DATE: 08/05/2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Community Services Department
2026-273
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBJECT:
UPDATE ON DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY AND AUTHORIZATION FOR
CONTRACTED EMERGENCY WATER LINE AND REMEDIATION REPAIRS AT
CORONA POLICE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This staff report provides the City Council with the first required update on the emergency water line and remediation repairs at the Corona Police Department Headquarters.
Restoration work continues to progress on schedule, with the majority of drywall, painting, and interior finish work complete. Remaining work includes flooring installation, cabinet installation, final finish work, and restoration of affected workspaces. Staff anticipates all emergency repair work will be completed by August 7, 2026.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council:
a. Receive and file the update regarding the emergency water line and remediation repairs at the Corona Police Department Headquarters.
b. Make a determination that there remains a need to continue the emergency work without the benefit of competitive bidding pursuant to California Public Contract Code Section 22050 and Corona Municipal Code Section 3.08.130(A).
BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
On April 28, 2026, a failed steel-braided water supply line serving the upstairs kitchenette caused significant flooding within the Corona Police Department Headquarters. The incident resulted in water damage to multiple areas of the facility and required immediate emergency response to protect City assets and maintain operations within the City's primary public safety facility.
Emergency mitigation efforts included water extraction, deployment of drying equipment, environmental testing, mold remediation, demolition of damaged materials, and development of a comprehensive restoration plan. On July 1, 2026, the City Council declared a public emergency to address the full extent of the damage and prevent further deterioration of the facility. Belfor Property Restoration was retained to perform the remediation and reconstruction work necessary to return the facility to its pre-loss condition.
ANALYSIS:
Restoration efforts at the Corona Police Department Headquarters continue to progress on schedule and are nearing completion. Drywall installation and painting were completed on both levels of the building, and the upstairs carpeting was professionally cleaned.
Belfor completed the remaining flooring installation in six phases to minimize disruptions to Police Department operations and installed cabinets on both the first and second floors.
Following completion of the flooring and cabinetry work, Belfor began installing the remaining rubber base, performing final paint and finish touch-ups, and returning furniture, equipment, and other contents to their original locations.
The Community Services Department is actively working with the Purchasing Department to finalize and execute the agreement and issue the associated purchase order for the restoration work. Staff also continues to coordinate closely with Belfor and the City's insurance carrier to ensure all project documentation is complete, eligible costs are captured for reimbursement, and the remaining work is completed in accordance with the approved scope. Based on the current progress, staff anticipates that all emergency remediation and restoration work will be completed by August 7, 2026, allowing the Police Department Headquarters to be fully restored to its pre-loss condition.
BASIS FOR CONTINUINING EMERGENCY ACTION:
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.
The emergency repairs remain necessary to fully restore the Police Department Headquarters following the water intrusion and mold remediation. While substantial progress has been achieved, the remaining flooring, cabinetry, and finish work are integral components of the restoration effort and are necessary before affected areas can be safely returned to normal operation.
Accordingly, staff recommends that the City Council determine there remains a need to continue the emergency action without competitive bidding pursuant to California Public Contract Code Section 22050 until all emergency work has been completed.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Funding for the recommended action in an amount not to exceed $700,000 is available in the Emergency Water Line and Remediation Repairs at Police Department Headquarters Project (PJ_00000531) within the General Fund (FD_1110).
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