1 TO: City Council
FROM: Joe Hoefgen, Interim City Manager
PREPARED BY: Carla Dillon, P.E., Director of Public Works MEETING DATE: January 16, 2024
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 December 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 December 2023, the City imported 146.5 acre-feet from West Basin MWD. The monthly water reports can be found at www.lomitawater.com/oversight/water-quality-reports/.
The City has been offering monthly tours of the Cypress Water Production Facility. One tour was conducted in December and a total of five 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/.
In December, the City completed the annual water loss audit validation through a thirdparty auditor and provided it to the State. Additionally, the City staff completed the newly required, Annual Water Use Report, and provided it to the State.
Item No. 7h
CITY OF LOMITA
CITY COUNCIL REPORT
2 Water Division Performance Measures:
Main Breaks/Leak Repairs 4
Service Connection Breaks/Leaks 0
Water Outages 4
Water Service Requests 70
USA Dig-Alert Tickets 90
Dead-end Fire Hydrant Flushing 8
Meter Maintenance 13
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 December 31, 2023
Percent Project completion 99%
Overall Project, invoiced/approved $4,359,494
Overall Project budget (approved contracts) $4,835,131
City staff and its contractor continue to make progress toward project completion, with electrical/instrumentation work in December and City staff has scheduled a well pump test for January, as requested by the State prior to permitting. Additional work on the SCADA system is needed. 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 feet of PVC water pipeline and appurtenances (fire hydrants, valves, services, and fittings). The existing pipeline located in private property will be abandoned. 3 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 in early 2024.
Progress As of December 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 had a longer lead time and was not scheduled to be delivered until February 2024. The City cancelled the load bank order and will have the contractor, who will provide annual maintenance, provide their own load bank. The City is working with a third party to replace rental wires between the new generator and the pump house with permanent wires. After the wires are replaced United Rental will pick up their wires and send the final invoice.
The City has applied for and received a temporary operation permit (through CARB Board) for the permanent generator. The City has contracted a third party to facilitate final inspection of the generator by the CARB inspector followed by a permanent permit. The site visit is being scheduled for the CARB Board inspector to complete the formalities for the permanent permit.
Progress As of December 31, 2023
Percent Project completion 90%
Overall Project, invoiced/approved $132,877.95
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 border of the City of Lomita. The proposed water main will be a new 8-inch PVC water main to provide improved flow, 4 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 is awaiting approval by Caltrans for potholing near PCH and is working on the 90% design package. City staff reached out to the neighboring cities of Rolling Hills Estates, Rolling Hills, Palos Verdes Estates, and Rancho Palos Verdes to notify them of the upcoming construction project. The response was favorable. Potholing along Narbonne is expected to take place in January 2024.
Progress As of December 31, 2023
Percent Project completion 70% (of design)
Overall Project, invoiced/approved $73,438.90
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. The staff has reviewed and provided comments on the specifications and the drawings. DEA is working on including the recommendations to get the 100% package ready.
Progress As of December 31, 2023
Percent Design Project completion 90% (of design)
Overall Project, invoiced/approved $123,410.26
Overall Project Design Budget $221,835.00
Water Main Replacements in Zone G
The 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. Onward Engineering has begun working on the pothole plans before starting final design elevations for the underground pipe to avoid conflicts with existing underground pipes. 5 Progress As of December 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 final drawings and calculations were submitted to LA County Building and Safety for review and approval. The County review is complete, Tetra Tech is including the county recommendations to prepare the final plans and specifications for construction.
Progress As of December 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 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 results showed no asbestos and some presence of lead. BOA is working to complete the 100% design based upon the findings, including of the presence of termite damage.
Progress As of December 31, 2023
Percent Design Project completion 70% (of design)
Overall Project, invoiced/approved $34,420.00
Overall Project Design Budget. $58,200.00
Tom Rico Center Gymnasium & Railroad Museum Building Roof Replacement Project This project consists of design and installation of new roof skins for the two buildings, upgrade of signs at the Railroad Museum, inspection, and testing/treating the roof and the buildings for termites. The design contract was awarded to BOA Inc., and they have begun preparation of design.
