1 TO: City Council
FROM: Ryan Smoot, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Carla Dillon, P.E., Director of Public Works MEETING DATE: September 19, 2023
SUBJECT: Monthly Report for the Public Works Department RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and file the monthly report for the Public Works Department.
BACKGROUND:
Water Division Updates
Cypress Water Production Facility (CWPF) and Distribution System Update Well No. 5 remains offline due to the detection of benzene and the construction project to upgrade the CWPF. The State’s Division of Drinking Water (DDW) and the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) have been investigating possible sources of benzene, and information is available at https://www.lomitawater.com/news/.
In August 2023, the City pumped 0.0 acre-feet of groundwater from Well No. 5. All drinking water was supplied with imported water from West Basin MWD. West Basin MWD invoiced the City after the monthly report was filed for the months of July and August; the City imported 176.4 acre-feet from and 168.7 acre-feet, respectively, from West Basin MWD. The Monthly water reports can be found at www.lomitawater.com/oversight/waterquality-reports/.
To protect the water system, all backflow devices within the service area are required to be tested once per year. In Lomita’s water system there are approximately 160 backflow devices, and in August letters and backflow test forms were sent to the customers requiring the devices be tested and forms submitted by September 18. The City has received 45% of the test results. If testing is not completed, a second notice will be sent with a late fee applied to the account. Following the third notification, water shutoff of those accounts/connections will be necessary to protect the water system.
Item No. 7g
CITY OF LOMITA
CITY COUNCIL REPORT
2 The City has been offering monthly tours of the Cypress Water Production Facility. Three tours were conducted in August, including one for the Lomita Chamber of Commerce. A total of twelve community members toured the facility. Residents who are interested in touring the facility may sign up for a tour at https://www.lomitawater.com/water-tours/.
Water Division Performance Measures:
Main Breaks/Leak Repairs 0
Service Connection Breaks/Leaks 3
Water Outages 0
Water Service Requests 90
USA Dig-Alert Tickets 80
Dead-end Fire Hydrant Flushing 15
Meter Maintenance 10
Inspection of Water Facilities Daily
Water Quality Complaints 0
Engineering/PW Administration Division Updates
CIP Update
Cypress Water Production Facility (CWPF) Upgrade Project The City’s contractor RC Foster, with the oversight of the contract manager, AKM Consulting Engineers, is progressing on construction. Hazen and Sawyer continue to provide support for the permitting with the Division of Drinking Water (DDW). During this period, RC Foster worked on pipe labelling, security camera system, and the data control system. In addition, the City’s IT provider worked on ensuring internet service.
Progress As of August 31, 2023
Percent Project completion 99%
Overall Project, invoiced/approved $4,334,619
Overall Project budget (approved contracts) $4,835,131
The City shares project updates on https://www.lomitawater.com/ as new information is available. In addition, a short video describing the GAC project and treatment process is available here: https://www.lomitawater.com/infrastructure/granular-activated-carbon/.
Street Reconstruction – Zone G
This project consists of overlaying and reconstructing certain streets in Zones G (just north and south of Lomita Boulevard and east of Eshelman Avenue), as detailed in the Pavement Management Program (PMP). This project includes significant repairs and resurfacing of streets where slurry seal would not be sufficient to extend the life of the street.
3 The design of the project was awarded to David Evans and Associates (DEA) in July 2022, and the design is scheduled to be completed in 2023. Construction is programmed for Spring-Summer 2024. Extensive field investigation and sampling have taken place to evaluate the road condition on the 17 streets included in this project, and the City has received related technical reports. In addition, DEA has identified and provided preliminary cost estimates for curb ramps that require upgrades in the project zone. DEA has completed 60% of detailed design drawings, and engineering staff has reviewed and approved. DEA is now working on completing the 100% drawings.
Progress As of August 31, 2023
Percent Design Project completion 60% (of design)
Overall Project, invoiced/approved $123,410.26
Overall Project budget including construction. $1,200,000.00 247th Street Area Watermain Project
This project consists of abandoning a watermain that runs north and south within private properties crossing 246th Street, 247th Street, 247th Place, and 248th Street. The proposed new water main will extend from 246th Street beyond the City boundaries, looping within the City of Los Angeles right of way and along Western Avenue (which is Caltrans’ right of way), and connecting back to the City of Lomita along 247th Street, 247th Place, 248th Street and Lomita Blvd. This project consists of constructing approximately 3,300 linear feet of PVC water pipeline and appurtenances (fire hydrants, valves, services, and fittings). The existing pipeline located in private property will be abandoned.
Design of the project was awarded to Onward Engineering in November 2021. The permit from Caltrans was approved in September 2022. The encroachment permit and traffic control plans were approved by the City of Los Angeles in December 2022. The permit fees for Lomita to work in the City of Los Angeles’ Right-of-Way is approximately $318,247.20.
Onward Engineering has completed two rounds of potholing. The first round identified an unknown pipe requiring a new alignment and additional potholing. The second round of potholing has shown elevated levels of Lead in the area. On the third round of potholing and testing the soil report did not indicate contamination. Onward Engineering has completed the 100% alternate alignment drawings, The construction bid package is ready for release.
Progress As of August 31, 2023
Percent Project completion 100% (of design)
Overall Project, invoiced/approved $136,069.37
Overall Project budget $1,499,916
Emergency Generator
This project consists of the selection and design of an emergency generator that will be capable of servicing the Appian Way Pump Station as needed. The design of this project 4 was awarded to AEPC Group in July 2022 and was completed in June 2023. City Council approved the design in June 2023, and authorized release for bidding.
