CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: January 24, 2022
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. ___-22 AWARDING THE CONSTRUCTION
CONTRACT FOR THE GREGORY GARDENS STORM DRAIN
REHABILITATION PROJECT NO. 03-21 AND AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT
WITH KEREX ENGINEERING, INC.
SYNOPSIS
The Gregory Gardens Storm Drain Rehabilitation Project No. 03-21 will remove approximately 700 linear feet of a private corrugated metal pipe (CMP) storm drain system and replace it with a new, public storm drain pipeline alignment in the Gregory Gardens neighborhood. The purpose of this item is to consider the acceptance of the lowest responsive, responsible bid from Kerex Engineering, Inc. for the project and to seek authorization to award the construction contract.
DISCUSSION
Background
The Gregory Gardens Storm Drain Rehabilitation Project No. 03-21 is part of the City’s Storm Drain Program’s 5-Year Plan and is identified in the approved Capital Improvement Plan FY 2020 – 2025 (CIP). The Gregory Gardens No. 6 subdivision created a private storm drain system in the early 1950’s to collect storm water runoff and discharge it into Grayson Creek and the Contra Costa County Flood Control channel. The approximately 700 linear foot long CMP storm drain system has reached the end of its useful life.
Most of the storm drain pipes are located in private drainage reserves located underneath side yards and backyards of residential properties. In a number of locations, the private CMP has corroded, collapsed and clogged, resulting in pipeline failures, flooding and damage to property. This project will provide a new storm drain pipeline alignment through the subdivision, including, where possible, abandoning sections of the old private storm drain pipe and relocating them to the public right-of-way (ROW) along the roadway. It is necessary for the new storm drain pipeline to remain beneath three private properties, (154 Mazie Drive, 161 Vivian Drive and 1942 Patricia Drive) and these private drainage reserves be converted to public storm drain easements. Staff has successfully obtained the necessary easements from the three affected property owners along the new pipe alignment, allowing the City to maintain and manage the pipeline in the future.
In 2018, Wreco, a City hired hydraulic consultant completed a 20-Year Storm Drain Master Plan, and this project was identified as a top priority in the report based on flooding, safety concerns and the potential for property damage.
Due to the Wreco report and increasing flooding concerns raised by the property owners in the neighborhood, the City hired LCC Engineering & Surveying, Inc. (LCC) to finalize rehabilitation options and prepare construction documents for a storm drain improvement project in the neighborhood, in order to replace the existing, failing pipeline, as soon as construction funding was approved.
The City Council, at its October 4, 2021, regularly scheduled meeting, approved $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to construct the project.
Utilities
The installation of this new drainage system requires PG&E and Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) to relocate any active facilities in conflict with the project. All utility relocation work was completed in September 2021.
Staff identified approximately 520 linear feet of abandoned CCWD asbestos cement water pipeline along Vivian Drive that directly conflicts with the new storm drain pipeline. Due to staffing issues and favorable bid prices, CCWD has requested the City-hired contractor remove and dispose of the abandoned pipe as part of the project scope. CCWD has entered into an agreement with the City to complete this work, and will reimburse the City for all costs incurred. The estimated amount of the reimbursement is $18,200.
Analysis
The Notice Inviting Bids was sent to the construction exchanges on November 23, 2021, for the project and the project was advertised in the Contra Costa Times newspaper on November 30, 2021.
Three bids were received and publicly read on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at the Public Services Center.
Per project bid documents, the City will base the project award on the lowest responsive, responsible total base bid. The following table summarizes the base bid amounts. The low bid is marked in bold.
CONTRACTOR BID PRICE
1 Kerex Engineering, Inc. $1,199,636.00
2 Cabobe Brothers Plumbing $1,242,829.50
3 Basset Engineering $1,416,980.50
The Engineer’s Estimate (EE) for the project construction is $1,228,628 and the lowest bidder’s bid is $1,199,636, which is $28,988 less than the EE. A detailed analysis of Kerex Engineering Inc.’s bid revealed that it is within 3.5% of the cost of the next lowest responsive bidder, so its bid price was reasonable relative to the EE and the next competitive construction bid received.
Kerex Engineering, Inc. is a reputable contractor based locally in the City of Pleasant Hill and has satisfactorily completed several projects of similar scope within the City of Pleasant Hill, including the 2019 Storm Drain Improvement Project (Oak Park Boulevard at Via Del Sol) and the Shelly Drive Storm Drain Improvement Project. Staff believes that Kerex Engineering, Inc. has the experience and professional competency that will result in a satisfactory product for the City.
CCWD has submitted written notice to the City that they have accepted the costs provided by the lowest responsible bidder for the removal and disposal of the asbestos cement water line.
Kerex Engineering, Inc.’s bid proposal documentation is complete, and staff has determined them to be the lowest responsive, responsible bidder. Bidding rules require that the City Council award the construction contract to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder or reject all bids.
Staff recommends the City Council award the construction contract to Kerex Engineering, Inc.
The project construction cost (base bid) is $1,199,636. It is reasonable to include a construction contingency of fifteen percent (15%) or $179,945, which is typical for a construction project of this type.
Environmental Review
The Gregory Gardens Storm Drain Rehabilitation Project No. 03-21 will remove and replace existing facilities in kind. The new facilities will be located on the same sites as the existing and will have the same purpose and capacity of the current system. Therefore, the Zoning Administrator has determined that the Gregory Gardens Storm Drain Rehabilitation Project No. 03- 21 is categorically exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to California Code of Regulations Title 14, Chapter 3, Section 15301 as a Class 1 categorical exemption and Section 15302 as a Class 2 categorical exemption.
FISCAL IMPACT
The project construction costs are funded by American Rescue Act Funds. The Maintenance Division has confirmed with the Finance Department that monies will be available for this project at the time of construction.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting of the City Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center and at the Pleasant Hill Police Department. The agenda and staff report are posted on the City’s web page.
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Adopt resolution to Accept Bid and Award a Construction Contract for the Gregory Gardens Storm Drain Rehabilitation Project No. 03-21 and Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Construction Contract with Kerex Engineering Inc.
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
No alternatives recommended.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proposed Resolution
Agreement
Prepared by: Ann James, Maintenance Superintendent
Approved by: June Catalano, City Manager