DATE: 11/06/2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Honorable President and Board Members
FROM: Utilities Department
2024-122
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AND
CORONA UTILITY AUTHORITY ACTION
SUBJECT:
MAINTENANCE/GENERAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH DUKE’S ROOT CONTROL, INC. FOR ROOT CONTROL SERVICES
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This staff report asks the City Council to award a Maintenance/General Services Agreement with Duke’s Root Control for Root Control Services to remove tree roots that cause or threaten to cause damage or blockages in the City’s sewer main line.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council:
a. Award Request for Proposal 25-008SB to Duke’s Control, Inc. to perform Root Control Services.
b. Approve the Maintenance/General Services Agreement with Duke’s Control Inc., of Elgin, IL, in the amount of $150,000 to perform Root Control Services. c. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Maintenance/General Services Agreement with Duke’s Control Inc. for a total contract of $150,000 for the initial contract term ending on June 30, 2026, with two (2) optional two (2) twoyear extensions. d. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to negotiate and execute nonsubstantive extensions, change orders and amendments up to $15,000 or 10% of the original contract amount.
e. Authorize City Manager, or his Designee, to issue a purchase order with Duke’s Control Inc., in the amount of $150,000 for Root Control Services.
That the Corona Utility Authority review, ratify, and to the extent necessary, direct that the City Council take the above actions.
BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
The Utilities Department (UD) operates and maintains approximately 400 miles of wastewater mains (including service laterals) and 5,000 manholes structures, treats 13.5 million gallons of sewer (per day on average), and serves approximately 144,000 customers. The City’s underground sewer infrastructure consists of pipelines of varying sizes, types, and ages.
Maintenance of the water and reclaimed water distribution systems, sewer collection system, and treatment facilities is vital to ensure an uninterrupted supply of potable and reclaimed water and treatment of raw sewage. Tree roots can damage or block the City’s sewer main line, leading to sewer spills that cause major damage.
UD maintains a proactive program for sanitary sewer system maintenance. A key component of this program involves using Razorooter, an herbicide-based product registered with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for sewer root control.
Razorooter is applied by inserting a hose into the sewer line and releasing a foam that adheres to and penetrates tree roots, effectively killing them. The foam also penetrates wye connections, lateral lines, and pipe joints, preventing root growth in the entire system.
Once treated, roots decay naturally and slough away, delaying regrowth for two to three years. Importantly, the herbicide does not harm above-ground vegetation.
ANALYSIS:
While pipe replacement or lining is an alternative, it is more expensive, disruptive, and does not guarantee complete root prevention. Mechanical removal can damage pipes and may lead to thicker root regrowth, requiring more frequent interventions. By utilizing Razorooter, UD minimizes damage and costs through regular, proactive maintenance.
This preventive approach prolongs the life of sewer pipes, resulting in substantial cost savings.
On August 8, 2024, the Purchasing Division issued a Request for Proposal (RFP 25- 008SB) following the City Municipal Code Section 3.08.090. The Utilities Department received one (1) proposal for Root Control Service:
Vendor City Evaluation Ranking
Duke’s Root Control Inc. Elgin, IL 1
The scope of work and estimated application cost for Root Control Services submitted by Duke’s Root Control, Inc. are outlined as follows:
Item
No.
Description Unit of
Measure
Qty. Line Total
1 6-inch pipe LF 1 $2.02
2 8-inch pipe LF 1 $2.02
3 10-inch pipe LF 1 $2.22
4 12-inch pipe LF 1 $2.43
5 15-inch pipe LF 1 $4.61
6 18-inch pipe LF 1 $6.62
7 21-inch pipe LF 1 $8.20
8 Additional manholes* LS 1 $180.00
The proposal was evaluated on five criteria including Completeness of Response, Work Plan/Work Organization, Qualifications of Company and Personnel, Approach to Safety Measures, and Reasonableness of Cost and Price.
Following the analysis of the proposal evaluation, Duke’s Root Control, Inc. team exhibits the essential skills, experience, and staffing required for the successful execution of the project’s scope of work.
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the $150,000 agreement for Root Control Services with Duke’s Root Control, Inc.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Funding for the recommended action is available in the Fiscal Year 2025 Utilities Department Operating Budget within the Sewer Utility Fund 572. Future funding will be recommended through the annual budget process.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
This action is categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15302 (c) of the Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Action (CEQA), which states that “operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion or use beyond that existing at the time of the CEQA determination” and is therefore exempt from CEQA. This action involves repairs to existing infrastructure to maintain public health and safety. Therefore, is exempt from the requirements of CEQA, and no environmental analysis is required.
PREPARED BY: AFTAB HUSSAIN, MAINTENANCE MANAGER
REVIEWED BY: TOM MOODY, DIRECTOR OF UTILITIES
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Exhibit 1 – Duke’s Root Control, Inc. MGSA