The project bid for a permanent generator and load bank was given to Gen-Tech for a total of $195,937.35. Gen-Tech will deliver the generator by December 2023 or January 2024. The load bank has a longer lead time and will be delivered by April 2024. A temporary load bank will be needed to test the permanent generator on arrival. To cover the long lead time of permanent generator, a short-term rental generator from United Rental will be delivered in September 2023.
Progress As of August 31, 2023
Percent Project completion 100% (of design)
Overall Project, invoiced/approved $58,245.00
Overall Project budget $76,365
Narbonne Avenue Water Replacement and Street Rehabilitation Project This project consists of constructing approximately 1,600 linear feet of PVC water pipeline on Narbonne Avenue from PCH to the southern end of the City of Lomita. The proposed watermain will be a new 8-inch PVC water main to provide improved flow, pressure, and fire protection. This new water main will replace the existing 1928 6-inch and 8-inch water main.
The design of the project was awarded to David Evans and Associates (DEA) in December 2022. DEA has performed a pavement analysis of the current conditions, and the 60% preliminary design package is complete. The pavement analysis report has three alternative choices. The Lomita engineering team is reviewing the options and will determine which alternative is the best value for the pavement lifecycle. DEA also plans to pothole various locations to determine depth of possible conflicting utilities. The final design is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023.
Progress As of August 31, 2023
Percent Project completion 60% (of design)
Overall Project, invoiced/approved $37,337.60
Overall Project budget $199,940
New Groundwater Well Feasibility Study
The purpose of this study is to identify preliminary locations where construction of a new groundwater well is feasible. The installation of a new well would minimize the City’s longterm reliance on imported water and provide a contingency well in case of future adverse impacts to Lomita Well No. 5. The City currently has groundwater rights of 1,352-acre feet (ac-ft) in the West Coast Basin, and in its last year of normal operations, CY 2018, Well No. 5 only pumped 561 ac-ft of groundwater.
In February 2023, this study was awarded to Stetson Engineering, Inc. In June, the preliminary report was received, and staff have reviewed and provided feedback. The study and final report are expected in September 2023.
5 Progress As of August 31, 2023
Percent Project completion 95%
Overall Project, invoiced/approved $44,146.75
Overall Project budget $63,135
Appian Way Pump Station Roof Project
This project consists of designing and constructing a new roof for the Appian Way Pump Station. The design contract has been awarded to Tetra Tech, Inc., and 100% of the design drawings have been submitted. Lomita engineering staff is reviewing the drawings.
Stephenson Center Maintenance Project
This project consists of design and construction for upgrades to the restroom facilities as well as restoration/replacement of the three-level roof at the Stephenson Center in Lomita Park. The Project design has been awarded to BOA Architecture; they have visited the site and provided preliminary drawings for the restroom layout to meet accessibility design requirements. BOA subcontractor visited the site and collected samples to check for any Asbestos or Lead Paint. The lab samples results will be in two weeks and based on the results BOA will complete the design.
Tom Rico Center Gymnasium & Railroad Museum Building Roof Replacement Project This project consists of design and installation of new roof skin for the two buildings, upgrade of signs at the Railroad Museum, inspection, and test/treat the roof and the buildings for the termite infestation. Proposals have been received and city staff is evaluating for final selection of the design contract.
Engineering/Regulatory Updates
Encroachment Permit Review/Approval
For the month of August 2023, staff received and reviewed 12 encroachment permit applications from various utility companies, contractors, and residents. Permits were issued to 4 applicants. Public Works now has an on-line portal for encroachment permitting, available at https://lomitaca.viewpointcloud.com/categories/1081.
Stormwater
The Public Works Director from Lomita participated in the August Watershed Area Steering Committee (WASC) for South Santa Monica Bay, Safe Clean Water Program.
City staff worked with its consultant to provide preliminary data for the Dominguez Channel annual report, including details about landscaping of development projects within the City and calculated the level of effort for City staff to maintain stormwater features within the City.
As part of the NPDES/MS4 required outreach effort on stormwater, community members are encouraged to participate in "California Coastal Cleanup Day on September 23rd. Visit coastalcleanupday.org to learn more. 6 Public Safety and Traffic
Public Safety and Traffic Commission (PS&TC) did not meet in August. The Technical Traffic Advisory Committee received and discussed a new request. All new requests for traffic issue investigations are accepted through the on-line OpenGov portal and may be submitted here: https://lomitaca.viewpointcloud.com/categories/1081.
Public Works Field Operations Division (Parks/Street/Trees) Updates Park staff crews applied herbicides for weed control at various park locations and Lomita Blvd medians. Street staff crews assisted in banner replacement, at the request of the Recreation Department. Additionally, street staff removed dead trees and vegetation in the 1800 block of 248th Street, and planted drought tolerant fox tail and jade plants as replacements. The street crew also completed the concrete parking lot repairs at Harbor Hills, following the water main break repair in early 2023.
Parks Division:
Mowed Park Grounds, number of times 44
Playground Safety Inspections 10
Raised Median/Planter Weeding 49
Park Grounds Fertilize 8
Museum/City Hall Grounds Maintenance 8
Sprinkler Repair/Replacement 34
Trimmed Hedges/Trees (City grounds) 45
Streets and Trees Division:
Trees Trimmed (by Crew) 44
Trees Trimmed (by Contractor) 0
Trees/Stumps Removed 0
Graffiti Locations Cleaned 48
Sidewalk Maintenance 211
Curb/Gutter Maintenance 24
City Drains Cleaned 53
Street Signs Replaced or Repaired 22
Potholes Filled / Patches 53
New work order requests 35
Backlog of work orders 9
Total Trees Planted 0
7 Reviewed by: Approved by:
Gary Y. Sugano Ryan Smoot
Assistant City Manager City Manager
Prepared by:
Carla Dillon, PE
Public Works Director