Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: CONSIDER APPROVING A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT
WITH GRANITE CONSTUCTION FOR THE LA SALLE
AVENUE VALVE REPLACEMENT PROJECT
Date: May 26, 2026
Written by: Craig Scott, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Recommendation
It is recommended the City Council of the City of Cotati approve by Motion a Construction Agreement with Granite Construction for the La Salle Avenue Valve Replacement Project for an amount not to exceed $44,680 and a project contingency of $4,000 for a total project not to exceed amount of $48,680.
Background
The City owns and operates a Public Water System and performs routine operations and maintenance and completes capital projects for renewal and replacement as well as expanded system capacity. The Water System is comprised of wells, tanks, pipelines, valves, fire hydrants, and other appurtenances, all of which wear over time and require replacement. Water valves are routinely exercised and are important for isolating sections of the system for main cleaning and in the event of main breaks. One valve, located at the intersection of La Salle Avenue and Lincoln Avenue, is leaking and needs to be replaced.
Analysis/Discussion
In late summer 2025, Public Works Staff noticed water at the intersection of La Salle Avenue and Lincoln Avenue and, after investigating, determined the water was from a leaking valve. The valve was adjusted to reduce the leakage but at the tradeoff of being closed. The closed valve reduces the ability of the water system to function as intended for fire flow events and reduces redundancy needed for when other parts of the system need to be isolated for repairs. Public Works does not have the available time to perform this repair, but the project needs to move forward as the valve replacement is considered a high priority.
In late April 2026, the City requested and received bid proposals from two construction companies; Argonaut Constructors and Granite Construction, for the amounts of $49,500, and $44,680, respectively. Staff reviewed the low bid from Granite Construction and found it to be fair and reasonable and is recommending it for approval. If the contract is approved, there will be several weeks to process the contract, then work can begin. Work will require shutting off water service to the Olivers Shopping Center, and therefore, the contract includes the provision of performing the valve replacement at night. Work is anticipated to be conducted in June or July.
Financial Considerations
The City’s adopted FY25/26-26/27 budget does not include resources for this valve replacement as the valve began leaking following adoption of the budget. Staff is proposing reclassifying existing budgeted funds that were set for contract professional services to update the water system modeling, which totaled $60,000. The modeling will no longer occur in FY 25/26 and may be either budgeted again for FY26/27 as a standalone item or included in the Cypress Tank/Well 4 capital improvement projects. No budget amendment is proposed for council approval.
Environmental Issues
This action is found to qualify for a Class 1 Categorical Exemption under CEQA Section 15301 in that the project consists of the 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 the existing or former use.