Title
Recommendation to Authorize the Interim City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Apena Engineering, Inc., for Retrofit of Shell Gate Place and Willow Street Outfalls, No. P.W. 04-25-15, in an Amount Not-To-Exceed $611,622, Including Contingency, and Approve Project Plans and Specifications.
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this action is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land). (Public Works C31000)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Adam W. Politzer, Interim City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The proposed project will retrofit four existing storm drain outfalls along Shoreline Boulevard near the intersections of Shell Gate and Willow Streets to reduce roadway flooding during storm events.
On January 13, 2026, the City of Alameda (City) issued a request for bid for the Shell Gate & Willow Outfalls Project, No. P.W. 04-25-15. Staff recommends City Council authorize the Interim City Manager to execute an agreement with Apena Engineering, Inc. (Apena), for a total amount not to exceed $611,622 which includes a 10% contingency, and approve the project plans and specifications, included as Exhibits 1 and 2 respectively, for the Shell Gate & Willow Outfalls, No. P.W. 04-25-15. The proposed Apena agreement (Agreement) is included as Exhibit 3.
In accordance with Alameda Municipal Code Section 2-59.2, staff further recommend that the City Council delegate authority to the City Engineer to approve issued amendments and addenda to the project plans and specifications, and to authorize field changes through the change order process.
BACKGROUND
Stormwater systems are a vital component to the City’s infrastructure and play an important role in flood prevention by creating safe and navigable streets, sidewalks, and pathways. Improved drainage will positively impact public safety by providing dry and navigable roadways, walkways, and bikeways.
The overall scope of work for this project will rehabilitate four (4) existing storm drains and install four (4) new overflow structures on the beach. This allows water that otherwise surfaced on Shoreline Boulevard to surface on the beach instead.
DISCUSSION
The existing outfalls discharge to the San Francisco Bay are below mean sea level and routinely blocked by sediment and sand, which causes frequent flooding of the pedestrian, bike, and vehicle travel way along Shoreline Boulevard. The project will install an intermediate overflow inlet that is located within the beach area of Robert W. Crown Beach, above mean sea level. The inlet will also have a tide valve prohibiting tidal backflow into the upstream pipeline. The segments of pipeline upstream of the new overflow inlets will be lined to extend the useful life of this system. The overflow inlets have been placed at an elevation slightly below the next lowest upstream inlet on Shoreline Boulevard, to ensure that the storm runoff will discharge to the Bay prior to flooding Shoreline Boulevard. The City obtained the necessary permits from Bay Area Conservation District (BCDC) and the East Bay Regional Park District.
To solicit the maximum number of bids and most competitive price, plans and specifications were provided to 13 separate builders’ exchanges throughout the Bay Area on January 13, 2026. Notices were placed on the City’s website and published in the Alameda Journal on January 13, 2026. The bids were opened on February 3, 2026. After a bidding period of 21 days, 10 contractors submitted bids. The bid results are as follows:
|
Bidder |
Location |
Bid Amount |
|
Apena Engineering, Inc. |
San Leandro, CA |
$556,020.00 |
|
Wylatti Resource Management |
Covelo, CA |
$592,336.00 |
|
FJ&I Engineering |
San Pablo, CA |
$607,075.00 |
|
Golden Bay Construction |
Hayward, CA |
$617,442.00 |
|
Devaney Engineering, Inc |
San Francisco, CA |
$626,280.00 |
|
Pacific Coast Construction & Land Co. |
Monterey, CA |
$633,117.00 |
|
Corcus Construction Inc. |
San Francisco, CA |
$633,660.00 |
|
Kerex Engineering, Inc. |
Pleasant Hill, CA |
$644,700.00 |
|
Con-Quest Contractors, Inc. |
Burlingame, CA |
$668,800.00 |
|
Globe Engineering Development |
Fairfield, CA |
$688,300.00 |
Public Works staff contacted two references provided by the low bidder and received positive feedback about the quality and timeliness of Apena’s work. Staff recommends awarding the Agreement to Apena for a total amount of $611,622 which includes a 10% contingency. The contractor is not guaranteed any of the contingency amount and use of the contingency will be at the sole discretion of the City for work not originally anticipated in the plans and specifications. The specifications also informed the successful bidder that they shall pay not less than the prevailing rate of per diem wages as determined by the Director of the California Department of Industrial Relations.
Staff recommends that City Council approve the Agreement, attached as Exhibit 3, as well as the project plans and specifications attached as Exhibits 1 and 2, respectively. In accordance with Alameda Municipal Code Section 2-59.2, staff further recommends that City Council delegate authority to the City Engineer to approve issued amendments and addenda to the project plans and specifications, and to authorize field changes through the change order process.
ALTERNATIVES
• Award the Agreement and project plans and specifications, as recommended
• Modify the scope/budget of the proposed Agreement before awarding.
• Do not award the Agreement and provide alternative direction to staff.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funding for the Shoreline & Willow Outfalls project is budgeted in the Capital Improvement Project C31000 - Storm Water Management. C31000 is funded by the Storm Water Management Fund.
Table 1: Project Expenses
|
Shell Gate & Willow Outfalls |
|
|
Project Tasks |
Expenses |
|
Construction Contract |
$667,224 |
|
TOTAL |
$667,224 |
Table 1: Funding Allocation
|
CIP Fund |
Construction Costs |
Available Budget |
|
C31000 - Storm Water Management |
$667,224 |
$1,944,662.50 |
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
The recommended infrastructure improvements for Shell Gate & Willow Outfalls 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 action is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land).
CLIMATE IMPACT
Safe and walkable waterfront pathways are vital to meeting the vehicle miles traveled reduction goals in the City’s Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (CARP). This project also aligns with CARP Strategy I1 Critical Public Assets - Resilient and long-term functionality of critical public assets threatened by earthquakes, sea level rise or rising groundwater. In addition, Apena is required to recycle 95% of concrete and 65% of all other construction and demolition debris in accordance with section 10-5 of the project specifications, which aligns with CARP and the City’s Zero Waste Implementation plan goals.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the Interim City Manager to execute an agreement with Apena Engineering, Inc., for Shell Gate & Willow Outfalls, No. P.W. 04-25-15, in an amount not-to-exceed $611,622, including contingency and approve Project Plans and Specifications.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin Smith, Public Works Director
By,
William Smith, Project Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
Exhibits
1. Project Plans
2. Specifications (Project Manual)
3. Agreement