Review of Capital
Projects Prioritization
Department of Public Works
February 25, 2025
1 Intro
2 • High-level perspective on projects vs. staff
capacity
• Outline of critical projects
• Starting point of formal Capital Improvement
Plan
• Potential Council discussion of which projects
are important, are not important, or in need of
closer look at a later time?
What This Is
3 • Comprehensive list of Public Works workload
or tasks
• Request for Council to reorder the ranking
• In-depth discussion on capital projects
What This Is Not
4 Overview
5 • The City owns • Sewer system • Water system • Road system • Storm drain system • Park system • Harbor • Facilities Overview
6 Capital projects are investments in
these systems
Capital projects impact quality of life
Overview
7 Stewardship
• Staff
• Advisory Boards
• City Council
• Community
1. Project Authorization/Initial budget
or Urgency/Emergency
2. Conceptual design/Seek grant funding
3. Environmental
4. 100% design- plans, specs, estimates
5. Construction
6. Project approval
Capital Project Life Cycle
8 1. Unless urgent, staff works starts after Council
authorization/budget
2. Projects can be multi-year; money is not
always spent in budgeted FY
3. Council may pull back projects
Notes on Capital Work
9 Overview
• 1.25 FTEs working on ~37 capital projects
• ~6 projects per year output
Consequences
• Non-project management staff managing
projects (competing priorities)
• Firefighting mode
Staff Capacity
10 Consequences
• Multiple projects advance incrementally
• Slow progress
• Additional staff would be needed to accelerate
projects
Volunteers
• Can volunteers implement capital projects?
Staff Capacity
11 Projects
List
12 #1 Recycled Water/Morro Basin
Wellfield
13 Extraction Well
Injection Well
• Required per funding, enhance
resiliency during drought, address
vulnerabilities with existing
extraction wells
• Install injection wells and
associated pipping to the wells.
Rehab existing extraction wells
• Low interest loans and Water fund
• Estimated completion Fall 2026
• Approximately $4.5M/year required to maintain
the current pavement index.
• Lack of funding and/or lack of staff, resulted in
backlog of pavement needs.
• Current $4M pavement rehab to be completed
spring 2025.
• Pavement rehabilitation funds to be requested
for 2025/26 budget for 2026 construction.
#2 Pavement Management
14 • Outdated A/V equipment has resulted in
outages
• Staff and consultant currently at work on 3
alternatives
• $519k available in PEG and GF for A/V and
building improvements
• A/V project will conclude in July 2025
depending on Council action
#3 Vet’s Hall A/V
15 • CDP Requirement
• New WRC constructed
• RFP out, Proposals due Thursday March 6,
2025.
• Currently funded by WRF project
• Engineer Selected March 2025, Design
Complete October 2025, Construction
complete September 2026
#4 WWTP Decommissioning
16 • Reimbursement for storm damage repairs.
• Record rainfall in 2023/24 caused significant
damage in many City locations.
• All storm damage claims have been approved,
rejected or are pending final review.
• Approximately $750K has been approved for
payment, when Federal funding is released.
#5 FEMA
17 • BWRO/Wellfield Backup Power
• The City realized that vulnerability of the City's water supply when there was an extended State Water Shutdown. There
is no backup power for the BWRO or the wellfield
• The backup power design for the BWRO is complete. It will tie into the existing PSA generator. The Wellfield backup power is currently waiting for a new transfer switch that has a 6-12 month lead time
• Not currently funded
• 12 month timeline for completion
#6 BWRO Consolidated
18 • Reskin/Reroof BWRO
• The BWRO houses the RO system and other critical
electrical control equipment that treats the extracted well water for potable use. The building currently leaks and has rusted through in multiple areas.
• A contract with Newton Construction for this work has been drafted and will be taken to council in the next
month.
• partially funded $200k out of $300k
• 6-month completion
#6 BWRO Consolidated Cont.
19 • RO piping/Tank modifications, building improvements and piping modifications
• BWRO is outdated and in need of upgrades. There is
equipment that was part of the old desalination process that needs to be removed. RO brine needs to be discharged to the City's ocean outfall instead of the Vistra outfall per
pemit/regulatory requirements. Calcite tanks need to be added and other process improvements are needed.
• Currently funded
• No current timeline
#6 BWRO Consolidated Cont.
20 • Seawalls and revetments are over 75 years
old and in need of repair.
• Storm damage accumulated over many years.
• Inspection, condition assessment and
preliminary repair cost estimates are complete.
• Estimated cost of most critical repairs is
~$3.8M.
• One to two years.
#7 Revetment/Seawall Repairs
21 #7 Revetment/Seawall Repairs
22 #7 Revetment/Seawall Repairs
23 • H & H analysis of the Morro Creek Watershed
to develop a storm management plan and
analysis of alternatives.
