1 TO: City Council
FROM: Ryan Smoot, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Carla Dillon, P.E., Director of Public Works MEETING DATE: November 21, 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 October 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 October 2023, the City imported 162.2 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 90% of the test results. Second notices were 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 October and a total of 6 community members toured the facility.
Item No. 7h
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 0
Service Connection Breaks/Leaks 0
Water Outages 0
Water Service Requests 90
USA Dig-Alert Tickets 66
Dead-end Fire Hydrant Flushing 3
Meter Maintenance 20
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 electrical components, the security camera system, and the data control system (SCADA).
Progress As of October 31, 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 October 31, 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 awarded the construction contract to Blue Ridge Mechanical, Inc.
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 Inc. for installation and testing. The short-term rental generator from United Rental was mobilized and included the air permit (through SCAQMD) for the rental unit. Since the Gen-Tech permanent generator was delivered in October, the short-term rental has been removed from the site.
The load bank has a longer lead time and is not scheduled to be delivered until February 2024.
The City applied for a temporary air permit (through SCAQMD) for the permanent generator and has received the temporary permit.
Progress As of October 31, 2023
Percent Project completion 90%
Overall Project, invoiced/approved $27,758.83
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 water main 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 submitted the 60% preliminary design package, and City 4 Engineering, Streets, and Water staff reviewed and approved. DEA is awaiting Caltrans permit approval for potholing near PCH and is working on the 90% design package.
Progress As of October 31, 2023
Percent Project completion 60% (of design)
Overall Project, invoiced/approved $67,720.20
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. 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 the 90% plans, specification, and estimates for City staff review.
Progress As of October 31, 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 utility company response, Onwards will start working on the design drawings.
Progress As of October 31, 2023
Percent Design Project completion 1% (of design)
Overall Project, invoiced (Onward Eng.) $2,303.38
Overall Project Design Budget. $202,118.00
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. The Lomita engineering team is reviewing the drawings. Once the review is complete, Tetra Tech will prepare the final plans and specifications for City Council review and approval.
5 Progress As of October 31, 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., and their team has 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 assess the presence of asbestos and lead paint. The City is awaiting lab results, and completion of design follow.
Progress As of October 31, 2023
Percent Design Project completion 70% (of design)
Overall Project, invoiced/approved $34,420.00
Overall Project Design Budget. $58,200.00
CIP Update – Studies and Pre-Design Phase
New Groundwater Well Feasibility Study
The purpose of this study was to identify preliminary locations where construction of a new groundwater well is feasible. The installation of a new well would minimize the City’s long-term 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 October 2023, the consultant, Stetson Engineering, Inc. submitted the final report, and City Council received and filed the report. Staff has worked with the City’s grant consultant to prepare an application for funding of the next phase.
Sewer System Master Plan
The Sewer System Master Plan will identify any sewers that are undersized or need replacement. The contract to prepare a sewer system master plan was awarded to Psomas in July 2023. The team is establishing a sewer system model based upon land/parcel usage, data from Los Angeles County Department of Public Works on sewer maintenance, and flow monitoring conducted in the sewer to validate the model. The twoweek-long flow monitoring will be performed in November 2023.
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. The design contract has been awarded to BOA Inc., who will begin the preparation of drawings, specification, and estimates for construction. 6 Downtown Lomita Multi-Benefit Stormwater Project
This project will include the design and construction of stormwater features along Lomita Boulevard and Narbonne Avenue to mitigate local and downstream flood risk, improve water quality, and reduce the heat island effect in the downtown Lomita area. In addition, the project includes features to beautify the neighborhood and promote healthy transportation and recreation. The Project will divert 5.6 acre-feet of stormwater from three LACFCD storm drains in the downtown area of Lomita to an infiltration gallery and a series of drywells. Additional features include bioretention areas, pervious pavement, planting of vegetation with drought-tolerant, native plants, 45 new shade trees, 10 benches, bike locking stations, educational signage, and a bike lane along Lomita Boulevard. The RFP for engineering design services for this project was posted on October 24, 2023 and proposals are due on November 21, 2023.
Engineering/Regulatory Updates
Encroachment Permit Review/Approval
For the month of October 2023, staff received and reviewed fourteen encroachment permit applications from various utility companies, contractors, and residents. Permits were issued to eight applicants. Public Works now has an on-line portal for encroachment permitting, available at https://lomitaca.viewpointcloud.com/categories/1081.
Stormwater
In October, the City released a request for proposals for stormwater/MS4 compliance support. Additionally, Public Works coordinated the annual training for stormwater compliance for City staff that are required to participate.
Public Works Field Operations Division (Parks/Street/Trees) Updates Park staff crews removed two cement tables and pads, along with one light pole which will be relocated closer to the playground and the new tables in Hathaway Park. Street staff crews completed sidewalk inspections and ramping/grinding. Inspection of all the City’s street signs was started in October.
Parks Division:
Mowed Park Grounds, number of times 36
Playground Safety Inspections 12
Raised Median/Planter Weeding 25
Park Grounds Fertilize 31 (amendments,
fertilizer, over-seeding etc.)
Museum/City Hall Grounds Maintenance 8
Sprinkler Repair/Replacement 33
Trimmed Hedges/Trees (City grounds) 40
7 Streets and Trees Division:
Trees Trimmed (by Crew) 67
Trees Trimmed (by Contractor) 0
Trees/Stumps Removed 2
Graffiti Locations Cleaned 100
Sidewalk Maintenance 95
Curb/Gutter Maintenance 5
City Drains Cleaned 33
Street Signs Replaced or Repaired 60
Potholes Filled / Patches 129
New work order requests 29
Backlog of work orders 17
Total Trees Planted 1
Reviewed by: Approved by:
Gary Y. Sugano Ryan Smoot
Assistant City Manager City Manager
Prepared by:
Carla Dillon, PE
Public Works Director