Item #07
Date: March 17, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Jeramy Chapdelaine, Public Works Director/Chief Building Official Subject: Ratification of Emergency Sanitary Sewer Main Repair - Oak Street (Between 4th Street and 5th Street)
Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council 1) Adopt a motion ratifying the emergency procurement action taken by the Public Works Director pursuant to Marysville Municipal Code §2.76.090 (Emergency Purchases); and 2) Authorize payment to Blue Collar Plumbing Operations LLC in the amount of $201,700 for emergency sewer main replacement and $3,500 for lateral repair, for a total project cost of $205,200, funded through the Sewer Projects Fund.
Background:
Public Works staff recently identified a structural failure within a sanitary sewer main located on Oak Street between 4th Street and 5th Street. Initial investigation revealed a blockage within the gravity sewer main approximately 100 feet south of 5th Street. Multiple attempts to clear the obstruction and perform a video inspection were unsuccessful.
Following excavation to expose the pipeline, staff discovered a damaged section of the sewer main and a failed adjacent sewer lateral connection, including a missing segment of pipe and a large void beneath the roadway surface. The lateral was identified as deteriorated Orangeburg pipe, which had deteriorated to the point of structural failure.
Further inspection revealed that additional segments of the existing concrete sewer main showed signs of structural deterioration and pipe wall degradation, increasing the risk of future failures and sanitary sewer overflows if not promptly addressed.
The damage created a hazardous condition beneath Oak Street, including a void under the roadway that posed a risk of collapse and potential further blockage of the sewer system.
Discussion & Analysis:
Due to the condition of the sewer main and the risk of sanitary sewer overflow or roadway failure, immediate corrective action was required to protect public health, prevent environmental contamination, and restore reliable sewer service.
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The recommended repair approach consists of the following work:
Sewer Lateral Replacement:
• Replace the failed Orangeburg sewer lateral.
• Repair the roadway void created by the failure and stabilize the underlying soils. • Estimated Cost: $3,500
• Staff anticipates pursuing cost recovery from the responsible property owner.
Sewer Main Replacement (Pipe Bursting Method)
• Pipe burst and replace approximately 400 linear feet of existing 8-inch sewer main between manholes. • Install new 8-inch HDPE pipe to provide a durable, corrosion-resistant replacement. • Excavate launch and receiving pits to perform the pipe bursting operation. • Reconnect approximately six existing sewer lateral connections. • Restore disturbed roadway areas with compacted base and asphalt patching.
The pipe bursting method allows replacement of the failing sewer main with minimal surface disturbance and significantly reduces the need for open trench excavation along Oak Street.
The City’s consulting engineer reviewed the proposed scope and confirmed the cost estimate is reasonable given the emergency conditions, the amount of investigative work already performed, and the repairs required to stabilize the sewer system.
Marysville Municipal Code, Chapter 2.76 concerns Purchases, to include bidding requirements for Public Projects.
Because the sewer system failure created an immediate threat of system blockage, roadway collapse, and potential sanitary sewer overflow, staff determined that the situation qualifies as an emergency under Marysville Municipal Code 2.76.090, 2.76.126 (2) and 2.76.160 (1) (A) (ii) allows procurement of the necessary work without formal competitive bidding.
Environmental Impact:
The emergency repair qualifies for exemption from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to:
CEQA Guidelines Section 15269(b) – Emergency Repairs
This exemption applies to emergency repairs to publicly owned service facilities necessary to maintain service essential to public health and safety.
Legal Review:
The City Attorney’s office has reviewed and approved as to form.
Alignment with City Council Goal(s):
This action supports City Council priorities including:
Goal #3: Improve Infrastructure
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Fiscal Analysis:
Project Cost Summary
Item Amount
Sewer Main Replacement (Pipe Bursting) $201,700
Sewer Lateral Replacement $3,500
Total Estimated Project Cost $205,200
Staff notes that $3,500 of the project cost may be recoverable from the responsible property owner depending on final confirmation of the lateral ownership.
Funding for the repair will be provided through the Sewer Projects Fund, which is designated for capital replacements and infrastructure improvements to the City’s wastewater facility.
Attachment(s):
1) Emergency Sewer Repair Memorandum
2) Contractor Estimate
3) Technical Memorandum