• Extensive flood damage occurred during the
2023 storms.
• CalOES/FEMA awarded reimbursement for
75% share up to $1,008,9K w/ $336.3K City
match.
#8 Storm Drain Analysis
24 Continued
$141.8K from 2023/24 budget.
Grant deadline 10/2027.
Main St. Flooding
#8 Storm Drain Analysis
25 • Determine the most effective mitigation to
protect the RO treatment facility
• In the 2023 storms, one of the wells flooded,
damaging the pump and shutting down the RO
treatment facility.
• CalOES/FEMA awarded reimbursement for
75% share up to $287K w/ $95.7K City match.
#9 RO Floodproofing
26 Continued
• $300K from 2023/24 budget.
• Grant deadline 10/2027.
#9 RO Floodproofing
27 • Bathroom removed in 2021
• Limited ADA accessibility
• Community meetings, City won $600k grant
• Additional grant money may be needed
depending on scope
• Timeline will depend on scope
• Council may direct staff to review scope
#10 Coleman Park
28 • Improve accessibility for Federally designated
benefit groups.
• A visually impaired resident requested
an audible signal. ADA compliant curb ramp
upgrades also needed.
• Preliminary design complete.
• Grant funding awarded.
• Grant funds ($37,477) expires in 2025.
#11 Quintana/Main Improvements
29 • Safety and traffic flow improvements.
• Study determined roundabout most effective
mitigation. City Council authorized preparation
of Environmental documents.
• CalTrans SHOPP/Cap M program can add
roundabout final design and construction with
• Environment doc preparation fully funded in
previous budget years.
#12 Roundabout Environmental
30 Continued
• Final Environmental Project Report scheduled
for approval by Council February 2026.
• Turn over to CalTrans expected spring 2026.
#12 Roundabout Environmental
31 • Improved fire flow/storage in the Nutmeg Zone
• Deficiencies in fire flow/Storage (at full buildout) were highlighted in the 2018 One water plan.
• Working with Cannon to develop and alternative solution to building a new Nutmeg tank due to costs/constructability. • Funded
• Cost estimates/phasing plan will be complete in 2 months, design for the alternatives will begin mid 2025,
construction starting early 2026.
#13 Nutmeg Pressure Zone
Consolidated
32 #14 Brine Line Capacity
33 • Deficient capacity due to
entrapped air
• Discovered during 2023 floods
• Working with Design Engineers on
solution
• Cost will be covered with WRF
budget if needed
• Currently working on potential
solutions
• Ramp has deteriorated to the point
replacement is required.
• Two grants were received to replace the ramp
and make ADA upgrades. Due to lack of staff
available to manage the project, grant funds
were returned.
• Preliminary plans are complete.
• Researching grant opportunities.
#15 Tidelands Boat Ramp
34 #15 Tidelands Boat Ramp
35 • Complete evaluation of the ocean outfall and sediment removal
• Ocean outfall is a critical component of our wastewater system. A 2010 Inspection Report indicated outfall pipe structure and associated cathodic protection had issues. The 2010 inspection suggested further investigation and evaluation of the condition of the outfall is needed.
• Carollo is finalizing the outfall management plan (CDP requirement)
• $600k budgeted in Sewer Capital Fund
• No timeline
#16 Outfall Inspection/Cleaning
36 • Deferred maintenance on playgrounds
• Potential liabilities
• Lila Keiser Park and City Park
• RPC November 2024
• $250k GF – Revenue Recovery from ARPA
• 6-12 month timeline
#17 Playground Equipment
Replacement
37 #17 Playground Equipment
Replacement
• Dispute between City and City of SLO
• Morro Bay constructed 12” concrete slab,
several utility lines, and driveway over Whale
Rock Pipeline
• WRF, 2019-2020
• City in negotiations on cost owed by City and
any other City responsibilities
• Timeline not determined
#18 Whale Rock Crossing
39 • Replace/repair failed elements of the pier.
• Consultant assessment determined significant,
urgent repairs needed.
• Next step is preparation of repair plans.
• Research grant funding.
• Repairs to elements with immediate risk to life
and safety needed as soon as possible.
#19 North T-Pier Rehab
40 #19 North T-Pier Rehab
41 • Morro Creek Ped Bridge needs armoring/cleanup
• Areas around Morro Creek Ped Bridge damaged
from 2023 storms and 2024 swell
• Working with Coastal Commission on path forward
• Contract engineer will evaluate bridge
abutments/armoring
• Not currently funded
• No current timeline
#20 Morro Creek Ped Bridge
42 #20 Morro Creek Ped Bridge
Cont.
