DATE: 07/01/2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Community Services Department
2026-254
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBJECT:
DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY AND AUTHORIZATION FOR CONTRACTED
EMERGENCY WATER LINE AND REMEDIATION REPAIRS AT CORONA POLICE
DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This staff report requests the City Council to declare an emergency, make a determination that competitive bidding is not required, and authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary agreements and purchase orders for emergency water line and remediation repairs at the Corona Police Department Headquarters, in an amount not to exceed $700,000.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council:
a. Declare a public emergency for the water line failure and associated water damage and remediation at the Corona Police Department Headquarters, pursuant to Corona Municipal Code Section 3.08.130(A)
b. Make a determination under Corona Municipal Code Section 3.08.130(A) that competitive bidding is not required for this action based upon the reasons provided in this staff report.
c. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute Maintenance/General Services Agreements with qualified contractors for emergency water line repair and remediation services at the Corona Police Department Headquarters, in a combined amount not to exceed $700,000, including any non-substantive extensions, change orders, purchase orders, and amendments up to the amount authorized in Corona Municipal Code Section 3.08.060(J), which is equivalent to 10% or $70,000.
d. Direct staff to return to the City Council at each subsequent regular meeting with a status update on the emergency action until the work is completed and the emergency is terminated, as required by California Public Contract Code Section 22050.
e. Create a new operating and maintenance project titled “Emergency Water Line and Remediation Repairs at Police Department Headquarters” and authorize an appropriation in the amount of $700,000 from the General Fund (FD_1110) to the newly created project.
f. Authorize an estimated revenue increase in the amount of $650,000 in the General Fund (FD_1110) for the insurance claim reimbursement.
BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
On April 28, 2026, at approximately 12:23 a.m., Building Maintenance staff received a call from Police Dispatch reporting running water inside the Police Department facility.
Building Maintenance personnel responded and observed standing water throughout portions of the affected area, with water depths reaching approximately two inches in some locations.
Staff investigated the source of the water intrusion and determined that the water originated from the upstairs kitchenette area. Upon inspection, a failed steel-braided water supply line serving the sink was identified as the source of the leak. Staff promptly shut off the source, stopping the active water flow, and initiated mitigation efforts by removing standing water and deploying fans and dehumidifiers to dry affected areas and reduce humidity levels.
After approximately one week of drying efforts, staff determined that the water intrusion had extended beyond the initially visible areas. To address the full extent of the damage and prevent further deterioration of building materials, Belfor Property Restoration (Belfor) was retained to perform the initial professional water-damage remediation services. Belfor is the well-regarded disaster restoration company and delivers full remediation and construction services to restore properties impacted by disasters and other property loss events.
Belfor has conducted initial remediation and repair assessments on the Police Department facility, the City has opened an insurance claim and is actively working with the contractor and insurance adjuster to determine the full extent of the damage and identify all necessary repairs.
ANALYSIS:
The water leak caused flooding in the Police Department facility and created an immediate need for emergency mitigation and remediation services to protect City assets and maintain continuity of operations in a critical public safety facility that must remain fully operational 24/7 to serve the residents of Corona.
During remediation, environmental testing identified mold in affected areas of the building, prompting additional remediation measures. Belfor is conducting a comprehensive assessment of the affected areas to develop a final scope of work and cost estimate for the repairs and restoration necessary to return the facility to normal operation.
Based on the information available to date, a preliminary estimate of approximately $700,000 has been provided to the City and its insurance carrier. To avoid delays in restoring the facility and returning affected areas to service, the staff are recommending to proceed with the required remediation and restoration work. Project costs will be paid by the City as incurred throughout the duration of the work. Upon completion of the project and final settlement of the insurance claim, the City expects reimbursement from its insurance carrier for all eligible expenses, minus the applicable $50,000 deductible.
Community Services staff will return to the City Council at a future meeting with a comprehensive report detailing the costs associated with the water line repair, remediation, and restoration efforts, including labor, materials, and equipment expenditures.
BASIS FOR EXCEPTION TO COMPETITIVE BIDDING:
An exception to competitive bidding was warranted for this action pursuant to Corona Municipal Code (CMC) Section 3.08.130(A), which states as follows:
(A) Emergencies. In situations determined by the City Manager to constitute an emergency for a public project pursuant to § 22035 of the Act and Cal. Public Contract Code § 22050. The City Council hereby delegates to the City Manager the power to declare a public emergency and take any directly related and immediate action required by the emergency, up to a total of $500,000, pursuant to § 22035 of the Act and Cal. Public Contract Code § 22050.
Emergency expenditures of more than $500,000 shall first be approved by the City Council. Work shall be performed without the benefit of competitive bidding, either formal or informal, only so long as necessary under those sections.
For projects of more than the amount provided for in § 22032(a) of the Act (currently $75,000), a report on the emergency and work performed shall be provided at the next regular meeting of the City Council, and then at every meeting thereafter required by § 22050. At such meetings, the City Council shall determine, by a four-fifths vote, that there is a need to continue the action without the benefit of informal or formal competitive bidding in accordance with § 22035 of the Act and Cal. Public Contract Code § 22050. The City Council shall terminate the emergency action at the earliest possible date that conditions warrant, so that the remainder of the emergency action may be completed pursuant to a formal bidding procedure
Staff consider this situation as meeting the definition of an emergency, as the immediate repair of the damage caused by the water leak was necessary to restore and maintain the administrative functions of the Police Department. Delaying the repairs would have significantly disrupted essential departmental operations. Additionally, the presence of mold resulting from the water intrusion posed additional risks, requiring prompt remediation.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Approval of the recommended actions will result in an appropriation in the amount of $700,000 from the General Fund (FD_1110) to the newly created Operating and Maintenance Project titled “Emergency Water Line and Remediation Repairs at Police Department Headquarters” and an estimated revenue increase in the amount of $650,000 in the General Fund (FD_1110) for the insurance claim reimbursement. The City expects to receive full reimbursement from its insurance carrier for the eligible costs associated with the emergency repairs and remediation, minus the applicable $50,000 deductible, upon completion of the work and final processing of the insurance claim.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
This action is exempt pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which states that a project is exempt from CEQA if the activity is covered by the commonsense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. This action declares an emergency at the Police Department and authorizes needed repairs, and there is no possibility that approving this project will have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, no environmental analysis is required.
PREPARED BY: PAUL LICHTENBERGER, FACILITIES MANAGER
REVIEWED BY: DONNA FINCH, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR