Title
Recommendation to Accept the Work of Ranger Pipelines, Inc. for Cyclic Sewer Replacement Project, Phase 20, No. PW 08-23-20.
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the project is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities). (Public Works 31041520)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On October 15, 2019, City Council awarded a five-year agreement with Ranger Pipelines, Inc. in an amount not-to-exceed a total five-year expenditure of $28,924,389.83 for the Cyclic Sewer Replacement Project. On January 15, 2024, the City of Alameda (City) executed the fourth amendment to the agreement (Fourth Amendment) in an amount not-to-exceed $6,131,818 including 2.5% Contingency, for Phase 20. The project replaced approximately 2.61 miles of sewer main, associated manholes, and lower laterals. The improvements made under the subject agreement are complete and acceptable to staff. Staff is now recommending that City Council accept the work.
BACKGROUND
The City has separate sanitary sewer and storm water drainage systems. Infiltration and inflow is storm water that should enter the storm drainage system but instead enters the sewer system through cracks and other defects in the sewer pipes. Storm water in the sewer system can cause excessive flows during wet weather events that exceed both local conveyance and regional treatment capacity.
In 2009, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) filed a complaint against the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), the owner and operator of the regional wastewater treatment facilities. The objective of the lawsuit was to create a federal court order to force EBMUD to eliminate the use of three wet weather facilities (WWFs), which were constructed in the 1980’s. The WWFs were built to handle excessive sanitary flows during the wet season by providing partial treatment and chlorination of peak flows prior to discharge to the San Francisco Bay. The EBMUD lawsuit was followed by a separate suit by EPA against each of the municipal entities that operate sewer collection systems discharging to the EBMUD system. Alameda was named in the second lawsuit, along with the other dischargers including Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland, Piedmont and Stege Sanitary District (collectively, the Satellites).
The EPA case against the Satellites was legally based on allegations of “unpermitted” discharges or SSOs. However, the primary objective was not related to SSO enforcement, but rather to ensure that an aggressive program to reduce WWFs in the sewer system would be carried out by the Satellites. The lawsuits were combined and settled with the terms of the settlement codified in Final Consent Decree for Case Nos. C09-00186 and 09-05684.
The work in this agreement served as Project Year Nine (9) of the 20-Year Rehabilitation Program included in the City’s 2015 Sewer Master Plan. The Sewer Master Plan utilized information collected through maintenance, inspection, and monitoring activities to assess system condition and capacity. The results were used to identify and prioritize sewer system capital improvement needs in a 20-Year Rehabilitation Program structured to maintain compliance with the Consent Decree and be consistent with the City’s sewer rate structure. Project Year Nine (9) replaced approximately 2.61 miles of existing old and deteriorating sanitary sewer main. Completion of this work is required for compliance under the Final Consent Decree for Consolidated Case Nos. C 09-00186-RS and C 09-05684-RS, which requires the City to rehabilitate no less than 2.6 miles of sewer main and associated lower laterals and manholes per year, based on a cumulative total. This work is also consistent with and furthers the objectives of the City’s 2015 Sewer System Management Plan and adopted Capital Improvement Program.
DISCUSSION
On October 15, 2019, City Council awarded a five-year agreement with Ranger Pipelines, Inc. in an amount not-to-exceed a total five-year expenditure of $28,924,389.83 for the Cyclic Sewer Replacement Project. On January 15, 2024, the City executed the fourth amendment to the agreement in an amount not-to-exceed $6,131,818, including 2.5% Contingency, for Phase 20.
Sanitary sewer rehabilitation work occurred in the following locations:
• San Antonio Avenue from Ninth Street to Sherman Street
• Caroline Street from Santa Clara Avenue to San Antonio Avenue
• Fair Oaks from Caroline Street to St. Charles Street
• Minturn Street from Lincoln to south end of block
• Santa Clara Avenue from Ninth Street to Eighth Street
• Lincoln Avenue from Bay Street to Sherman Street
• Santa Clara Avenue from Walnut Street to Oak Street
• Oak Street from Santa Clara Avenue to Alameda Avenue
• Alameda Avenue from Oak Street to Park Street
• Powell Street from Laurel Street to Oak Street
• Lincoln Avenue from Gibbons Drive to Fountain Street
• Court Street from Lincoln Avenue to Johnson Street
• Johnson Avenue from Court Street to Gibbons Drive
• Washington Avenue from Bishop Street to Mound Street
• Bishop Street from Washington Street to Adams Street
• Holly Street from Mecartney Road to Oleander Avenue
• Melrose Avenue from Maitland Drive to Beach Road
• Fitchburg Avenue from Beach Road to Magnolia Drive
• Easement -Jean Sweeny Park from Eighth Street to Ninth Street
The project was completed in accordance with the plans and specifications and is acceptable to the Public Works Department. The final cost, including all extra work orders, is $6,106,314.
ALTERNATIVES
• Accept the work as presented.
• Do not accept the work and give staff alternate instruction.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The project is budgeted in Capital Improvement Program Project No. C21000 as part of the Sewer Capital Improvements Enterprise Fund (Fund 501). Unspent funds from this project will remain in the Capital Project and be used for subsequent phases of sewer main rehabilitation work. No additional appropriations are needed. There is no impact to the General Fund.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code. Project TIE21 in the City’s Strategic Plan is to, “Rehabilitate 8 miles of sewer pipes.”
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with CEQA, this project is Categorically Exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(b), Existing Facilities.
CLIMATE IMPACTS
This project rehabilitated the sanitary sewer collection system and reduced the amount of infiltration and inflow from storm water and ground water. This helps prevent overflow of the sewer system and creates infrastructure more resilient to the effects of climate change.
RECOMMENDATION
Accept the work of Ranger Pipelines, Inc. for Cyclic Sewer Replacement Project, Phase 20, No. PW 08-23-20.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin Smith, Public Works Director
By,
Shilpa Patel, Assistant Engineer
Scott Wikstrom, City Engineer
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director