City of Gonzales
PUBLIC WORKS / CITY ENGINEER DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: November 3, 2025
FROM: Patrick Dobbins, Public Works Director/City Engineer THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 2025-77 Task Order No. 5 MNS Engineers Agreement
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council Adopt Resolution No. 2025-77, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales authorizing execution of Task Order No. 5 under a Master Service Agreement with MNS Engineers to continue their Program Management Services on the Wastewater Program in the amount of $158,738.
BACKGROUND
With an agricultural industry requesting to expand production, a growing population in need of homes, and Developers poised to break ground on new housing tracks, the limiting factor to growth in the City of Gonzales is the ability to convey and treat current and future wastewater flows.
The City’s existing municipal wastewater treatment plant (MWWTP) consists of a two-train system:
headworks, influent pump station, aerated lagoons, polishing ponds, and rapid infiltration basins. The MWWTP is rated for an average daily flow of 1.0 million gallons per day (MGD) and maximum/permitted capacity of 1.3 MGD. With current wastewater flows totaling and periodically exceeding 1.2 MGD, the MWWTP is at capacity. Additionally, the Regional Water Board issued new permit requirements in 2023, which the existing MWWTP is unable to meet.
To address the wastewater issues, the City has undertaken a wastewater program consisting of the following phases:
Phase 1 - Industrial Wastewater (IW) System will increase the capacity of the City’s wastewater system by 1.0 million gallons/day. The IW System is being delivered through the following construction contracts:
AGENDA
ITEM
8 • Phase 1A. IW Pipeline contract – Complete
• Phase 1B. IW Treatment Facility (IWTF) contract – Currently in construction. Completion anticipated March 2027.
Phase 2 – Inspection, Assessment and Rehabilitation of the 21-inch Trunk Sewer Main – Currently in design. Completion must be accomplished by December 2026 (in advance of IWTF completion).
Phase 3 - MWWTP Rehabilitation to upgrade the MWWTP to meet RWQCB permit requirements. • Phase 3A. MWWTP Rehabilitation Planning Study – In progress. Completion anticipated April 2026. 100% Grant funded.
• Phase 3B. Design/Construction – Pending. Applications for grant funding will be submitted to SWRCB.
Phase 4 - MWWTP Expansion will add additional treatment processes at the MWWTP to expand system capacity to 2.9 MGD.
Phase 5 - Expand IWTF will add additional treatment processes at the IWTF to expand system capacity to
3.5 MGD.
MNS Engineers was selected to provide Program and Construction Management services through a Request for Qualifications process in Spring 2024. A Master Services Agreement was approved at the March 18, 2024 Council meeting that included Task Order No. 1 for Program Management Services.
Task Order No.2 extended MNS’ Program Management Services through April 2025; however, MNS was able to extend the budget under Task Order No.2 through October 2025. MNS is also currently performing Construction Management and Inspection Services on the IWTF contract under Task Order No. 4.
REVIEW & ANALYSIS
MNS Engineers staff has provided excellent Program Management services which includes:
1. Coordinated with Dudek Consulting staff to finalize the bid document for the IWTF which was issued for public bid in January 2025. Efforts included preparation of the Front-End documents and Biddability/Constructability review of the contract documents.
2. Initiated and reviewed a Stormwater Compliance Plan for the IWTF to meet the requirements of the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program per the Project EIR.
3. Conducted bidder outreach to inform contractors of the IWTF bid opportunity.
4. Performed bid phase support services for the IWTF contract. This included issuing five addendums, responding to bidder questions, reviewing the submitted bids to confirm the low bid from Gateway Pacific met the bid document requirements.
5. Coordinated with the selected IWTF contractor to ensure pre-award and post-award required documents were submitted in accordance with the contract.
6. Supported staff’s effort to secure the $6.0M SRF loan amendment.
7. Coordinated with the State Water Resources Control Board to confirm Gateway Pacific’s bid met all SRF requirements.
8. Applied for and received IWTF building permits from the City Building Official.
9. Worked closely with the City Surveyor (Polaris Consulting) and Real Estate appraiser (Piini Realty) to finalize the temporary and permanent easements along with Right-of-Entry agreements for the IW Pipeline contract. They also coordinated getting the easement documents reviewed and finalized by the six property owners, as well as ensured owner construction prerequisites were met.
10. Provided constructability design review of the IW Pipeline and IWTF plans and specifications.
11. Regular updates of the detailed cost flow spreadsheet for the overall IW System.
12. Submitted reimbursement claims under the SRF loan to the State Water Resources Control Board for IW Pipeline and IWTF costs incurred since January 2024.
13. Submitted draw requests from the Banner Bank construction bridge loan for the IW Pipeline and IWTF costs incurred since January 2024 to safe guard cash flow throughout the project phases.
14. Prepared a successful grant application for $300,000 for the planning and conceptual design to rehabilitate the MWWTP which includes adding a new treatment process.
15. Obtained and refined the proposal from Dudek Consulting to perform the MWWTP Planning Study.
16. Coordinated a Kickoff Meeting and Site Visit with Dudek Consulting for the MWWTP Planning Study.
17. Assisted City Staff in preparation of rehabilitation documents for two deteriorated manholes on Fifth Street.
18. Kicked off the 21-inch Trunk Main Rehabilitation project.
19. Provided Program Management services for the successful completion of the IW Pipeline project.
Current Program Management efforts include:
1. Coordinating with Dudek Consulting and Regional Water Board Staff on the Waste Discharge Permit for the IW Treatment Facility.
2. Apply and obtain an Authority to Construct and Permit to Operate through the Monterey Bay Air Resources District for the IWTF generator.
3. Coordinate compliance with the MMRP requirements for the IWTF construction.
4. Conduct bidder outreach to inform contractors of the upcoming 21-inch Trunk Main Rehabilitation bid opportunity.
5. Issue the 21-inch Trunk Main Rehabilitation project for public bid, provide bid support services, and review bid submissions for completeness and acceptance.
6. Prepare and submit SRF reimbursement claims and Banner Bank draws for the IWTF project.
7. Assist City Staff in contracting and execution of the Sewer Manhole Rehabilitation project.
8. Work with City Staff on the on-going efforts to address the MWWTP effluent infiltration issue, including the Emergency Basin D project, rehabilitation of the Emergency Disposal Pond, consultation with Dudek Consultants, coordination with Pacific Crest Engineers to perform exploratory borings, solicitation of earthwork and bioaugmentation quotes.
9. Assist City Staff in preparation and review of the Updated Sewer Ordinance and Pretreatment Program, as well as meeting with major users to discuss the ordinance and impacts thereto.
10. Prepare a grant application for design and construction of the MWWTP Rehabilitation Project based on the Planning Study after completion by Dudek Consulting.
As mentioned above, MNS Engineers staff has provided excellent Program Management services on the various elements of the wastewater program. Therefore, staff recommends that the City Council approve Task Order No. 5 under a Master Service Agreement with MNS Engineers to continue their Program Management services for the IW System in the amount of $158,738.
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 development.
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 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 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
This contract will be funded with the Sewer Enterprise and Sewer Impact funds.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council Adopt Resolution No. 2025-77, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales authorizing execution of Task Order No. 5 under a Master Service Agreement with MNS Engineers to continue their Program Management Services on the Wastewater Program in the amount of $158,738.
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 2025-77
2. Task Order No. 5 with MNS Engineers
3. MNS Proposal letter dated October 20, 2025