City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: AUGUST 25, 2026 FROM: PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY WARD: 1
SERVICES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT FOR REQUEST FOR BIDS NO. 8261 WITH SOUTHWEST PUMP & DRILLING, INC. OF COACHELLA, CALIFORNIA, FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FAIRMOUNT GOLF COURSE WELL, IN THE AMOUNT OF $556,520 ISSUE:
Consider awarding a Construction Agreement for Request for Bids No. 8261 with Southwest Pump & Drilling, Inc. of Coachella, California, for the replacement of the Fairmount Golf Course well, in the amount of $556,520.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Reject the bid submitted by Yellow Jacket Drilling Services of Rancho Cucamonga, California, as non-responsive; Award a Construction Agreement for Request for Bids No. 8261 with Southwest Pump & Drilling, Inc. of Coachella, California, for the replacement of the Fairmount Golf Course well, in the amount of $556,520; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Construction Agreement with Southwest Pump & Drilling, Inc., including making minor and non-substantive changes.
BACKGROUND:
The existing irrigation well at Fairmount Golf Course is the primary water source for the 9-hole golf course and lighted driving range. The well is more than 50 years old and has experienced multiple structural failures over its lifespan, significantly reducing its reliability and production capacity.
Approximately 15 years ago, the well suffered a structural failure and was rehabilitated by the Parks Division through the installation of a liner. Although this repair extended the life of the well, it was a temporary solution that reduced the well's depth to approximately 100 feet.
Three years ago, the well experienced another structural collapse, resulting in the loss of an additional 40 feet of depth. The well is now approximately 60 feet deep, limiting its pumping capacity and reducing the Parks Division's ability to efficiently irrigate the golf course and driving range.
DISCUSSION:
Due to the reduced capacity of the existing well, the Parks Division can currently pump only 150 gallons of water per minute, or approximately 25% of the irrigation system's intended capacity. As a result, irrigation is limited to one zone at a time, requiring watering to begin in the evening and continue throughout the night and into the morning while golfers are using the course. This schedule is necessary to maintain the landscape for the 9-hole golf course and lighted driving range, but it is inefficient and limits the City's ability to adequately irrigate the facility.
The golf course is irrigated with raw groundwater from the existing on-site well. Because the water is used exclusively for irrigation and is not treated for potable use, it reduces reliance on the City's potable water supply and helps conserve treated drinking water.
The proposed project is Phase 1 of the overall well replacement project and consists of constructing a new groundwater irrigation well at Fairmount Golf Course, 2681 Dexter Drive, Riverside, CA 92501. The replacement well will be installed adjacent to the existing well and includes drilling, construction, development, and testing to a depth of approximately 260 feet, with the completed well extending to approximately 250 feet below ground surface.
The well testing completed as part of Phase 1 will determine the well's production capacity and establish the appropriate pump size for Phase 2. Based on the test results, the City will procure a design-build contract for the design and installation of the new pump system. While the final cost will depend on the pump size required, the estimated construction cost is between $300,000 and $500,000.
The new well is expected to produce approximately 1,000 to 1,200 gallons of water per minute, allowing multiple irrigation zones to operate simultaneously. Replacing the aging well and installing a properly sized pump system will restore the irrigation system's capacity, improve operational efficiency, and provide a reliable water source to maintain the golf course and driving range.
Purchasing Overview
On April 21, 2026, the City’s Purchasing Division (Purchasing) issued Request for Bids (RFB) No. 8261 on PlanetBids seeking prospective bidders to replace the underground well at the Fairmount Golf Course.
The solicitation notification is summarized in the table below:
Action
Number of Vendors
External Vendors Notified
500
City of Riverside Vendors Notified
384
Vendors who downloaded the RFP
43 Proposals received
4 A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting was held on April 29, 2026, with 6 vendors in attendance. A total of 19 questions were received from prospective bidders, and one addendum was posted. RFB No. 8261 closed on May 20, 2026, with a total of 4 responses. Three bids were found to be responsive and responsible, with the apparent low bid being deemed non-responsive for missing the required notarization with their bid bond, subject to City Council approval.
The bid results are listed in the table below:
Vendor
Location
Bid Total
Rank
Yellow Jacket Drilling Services*
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
$482,375.00
0 Southwest Pump & Drilling, Inc.
Coachella, CA
$556,520.00
1 Best Drilling and Pump, Inc.
Colton, CA
$643,870.00
2 Gregg Drilling
Signal Hill, CA
$735,999.99
3 Engineer’s Estimate: $663,570
*Non-responsive vendor
Southwest Pump & Drilling, Inc. was deemed the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The bid was within the engineer’s estimated amount of $663,570.
This action is pursuant to Purchasing Resolution 24101, Section 508 which states, “Contracts procured through Formal Procurement shall be awarded by the Awarding Entity to the Lowest Responsive and Responsible Bidder.” The Purchasing Manager concurs that the recommended action is compliant with Purchasing Resolution 24101.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of the actions of this report is $556,520, over a 1-year term. Sufficient funds for the bid award are budgeted and available in the Measure Z Fund, Parks Deferred Maintenance Project account number 9280799-462050.
Prepared by: Vanessa Mayne, Senior Administrative Analyst Approved by: Pamela M. Galera, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Certified as to
availability of funds: Julie Nemes, Finance Director
Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: James Johnson, City Attorney
Attachments:
Bid Award Recommendation
Presentation
Fairmount Golf Course Well ● Page 2