City of Gonzales
PUBLIC WORKS / CITY ENGINEER DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: August 7, 2023
FROM: Patrick Dobbins, Public Works Director/City Engineer THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 2023-57 Critical Need for Pool Heater Replacement
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council Adopt Resolution No. 2023-57, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Declaring the Critical Need to Authorize GIS Plumbing, Inc. to Replace the Heater at the Community Pool for a Not-To-Exceed Cost of $81,600.
BACKGROUND
The Community Pool is a City-owned facility located at 205 Elko Street. The Community Pool was originally constructed in 1973 and underwent a major renovation in 2016. The City recreational department arranges and staffs the following activities at the pool each summer:
• Swim lessons
• Open swimming
• Pool parties on weekends
• Movie nights
• Water Aerobics
The pool heater was replaced during the 2016 renovation and is a Raypac Model P1262B. Over the last year, the pool heater has struggled to operate. Public Works staff coordinated with Raypac factory representatives to diagnose why the heater was not working. With Raypac’s help, staff replaced a number of heater parts only for the heater to continue to struggle to operate consistently.
Staff recently had the pool heater inspected by GIS Plumbing, Inc., a local Raypac service representative, and staff presented their observations to the Raypac factory representatives for their guidance and AGENDA
ITEM
9 feedback. Based on provided photographs, Raypac representatives informed City staff that the cost to purchase and install replacement parts would not guarantee that the heater would work as designed and it would be better to install a brand-new heater.
There’s a possibility that low gas pressure caused the heater to prematurely wear out. Public Works staff has contacted PG&E for their staff to visit the pool and determine if low gas pressure caused the heater elements to deteriorate and for the unit to malfunction.
REVIEW & ANALYSIS
Section 3.16.050 “Bidding Required: Exceptions” of the City’s Municipal Code allows for exceptions to public bidding if “There is a breakdown in machinery or an essential service which requires the immediate purchase of supplies or services to protect the public health, welfare or safety.” Sections 22050 and 20168 of the Public Contract Code provide that in the case of an emergency, the City Council, by four-fifths vote, may pass a resolution declaring the public interest and necessity demand the immediate expenditure of public funds to safeguard life, health, and property, and that such monies may be expended without compliance with mandatory contract bidding procedures.
GIS Plumbing, Inc. provided the attached quote for $68,000 to replace the pool heater and associated costs. Staff recommends adding a 20% contingency for unforeseen efforts for a $81,600 authorization to GIS Plumbing, Inc. to replace the pool heater. The heater is expected to take six to eight weeks to be delivered and installed.
The replacement of the heater for the Community Pool is urgent and staff recommends the City Council declare this an emergency and authorize GIS Plumbing to replace the Pool Heater at a not-to-exceed cost of $81,600.
How Recommendation Supports the Vision
Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small-town charm.
Explain: Maintaining the operation of the City’s Community Pool supports our Vision to provide recreational facilities to city residents
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Mission The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community. X Yes ____ No____ N/A
Explain: See Vision explanation above.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful and friendly manner to insure the safety and well being of the residents and the promotion of business, recreational, housing and employment opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner. X Yes ____No ____ N/A Explain: See Vision explanation above.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety Yes X No N/A
• Housing Yes X No N/A
• Recreation X Yes No N/A
• Environment X Yes No N/A
• Education X Yes No N/A
Explain: See Vision above.
ALTERNATIVES
• Direct staff to seek additional proposals for this work. • Amend or modify staff recommendation.
BUDGET IMPACT
This work will be funded with 100-515-6540 City Aquatics Capital Outlay – Equipment.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council Adopt Resolution No. 2023-57, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Declaring the Critical Need to Authorize GIS Plumbing, Inc. to Replace the Heater at the Community Pool for a Not-To-Exceed Cost of $81,600.
Attachments:
1. GIS Plumbing, Inc. Quote
2. Resolution No. 2023-57