CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: JANUARY 28, 2026 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, AND ESTIMATE (PS&E) AND
AUTHORIZATION TO BID THE AIRPORT FIVE NEW MONITORING
WELLS, AIRPORT PROJECT PSP 26-043
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: Department of Aviation
SUMMARY:
The construction documents (Plans, Specifications, and Estimate) for this project have been prepared and in accordance with Section 7.03.040 of the Procurement and Contracting Code, the City Council shall approve and adopt the plans, specifications, and work details and authorize the bid request for all public projects exceeding $220,000.
Approval of this item will allow staff to proceed with bidding of this capital project, with an estimated project cost of approximately $382,000.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve the plans, specifications and estimate and authorize staff to advertise and solicit bids for the Airport five New Monitoring Wells, (“the Project”).
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents.
BUSINESS PRINCIPAL DISCLOSURE:
N/A.
BACKGROUND:
On March 20, 2019 and pursuant to California Water Code Section 13267, the State of California Water Resources Control Board (Water Board) issued Board Order WO 2019- 0005-DWQ (Board Order) to 31 airports throughout the state of California requiring airport owners and operators to investigate and report on the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) chemicals on airport property. A copy of the Board Order is included as Attachment A.
City Council Staff Report
January 28, 2026 -- Page 2
Approve PS&E and Authorization to Bid, Airport Project PSP 26-043 7 1
2 As described in the Board Order, PFAS is a family of more than 3,000 man-made and mostly unregulated chemicals that have been produced since the mid-1900s. These chemicals are manufactured globally and have been used in the production of a wide range of industrial and household products, and in Aqueous Firefighting Foams (AFFF).
Prior to 2019, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) required all airports to use AFFF for aircraft firefighting. The Water Board identified that the discharge of AFFF has the potential of contaminating the groundwater.
A requirement of the Board Order was for airports to prepare and submit a work plan for a preliminary site investigation of PFAS impacts to the Colorado River Regional Water Quality Control Board (the “Regional Board”). Staff coordinated with its on-call environmental consulting services firm RS&H California, Inc. (RS&H) to complete the required work plan for the Airport’s preliminary site investigation of PFAS impacts. On November 21, 2019, the Regional Board accepted the work plan to construct the original three monitoring wells at the Airport which are depicted in Figure 1 – Site Vicinity Map.
On June 5, 2024, the Regional Board requested a work plan for an additional assessment.
Staff continued to coordinate with its on-call environmental consulting services firm RS&H, and the supplemental site investigation work plan (supplemental work plan) was submitted to the Regional Board on August 30, 2024. The supplemental work plan included the drilling of five additional monitoring wells as depicted in Figures 1 and 2 - Site Vicinity Maps. On December 27, 2024, the Regional Board approved the supplemental work plan, see Attachment B. The approval of this item will allow the Airport to continue monitoring for PFAS.
City Council Staff Report
January 28, 2026 -- Page 3
Approve PS&E and Authorization to Bid, Airport Project PSP 26-043 7 1
2 Figure 1 – Site Vicinity Map
City Council Staff Report
January 28, 2026 -- Page 4
Approve PS&E and Authorization to Bid, Airport Project PSP 26-043 7 1
2 Figure 2 – Site Vicinity Map
STAFF ANALYSIS:
RS&H and staff have completed the preparation of the plans and specifications for the Project (see link to documents in Attachment C). The contract documents prepared by staff and the consultant have been reviewed and approved by the City’s Engineering Services working in coordination with the Aviation Department.
With City Council approval, Staff will advertise the Project in The Desert Sun, and utilize the procurement program PlanetBids™ to allow the submission of bids electronically. The contract documents will be provided free of charge to prospective bidders through the PlanetBids™ system. The following tentative schedule has been identified for the bid process:
Notice Inviting Bids to be Posted: January, 29, 2026
Deadline for Receipt of Bids: February, 24, 2026
Contract Awarded by City Council: March, 25, 2026
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the contract documents and grant authority to formally bid the subject Project for construction.
City Council Staff Report
January 28, 2026 -- Page 5
Approve PS&E and Authorization to Bid, Airport Project PSP 26-043 7 1
2 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) Guidelines Section 15303 “New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures”, Class 3 projects consist of construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures; and the conversion of existing small structures from one use to another where only minor modifications are made in the exterior of the structure. Therefore, Staff has determined that the Airport New Monitoring Wells, Airport Project No. 26-043, is considered categorically exempt from CEQA.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLANNING:
Approval of this action supports the City of Palm Springs’ Strategic Plan Broad Goals of Infrastructure and Facilities, and also supports the Airport’s 2025-2029 Strategic Plan’s Strategic Priorities for Infrastructure.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Project is estimated to cost $382,000. Sufficient funds are budgeted in Fiscal Year 2025-2026 in the Department of Aviation, Airport Capital Projects Account 4167065- 60015. Following the bidding process, the Project will be submitted to the City Council for approval. At that time, a detailed breakdown of the project costs, including construction, consultant services, and staff costs, will be presented for review and approval.
REVIEWED BY:
Department Director: Harry Barrett Jr.
City Attorney: Geremy Holm
City Manager: Scott Stiles
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Board Order
B. Regional Board Approval of Supplemental Work Plan
C. Plans and Specifications