Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Five-Year Agreement with Precision Works, LLC, for Stormwater Drainage Flowline Restoration Service in a Total Amount Not to Exceed $1,000,000.
This action is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) (Public Works C31000)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Gerry Beaudin, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Alameda (City) relies on its street curb and gutter system to convey stormwater runoff to storm drain inlets. Over time, settlement and tree root growth can create high points in gutters that prevent proper drainage, resulting in localized ponding and flooding. Traditionally, correcting these conditions can require extensive and costly reconstruction of curbs, gutters, and adjacent pavement.
The City recently completed a pilot program at six locations using specialized concrete-cutting technology to restore gutter flowlines without reconstructing the existing infrastructure. The pilot successfully restored drainage to the nearest storm drain inlet at all six locations, demonstrating the potential for this approach to address drainage deficiencies more efficiently and cost-effectively.
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a five-year agreement with Precision Works, LLC, for stormwater drainage flowline restoration services in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000. The agreement would allow the City to expand the use of this approach to address localized drainage problems throughout Alameda. The agreement would be executed through a competitively awarded cooperative purchasing contract, with expenditures limited to available appropriations in the City's Stormwater Capital Improvement Program.
BACKGROUND
The City's stormwater drainage system includes not only underground pipes and storm drain inlets, but also the street curb and gutter system, which conveys stormwater runoff along roadways to the nearest storm drain inlet. Maintaining proper flow along the gutter is essential to preventing localized ponding and flooding and keeping streets accessible during storm events.
Over time, gutters can shift and settle, creating uneven flowlines that prevent stormwater from draining properly. Tree root growth can also lift curbs, gutters, and adjacent pavement, creating high points that prevent drainage. These conditions can result in standing water along roadways, even when the downstream storm drain system is functioning properly.
Precision Works, LLC specializes in restoring drainage flowlines to address localized ponding and flooding. The company uses proprietary and patented cutting technology to remove high points and restore positive drainage along existing gutters. This approach can provide a less disruptive and more cost-effective alternative to traditional repair methods, including pavement and curb and gutter reconstruction, where site conditions allow.
DISCUSSION
Staff recommends that the proposed agreement be executed through The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS), a cooperative purchasing organization that competitively solicits and awards contracts for goods and services on behalf of participating public agencies. The City's Purchasing Policy authorizes the use of cooperative purchasing agreements awarded through a competitive procurement process. Utilizing the TIPS contract allows the City to obtain these specialized services without conducting a separate solicitation, reducing procurement time and administrative costs while benefiting from TIPS' competitive procurement process.
Precision Infrastructure Management was awarded TIPS Contract No. 250503. Precision Works, LLC, is an authorized/approved vendor of Precision Infrastructure Management under the TIPS contract and is the service provider in the proposed agreement. TIPS Contract No. 250503 went into effect on July 24, 2025, and is eligible for extension on July 31, 2030 for an additional five years.
Precision Works, LLC, has separately performed sidewalk concrete-cutting services for the City over the last 10 years and has removed more than 32,000 tripping hazards. In addition, staff conducted a pilot program for the proposed flowline restoration services, and flow was successfully restored to the nearest drain inlet at all six locations.
Staff recommends the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a five-year agreement with Precision Works, LLC for flowline restoration services in a total amount not to exceed $1,000,000. Precision Works, LLC, shall not pay less than the prevailing rate of per diem wages as determined by the Director of the California Department of Industrial Relations. The proposed agreement is attached as Exhibit 1.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may consider the following alternatives and others not listed here:
• Increase or reduce the scope/budget of the proposed agreement before awarding.
• Do not award the agreement and direct staff to pursue other approaches to addressing localized drainage deficiencies. Not awarding the agreement will result in continued localized flooding across the island, as there are insufficient funds available to replace all the impacted curb and gutter.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
For Fiscal Year 2026-27, the proposed flowline restoration services are budgeted in the Capital Improvement Program Project C31000 with Stormwater Funds (264). Funding for future years depends on future City Council appropriations approved by the Council. The total five-year compensation in the proposed agreement shall not exceed $1,000,000.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
The recommended infrastructure improvements are consistent with the Alameda General Plan Health + Safety Element Goal No. 1 - Protect:
Protect the health, safety and general welfare of Alameda residents, workers and visitors
Specifically, the project addresses the following Policies:
• HS - 12 - City Buildings and Infrastructure, Action a. “Stormwater System” - Rehabilitate the existing storm system conveyances and pump stations to increase capacity and resilience during storms, high tides, seal level rise, seismic events, and power outages, thereby decreasing the chance of flooding of nearby streets, utilities, and buildings.
• HS - 19 - Public Infrastructure. Protect and upgrade public infrastructure, including but not limited to streets, wastewater systems and pump stations, stormwater systems and pump stations and electric systems and facilities to ensure capacity and resilience during storm events, high tides, and groundwater and sea level rise, to decrease the chance of flooding of nearby streets, utilities, and private property.
• This action is subject to the Levine Act.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this project is Categorically Exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c), Existing Facilities.
CLIMATE IMPACT
Concrete cutting of city gutter pans minimizes material waste, reduces water use, and avoids carbon dioxide emissions associated with manufacturing new concrete. The project extends the useful life and improves the performance of existing infrastructure without requiring substantial reconstruction or adding impervious surfaces.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to execute a five-year service provider agreement with Precision Works, LLC, for stormwater drainage flowline restoration services in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin Smith, Public Works Director
By,
William Smith, Project Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Agreement