DATE: March 24, 2026
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Approving the Plans and Specifications , and Calling for Bids for the Sewer Rehabilitation Project on Hesperian Boulevard at West A Street, Project No. 07832 , and Approving the Appropriation of $1,350,000 from the Sewer Replacement Fund
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council adopts a resolution (Attachment II) approving:
1) plans and specifications, and calling for bids for the Sewer Rehabilitation Project on Hesperian Boulevard at West A Street, Project No. 07832; and 2) the appropriation of $1,350,000 from the Sewer Replacement Fund (Fund 611).
SUMMARY
Staff proposes rehabilitating approximately 700 linear feet of 33 -inch reinforced concrete pipe ( RCP) sewer main on Hesperian Boulevard using the trenchless cured -in-place pipe (CIPP) method to address structural deficiencies and extend the service life of the sewer .
CIPP involves inserting a resin -saturated liner into the existing pipe and curing it in place using steam, hot water, or ultraviolet (UV) light, forming a new jointless liner within the host pipe. The project includes a localized excavation to repair a section of pipe with an extensive deterioration that was observed during closed-circuit television (CCTV) inspection. Both the CIPP installation and local repairs require full bypass pumping of sewer flows during the construction. Work will also include pre- and post -construction CCTV inspections, traffic control, and coordination with City field staff. Design specifications and bid documents have been prepared for the rehabilitation project. Staff is requesting City Council’s approval of the call of bids to be received by April 14, 2026.
The adopted FY 2026 CIP does not have funds specifically identified for the Hesperian Sewer Rehabilitation Project. However, the project is necessary to maintain service, protect public health, and prevent costly emergency repairs. As such, staff recommend that City Council authorize the City Manager to appropr iate $1,350,000 from the Sewer Replacement Fund (Fund 611), which has sufficient available funds to support this project, and to fully fund the project in FY 2026.
This project is categorically exempt from environmental review from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301, Class 1 – Existing Facilities.
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be no impact on the General Fund or Measure C.
The total estimated costs for the Hesperian Sewer Rehabilitation Project are as follows . The project will be funded through Fund 611, which has sufficient available fund balance.
Project Tasks Cost
Construction Contract
CIPP, local repair, cleaning, bypass, traffic control, CCTV $905,000 Estimating Contingency (30%) $271,500
Administrative Change Order (10%) $117,650
Staff Time for In-House Services
(design, construction management, inspection) $ 55,850
Total $1,350,000
BACKGROUND
The 33-inch RCP sewer main on Hesperian Boulevard was installed in 1952 and has been in continuous service for over 70 years. In June 2025, CCTV inspection was conducted on a 700-foot length of the sewer main on Hesperian Boulevard between W est A Street and Sueirro Street (spanning manholes 9368-09, 9368 -10, and 9368 -12). A void in the RCP sidewall, approximately 6 feet long, was observed just south of SSMH 9368-09, located in the crosswalk at the southwest corner of Hesperian Boulevard and West A Street. The CCTV also showed various levels of pipe degra dation along the sewer line, with the worst conditions just downstream from SSMH 9368-09. Due to the age and condition of the pipe, rehabilitation of the pipe should be performed with local repairs at the void section.
In recent years, structural concerns have been identified along this sewer line. In June 2024, a sinkhole formed on Hesperian Boulevard along a downstream segment of 36 -inch RCP sewer main near a manhole located approximately 2,700 feet south of the project site (in the southbound lanes of Hesperian Boulevard approximately 330 feet south of Skywest Drive) .
The failure was attributed to advanced deterioration and corrosion of the pipe , likely exacerbated by heavy external load ing and cumulative construction -related impacts . The collapse allowed surrounding soil to migrate into the damaged pipe section, creating a cavity in the ground that ultimately resulted in a sinkhole. Emergency repairs were performed to mitigate public safety risks and restore sewer service.
The project site is located along the southbound lanes of Hesperian Boulevard beginning at the intersection of Hesperian Boulevard and West A Street. The approximate locations of the project site and the 2024 sinkhole are shown on the map below.
Figure 1 - Project Location and 2024 Sinkhole Location along Hesperian Boulevard Base aerial imagery from Google Earth; annotations by City staff.
