CITY OF PACIFICA
COUNCIL AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
1/10/2022
1 SUBJECT:
Continuation of Proclamation of Local Emergency at the Anza Pump Station.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Accept Report and Make a Determination that Conditions of Local Emergency Continue to Exist at the Anza Pump Station at the Pacifica State Beach.
STAFF CONTACT:
Lisa Petersen, P.E., Director of Public Works
(650) 738-3767
[email protected]
Sam Bautista, P.E., Deputy Director of Public Works / City Engineer (650) 738-3771
[email protected]
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
On Monday, March 16, 2020, the Department of Public Works received a report regarding a fire at the Anza Pump Station at the Pacifica State Beach. After Public Works staff investigated the report, it was determined that the storm drain pumping system was damaged during the fire.
The engine was destroyed, and the motors will need to be replaced. The damage to this pump station threatens the safety of persons and properties within the watershed due to the risk of flooding without an operational pump station.
The City of Pacifica’s Emergency Plan and Section 4-2.01 et seq. of the Pacifica Municipal Code empower the City Manager, acting as the Director of Emergency Services, to proclaim the existence of a local emergency when there is an actual or threatened existence of conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons and properties within this City.
The proclamation is subject to ratification by the City Council within 7 days, pursuant to the Pacifica Municipal Code. The proclamation of the existence of a local emergency further designates the City Manager or designated representative to act on behalf of the City for public assistance and for individual assistance for purpose of receipt, processing and coordination of all inquiries and requirements necessary to obtain available State and Federal assistance.
Additionally, pursuant to Section 3-15.09 (A) of the Pacifica Municipal Code, in cases of an emergency the City Manager is authorized to proceed at once to replace or repair any public facility without adopting plans, specifications, or working details, or giving notice for bids to let contracts. The City must comply with Public Contract Code Section 22050, which provides a process for City Council’s review of the emergency action if notice of bids to let contracts for public projects will not be given because of the emergency.
In this case, the City Manager has determined that the damaged pump station threatens the health and safety of persons and properties, including critical public infrastructure, which Pacifica City Council 2
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requires immediate attention and constitutes an emergency pursuant to Pacifica Municipal Code section 4-2.02 and Public Contract Code Section 1102.
Such conditions are, or are likely to be, beyond the handling capability of the City’s services, personnel, equipment, and facilities, requiring the use of outside contractors to conduct emergency design and repair pursuant to Pacifica Municipal Code section 3-15.09 without giving notice for bids to let contracts. Immediate action is, and continues to be necessary, due to the clear and imminent danger presented by any storm event that could occur during the time the storm water pump station is non-functional. Flooding could occur to areas upstream of the pump station, causing health and safety issues, as well as extensive property damage. As such, on April 8, 2020, the City Manager did proclaim the existence of a local emergency within the City and the need to continue the emergency action continues as the repair will take approximately 8-14 months. The Proclamation of Local Emergency is attached to this staff report as Attachment 1.
City staff has contracted with the civil engineering firm of Schaaf & Wheeler of San Jose, California to assist the City with the rehabilitation of the pump station. In addition, the pump station has been cleared of any fire damaged debris and the pumps have been removed for evaluation. On July 13, 2020, the City Council approved construction services agreement for rebuild and re-installation of a pump and gear drive, the renovation of bathrooms, purchase and installation of new stainless-steel doors, and repair pump station wet-well grates. As part of the on-going maintenance for the pump station, staff is purchasing a new pump and it is scheduled for approval during this current August 9, 2021 City Council meeting. An emergency purchase agreement with Herc Rental for a temporary engine to test the existing pump inside the Anza Pump Station was also approved on September 1, 2020. On October 12, 2020, Field Services staff successfully tested the existing pump, and a temporary storm pumping system is now in place. In addition, a new pump, transfer switch, temporary roof, portable generator connections, and new exterior double doors have been installed. Staff is continuing to evaluate and monitor storm water flows and purchased two new sump pumps to accommodate flows.
On May 10, 2021, City Council approved the purchase of two new Caterpillar engines utilizing the City’s established Sourcewell Cooperative Purchase Agreement. The rehabilitation plan is currently 100% completed, and staff has completed the engineering review. The roofing plan was approved by the Building Department. Staff has also completed selection of the Construction Management firm which was from the established On-Call Construction Management list. Staff is preparing to take the plans, specifications, and construction management agreement to the City Council for approval soon and is in the process of discussing permitting requirements for the project with the California Coastal Commission. An application for gas service was also submitted to PG&E to re-establish natural gas service at the Anza Pump Station. Staff recently completed the field portion of a topographic survey to support the PG&E new gas service.
During a storm event on the morning of December 16, 2021, the City experienced minor flooding in the lower Linda Mar area due to the temporary nonstandard pumping system that has been in use at Anza pump station since the fire damaged the pump station engines in March of 2020. This temporary system has been in place because the City has been working to reach agreement with the California Coastal Commission on permitting requirements for the permanent pumping system. The City has faced two significant stormwater related events in less than two months and will face more with the continuing storm season. Replacement with this temporary system is considered an emergency and staff is moving forward with construction of the permanent system. Staff is currently working to get a contractor on board to complete the work. Additionally, staff has filed an emergency Coastal Development Permit request with the California Coastal Commission for installation of the new gas line needed to run the permanent pump engines and replacement of the third engine/pump that is in danger of failure due to age Pacifica City Council 3
January 10, 2022
and required at the pump station for redundancy. Staff will continue to update the Council on the progress of this emergency work monthly through the emergency declaration Council reports.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 8630(c), the City Council must review the need for continuing the local emergency at least every 60 days until the City Council terminates the local emergency. Conditions of local emergency still exist since the City Council first acted to declare a local emergency on April 13, 2020, and since that time staff has brought the continuance of Proclamation confirming the existence of local emergency at the Anza Pump Station every 30 days with December 13, 2021 being the most recent.
The City is using a combination of city staff, consultants and contractors to manage the emergency work related to the Anza Pump Station repair project. The City Manager recommends that the City Council make a determination that conditions of local emergency continue to exist at the Anza Pump Station at the Pacifica State Beach.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact to continue this local emergency.
ORIGINATED BY:
Engineering
ATTACHMENT LIST:
Attachment 1 - Resolution No. 19-2020 Ratifying Proclamation of Local Emergency at the Anza Pump Station (PDF)