DATE: 04/15/2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Honorable President and Board Members
FROM: Utilities Department
2026-120
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AND
CORONA UTILITY AUTHORITY ACTION
SUBJECT:
THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE MAINTENANCE/GENERAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH HOUSTON AND HARRIS PCS, INC. FOR SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM
SERVICES
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This staff report asks City Council to approve the third amendment to the Maintenance/General Services Agreement with Houston and Harris, PCS, Inc. to provide Sanitary Sewer System Cleaning.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council:
a. Approve the Third Amendment to Maintenance/General Services Agreement with Houston and Harris PCS, Inc. to perform Sanitary Sewer System Cleaning for both routine and emergency services in the amount of $1,050,000. b. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Third Amendment to the Maintenance/General Services Agreement with Houston and Harris PCS, Inc. for a total contract amount of $1,050,000 per fiscal year through June 30, 2027, including the ability to negotiate and execute non-substantive changes and extensions, purchase orders and amendments up to $105,000 or 10% of the contract amount.
c. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to issue a Purchase Order to Houston and Harris PCS, Inc. in the amount of $1,050,000 per fiscal year.
That the Corona Utility Authority review, ratify, and to the extent necessary, direct the City Council to take the above actions.
BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
Under the Federal Clean Water Act, and locally under the State Water Resources Control Board’s Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR) for Sanitary Sewer Systems, unpermitted discharge of wastewater from a sanitary sewer system to local waters and waters of the United States (WOTUS) is prohibited. The City of Corona’s sanitary sewer system is regulated. Sanitary sewer systems can experience periodic failures resulting in sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs). The WDR prohibits any SSO that results in the discharge of untreated or partially treated wastewater that creates a nuisance.
The WDR requires enrollees to take a proactive approach to ensure system-wide operation, maintenance, and an approved management plan are in place to reduce and prevent SSOs within the State. In compliance with the WDR, the City of Corona Utilities Department (UD) developed an approved Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP) (Resolution No. 2025-026).
UD’s sewer collection system is comprised of 15 active lift stations and 457 total sewer lines, including 435 miles of gravity sewer lines and 22 miles of force mains. As part of the SSMP, UD plans to clean and video the entire sewer and transmission system at least once every four years to prevent debris accumulation and blockages that can cause SSOs. Additionally, twenty-two (22) high maintenance areas have been identified for monthly or quarterly cleaning.
UD takes a proactive approach to sewer maintenance to minimize the risk of spills and discharges. Enforcement actions under the California Water Code, including civil penalties assessed per day and per volume, underscore the importance of preventing violations of the WDR.
ANALYSIS:
On October 20, 2021, City Council awarded Notice Inviting Bids 22-019 RH for Sewer System Cleaning Routine Maintenance and Emergency Services to Houston and Harris PCS, Inc. (Houston and Harris) as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. On June 5, 2023, an amendment was issued to extend the term of the maintenance and general services agreement (MGSA) through June 30, 2025. On July 8, 2025, a second amendment was issued to increase total compensation by 10% from $500,000 to $550,000 and extend the term of the agreement through June 30, 2027.
UD has seen an increase in required sewer system cleaning services. Routine cleaning follows a system-wide rotation schedule, supplemented by monthly or quarterly cleaning of hot spot locations. Unscheduled cleanings occur when debris or buildup is identified through CCTV footage outside of the regular cleaning schedule.
UD recently implemented AI-driven sewer defect identification using a new software called SewerAI. This technology enables faster and more efficient review of CCTV footage by eliminating the need for technicians to pause video inspections to document defects or debris. As a result, technicians have increased the volume of video delivered to UD, leading to more rapid identification of maintenance needs.
This increase in proactive maintenance allows UD to address buildup and defects before they become emergencies, reducing the likelihood of SSOs and sewer line failures. With continued use of SewerAI, UD anticipates ongoing increases in cleaning activity.
UD requests an increase to the MGSA with Houston and Harris for Sanitary Sewer System Cleaning Routine Maintenance and Emergency Services of $500,000 for a total of $1,050,000 per fiscal year through June 30, 2027.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Funding for the recommended action is available in the Fiscal Year 2026 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 of use beyond that existing at the time of the CEQA determination” and is therefore exempt from CEQA. This action involves cleaning of the existing sanitary sewer system to maintain public health and safety. Therefore, it is exempt from the requirements of CEQA, and no environmental analysis is required.
PREPARED BY: ERIN KUNKLE, MAINTENANCE MANAGER
REVIEWED BY: TOM MOODY, UTILITIES DIRECTOR
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Exhibit 1 – Houston and Harris MGSA
2. Exhibit 2 – Houston and Harris Amendment No. 1
3. Exhibit 3 – Houston and Harris Amendment No. 2
4. Exhibit 4 – Houston and Harris Amendment No. 3