DISCUSSION
Proposed Project and Justification
To address the identified deficiencies, staff proposes rehabilitating approximately 700 linear feet of 33-inch RCP sewer main on Hesperian Boulevard using CIPP. This trenchless method installs liner within the existing pipe, creating a new pipe inside the old one. CIPP
will restore structural integrity, extend service life, and minimize surface disruption compared to traditional open-cut replacement.
A localized excavation will be required to repair the section of pipe with the visible void. Full bypass pumping of the sewer flows along the pipe segment will be required during CIPP installation and local repairs. Additional work will include pre-cleaning of sewer main, pre- and post-construction CCTV inspections, traffic control measures, and coordination with City field staff for inspection and oversight.
Evaluation of Alternatives
Several trenchless repair options were considered, including CIPP, High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) sliplining, segmental sliplining, and spiral wound liners. Pipe bursting was not viable for the existing 33-inch RCP pipe. Among the options, CIPP was determined to be the more practical and cost-effective method, offering structural restoration with minimal roadway surface disruption and a short installation timeline. Other methods would require larger excavations, longer schedules, additional traffic control, or had limited City experience and contractor availability. CIPP has a proven track record in the City, having been successfully implemented on multiple projects over the past three decades. Discussions were held with qualified contractors, and a preliminary engineer’s estimate was prepared to support budgeting and scheduling.
Recommendation
Based on the urgency of repair, structural needs, and desire to minimize disruption, staff recommends the CIPP lining as the preferred trenchless repair method.
CEQA Exemption
The project qualifies for a categorical exemption of environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Class 1, which covers repair and maintenance of existing infrastructure with negligible or no expansion of use.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
Proactive maintenance and repair of aging utilities infrastructure is essential to maintain service, protect public health, and avoid costly emergency repairs. Rehabilitating the 700 - foot-long segment of 33-inch RCP sewer main on Hesperian Boulevard with trenchless CIPP technology addresses structural deficiencies before they escalate, reducing the risk of service interruptions, sinkholes, and damage to surrounding infrastructure. This approach represents a cost -effective investment in the long -term reliability and safety of the sewer system.
STRATEGIC ROADMAP
This agenda item supports the various goals of City Council’s Strategic Roadmap. The Hesperian Sewer Rehabilitation project will increase the reliability of the City’s sewer
collection system, while supporting the goals of City Council. Specifically, this item relates to the implementation of the following strategic objectives:
Invest in Infrastructure
• Invest in City-owned facilities & property
o Enhance local water supplies and wastewater systems
PUBLIC CONTACT
The public will be informed about this project through standard City notification procedures, including coordination with nearby residents, businesses, and other stakeholders along Hesperian Boulevard. Notifications will provide details on the construction schedule, traffic control measures, and any temporary construction-related impacts. The project will not result in any disruption of sewer service to community residents or businesses.
Construction will require temporary lane closures within the southbound travel lanes of Hesperian Boulevard in the vicinity of the project limits. Lane closures will occur between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM, to minimize impacts on commuter traffic. Skywest Drive provides a parallel local street route that reconnects with Hesperian Boulevard south of the project limits and can accommodate diverted traffic during construction. If necessary to accommodate construction activities, limited night work may be permitted i n accordance with City requirements and the approved traffic control plan. All work will be performed under an approved work zone traffic control plan in coordination with Alameda County Public Works. Access to adjacent businesses and properties will be maintained throughout construction.
The project will require an encroachment permit from the County for traffic control, and appropriate approvals and coordination will be obtained prior to construction. The City will install signage in advance of construction and provide updates on the City website as appropriate. Contact information for City staff will be made available to address questions or concerns throughout the project duration.
NEXT STEPS
If City Council approves the project, staff will advertise the calling for public bidding and return to City Council for the award of the construction contract, after construction bids have been received and reviewed.
The following schedule has been developed for this project, contingent upon City Council approval.
Receive Bids April 14, 2026
Award Construction Contract May 2026
Notice to Proceed June 2026
Construction Completion September 2026
Prepared by: Steven Wolfe, Associate Civil Engineer
Zaheer Shaikh, Utilities Engineering Manager
Recommended by: Alex Ameri, Director of Public Works
Approved by:
_____________________________
Jennifer Ott, City Manager