Staff Report
City Council
Item No. {{section.number}}.{{item.number}}
Meeting Date: June 26, 2024
From: John A. Corella, Director of Public Works
Title: Award Construction Contract for the Soil
Removal from the Ofelia Bringas Memorial
Bridge Grade Control Structure and the
Date Palm Drive Bridge Channel Lining to
Contera Construction Corporation
RECOMMENDATION:
To award a construction contract to Contera Construction Corporation, in the amount of $2,690,521.00 for the removal of soil from the Ofelia Bringas Memorial Bridge Grade Control Structure (City Project M00023) and Date Palm Drive Channel Lining (City Project M00025) affected by the Tropical Storm Hillary event, and approve a fifteen percent (15%) contingency in the amount of $403,578.15 for any unforeseeable costs; thereby, bringing the total soil removal budget for this project to $3,094,099.15; and, authorize a budget amendment in the amount of $3,094,099.15 from the General Fund to complete the project; and, authorize the City Manager to execute the required contract documents; and, authorize the City Engineer to request bonds and insurance for the project and issue the Notice to Proceed.
BACKGROUND:
On August 20, 2023, Tropical Storm Hilary struck Southern California, the Coachella Valley, and, more specifically, Cathedral City. The storm event flooded roads and neighborhoods and brought mud flows in various areas of Cathedral City. Runoff flood waters left many areas of the city, including the Whitewater River Channel, flooded and covered in several feet of mud (soil) and debris.
The Whitewater River Channel is the main floodwater river channel serving the Coachella Valley. Its primary natural function is to effectively collect stormwater flows along the valley floor. The channel traverses through the city at various bridged roadway crossing points along Dinah Shore Drive, Cathedral Canyon Drive, and Date Palm Drive. In conjunction with these bridges, the city constructed essential channel improvements (i.e. channel drop structures, channel lining, drains, etc.) to protect the bridge structures in the event of a storm.
During the Tropical Storm Hilary Event, the Whitewater River Channel collected the slow- moving runoff flood water which carried large amounts of soil and debris. These large amounts of sediment and debris raised the streambed elevation of the Whitewater River Channel several feet (7 to 10 feet in many areas), including the channel drop structures under the Ofelia Bringas Memorial and Date Palm bridges.
Further, for bridges that cross over waterways, maintenance of the underlying streambed is critically important to prevent bridge failure. Therefore, to protect structural integrity of a bridge, the channel structures (drop structures) and the channel streambed must be restored to their original design and elevations.
City staff has determined that restoring the Whitewater River Channel streambed under the Ofelia Bringas Memorial Bridge and Date Palm Bridge, by removing the excess soil and debris that accumulated on the channel structures, is required to protect the bridge structures. In order to restore the channel, a project will be required for a contractor to conduct the appropriate dust control measures, remove and dispose of the soil material in a legal manner, and restore the channel elevations under the bridges to their original design condition. Thus, staff prepared bid documents and specifications for the removal of soil and debris under each respective bridge structure.
DISCUSSION:
On Wednesday May 01, 2024, the city advertised an invitation to bid, requesting qualified contractors to perform the soil removal and all incidental work as described in the bid documents, Bid No. B24-67E, for this project. This solicitation was made available to contractors for twenty-one (21) calendar days and advertised in the following locations:
• Desert Sun – Published on May 01, 2024, and May 08, 2024 • PlanIt Print Works – From May 01, 2024, until May 22, 2024 • City’s Website – From May 01, 2024, until May 22, 2024 On May 22, 2024, the City received nine (9) bid proposals for this Project. The following table ranks each qualified bidder by total price:
Rank Contractor Amount
1 Contera Construction Corporation (Temecula, California) $2,690,521.00 2 Ames Construction Corporation (Corona, California) $3,216,000.00 3 Empire Construction Service (Riverside, California) $3,361,822.24 4 Riverside Construction (Riverside, California) $3,687,500.00 5 Bosco Constructors (Chatsworth, California) $3,816,695.00 6 Vertex Civil (Anaheim, California) $4,100,000.00
7 Tri-Star Contracting II (Desert Hot Springs, California) $4,415,547.00 8 IE General Engineering (Wildomar, California) $4,435,000.00 9 Remedial Transportation Services (Shafter, California) $4,997,325.00 The Bid Tabulation prepared by the Engineering Division is attached to this report for reference.
For the bids received, Contera Construction Corporation of Temecula, CA, is the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Engineering Staff is recommending the City Council award a construction contract to Contera Construction Corporation, in the amount of $2,690,521.00 for the removal of soil from the Ofelia Bringas Memorial Bridge Grade Control Structure (City Project M00023) and Date Palm Drive Channel Lining (City Project M00025) affected by the Tropical Storm Hillary event and approve a fifteen percent (15%) contingency in the amount of $403,578.15 for any unforeseeable costs; thereby, bringing the total soil removal budget for this project to $3,094,099.15; and, authorize a budget amendment in the amount of $3,094,099.15 from the General Fund to complete the project; and, authorize the City Manager to execute the required contract documents; and, authorize the City Engineer to request bonds and insurance for the project and issue the Notice to Proceed.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
The project is categorically excluded under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for federally funded projects per 23 CFR 771.117(c)(9), and categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Section Guidelines §§ 15269, 15300.2(d), and 15301(d).
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Bid Opening for this project was held on May 22, 2024, with the lowest responsive and responsible bid received in the amount of $2,690,521.00 from Contera Construction Corporation.
The budget required for the construction of this project will include the bid amount and a 15% contingency for a total amount of $3,094,099.15 as shown below:
Bid Cost (Contera Construction Corporation) $2,690,521.00 15% Contingency $ 403,578.15
Construction Total $3,094,099.15
DESCRIPTION GENERAL LEDGER
ACCOUNT CODES
PROJECT
CODE
AMOUNT ONE TIME
or
ONGOING
2024-
2025
Tropical Storm
Hilary Soil
Removal Project
Fund
100-900-910-911-8300-8301 M00023 $2,690,521.00 ONE TIME 2024-
2025
Tropical Storm
Hilary Soil
Removal Project
Fund (15%
Contingency)
100-900-910-911-8300-8301 M00023 $ 403,578.15 ONE TIME 2024-
2025 Total $3,094,099.15
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
GOAL B: Community Investment
Objective: Cathedral City roads, gateways, public spaces, and other city infrastructure are well planned, designed, constructed, and maintained.
Goal E: Safety
Objective: Cathedral City is safe for all who live, work and play in our community.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Contract - Contera Construction Corp.
2. Bid Tabulation