CITY OF SAN MATEO
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CITY OF SAN MATEO
Agenda Report
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
Agenda Number: 12 Section Name: CONSENT CALENDAR Account Number: 72-4674 File ID: 25-10628 TO: City Council
FROM: Alex Khojikian, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Public Works Department
MEETING DATE: January 12, 2026
SUBJECT:
Polymer Injection System Project Design and Engineering Services During Construction — Agreement RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution to authorize an appropriation in the amount of $1,200,000 from the Sewer Fund reserves to the Wastewater Treatment Plant Polymer Injection Project in the Capital Projects Fund; approve an alternative purchasing procedure to enter into an agreement with Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, Inc. to provide professional services for design and engineering services during construction in an amount not to exceed $311,055; establish a contingency amount of $60,000; and authorize the Public Works Director to execute this agreement and task amendments within the contingency amount in substantially the form presented.
BACKGROUND:
Sludge Cake Pumps No. 1 and No. 2 were installed in 2020 as part of the Immediate Action Projects Package 2 (IAP2) project at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). This agreement will authorize design of a polymer injection system to add polymer into the sludge cake pump discharge piping with the goal of reducing cake pump operating pressures. Sludge cake is the end product of the solids digestion process in the treatment of wastewater. It is a non-free-flowing material typically containing 18 – 25% dry solids. In an effort to reduce cake pump operating pressures and resultant wear and tear on the cake pumping systems, this project will design a system to inject polymer to lubricate the cake pump piping, thereby reducing resistance and resultant system pressure as the sludge cake is pumped to the storage hoppers prior to off-haul and disposal.
Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, Inc. was selected using an alternative purchasing procedure since the firm was previously involved in the design of the cake pump discharge piping system and has proposed completing the design, bidding, and engineering services during construction for an amount not to exceed $311,055, which staff finds reasonable. Pursuant to San Mateo Municipal Code Section 3.60.070(h)(3), approving an agreement with Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, Inc. (Kennedy Jenks) is in the best interests of the City because Kennedy Jenks was previously involved in the design of the cake pump system for the IAP2 project, and its familiarity with the system is essential to completing a successful project within a reasonable time frame and with reasonable costs. Staff is also requesting an appropriation of $1,200,000 to cover still-to- be-determined project and construction costs that will be addressed through separate procurement processes.
BUDGET IMPACT:
There are sufficient funds in the Sewer Fund reserves for this appropriation to the Capital Projects Fund in the amount of $1,200,000 for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Polymer Injection Project (46T191).
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
CITY OF SAN MATEO
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This City Council action is categorically exempt from CEQA as an “existing facility,” because it consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. (CEQA Guidelines Section 15301.)
NOTICE PROVIDED
All meeting noticing requirements were met.
ATTACHMENTS
Att 1 – Proposed Resolution
Att 2 – Agreement
STAFF CONTACT
Thomas Williams, Engineering Manager
[email protected]
(650) 522-7307
Thomas Ruark, Senior Project Manager
[email protected]
(650) 522-7280
Matt Fabry, Director of Public Works
[email protected]
(650) 522-7309