City of Gonzales
PUBLIC WORKS / CITY ENGINEER DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: October 21, 2024
FROM: Patrick Dobbins, Public Works Director/City Engineer THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 2024-63 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Easement Documents and Right-Of-Entries for the Industrial Wastewater Pipeline Project for an Amount Not to Exceed $250,000
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve Resolution No. 2024-63, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Easement Documents and Right-of-Entries Agreements for the Industrial Wastewater Pipeline Project for an Amount Not to Exceed $250,000.
BACKGROUND
Phase 1 of the Industrial Wastewater (IW) System will increase the capacity of the City’s wastewater system by 1.0 million gallons/day. The IW System will be delivered through the following construction contracts:
• IW Pipeline contract
• IW Treatment Facility contract
Construction of the IW Pipeline requires obtaining both permanent and temporary easements. Permanent sanitary sewer and/or expanded public utilities easements provide the City the right to install and maintain, in perpetuity, the new pipeline within private properties. Permanent easements average twelve to fifteen feet wide over the center of the pipeline depending on the specific location. For areas adjacent to Katherine Street and existing public utilities easements, public utilities easements are proposed, whereas sanitary sewer easements are proposed throughout the rest of the pipeline alignment.
AGENDA
ITEM
13 Temporary construction easements and Rights-of-Entry are also necessary for project execution to provide the contractor with sufficient space to maneuver materials and equipment, layback and excavate the trench, install the pipeline and manholes, and properly backfill. Along the pipeline alignment, the temporary easements are roughly 50-feet wide.
Once the pipeline is completed, the temporary easements will no longer be needed, and the temporary easement agreements will expire, thereby relinquishing the City’s right to use the properties. Similar to temporary construction easements, Rights-of-Entry are to facilitate construction of tie-in facilities within IW producer properties and will expire upon construction completion. Rights-of-Entry are being executed at zero cost to the City as the tie-ins will directly benefit the IW producers.
Piini Realty was engaged to prepare property appraisals of the six properties that will require temporary and permanent easements to complete the project. Appraisals considered the fair market value for the permanent easement takes of the sanitary sewer and public utilities easements. Whereas the temporary easements considered the appropriate land rent and return on land value based on the proposed duration.
REVIEW & ANALYSIS
Easements will be obtained from the following property owners with the cost are listed in this table:
Property
Owner
Sanitary
Sewer
Easement
Public
Utilities
Easement
Temporary
Construction
Easement
Right-ofEntry Total
Chunn Ranch $3,357 N/A $4,865 N/A $8,222
JJ & H Violini Co. $2,581 N/A $2,634 N/A $5,215
D’Arrigo Bros $20,563 N/A $21,625 N/A $42,188
Westphal Ranch $4,975 N/A $2,261 N/A $7,236
Taylor Farms $53,286 $33,709 $9,235 $0.00 $96,230
Avolem $31,173 $32,472 $8,468 N/A $72,113
Mann Packing/
Del Monte N/A N/A N/A $0.00 $0.00
Over the last four months, City staff, the MNS Construction Manager and staff with Pini Realty have met with representatives with the various property owners and all are cooperating with the acquisition of the easements.
The costs for the easement from Taylor Farms and Avolem are significantly higher than the others as these properties are in the Industrial Business Park and the cost per square foot is much higher due to the Industrial zoning as compared to the Agricultural zoned parcels along the rest of the pipeline alignment.
A CEQA-Plus EIR for the IW System was adopted in October 2021 and construction documents (plans, technical specifications, and cost estimate) were completed in September 2022. As such, no further CEQA analysis is needed for execution of the easement documents and agreements contemplated in this report.
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the execution of the various easements and Right-ofEntries to facilitate the construction of the Industrial Wastewater Pipeline Project for an amount not to exceed $250,000, which includes a contingency budget of $18,795.
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: This project supports our vision by making improvements to the wastewater system to increase its capacity for residential and industrial developments.
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: Maintaining and improving the wastewater treatment plant enhances the community’s quality of life by providing for treatment and safe disposal of the City’s wastewater.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful and friendly manner to ensure 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 X Yes No N/A
• Housing X Yes 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
Amend or modify staff’s recommendation.
BUDGET IMPACT
Easements will be funded with the IW Project’s State Revolving Fund loan.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve Resolution No. 2024-63, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Easement Documents and Right-of-Entries Agreements for the Industrial Wastewater Pipeline Project for an Amount Not to Exceed $250,000.
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 2024-63
2. Chunn Ranch Easements
3. JJ&H Violini Co Easements
4. D'Arrigo Bros Easements
5. Westphal Easements
6. Taylor Farms Easements
7. Avolem Easements
8. Mann Packing/Del Monte Right of Entry