STAFF REPORT
1 PUBLIC
WORKS
DATE: June 21, 2022
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Ken Berkman, Public Works Director
VIA: John Molinar, Assistant Public Works Director – Street and Sanitation
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Approving Contract Documents and Awarding a Construction Contract for Bid Schedule No. 1484 – Landfill Gas Collection and Control System Expansion 2021 to BSE General Engineering Inc.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE CO UNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURBANK APPROVING
AND ADOPTING CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS, AND
DETERMINING THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER,
ACCEPTING THE BID, AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT FOR LANDFILL GAS COLLECTION AND CONTR OL SYSTEM EXPANSION 2021 TO BSE GENERAL ENGINEERING, INC. FOR BID SCHEDULE NO. 1484 (Attachment 1).
BACKGROUND
Public Works has been operating the Landfill since 1971. When this landfill was opened there were no regulations for the control of landfill gas; however, i n the late 199 0s the State implemented regulations mandating that operators monitor and control the gas produced by landfills. A flare, gas wells, and a vacuum system were built at the Landfill to comply with the regulations. Subsequently, Public Works installed turbines to turn the landfill gas into power and the turbines were subsequently handed over to Burbank Water and Power (BWP) because the City Charter did not allow other entities to generate power.
Today, newer turbines produce enough energy from the landfill gas to power approximately 800 homes. We continue to utilize the Landfill to dispose of waste; therefore, we must also periodically expand the landfill gas control and collection system to areas with newer trash cells, which is the purpose of this project.
In keeping with the City Council’s goals of Sustainability, City Services, Quality of Life and Infrastructure, this contract is a continuation of the City’s ongoing efforts to maintain its Landfill infrastructure and comply with State mandates. The project will expand the 2 existing gas well field on our active landfill, Burbank Landfill No. 3, located at 1600 Lockheed View Drive (Landfill).
DISCUSSION
The project was advertised for bidding on March 9 and March 18, 2022. A bid opening was held on April 12, 2022. Four contractors submitted responsive bids ranging from $382,674.79 to $ 849,681.00 (Attachment 3). BSE Engineering Services Inc. of Descanso, California, submitted the lowest responsive and responsible bid of $382,674.79, which is 4% below the engineer’s estimate of $400,000. BSE Engineering Services Inc. has previously performed similar work for other municipalities, counties, and districts with satisfactory results. The Contract Documents are available for public review at the Public Works Department and have been provided to the Council as part of this agenda item.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Staff recommends that Council find the resolution approving t his Contract categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to Sections 15301(b) and (f) of the State CEQA Guidelines.
In this case, CEQA Section 15301 relates to the operation, repair, maintenance, and permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing City Landfill facilities and mechanical equipment and involves no expansion of the existing use beyond that of the Landfill’s permitted requirements. Specifically, Section 15301(b) exempts the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing facilities of publicly owned utilities used to provide electric power, natural gas, sewerage, or other public utility services (including Landfills); and 15301(f) exempts such activities related to the addition of safety or health protection devices for use in conjunction with existing structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment . Sections 15301(b) and (f) apply to this approval because the underlying activities involve the expansion of exi sting landfill gas control and collection systems of public landfills, and address es safety and health protection related to gas emissions from the Landfill.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total bid by BSE Engineering Services Inc. for the contract is $382,674.79 and the construction contingency of 10% ($38,267.00) brings the total project construction budget to $420,942 . Sufficient funds for this project are available in account number 498.PW31B.15032.0000.23428 ( Refuse Collec tion – Disposal - Landfill Gas Well Expansion).
3 CONCLUSION
Staff respectfully recommends that the Council adopt the proposed resolution to approve the contract documents and award a construction contract to BSE Engineering Services Inc. for Bid Schedule 1484 – Landfill Gas Collection and Control System Expansion 2021.
ATTACHMENT
Attachment 1 – Proposed Resolution
Attachment 2 – Burbank Landfill No. 3 Location Map
Attachment 3 – Bid Tabulation