DATE: 08/05/2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Honorable President and Board Members
FROM: Utilities Department
2026-278
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AND
CORONA UTILITY AUTHORITY ACTION
SUBJECT:
PURCHASE AUTHORIZATION FOR TOWABLE EMERGENCY BACKUP GENERATOR
FOR SIERRA DEL ORO LIFT STATION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This staff report asks the City Council to approve a purchase order to Quinn Power Systems in the amount of $221,000 for a towable backup generator for the Sierra Del Oro Lift Station to provide uninterrupted service at the facility in the event of an emergency or loss of power. The existing diesel-powered backup generator, installed in 1987, has reached the end of its useful life and must be replaced due to its age and the unavailability of replacement parts.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council:
a. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to issue a purchase order to Quinn Power Systems in the amount of $221,000 for the procurement of a towable emergency backup generator set for the Sierra Del Oro Lift Station. b. Make a determination under Corona Municipal Code Section 3.08.125(B) that competitive bidding has been satisfied for the reasons provided in the “Basis of Determination of Competitive Bidding” section of this report. c. Authorize an appropriation in the amount of $183,355 from the Sewer Utility Fund (FD_1572) to the Sierra Del Oro Lift Station Generator Replacement, Capital Improvement Project No. UT-2023-10.
d. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to approve and execute any documents necessary to implement change orders, up to the amount authorized by Corona Municipal Code Section 3.08.080(J) with respect to the total compensation authorized for the purchase of a towable emergency generator for the Sierra Del Oro Lift Station.
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) is responsible for the uninterrupted operation and maintenance of vital city infrastructure, including water treatment facilities, and lift stations. The provision of reliable backup power is particularly important for critical facilities such as the Sierra Del Oro (SDO) Lift Station to prevent sanitary sewer overflows (SSO). UD is dedicated to providing reliable wastewater conveyance and treatment in full compliance with the Clean Water Act and California Regional Water Quality Board, Santa Ana Region, Order No. R8-2011-0015.
The SDO Lift Station is a sewage pumping station that conveys municipal sewage from western Corona (SDO & Green River) to Water Reclamation Facility #1 on Railroad Street. The SDO Lift Station was constructed in 1972 and has a current average daily flow of 400,000 gallons per day, making it the third highest flow lift station in the City of Corona. Currently, a diesel-powered backup generator provides emergency power to the lift station to ensure its functionality is maintained in the event of any power disruptions.
This project is to replace the current generator, which was installed in 1987 and has reached the end of its useful life. The existing generator must be replaced due to its age and unavailability of replacement parts.
ANALYSIS:
UD plans to relocate the existing SDO Lift Station from its current location on Palisades Drive to its new location at the corner of Green River Road/Palisades Drive. UD recommends the purchase of a towable generator, as opposed to a stationary generator, to ensure a smooth transition to the new lift station.
The Caterpillar XQ230 Towable Generator Set delivers reliable standby power and is designed for versatility, efficiency, and compliance with emissions standards. The XQ230 is powered by a diesel engine at 1800 revolutions per minute (RPM), and utilizes an advanced aftertreatment system for clean, low maintenance emissions performance which meets Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) requirements. The unit is enclosed by a durable, sound-attenuated steel frame, and is designed for safe, quiet, and efficient transport and operation in demanding environments. The XQ230 offers reliable, fuel compatible standby power over long service intervals, which makes it a dependable source for critical facilities such as the SDO Lift Station.
On June 15, 2022, City Council approved Resolution No. 2022-046 designating certain equipment and products as the exclusive standard equipment and products for the construction of potable water, water reclamation, and reclaimed water facilities pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 3400. This resolution identified Caterpillar as the standard manufacturer of emergency generators for use in water, water reclamation, and reclaimed water facilities.
Staff also requests an additional appropriation of $183,355 to the Sierra Del Oro Lift Station Generator Replacement project to complete the purchase and installation of the generator as shown below. UD staff, along with an existing electrical on call contractor, will complete the installation of the generator.
XQ230 Towable Emergency Generator* $221,000
Installation Costs $50,000
Permitting $2,500
Project Coordination $3,000
Total $276,500
Contingency 10% $27,650
Total Budget Required $304,150
Budget Remaining $120,795
Appropriation Requested $183,355
*Quinn Power quote of $201,354.23 plus an estimated
$19,645.77 in freight charges and sales tax.
BASIS FOR DETERMINATION OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING:
Staff believes that Competitive Bidding has been accomplished for this purchase pursuant to Corona Municipal Code Section 3.08.125(A) which states as follows:
A. Competitive bidding already completed. When the purchasing agent and the authorized contracting party, with the approval of the City Manager, determine that:
(1) A competitive bid procedure has been conducted by another public agency including, but not limited to, another local agency, the state through the California Multiple Award Schedule (CMAS), the federal government through the General Services Administration (GSA), the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance, or the Western States Contracting Alliance (WSCA); and
(2) The price to the city is equal to or better than the price to that public agency.
Sourcewell is a State of Minnesota local government unit and service cooperative that offers cooperative procurement solutions to governmental entities. In August 2022, Sourcewell issued Solicitation Number RFP #092222 for Electrical Energy Power Generation Equipment with Related Parts, Supplies, and Services. Caterpillar, Inc. was awarded a contract under this solicitation with a maturity date of November 22, 2027.
Quinn Power Systems is the local supplier for Caterpillar in the Inland Empire. Per the Sourcewell contract, pricing must reflect at least a 21% discount off the list price for the XQ230 generator. The pricing provided by Quinn Power Systems reflects a discount of $43,057.77 (21%) from the list price and therefore meets the requirements of CMC Section 3.08.125(A)(2) as the price to the City is equal to or better than the price provided in the Sourcewell Contract.
Staff recommends City Council authorize the City to issue a purchase order to Quinn Power Systems in the amount of $221,000 for the purchase of one XQ230 towable emergency generator.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Approval of the recommended action will result in an appropriation in the amount of $183,355 from the Sewer Utility Fund (FD_1572) to the Sierra Del Oro Lift Station Generator Replacement, Capital Improvement Project No. UT-2023-10. There is sufficient working capital in the Sewer Utility Fund (FD_1572) for the recommended action.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
This action is categorically exempt pursuant to Section §15302 of the Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) which states “replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaces and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaces and is therefore exempt from CEQA. This action involves purchasing a towable emergency backup generator to replace the existing generator at the SDO Lift Station and therefore, is exempt from the requirement of CEQA. No environmental analysis is required.
PREPARED BY: ERIN KUNKLE, MAINTENANCE MANAGER
REVIEWED BY: TOM MOODY, UTILITIES DIRECTOR
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Exhibit 1 – Quinn Generator Quote
2. Exhibit 2 – Resolution No. 2022-046