EXHIBIT A
To: Ernie Hernandez, City Manager City of Commerce
2535 Commerce Way
Commerce, CA 90040
Cc: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
Vilko Domic, Assistant City Manager
Louis Morales, Director Economic Development & Planning Gisselle Delgado, Economic Development Scott Nichols, Assistant City Attorney John Yonai, Tierra West Advisors Lauren Yonai, Tierra West Advisors August 23, 2024
RE PROPOSAL FOR TIME-CRITICAL IMPLEMENTATION
OF GAGE AVENUE/FLETCHER DUMP EXPEDITED REMEDIATION PLAN ECRG FUNDED REMEDIAL PROGRAM
WESTERN PARCEL
CITY OF COMMERCE CALIFORNIA
Dear Ernie,
Ramboll American Engineering Solutions, Inc, (Ramboll) recently provided our approach and solution for implementing a fast-track remedial program designed to restore the eastern portion of the city-owned Western Parcels (city-owned) of the Gage Avenue/Fletcher Dump to unrestricted use standards through the partial implementation of the agency-approved Remedial Action Plan (RAP). It is Ramboll’s understanding that roughly $7 million in funding from the Equitable Communities Revitalization Grant has to be expended by no later than mid-December 2024. For the purposes of this scope of work, the “site” is defined as Parcel B comprising the eastern portion of the Western Parcels (Figure 1).
OBJECTIVES
For the remediation of the Site, the objectives are as follows:
Excavation, screening, sorting of fill material encountered with the dump boundary – limited to the Western Parcels. The maximum depth of anticipated fill is expected be 28 feet, comprising an estimated quantity of up to 120,000 cubic yards of material that will require excavation, profiling and off-site recycling/disposal.
Demolition of the above-ground structures and associated utilities associated with the baseball field and maintenance facilities. Abatement of asbestos-containing building materials is assumed.
Confirmation samples at the base of the excavated materials to demonstration completion of remedial work. 1/7 Doc ID / Version
GENERAL APPROACH
Ramboll’s approach to maximize the available grant funds is to remediate Parcel B of the Western Parcels with the $7 Million in available ECRG funds. This will allow the Eastern Parcel and Parcel A (containing the city facilities) to remain capped and intact, while additional funds for cleanup are identified that can address the remaining areas. The proposed scope has the objective of completing the following activities on Parcel B:
Demolition of all above-ground facilities and associated utilities Removal of all landfill materials to the base of the landfill Delivery of a clean pad (excavation floor) suitable for unrestricted land use Suitability for clean import to commence, if desired
Expenditures of all available grant funds within the required timeframe
SCOPE OF WORK
Task 1: Pre-construction Coordination and Logistics Planning Ramboll has been engaging with contractors to determine the scope, schedule and budget for the proposed remediation. Ramboll is also soliciting formal bids from reputable construction firms. Upon selection of the contractor, Ramboll retain the selected contractor and ensure that the project commences as soon as permits are secured.
Ramboll will prepare a project-specific health and safety plan (HASP) for the investigation prior to initiating the subsurface work at the Site. Ramboll will coordinate and schedule fieldwork with the remediation contractor, utility clearance, drilling, and analytical laboratories.
Task 2: Permitting and Notification
The permitting and notification requirements to be satisfied prior to performing the excavation activities outlined are detailed in the RAP.
Task 2A: Rule 1150 and Rule 1466 Permitting
These include permitting requirements under the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) under Rule 1150 (landfill excavation) and Rule 1466 (toxic air contaminants). Best Available Control Measures described in SCAQMD’s Rule 1150 shall be implemented to control fugitive dust and nuisance conditions resulting from excavating landfill materials. An Excavation Management Plan and Fugitive Dust Plan will be prepared and submitted as part of the permit application. The Rule 1466 compliance includes the installation of mesh fencing along the perimeter and ongoing dust monitoring throughout the excavation work.
Task 2C: Groundwater Monitoring Well Abandonment
Three groundwater monitoring wells will require abandonment prior to the start of remediation work. Permits from Department of Environmental Health (DEH) will be obtained from the County of Los Angeles. 2/7
Task 2D: Excavation Permit
A soil excavation permit is anticipated to be issued by the City. A grading permit is not anticipated at this time, as no grading activities will commence until clean import soil sources are identified and arrangements made for such import materials.
Task 2E: Stormwater General Permit/SWPPP Compliance
Compliance with the Stormwater General Permit will be required prior to commencement of demolition and soil disturbing activities. Ramboll will utilize the services of a specialty contractor to develop and implement the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for the duration of the construction activities. It should be noted that additional SWPPP monitoring and reporting requirements may remain following the completion of the soil remediation work, until such time that the work site is deemed “stabilized”.
Task 3: Utility Clearance and Abandonment
Underground Service Alert (USA) will be notified at least 3 weeks in advance of excavation activities. The perimeter of the landfill excavation will be clearly marked with white paint or surveyors’ flagging as required by USA. In addition, a geophysical survey using magnetics, ground penetrating radar, and/or electromagnetic line location will be conducted to help identify subsurface lines and obstructions that could interfere with the proposed excavation activities, and City personnel will be engaged to ensure that all live utilities have been abandoned. Available site‐specific utility maps will be reviewed to determine the locations of nearby electric, cable, telephone, gas, water, sewer, and data transmission lines. On‐Site meetings will also be held with Public Works personnel to verify the locations of City‐ owned utilities, prior to commencing field work. In addition, the two on-Site groundwater monitoring wells will be abandoned.
