July 28, 2026
Agenda Item No. 9
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:
Approval of Purchase Order with Charles King Company for Equipment Rentals ABSTRACT:
The Utilities Department utilizes an array of specialty equipment to perform its operations, including trucks, pumps, generators, lifts and heavy equipment. At times, staff requires additional equipment beyond what the City of Newport Beach owns. In those cases, renting specialized equipment pieces on an as-needed basis is effective and efficient. Therefore, the Utilities Department recommends City Council authorization of a purchase order with Charles King Company for equipment rentals.
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) Authorize the City Manager to approve a purchase order for equipment rentals from Charles King Company, over the next three fiscal years ending June 30, 2029, with an option for two additional years, up to a total amount of $400,000.
DISCUSSION:
The Utilities Department operates and maintains the City’s water, sewer, storm drain and street lighting infrastructure systems. The storm drain system, with its 95 miles of pipeline and 3,200 catch basins, is very unique because it includes 90 tide valves. Tide valves require daily maintenance to prevent harbor seawater from entering into low lying areas. Between 15-30 times a year, staff also implements a temporary pumping program to pump either rainwater or seawater back into the harbor. These pumping events occur when a high tide is coupled with rain, or when very high tides, also known as King Tides, cause seawater to leak into the streets.
The temporary pumping program is administered by staff to protect public and private infrastructure and to minimize street ponding and flooding in low lying areas. Depending on tide levels and storm severity, each response may require between 10 and 35 staff members per tide shift, with some tide series events lasting a week. Staff uses specialized water pumps that are either truck or trailer-mounted pumps. While most pumps are owned by the City, staff rents additional pumps to supplement the City’s fleet and enhance emergency response capabilities during significant storm and tidal events.
The Utilities Department also manages the City’s wastewater system, which includes an extensive network of pipelines, pump stations, laterals and manholes. When needed, the City has used rental equipment to bypass wastewater mains and pump stations, enabling emergency repairs and helping prevent wastewater spills.
Following a review of available options and current market offerings, the Utilities Department determined that a new long-term purchase order with Charles King Company, Inc. (Charles King) would better align with the City’s operational and management needs. Pursuant to City Council Policy F-14 and Administrative Policy AP-001, the City may utilize another public agency’s competitive procurement process for substantially similar services completed within the previous 24 months.
In February 2025, Eastern Municipal Water District (Eastern) solicited a request for proposals for pump system rentals. After a detailed evaluation and selection process, Charles King was recommended for award of the agreement based on its qualifications and service approach. The City’s Utilities Department and Finance Department staff reviewed the originating procurement documents and determined that the scope of services, pricing structure, and other terms and conditions were substantially similar to the City’s operational needs. Staff believes using the previous procurement is the most cost-effective and efficient approach.
Charles King is a local company specializing in temporary pumping. It has already proven to the City its ability to mobilize quickly and provide specialized pumping and related equipment for pumping solutions. Charles King’s references also provided positive feedback on the company’s work performance, especially in emergency situations. Staff recommends City Council approval of a purchase order with Charles King Company for equipment rentals, in the amount of $400,000 over the next three fiscal years (FY 2026-27 through FY 2028-29), with an option for two additional years.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The adopted budget includes sufficient funding for this purchase order of as-needed pump and equipment rental. It will be expensed to the General Fund Storm Drains account in the Utilities Department, 0109062-851037 Maintenance and Repair account. Staff expects to spend an average of $25,000 per year. Because this equipment is rented on an on-call basis, actual expenditures will depend on the severity of future rain and tide events. If the upcoming rainy season requires services beyond this allocation, staff will seek a separate budget amendment. For example, during the 2023 rainy season, over $100,000 in pump rentals were needed. The higher contract ceiling requested is intended to provide administrative contingency over the life of the purchase orders.
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 – Purchase Order for As-Needed Pump and Equipment Rental Approval of Purchase Order with Charles King Company for Equipment Rentals July 28, 2026
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