1 TO: City Council
FROM: Ryan Smoot, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Carla Dillon, P.E., Director of Public Works MEETING DATE: October 17, 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 September 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. In September 2023, the City imported 158.5 acre-feet from West Basin MWD. The monthly water reports can be found at www.lomitawater.com/oversight/water-quality-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. 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 71% of the test results. Second notices will be sent with a late fee applied to the account in October. Following the third notification, water shutoff of those accounts/connections will be necessary to protect the water system.
The City has been offering monthly tours of the Cypress Water Production Facility. One tour was conducted in September and a total of 8 community members toured the facility.
Item No. 7g
CITY OF LOMITA
CITY COUNCIL REPORT
2 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 1
Service Connection Breaks/Leaks 4
Water Outages 1
Water Service Requests 85
USA Dig-Alert Tickets 80
Dead-end Fire Hydrant Flushing 4
Meter Maintenance 35
Inspection of Water Facilities Daily
Water Quality Complaints 0
Engineering/PW Administration Division Updates
CIP Update – Construction Phase
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 (SCADA).
Progress As of September 30, 2023
Percent Project completion 99%
Overall Project, invoiced/approved $4,359,494
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/. 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 3 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, and design is complete. City Council approved the project and authorized release for bidding, which will take place later this calendar year.
Progress As of September 30, 2023
Percent Project completion 100% (of design)
Overall Project, invoiced/approved --
Overall Project budget --
Emergency Generator
This project consists of installation of an emergency generator that will be capable of servicing the Appian Way Pump Station as needed. The design of this project was completed by AEPC Group in June 2023, and the City Council approved the design and authorized release for bidding.
This project consists of 1) The City directly procuring the permanent generator and load bank from Gen-Tech, 2) The City directly renting a temporary generator from United Rental and 3) A construction contract with Blue Ridge Mechanical Corporation for installation and testing. The short-term rental generator from United Rental is on-site and the air permit (through SCAQMD) accompanies the rental unit. Gen-Tech plans to deliver the permanent generator in October 2023; however, the load bank has a longer lead time and is not scheduled to be delivered until February 2024.
Blue Ridge Mechanical Corporation will conduct testing of the temporary generator in October, and the application for the air permit (through SCAQMD) for the permanent generator has been submitted. The permit is required prior to connecting and testing the permanent generator.
Progress As of September 30, 2023
Percent Project completion 10%
Paid till through Sept 30 $19,593.69
Overall Project, approved $325,351.19
CIP Update – Design Phase
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.
4 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 expected in October 2023.
Progress As of September 30, 2023
Percent Project completion 50% (of design)
Overall Project, invoiced/approved $64,651.70
Overall Project Design Budget $199,940.00
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.
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 the 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 preparing the 90% drawings and anticipates delivery in October 2023.
Progress As of September 30, 2023
Percent Design Project completion 60% (of design)
Overall Project, invoiced/approved $123,410.26
Overall Project Design Budget $221,835.00
Water Main Replacements in Zone G
This project consists of replacing three water mains in Zones G. The contract for engineering design was awarded to Onward Engineering who has begun the underground utility request process from various utility companies. Following their response Onwards will start working on the design drawings.
Progress As of September 30, 2023
Percent Design Project completion 0% (of design)
Overall Project, invoiced (Onward Eng.) $0.00
Overall Project Design Budget. $202,118.00
5 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.
Progress As of September 30, 2023
Percent Design Project completion 90% (of design)
Overall Project, invoiced/approved $37,702.98
Overall Project Design Budget. $86,395.00
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 Inc.; they have visited the site and provided preliminary drawings for the restroom layout to meet accessibility design requirements. BOA’s subcontractor visited the site and collected samples to check for any asbestos and lead Paint. The lab samples results will be available in October, and based on the results BOA will complete the design.
Progress As of September 30, 2023
Percent Design Project completion 0% (of design)
Overall Project, invoiced/approved $0.00
Overall Project Design Budget. $58,200.00
CIP Update – Studies and Pre-Design Phase
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 October 2023.
Progress As of September 30, 2023
Percent Project completion 95%
Overall Project, invoiced/approved $44,146.75
Overall Project budget $63,135.00
6 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 the city staff are evaluating for final selection of the design contract. One contractor is selected, and the staff is negotiating with the contractor to reduce the price.
Sewer Master Plan
The Sewer Master Plan will identify any sewers that are undersized or need replacement.
The contract to prepare a sewer master plan was awarded to Psomas In July 2023. The team is establishing a sewer model based upon land/parcel usage, acquiring data from Los Angeles County Department of Public Works on sewer maintenance, and preparing to have flow monitoring conducted in the sewer to validate the model.
Engineering/Regulatory Updates
Encroachment Permit Review/Approval
For the month of September 2023, staff received and reviewed six encroachment permit applications from various utility companies, contractors, and residents. Permits were issued to five applicants. Public Works now has an on-line portal for encroachment permitting, available at https://lomitaca.viewpointcloud.com/categories/1081.
Public Works Field Operations Division (Parks/Street/Trees) Updates Park staff crews repaired the irrigation mainline in Hathaway Park. Street staff crews assisted in five banner replacements, at the request of the Recreation Department.
Additionally, the street crew also completed the concrete sidewalk repairs at the western end of 254th St following a water main repair.
Parks Division:
Mowed Park Grounds, number of times 37
Playground Safety Inspections 12
Raised Median/Planter Weeding 34
Park Grounds Fertilize 6
Museum/City Hall Grounds Maintenance 8
Sprinkler Repair/Replacement 25
Trimmed Hedges/Trees (City grounds) 49
7 Streets and Trees Division:
Trees Trimmed (by Crew) 57
Trees Trimmed (by Contractor) 0
Trees/Stumps Removed 2
Graffiti Locations Cleaned 99
Sidewalk Maintenance 257
Curb/Gutter Maintenance 8
City Drains Cleaned 63
Street Signs Replaced or Repaired 17
Potholes Filled / Patches 55
New work order requests 35
Backlog of work orders 16
Total Trees Planted 2 (City Hall Replacements)
Reviewed by: Approved by:
________
Gary Y. Sugano Ryan Smoot
Assistant City Manager City Manager
Prepared by:
Carla Dillon, PE
Public Works Director