Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: MARCH 17, 2026
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SUBMITTED BY: stephen bise, p.e., public works director PREPARED BY: DAVID GRANTHAM, P.E., CITY ENGINEER
Nick Esposito, CIVIL Engineer
SUBJECT: Uptown fullerton channel emergency repair
SUMMARY
Request to ratify emergency repairs and authorization to use Drainage Capital Outlay Funds for project costs.
PROPOSED MOTION
Ratify selection of KEC Engineering to provide materials and services for Uptown Fullerton Channel emergency repairs, waiving formal bidding procedures.
Approve $150,000 Drainage Capital Outlay Funds (Fund 36) budget transfer and appropriation from Project 52591 Annual Storm Drain Repair to Project 52023 Uptown Fullerton Channel Repair within the Capital Projects Fund (Fund 74).
Authorize Public Works Director, or designee, to approve change orders for construction and professional engineering construction support services within the approved project budget.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Approve the Proposed Motion
Other options brought by City Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Proposed Motion.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
None.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statements:
Public Safety
Infrastructure and City Assets.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Fiscal Year 2025-26 Adopted Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget has sufficient funding for the project in the Drainage Capital Outlay Fund (Fund 36). Staff recommends a $150,000 budget transfer and appropriation of Drainage Capital Outlay Fund from Project 52591 Annual Strom Drain Repair to Project 52023 Uptown Fullerton Channel Repair Project within the Capital Project Fund (Fund 74).
The attached Budget Data Sheet (Attachment 1) shows estimated project costs.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
This item reports the Public Works emergency related to the Uptown Fullerton Channel damage in accordance with Fullerton Municipal Code 2.64.090.
The Uptown Fullerton Channel, located north of Bastanchury Road, between the 57 Freeway and the Uptown Fullerton Apartment Complex, is programmed for a capital improvement project for general maintenance and repairs. However, staff inspections after recent rain events found significant degradation and damage to a portion of the channel wall. The stability of the damaged section is unknown and can pose a significant threat to public safety if it degrades further requiring immediate repair.
The Public Works – Engineering Division activated KEC Engineering to start emergency channel repairs.
The City must report emergency repairs exceeding $50,000 to City Council for ratification, in accordance with Fullerton Municipal Code 2.64.090. City Council approval of the recommended actions authorizes appropriation and payments to vendors that provided emergency repairs with waiver of formal bidding requirements necessary to activate repair services as well as any internal costs expended to address the emergency.
Staff would use the existing Capital Improvement Project 52023 Uptown Fullerton Channel Repair to track costs due to the scope of the emergency repairs. Initial estimates for the emergency repair total $105,000. Staff would process the necessary paperwork to effectuate payment upon approval of this item.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Budget Data
Attachment 2 – Project Location Map
cc: City Manager Eddie Manfro
Uptown Fullerton Channel Emergency Repair
March 17, 2026 - Page 2