DATE: 08/19/2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Community Services Department
2026-290
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBJECT:
SECOND UPDATE ON DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY AND AUTHORIZATION FOR
CONTRACTED EMERGENCY WATER LINE AND REMEDIATION REPAIRS AT
POLICE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This staff report provides the City Council with the second required update on the emergency water line and remediation repairs at the Corona Police Department Headquarters. Although emergency repair and restoration work has been completed and the facility has been restored to its pre-loss condition, staff recommends continuing the emergency declaration until the final project walkthrough is completed and the City's insurance carrier has finalized its review and approval of all project invoices. Staff anticipates having the final project report and total project cost available at the next City Council meeting on September 2, 2026.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council:
a. Receive and file the second 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 at 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:
Emergency remediation and restoration work at the Corona Police Department Headquarters has been completed, and the facility has been restored to its pre-loss condition. The final project walkthrough remains pending to verify completion of all work in accordance with the approved scope.
Additionally, a purchase order in an amount not to exceed $700,000, consistent with the City Council's previously approved authorization, has been issued for the restoration work. Staff continue to coordinate with Belfor and the City's insurance carrier to complete the project closeout process. The City's insurance carrier is currently reviewing and approving all project invoices to verify eligible costs for reimbursement. Upon completion of that review, the City will receive the final project report and total project cost.
Staff anticipates having the final project report and cost information available for the next City Council meeting on September 2, 2026.
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.
Accordingly, staff recommend 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, Operating and Maintenance 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