TO: City Council DATE: October 13, 2026 DEPARTMENT: Public Works Department
PREPARED BY: Kevin McDannold, Engineering Technician PRESENTER: Kevin McDannold, Engineering Technician AGENDA TITLE: Approval of the Conceptual Design Approach for the Emergency Replacement of the Noyo River Raw Water Crossing, Authorization of Emergency Contracting, and Finding the Project Exempt from CEQA Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15269(b)
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Resolution:
Finding that an emergency exists requiring immediate action to repair and replace the failed Noyo River raw water crossing; Approving the conceptual design approach for replacement of the crossing utilizing Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD); Finding the project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15269(b); Authorizing the use of emergency contracting procedures as provided by applicable provisions of the Fort Bragg Municipal Code and California Public Contract Code; and Authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to take actions necessary to implement the emergency replacement project.
BACKGROUND
The City of Fort Bragg operates a raw water transmission system that conveys untreated water from the City's source facilities to the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) located at Sherwood Road and Monsen Way. This infrastructure is critical to the City's ability to provide potable water service to residents and businesses.
The City's Raw Water Line Replacement Project is currently under construction and is intended to replace deteriorated portions of the raw water transmission system. During construction activities in September 2026, the existing raw water crossing beneath the Noyo River experienced a catastrophic failure, resulting in a sudden loss of system pressure and interruption of normal operations.
Following discovery of the failure, City staff implemented emergency response measures, including construction of a temporary bypass system, to maintain continuity of water service while permanent repair alternatives were evaluated.
The failed crossing was not included for replacement under the current Raw Water Line Replacement Project. Earlier project concepts had contemplated rehabilitation of the crossing through trenchless lining methods; however, those elements were removed during project development and the crossing remained in service prior to its failure.
Lumos & Associates, Inc., has assisted with an evaluation of the alternatives for permanent repair and replacement of the crossing, and produced the conceptual design document, at the request of City Staff.
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Following investigation of the failure and evaluation of available alternatives, Lumos & Associates determined that rehabilitation of the existing crossing is not feasible due to the condition of the host pipe.
Alternatives evaluated included:
Localized repair of the existing crossing;
Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP);
Sliplining;
Primus Line rehabilitation;
Pipe bursting; and
Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD).
Rehabilitation methods relying on the existing host pipe were determined to be infeasible due to the apparent compromised condition of the existing pipeline.
Pipe bursting was evaluated as a replacement alternative but was determined to present substantial constructability concerns due to the shallow depth of the existing crossing beneath the riverbed. Based on engineering evaluation, the forces required for pipe bursting could result in surfacing or heaving of the existing alignment and associated impacts to the river environment. The alternative was also determined to be economically unfavorable.
Based on the alternatives analysis, HDD was identified as the preferred approach for replacement of the crossing. HDD would allow installation of a new 10-inch HDPE DR9 pipeline beneath the Noyo River while minimizing surface disturbance, avoiding in-stream excavation, reducing impacts to sensitive aquatic habitat, and providing a long-term replacement for critical water infrastructure.
The proposed Council action approves the conceptual design approach and authorizes staff to continue project development, permitting, environmental compliance, procurement, and construction activities necessary to implement the replacement.
Because the existing crossing serves an essential public utility function, staff finds that immediate action is necessary to restore long-term reliability of the City's raw water transmission system and reduce reliance on temporary emergency infrastructure.
The proposed resolution also authorizes emergency contracting procedures. California Public Contract Code Section 22050 permits a public agency, by four-fifths vote of its governing body, to take immediate action necessary to respond to an emergency and to procure services, equipment, and construction without compliance with standard competitive bidding procedures when such delay would adversely affect public health, welfare, or essential public services.
FISCAL IMPACT/FUNDING SOURCE
The full cost of the emergency replacement project is not yet known.
Engineering evaluation and conceptual design work are currently underway. Staff anticipates returning to City Council with additional information regarding project costs, funding strategy, procurement, and budget appropriations as project development progresses.
Funding for the emergency replacement project is anticipated to include a combination of Water Enterprise funds, emergency funding opportunities, and other sources as may become available.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
The proposed project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15269(b), which exempts emergency repairs to publicly owned service facilities necessary to maintain service essential to the public health, safety, and welfare.
The failed Noyo River crossing is a critical component of the City's raw water transmission system. Replacement of the crossing is necessary to maintain essential municipal water service and protect public health and safety.
Approval of the conceptual design approach and related emergency actions is therefore exempt from CEQA under the Emergency Projects exemption.
Staff will continue to coordinate with applicable resource and permitting agencies regarding permits and approvals required for project implementation.
STRATEGIC PLAN/COUNCIL PRIORITIES/GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY The proposed action is consistent with:
Strategic Plan Goal 2: Infrastructure and Public Facilities; Strategic Plan Goal 2A: Maintain and improve critical public infrastructure; General Plan policies supporting reliable municipal water service and protection of public health and safety.
Replacement of the failed crossing will improve the reliability and resiliency of the City's water supply infrastructure.
ALTERNATIVES:
Council could direct staff to continue evaluating additional repair or replacement alternatives.
Staff does not recommend this alternative. Further evaluation would delay implementation of a permanent replacement and extend reliance on the existing temporary bypass crossing, which was installed as an emergency measure and is not intended to serve as a long-term solution. Staff is concerned that anticipated winter storm flows, tidal influences, and debris loading within the Noyo River may increase the risk of damage to or failure of the temporary crossing, potentially affecting the City's ability to reliably convey raw water to the Water Treatment Plant.
Additional delays could also affect the City's ability to pursue emergency permitting, procurement, funding, or reimbursement opportunities that may be available due to the emergency nature of the failure.
Council could decline to approve the proposed action.
Staff does not recommend this alternative. Failure to proceed with a permanent replacement would require the City to continue relying on temporary emergency infrastructure for an extended period and would postpone implementation of a long-term solution for a critical component of the City's water supply system.
Continued reliance on the temporary bypass increases operational risk and may expose the City to service interruptions should the temporary facility become damaged or inoperable. Delaying action may also result in increased project costs, extended regulatory and permitting timelines, and reduced access to emergency funding or reimbursement opportunities that may otherwise be available.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution Approving Emergency Repair Activity
Conceptual Design Plans
AGENDA ITEM NO. 8A
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT