City of Gonzales
PUBLIC WORKS / CITY ENGINEER DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: January 21, 2025
FROM: Patrick Dobbins, Public Works Director/City Engineer THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 2025-06 Accepting WWTP Emergency Construction as Complete
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council Adopt Resolution No. 2025-06, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales accepting the Emergency Construction of the Disposal Bed at the Wastewater Treatment Plant as complete, authorize staff to file a Notice of Completion with the County Recorder and release retention monies held by the City to the Contractor 35 days after the Notice of Completion is recorded.
BACKGROUND
At the December 11, 2024 Special City Council Meeting, staff reported the Wastewater Treatment Plant was struggling to dispose of wastewater for the following reasons:
1. The last two years of heavy rainfall and regular dam releases from Lake Nacimiento and Lake San Antonio has resulted in higher groundwater along the Salinas River. Groundwater used to be more than 10 feet below the bottom of the disposal beds and it’s now closer to 4 feet. Higher groundwater has decreased the performance of the disposal beds as there’s less storage for the water to drain to.
2. The slow percolation of the disposal beds has made it difficult for Public Works staff to get a tractor with implements in the disposal beds to rip the bottom of the beds to improve the percolation.
3. The processing facilities ramped up their production for the holiday season and some of the processing facilities exceeded their Industrial Wastewater (IW) allocations in the last two months.
AGENDA
ITEM
13 At the December 11, 2024 Special Meeting, the Council authorized staff to proceed with emergency work at the MWWTP to construct the new disposal bed. Polaris Consulting performed the construction staking based on Dudek’s design. Swift Tectonics was engaged to construct the new disposal bed and mobilized immediately after the Council’s authorization.
REVIEW & ANALYSIS
City staff executed a construction contract with Swift Tectonics in the amount of $284,522 with a contingency of $55,478 for a total authorization of $340,000. Swift Tectonics immediately mobilized upon the City Council’s authorization.
Swift Tectonics understood the serious nature of the project and the need to quickly construct the new disposal bed. Their staff worked 10-hour days, six days/week and completed the new disposal bed on December 24, 2024. During construction there were two Change Orders executed for an additional cost of $25,085 for a final cost of $309,607.
MNS Engineers performed Construction Management/Inspection services on the project using their field personnel who were working nearby on the City’s Industrial Wastewater Pipeline contract. Their efforts included field inspections, reviewing/processing progress payments, coordinating the contractor’s questions with Dudek Consultants (Design Engineer).
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: Completing the Emergency Construction of the Disposal Bed at the Wastewater Treatment Plant supports our visions by improving City infrastructure.
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.
Explain: This capital improvement project will improve the operation of the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant
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.
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
a) Direct staff to not accept this project.
b) Amend or modify staff recommendation.
BUDGET IMPACT
This project was funded through the City Sewer Enterprise Fund.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council Adopt Resolution No. 2025-06, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales accepting the Emergency Construction of the Disposal Bed at the Wastewater Treatment Plant as complete, authorize staff to file a Notice of Completion with the County Recorder and release retention monies held by the city to the Contractor 35 days after the Notice of Completion is recorded.
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 2025-06