DATE:
December 10, 2024
TO:
Adam Politzer, Interim City Manager
FROM:
Mohamed Alaoui, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Emeryville Granting A Waiver From The Noise Ordinance For Sewer Rehabilitation Work On The Sanitary Sewer Interceptor Line Owned By East Bay Municipal Utility District For A Period Of Eight Weeks, On Dates To Be Determined, To East Bay Municipal Utility District And Its Contractor Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the above-titled resolution granting a noise waiver to East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) and their yet-to-be-determined contractor.
Background
The North Interceptor (Interceptor) owned by EBMUD is a wastewater conveyance pipeline that runs parallel to Interstate-80 and is positioned within the landscaping and shoulder area just to the east of the northbound lanes of the interstate. The Interceptor is 70 years old and badly corroded in a number of locations. It is a pivotal piece of the region’s wastewater disposal infrastructure collecting sewage from the Cities of Richmond, Albany, El Cerrito, Berkeley, parts of Oakland, and Emeryville before discharging to the District’s Main Wastewater Treatment Plant near the Interstate-80/580 freeway maize. The City of Emeryville (City) provides sanitary sewer collection services to a population of approximately 12,000. The City’s “trunk sewers” are the largest lines of pipe that deliver wastewater to the EBMUD Interceptor.
The Emeryville Municipal Code (EMC) limits the general noise due to construction work pursuant EMC 5-13.05. The EMC allows the City Council of Emeryville to grant an exception to this ordinance in the form of a waiver pursuant to EMC 5-13.06.
Discussion
EBMUD plans to rehabilitate a portion of the Interceptor that passes through the City between 64th St and Powell St Plaza. The method of rehabilitation will be cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining, which requires dewatering the pipeline.
In order to complete the work, the Interceptor must be clear of active sewage flow. To achieve this, a sewer diversion pumping system is required. These pumping systems will need to operate continuously to ensure that the CIPP can be correctly constructed (24 hours per day, 7 days per week). Tentatively, the pumping is scheduled to occur starting in July through August of 2025. The ambient level of noise from the pumping systems will not exceed 65 decibels which is roughly equivalent to a dishwasher or spoken conversation. In comparison, Freeway noise as experienced 50 feet from the fence line is typically 70-80 decibels.
Further details about the operation of the project have been summarized by EBMUD in a formal request for a waiver to the City Noise Ordinance in Attachments A, B, and C.
Once a contractor has been selected and a preliminary construction schedule has been developed, EBMUD will provide a schedule update to City staff for feedback. Once solidified, the schedule will be provided to occupants of properties in the vicinity of the work.
Fiscal Impact
None.
Staff Communication with the Public
As required by the Noise Ordinance, City staff coordinated with EBMUD staff to deliver notices of Public Hearing to occupants of addresses within 300 feet of the project sites. EBMUD delivered these notices on November 22, 2024.
Conflict of Interest
None.
Conclusion
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the above-titled resolution.
PREPARED BY: Nik J Ignacio, Associate Civil Engineer
Approved and Forwarded to the
City Council of the City of Emeryville:
Adam Politzer, Interim City Manager
Attachments
Attachment A – Noise Waiver Request Letter
Attachment B – Project Location Map
Attachment C – Construction Schedule
Draft Resolution
Noise Ordinance Waiver for EBMUD Sewer Interceptor Repair City Council Meeting | December 10, 2024
City of Emeryville
CALIFORNIA
MEMORANDUM