May 27, 2025
Agenda Item No. 10
TO:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
Mark Vukojevic, Utilities Director - 949-644-3011, [email protected] PREPARED BY:
Joshua Rosenbaum, Senior Management Analyst - 949-644-3057 [email protected] TITLE:
Amendment to On-Call Maintenance Agreement with Duke’s Root Control, Inc., for Sewer Root Control Services ABSTRACT:
The Utilities Department manages the City of Newport Beach’s wastewater system and utilizes an on-call maintenance contractor to provide supplemental sewer root control services. The contractor uses a proprietary process to safely remove tree roots within sewer pipelines, which helps prevent blockages. The existing contract with Duke’s Root Control, Inc., expires in July. Staff recommends City Council approval of a two-year extension to the agreement.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
a) Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; and b) Approve Amendment No. One to the On-Call Maintenance/Repair Services Agreement with Duke’s Root Control, Inc., for Sewer Root Services, which extends the contract for two additional years to June 30, 2027, and increases the contract amount by $290,000, and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the Agreement.
DISCUSSION:
The operation and maintenance of the City’s wastewater collection system, also known as the sewer system, are managed by certified Utilities Department staff and contractors. During routine cleaning and video inspection of the City’s sewer pipelines, small web-like tree roots are often encountered and removed to eliminate potential pipeline blockages. Root intrusion can lead to line stoppages, sanitary sewer overflows, and the buildup of grease and debris. Staff tracks and logs root locations while performing maintenance activities. These logs and video reports are used to prepare enhanced cleaning cycles, schedule spot repairs, and coordinate with specialty contractors for additional assistance.
The primary method for removing roots involves a roto-cutter attached to the City’s high pressure jetter. Depending on the situation and severity, staff may request Duke’s Root Control, Inc., to apply an EPA-registered product, which kills deep, web-like tree roots without harming above-ground vegetation. Duke’s product is injected as foam from manhole to manhole, killing roots on contact and inhibiting regrowth. This method is significantly more cost-effective than spot excavation repairs. Duke’s has provided sewer root control services for the City since 2015, and staff remains satisfied with the contractor’s performance. The product used by Duke’s is one of the only products approved for use in the wastewater treatment system by the Orange County Sanatation District.
The Utilities Department originally entered into an agreement with Duke’s in 2022 following a competitive selection process. With the concurrence of the Finance Department, the Utilities Department negotiated a two-year agreement extension, bringing the total agreement term to five years. Unit pricing has increased in line with inflationary costs for labor, materials, equipment, fuel and insurance since the original agreement in 2022. However, Duke’s unit pricing remains 7% lower than its national contract pricing. Staff recommends City Council approval to extend the agreement through June 30, 2027, and to increase the agreement’s compensation limit by $290,000.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget includes funding for this amendment to the agreement in the Wastewater Fund, which is funded primarily by ratepayers. Funds for tree root foaming contract services are programmed annually within the Utilities Wastewater Division Tree Root Foaming account (7119061-851054) and Maintenance and Repairs account (7019061-851037).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment A – Amendment No. One to On-Call Maintenance/Repairs Services Agreement with Duke’s Root Control, Inc. for Sewer Root Control 10-3
10-1
Amendment to On-Call Maintenance Agreement with
Duke’s Root Control, Inc., for Sewer Root Control Services May 27, 2025
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