Task 4: Landfill EM3/Electro-Resistivity Survey of Landfill Ramboll will subcontract Spectrum Geophysics to conduct 3-dimensional waste profiling of the landfill in order to obtain accurate landfill volume, which will be used to fine-tune the excavation approach, take- off volumes and estimated costs for excavation and disposal. The survey will be conducted using Electromagnetic and Electro-resistivity equipment.
Task 5: Clean Cover Profile Sampling
Ramboll will conduct cover material sampling in accordance with the RAP, which involves collecting soil samples from the first two feet of soil from locations in a 50-foot on center grid. The soil sampling and profiling will be conducted in accordance with Section 4.3.2.1 of the RAP. Designated “clean” cover material will also be screened prior to re-use by collecting stockpile composite samples.
Task 6: Landfill Profile Sampling for Disposal
Soil samples will be collected from the landfill materials using a grid-based sampling program. The soils samples will be used to develop “profiles” with the waste acceptance facilities for the purpose of being able to direct-load.
Task 7: Demolition of On-site Facilities
Demolition of the baseball field, bleachers, cage, dug-out and associated facilities will be conducted immediately upon mobilization. An asbestos survey will be conducted prior to demolition to ensure compliance with SCAQMD regulations. If asbestos-containing materials are identified, abatement 3/7
activities will be conducted by a licensed abatement contractor in accordance with applicable SCAQMD requirements.
Task 8: Mobilization and Staging of Heavy Equipment
The selected contractor will initiate mobilization and staging of heavy equipment shortly after project award and at least 3 days prior to commencement of excavation work. The staging area will be the parking area to the west of the site. This area will be used for the Grizzly separator, crusher and stockpiling of landfill cover and demolition debris deemed “clean” for potential reuse.
Task 9: Commencement of Remediation
Remediation of the landfill will commence immediately upon completion of permitting and landfill material profiling. The excavation work will commence in accordance with the schedule and program developed by the selected contractor. It is anticipated that the work will be completed in specific quadrants to facilitate staging and segregation of materials. Excavation of materials will continue systematically from the initial excavation area until all materials have been excavated. For the areas closest to the eastern landfill boundary (i.e., the edge of Eastern Parcel landfill) and along the Rio Hondo wash embankment, the excavation will be sloped at a 1:1 ratio for stability.
Task 9a: Excavation and Sorting of Waste Material
Excavation and sorting of the waste material will be a key component to the efficient management of waste material, stabilization, and minimization through crushing in preparation for off-site disposal. The details of the excavation and sorting process are described in the RAP.
Task 9b: Stockpiling and Waste Profiling
Soil and materials will be segregated by the type of contaminants present in the excavated soil to the extent possible in the field, and care will be taken to ensure that they are not commingled.
Contaminated soil stockpiles will be placed on top of and covered with heavy duty plastic sheeting and secured at the end of each workday. In addition, the soil shall be covered whenever there is inactivity longer than one hour. The anchoring system shall also prevent the covering from blowing off the stockpiles during high wind conditions.
Contaminated soil may be further segregated accordingly to levels of contamination through field screening and laboratory results. Uncovered stockpiles shall be wetted down completely throughout the day to minimize fugitive dust. The integrity of the covering on the stockpiles shall be inspected on a daily basis and documented on the log sheet. The maximum time allowed for contaminated soil to remain on-Site is 90 days; therefore, arrangements must be made to remove it or consolidate the soil within this time frame.
Direct loading of soil will be made possible by the previous waste profiling conducted as part of Task 6. Characterization of soil stockpiles is performed by collecting a representative sample of soil from the stockpile and analyzing the soil for VOCs, TPH, Metals, PCBs, and any other known chemical of concern that may be present in that stockpile. Once characterized, the soil can be loaded into transport trucks for off-Site disposal.
Soil loaded into transport vehicles for off-Site disposal will be covered with continuous heavy-duty plastic or other covering to minimize emissions into the atmosphere. The covering will be in good condition, joined at the seams, and securely anchored to minimize headspace where vapors may accumulate. 4/7
Records identifying the generator, transporter and storage/treatment facilities shall be signed by each party at the time custody is transferred and kept with the project file.
Task 9c: Transportation and Disposal
Following the completion of the landfill profile sampling, and for any individual soil stockpiles sampled during excavation, the results will be sent to identified waste disposal facilities to get the associated waste profile(s) approved prior to transportation. Once soil profiles are approved by each disposal facility, the materials will be loaded into semi-trucks and hauled directly to the disposal facility by a licensed/certified hazardous waste hauler, under proper manifest documentation in accordance with federal, state and local regulations. Each applicable disposal facility will be permitted by the state to accept hazardous materials. Truck route maps for the primary non-hazardous and hazardous soil facilities will be prepared by the selected contractor and approved by the City prior to implementation of the soil remediation activities. The truck routes will take into account the following criteria to the extent practical:
Avoidance of residential neighborhoods
Avoidance of educational establishments
Avoidance of sensitive uses such as hospitals and medical facilities Selection of shortest possible routes to designated disposal facilities taking into account the above criteria.
