Camarillo City Council
AGENDA REPORT
Date: May 22, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Greg Ramirez, City Manager
Submitted by: Dave Klotzle, Public Works Director
Subject: Advanced Metering Infrastructure (Project No. WT-5080) – Authorization to Solicit Bids for Construction
BACKGROUND
The water utility industry is transitioning to Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) which is an automated meter reading and water usage information system providing benefits to both the City and City water customers.
The Advanced Metering Infrastructure – Project No. WT-5080 (Project) consists of converting the City’s 14,000+ water meters to AMI and constructing a new data communication network. This infrastructure will automatically relay water usage data to the City’s network, improving the City’s efficiency in meter reading and leak detection, thereby resulting in increased water use efficiency. This Project will provide customers with a tool to better understand and optimize their water usage.
On June 22, 2022, a Professional Services Agreement with MeterSYS LLC (MeterSYS) was approved by the City Council for project management and design services for the Project.
The Project will assist the City in meeting State water use efficiency objectives set by Assembly Bill 1668 and Senate Bill 606 designed to achieve the State’s goal of “Making Conservation a California Way of Life.”
In addition to advancing sustainability efforts in regards to water conservation, the Project will also accomplish a goal of the City’s Sustainability Master Plan (SMP) for Municipal Operations. The AMI project is specifically listed in the SMP as an action to reduce employee vehicle miles travelled since water meters would no longer be read by staff driving vehicles. Additional sustainability benefits of the Project include reduction in GHG emissions and protection of natural resources.
Project No. WT-5080 - Authorize for Construction Bids
May 22, 2024
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Staff continues to pursue grant funding for the Project with several State and Federal funding applications denied, and results pending from the recent Community Project Request through Congresswoman Julia Brownley for $5 million in Fiscal Year 2025 Interior and Environment Appropriations.
DISCUSSION
Staff, in collaboration with the project design consultant, MeterSYS, have completed the Project plans and specifications (Attachment 1), and are requesting authorization to solicit bids for construction. The Project includes a base bid as well as alternate bids for various groups and timeframes for meter installations to allow for flexibility in awarding a contract.
Staff will review all bids submitted and return to City Council with a recommendation to award a construction contract for the Project. A resolution approving plans, specifications, notice inviting bids, and stating the City has conducted the necessary environmental review for the Project that determined this Project meets the criteria for a Categorical Exemption CEQA finding is attached (Attachment 2).
The estimated total cost of construction, including bid alternates, is approximately $10,575,000 including contingency for unforeseen additional work, construction management, and inspection. The AMI infrastructure and water meter conversions are anticipated to be completed in various phases gradually over a three-year period.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for solicitation of bids for Project WT-5080 are included in the Water Capital Improvement Projects Fund. Budget for the Project will be determined and appropriated at the time of construction contract award.
CEQA DETERMINATIONS
The Project is not subject to CEQA review pursuant to CEQA Guideline Section 15301 Part B, which exempts from CEQA review projects that involve existing facilities of publicly-owned utilities used to provide public utility services. This agenda item meets the criteria for this exemption because the project involves replacing existing facilities and the network infrastructure will be constructed on existing City sites.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Find that Project No. WT-5080 is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Article 19 Categorical Exemptions Section 15301 Part B; and
2. Adopt a Resolution approving Advanced Metering Infrastructure – Project No. WT- 5080, the plans, specifications, notice inviting bids, and authorizing staff to invite bids.
Project No. WT-5080 - Authorize for Construction Bids
May 22, 2024
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ATTACHMENTS
1. Project Plans and Specifications
2. Resolution
REFERENCE MATERIALS – AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT CITY HALL None