139-63WT25UTER for this project.
Funds in the amount of $7,478,149 are available in the CIP Reserve Fund Balance account 531-35102.
Upon approval, a transfer in the amount of $6,000,000 will be made to account 53160139-63WT25UTER as documented in Council Budget Amendment No. 05P09.
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:
ATCH 1 - Resolution
EX A - Council Budget Amendment No. 05P09
ATCH 2 - January 21, 2025 Staff Report with Attachments
NOTIFICATION:
None.