Task 10: Confirmation Soil Sampling
Excavation activities will be guided by observations and laboratory data from iterative confirmation samples. When the excavation is judged to be complete, confirmation soil samples will be collected in accordance the confirmation sampling plan presented in the RAP.
Task 11: Project Management and Agency Coordination
Ongoing coordination with the RWQCB, LEA, CalRecycle and DTSC will be required throughout the implementation of the project. Ramboll anticipates weekly status update meetings and on-site meetings with the various stakeholders.
KEY ASSUMPTIONS
Agency approvals are given in a timely manner to facilitate the project within the desired schedule outlined herein; No deviations/addendum or modifications to the RAP are required.
No significant asbestos-containing materials are present in the landfill; current RAP does not mention asbestos, and no sampling has been conducted to date; No “special waste” such as buried drums, liquid oil, acutely hazardous or Land Ban Material are encountered that require significant response or special handling; Sampling, backfill and compaction of clean import soil is not included; Sampling for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) is not part of the RAP and excluded/not anticipated; Assumes work will be performed during standard working hours/Monday-Friday 6am to 5pm; Contractor Labor will be paid Prevailing Wages with Certified Payroll; Assumes work will be performed continuously under one mobilization; 5/7
Assumes groundwater monitoring wells will be installed following the remediation of the Eastern Parcel (not part of the contract); Assumes results from samples collected at 5 and 10 feet below the depth of the landfill, such that deeper sampling is not required; Assumes Western Parcel “B” /Baseball Field contains 60,000 CY (81,000 Tons) of Soil and 60,000 CY (39,600 Tons) of Screened Debris Waste Requiring Off Site Disposal if Water Board does not accept any for on-site fill use after processing and stockpiling. This means the entire waste layer in this Parcel/Quadrant is planned for off- site disposal; Please Note that Trucking and Disposal Pricing is based on 90% of the volume being classified as non-hazardous with 8 % as non-RCRA (Cal-Haz) and only 2% being deemed RCRA-Hazardous; T&D Pricing is based on current National FSC on Diesel Fuel; Overnight security be provided by City at the property to protect equipment/materials left on site for the duration of the project.
PROJECT SCHEDULE
Working backwards from the due date for grant expenditures, the remediation will take 4 months to complete, which leaves 1 month for permitting, agency interaction and contracting. Based on this timeline, the following milestones are provided for guidance/discussion purposes:
Weeks of Aug 19 and Aug 26
Agency permits applications/notifications submitted (LEA, SCAQMD, DEH, City) SWPPP
Dig Alert Notification
Work Notice drafted and posted (coord. w. RWQCB)
Scope of Work for RWQCB submittal per RAP
Detailed data evaluation of historical samples for landfill characterization HASP
Weeks of Sept 2 and Sept 9
Contractor Heavy Equipment mobilization begins
Demolition of baseball facilities begins
Landfill waste profiling and test pits
BMPs and 1466 Notices/Dust Fencing installed
EM-31 Geophysical Survey of Landfill
Permit support
H&S Requirements
Ongoing demolition, waste profiling and staging/construction preparation Sept 16
Rule 1150 Permit Approval anticipated; excavation commences Sept 16-Dec 15
Excavation/RAP Implementation
6/7
BUDGET
The scope of work to be completed on an urgent basis is outlined below, along with a description and estimated costs. Work will be completed on a time and materials fee basis. The tasks described comprise the time critical elements required to implement the remediation within the prescribed timeframe.
Task 1: Pre-construction Coordination and Logistics Planning $ 20,000
Task 2: Permitting and Notification
$ 50,000
Task 3: Utility Clearance and Abandonment
$ 20,000
Task 4: Landfill EM3/Electro-Resistivity Survey of Landfill $ 25,000
Task 5: Clean Cover Profile Sampling
$ 30,000
Task 6: Landfill Profile Sampling for Disposal
$ 90,0001
Task 7: Demolition of On-site Facilities
$ 120,000
Task 8: Mobilization and Staging of Heavy Equipment
$ 50,0001
Task 9: Commencement of Remediation
Task 9a: Excavation and Sorting of Waste Material Task 9b: Stockpiling and Waste Profiling Task 9c: Transportation and Disposal
$6,265,0001
Task 10: Confirmation Soil Sampling
$ 30,000
Task 11: Project Management and Agency Coordination
$ 50,000
Estimated Project Total
$6,750,000
AUTHORIZATION
Ramboll is fully prepared to implement the Scope of Work outlined in this proposal in order to meet the aggressive project schedule outlined herein. Thank you again for the opportunity to submit this proposal.
Sincerely,
Leo Rebele Principal
1 Includes remediation contractor assuming prevailing wage costs, with a 3% pass-through (up to 8% is allowed under ECRG Program) 7/7
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