43 • City has outdated, unsightly trash cans
• Anchor Park pilot
• 20 dual receptacles in production, delivery
expected by April
• Will feature planter boxes and Trex planks
• Partnership with MB In Bloom and MB
Beautiful
• $60k, mostly spent
#21 Trash Can Replacement
44 #21 Trash Can Replacement
• Evaluation and subsequent
repairs/rehabilitation is needed at the ridgeway
tank
• The ridgeway tank was not included in the
recent 6 tank rehabilitation project.
• No funding has been identified at this time
• No current timeline
#22 Ridgeway Water Tank Rehab
46 #22 Ridgeway Water Tank Rehab
Cont.
47 • Construction related issue
• SAFE diversion box receives raw sewage with
high Hydrogen sulfide gas causing
deterioration of the concrete
• A diversion needs to be built to divert flow
around the SAFE box. Repair - coating
• Funding by final closeout negotiations
• Timeline is urgent to prevent further damage
#23 SAFE Diversion Box Repair
48 • Aged corrogated metal pipe storm drains
need to be replaced.
• Storm drain is clogged with sediment, causing
flooding at the Highway 1 off ramp.
• Start RFP for replacement design summer
2025.
• Request funding in 2025/26 budget.
• Fall 2026 – prior to new well construction.
#24 Lila Keiser Wells Storm Drain
49 Typical condition replaced CMP of similar age.
#24 Lila Keiser Wells Storm Drain
50 • Repair/replace deteriorated deck and support
elements.
• Wood bridge deck, wood and steel support
framing have deteriorated.
• Urgent repairs are complete. Remaining
repairs needed.
• Request for 2025/26 budget.
• Summer 2025.
#25 Del Mar Bridge Deck
Replacement
51 • Replace or renovate existing, aged restroom.
• Restroom does not meet ADA requirements.
Building and fixtures have damage.
• Future project.
• Request funds in future budget.
• 2026/27.
#26 Monte Young Restroom
Room
52 • Direct rain runoff away from bike path.
• Ponding occurs at low point of path, just north
of Main Street and Quintana.
• Future project.
• Future budget request.
• None.
#27 Bike Path Drainage
53 • Protect storm drain outfall from sand intrusion.
• Storm drain outfall at the beach fills with sand,
leading to flooding in the parking lot.
• Periodic grading of sand around outfall to
temporarily facilitate drainage.
• Future budget request.
• None.
#28 Atascadero Road Parking
Drainage
54 • Ramp to boat dock unsafe during low tides.
• Improved ramp slope to be included with storm
damaged dock repairs.
• Preliminary design.
• Harbor storm damage repair funding.
• Fall 2025.
#29 Beach/Embarcadeto Ped
Dock Ramp
55 • Walk Bridge across Chorro Creek is closed for
safety
• County residents request repair
• City inherited walk bridge
• Tied to City well on other side of creek
• Option to sell bridge and well
• No funding or timeline identified
#30 Canet Bridge/Well
56 57
• A new sewer main on beachcomber drive
• The Beach tract is a huge contributor to the
I&I (inflow & infiltration) issue in the City.
• Plans are 100% at this time, but may change based
on the backyard sewer portion of this project.
• Currently funded
• Timeline is based on backyard sewer project, but no
current timeline.
#31 Beachcomber Sewer Main
58 • Replace submains in the beach tract
• Beach tract contributes to I&I (inflow & infiltration) • Scope TBD. City may replace in backyards or move
submain to streets.
• Planned in-depth I&I study to determine all sources
of I&I
• Design is funded at $195k
• No current timeline
#32 Beachcomber Backyard
Submains
59 • Atascadero/Main Sewer mains need
increase in capacity
• 2018 One Water plan identified capacity
issues for 2040 Peak wet weather flows
• Early design stage. Identifying solutions
and possible alternatives.
• currently funded with a budget of $8.9
Million
• No current timeline
#33 Atascadero/Main Sewer
60 • Should be updated every 5 years
• Updates in the system
• Last update in 2018
• $250k funded, 50/50 Water/Sewer
• Project not started, staff will recommend
removing from budget
#34 OneWater Plan Update
61 • Near-term aesthetic issues, long term drainage
issues
• Silt in pond causing overgrowth of reeds
• Funding to come from Cloisters Fund balance
($189k), not budgeted at this time
• No timeline determined
#35 Cloisters Pond Cleanout
62 • Desire by user group to build pickleball courts
at Del Mar Park
• User group donation would pay, City would
implement
• No cost estimate
• Not budgeted, no timeline determined
#36 Pickleball Courts Expansion
63 • Pursue Grant Opportunities- Council Goal
• ATP Required for ATP grants
• $80k in budget
• $13k Bike Path Fund
• $67k Q&E
• Project not started, staff will recommend
removing from budget
#37 Active Transportation Plan
64 • Site visit last week
• Footing is undermined, not critical, but will get
worse
• No project funding or timeline
New: Bayshore Bluffs Stairs
65 Questions
66