CIP Update – Studies and Pre-Design Phase
Sewer System Master Plan
The Sewer System Master Plan will identify any sewers that are undersized or need replacement/upsizing. The contract to prepare a sewer system master plan was awarded to Psomas in July 2023. The team has created a sewer system model and is working on calibrating it. Calibration will be based on the data from the flow monitoring that was 6 performed in November 2023, sewer maintenance data from Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, as well as updated land/parcel usage information. A technical memo from Psomas describing the sewer system model and calibration is expected in January 2024.
Pavement Management System Update
The City of Lomita owns and maintains approximately 35 centerline miles of roadways with approximately 6,529,000 square feet of pavement. The City’s Pavement Management System (PMS) is a planning tool that tracks past, present and future pavement conditions and street maintenance/rehabilitation projects. A PMS ensures that the City is prioritizing roadway repairs to best serve the community when prioritizing proposed pavement maintenance projects. The City is required to update the PMS every three years to maintain eligibility for Proposition C funding. The last update was completed in 2021. On November 7, 2023, the council awarded the contract for the Pavement Management System Update to Bucknam Infrastructure Group Inc.
A key component of the PMS Update is the field survey in which technicians review each segment of pavement in the City and log the condition of that segment. Prior to the field surveys, the roadways are divided into appropriately sized segments, and survey routes are determined. Bucknam reviewed the previously assigned street segments and modified them as needed based on updated information and determined field survey routes. Some field surveys were performed during the last two weeks of December, and the remainder will be performed in January.
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.
On December 19, 2023, the council awarded the contract for Engineering Design Services for the Downtown Lomita Multi-Benefit Stormwater Project to Hazen and Sawyer. The Notice to Proceed is expected to be given in January 2024.
Engineering/Regulatory Updates
Encroachment Permit Review/Approval
For the month of December 2023, staff received and reviewed five encroachment permit applications from various utility companies, contractors, and residents. Permits were issued to twelve applicants. Public Works now has an on-line portal for encroachment permitting, available at https://lomitaca.viewpointcloud.com/categories/1081. 7 Stormwater
In December, City staff attended the South Santa Monica Bay Watershed Area Steering Committee (WASC) meeting as the designee for the Dominguez Channel Watershed Management Group. The WASC meets to review and recommend funding requests.
The City completed its reporting as part of the Dominguez Channel Watershed Management Group annual report to the Regional Board for the MS4/NPDES Permit.
Fleet/Air
In December, City staff submitted the annual reporting to the state’s Bureau of Automotive Repair to document City fleet vehicle smog testing.
The City also enrolled in the Clean Truck Check Program with the California Air Resources Board (CARB), as required, for heavy duty vehicles. Emission testing will be required by July 2024 for this program.
Public Works Field Operations Division (Parks/Street/Trees) Updates Parks Division:
Mowed Park Grounds, number of times 25
Playground Safety Inspections 11
Raised Median/Planter Weeding 31
Park Grounds Fertilize 12
Museum/City Hall Grounds Maintenance 5
Sprinkler Repair/Replacement 49
Trimmed Hedges/Trees (City grounds) 28
Streets and Trees Division:
Trees Trimmed (by Crew) 10
Trees Trimmed (by Contractor) 0
Trees/Stumps Removed 0
Graffiti Locations Cleaned 39
Sidewalk Maintenance 5
Curb/Gutter Maintenance 10
City Drains Cleaned 63
Street Signs Replaced or Repaired 43
Potholes Filled / Patches 37
New work order requests 11
Backlog of work orders 6
Total Trees Planted 1
8 Reviewed by: Approved by:
Gary Y. Sugano Joe Hoefgen
Assistant City Manager Interim City Manager
Prepared by:
Carla Dillon, PE
Public Works Director