Item #05
Date: August 18, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Jeramy Chapdelaine, Public Works Director/Chief Building Official Jason Zumalt, Public Works Manager
Subject: Approval of Change Orders for Oak Street Emergency Sanitary Sewer Main Repair Project Recommendation:
Pass a Motion to 1) Approve Change Order No. 1 with Blue Collar Plumbing Operations LLC in the amount of $6,640.00 for installation of a temporary sewer bypass system required due to unforeseen groundwater and active sewer flow conditions encountered during construction; 2) Approve Change Order No. 2 in the amount of $37,500.00 for additional excavation and reconnection of five previously unidentified sewer service lateral tie-ins; 3) Authorize the City Manager to execute the change orders; and 4) Increase the total project authorization by $44,140.00, from $205,200.00 to $249,340.00, funded through the Sewer Projects Fund.
Rationale for Recommendation:
Approval of the requested change orders is necessary to complete the Oak Street Emergency Sanitary Sewer Main Repair Project and restore the City's wastewater infrastructure in a safe and reliable manner.
The additional work resulted from unforeseen subsurface conditions that could not reasonably have been identified prior to construction, including excessive groundwater infiltration, active sewer flows requiring a temporary bypass system, and the discovery of five previously unidentified sewer lateral connections that required additional excavation and reconnection.
These conditions are typical of emergency underground utility projects where the full extent of existing infrastructure deficiencies cannot be confirmed until excavation begins. Approval of the change orders will allow the contractor to complete the project, restore reliable sewer service to the affected area, and protect the City's wastewater collection system.
Discussion & Analysis:
Change Order No. 1 – Temporary Sewer Bypass ($6,640)
During excavation and preparation for the pipe bursting operation, active sewer flows and excessive groundwater infiltration prevented the existing pipeline from being isolated and created unsafe trench conditions. A temporary sewer bypass system was required to maintain sewer service and allow the pipe bursting operation to proceed safely.
The additional work included bypass pumping, equipment, installation and removal of the bypass system, monitoring, and incidental traffic control.
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Change Order No. 2 – Additional Sewer Lateral Excavation ($37,500) Five previously unidentified sewer lateral tie-ins were discovered during construction. The locations and directions of the existing laterals could not be verified prior to construction, and several approached the sewer main from locations that required additional excavation pits and access points to locate and reconnect the services.
The additional cost covers the excavation, labor, equipment, restoration, and safety measures associated with locating and reconnecting the five additional lateral tie-ins.
Environmental Review:
The emergency repair qualifies for exemption form 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 services essential to public health and safety.
Fiscal Impact:
The action proposed in this item is administrative in nature and does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Approval of the proposed change orders will increase the total project authorization by $44,140.00, from the originally authorized amount of $205,200.00 to a revised total project cost of $249,340.00.
Description Amount
Original Project Authorization $205,200.00
Change Order No. 1 - Temporary Sewer Bypass $6,640.00
Change Order No. 2 - Additional Excavation for Unidentified Lateral Tie-Ins $37,500.00 Total Change Orders $44,140.00
Revised Total Project Cost $249,340.00
Sufficient funding is available within the Sewer Projects Fund to cover the additional construction costs.
Approval of the requested change orders will allow the project to be completed without interruption and ensure the City's wastewater infrastructure is restored in a safe, reliable, and operational condition.
Alignment with City Council Goal(s):
Goal #3 – Improve Infrastructure
Attachments:
1) Exhibit A – Change Order No. 1
2) Exhibit B – Change Order No. 2
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