1 TO: City Council
FROM: Andrew Vialpando, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Andres Gonzalez, Public Works Director
MEETING DATE: October 21, 2025
SUBJECT: Notice of Completion for the Street Reconstruction Project Zone G – Phase 1
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Approve the Notice of Completion accepting the work performed by Palp Inc. dba Excel Paving Company for the Street Reconstruction Project Zone G – Phase 1 project; 2) Appropriate additional funds in the amount of $8,104.41 to the City’s contract with Palp Inc. dba Excel Paving Company for additional work performed during the Street Reconstruction Project Zone G – Phase 1; 3) Authorize the Public Works Director to sign the Notice of Completion (NOC) and release the 5% retention payment in the amount of $62,772.62 to Palp Inc. dba Excel Paving Company 35 calendar days after recordation of the NOC by the County Recorder’s Office contingent upon no claims being filed on the project, and, 4) Authorize the City Clerk to file the NOC with the County Recorder’s Office.
BACKGROUND
In July 2022, the City Council approved a design contract with David Evans and Associates (DEA) for the City of Lomita’s Street Reconstruction Project – Zone G. This project encompasses the northeastern portion of the City, located north of 253rd Street and east of Eshleman Avenue. Many roads in this area are in need of rehabilitation, and the 2020 Pavement Management Plan identified Zone G as having some of the worst pavement conditions in the City. In response, staff developed a targeted project to address street rehabilitation within this zone. The design was completed in May 2024.
During the design phase, the project was divided into four phases to align with the sequencing of water pipeline replacements and the availability of funding for street improvements.
Phase 1 of the Street Reconstruction Project – Zone G included the full reconstruction of Walnut Street (from Turrell Street to the northern City border), Turrell Street, and
CITY OF LOMITA
CITY COUNCIL REPORT
Item No. 7h
2 Nordman Street. The project also included repairs to curb ramps along these streets to improve accessibility. It was advertised for bids on June 3, 2024, and the bid opening was held on August 8, 2024. Palp Inc. dba Excel Paving Company (Excel Paving) submitted the lowest responsible bid. On September 2, 2024, the City Council approved awarding a Public Works Agreement to Excel Paving in the amount of $1,247,348.00.
DISCUSSION
The Notice to Proceed was issued to Excel Paving effective November 1, 2024.
Construction included removal and replacement of existing asphalt concrete, aggregate base, and limited subgrade soil on the three project streets, as well as removal and replacement of select ADA curb ramps, cross gutters, sidewalk panels, and the LA County Public Works Yard driveway apron along Walnut Street. Work also included utility adjustments and roadway restriping.
This project experienced unforeseen delays due to subsurface conditions. Asphalt removal began on January 28, 2025. During excavation, areas of soft and moisturesensitive subgrade soil were encountered on the northern portion of Walnut Street and in various areas throughout the project site. The subgrade soil beneath the pavement and aggregate base proved to be highly sensitive to changes in moisture content. It appeared that a water line leak might have contributed to the increased soil moisture, though after investigation, no leak was ultimately found. Geotechnical and pavement engineers were consulted to determine the most appropriate method to address the soft soil issue. It was resolved through a combination of natural drying and localized removal of soft soil areas up to 18 inches deep, which were replaced with ¾-inch gravel. A segment of soft soil on Walnut Street near 241st Street could not be fully dried due to the presence of a Phillips 66 pipeline directly below, where further excavation was not recommended.
On January 29, 2025, during cold milling of the asphalt on Walnut Street near Turrell Street, an unmarked buried water line blowoff was struck. On January 30, 2025, City crews investigated the situation. On January 31, 2025, Stephen Doreck Equipment Rentals repaired the water line blowoff. During the course of the repair, the blowoff detached from the pipe, resulting in a significant water release. This was repaired that evening; however, a considerable amount of water remained on the exposed subgrade.
Cold milling and removal of the aggregate base were completed on January 30, 2025.
However, the subgrade soils were too moist to allow proper compaction and begin installation of the new aggregate base. As a result, work was temporarily delayed to allow the soils to naturally dry to a moisture content suitable for compaction.
Before the soils could sufficiently dry, a rain event occurred on February 5, 2025.
Subsequent rain events further delayed drying efforts and caused water to accumulate in the excavated roadway. To provide traction for residents navigating the excavated surface, City crews added gravel to portions of the streets on February 7, 2025. The last significant rain event occurred on February 13, 2025.
3 It was later determined that the emergency repair completed on January 29, 2025, was a temporary fix and did not maintain the intended looped configuration of the water system.
On February 19, 2025, Valverde Construction performed a permanent repair and restored the looped system. The cross gutter on Walnut Street at Turrell Street was damaged during this work and was subsequently replaced by Valverde Construction on February 27, 2025.
Excel Paving resumed work on February 21, 2025. Before resuming road construction, they removed the gravel placed by City crews for traction. This was followed by subgrade compaction, localized excavation and replacement of remaining soft soil areas with gravel, installation of aggregate base, and placement of asphalt concrete.
Paving was completed on March 7, 2025. Field-related punch list items were completed on June 12, 2025, and following a subsequent review of punch list items by LAE Associates, the work was found to be in conformance with the contract documents. The final step for construction completion is to file the NOC and release the retention to the contractor. There is a one-year warranty period in accordance with the project specifications.
Four change orders were approved by the City for this project. These included: (1) additional concrete work; (2) removal and replacement of the LA County Public Works Yard apron; (3) Lomita Boulevard repairs, which were funded separately through Proposition C; and (4) a combined change order covering standard quantity overages as well as costs related to unforeseen field conditions and weather-related delays. The issues encountered during construction were not anticipated and resulted in additional costs beyond the original contingency.
FISCAL IMPACT
The project construction was funded as follows:
FUND AMOUNT
Gas Tax Fund (Fund 205) $366,845.00
Measure R Fund (Fund 207) $513,658.00
Street Improvement Fund (Fund 311) $366,845.00
Additional Funds - Measure R Fund (Fund 207) $ 8,104.41 TOTAL $1,255,452.41
Actual expenditures for the construction of the Street Reconstruction Project – Zone G, Phase 1 totaled $1,255,452.41. The initial construction budget approved for the project was $1,247,348.00.
If approved, additional funding of $8,104 will be appropriated from the Measure R available balance.
4 VISION, MISSION, VALUES, AND STRATEGIC OUTCOMES
The City’s Vision, Mission, and Values set the standard for the organization, establish priorities, uniformity and guidelines; and provide the framework for policy decision making. The Strategic Outcomes were implemented to provide a pathway to achieving the City’s Vision. This item aligns with Strategic Outcome No. 5: City Infrastructure & Water Utility – Investing in reliable, sustainable infrastructure.
OPTIONS
Approve recommended action.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Street Reconstruction Zone G – Phase 1 NOC
Prepared by: Approved by:
_______________________ _____________________
Andres Gonzalez Andrew Vialpando
Public Works Director City Manager