CITY OF SEBASTOPOL CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM REPORT FOR MEETING OF: December 2, 2025
=========================================================================================== To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Toni Bertolero, Public Works Engineer
Subject: Draft List of Water Capital Improvement Projects for the Water Master Plan Update =========================================================================================== RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council receive a Draft List of water capital improvement projects that are in development as part of the ongoing Water Master Plan Update.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Council approved the preparation of the Water Master Plan Update earlier this year. The work is currently ongoing and staff is presenting a Draft List of water system capital improvement projects to provide Council an early review of the List before the Final Draft of the List of Project is included in the Water Master Plan Update document, tentatively scheduled to be presented to Council in February 2026. Should Council have questions or need further details on the projects, they may contact Toni Bertolero at [email protected].
The next steps for staff are to finalize the List of Projects with the Consultant (GHD), develop the master plan update and determine how the capital costs could be accommodated (or not) within the approved 5-year water rate increases approved by Council in June 2024. Staff will be providing this discussion and update with the newly formed Enterprise Oversight Committee and will include an update on the next Enterprise Quarterly report.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
On March 4, 2025, Council approved the contract for the preparation of the Water Master Plan Update (CIP #0821-23.09) by GHD Inc. The work consists of updating the 2005 Water Master Plan and to evaluate and assess capital improvements needed to address system deficiencies. A Draft List of Projects (Attachment 1) has been developed and was presented to the Budget Committee at their meeting of November 17, 2025.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
The Draft List of Projects includes new projects not identified in the adopted Fiscal Year 2025-26 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget. There is approximately $1.9 million dollars of draft capital projects on the List.
The Fiscal Year 2025-26 CIP (excluding the Well 4 Replacement Project) includes a water replacement project in the amount of $1.5 million dollars over a 5-year period and was included in the Water Rate Model that developed the 5-year rate water increase.
Staff will be reviewing the List to determine how the new projects on the List could be incorporated in the CIP without causing further increases to water rates beyond what was already approved by Council on June 18, 2024 for fiscal years 2024-25 through 2028-29 (Resolution No. 6599-2024).
CITY COUNCIL GOALS/PRIORITIES/AND OR GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY:
This agenda represents the City Council goals/priorities as follows:
• Goal 3 – Infrastructure. Maintaining high quality infrastructure, facilities and services includes repairing/ replacing outdated city facilities, improving streets, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure.
Agenda Item Number 7 Agenda Item Number 7
City Council Meeting Packet for December 2, 2025
This agenda item represents the City Council General Plan Consistency (if applicable):
• Community Services and Facilities (CSF 1-5). Require development, infrastructure, and long-term planning projects to be consist with all applicable City infrastructure plans, including the Water Master Plan.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact pertaining to this Draft List of Projects. In the future, if approved, the cost of the projects would be funded by the Water Capital Fund.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
This item has been noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting date.
As of the writing of this staff report, the City has not received any public comment on this item. However, if staff receives public comment from interested parties following the publication and distribution of this staff report, such comments will be provided to the City Council as supplemental materials before or at the meeting. In addition, public comments may be offered during the public comment portion of this item.
RESTATED RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receive a Draft List of water capital improvement projects that are in development as part of the ongoing Water Master Plan Update.
CITY COUNCIL OPTION(S):
None. No actions are required.
ATTACHMENTS:
1-Draft List of Projects for the Water Master Plan
APPROVALS:
Department Head Approval: Approval Date: 11/18/25
CEQA Determination (Planning): Approval Date: 11/17/25
The proposed action is Exempt from CEQA pursuant to §15306.
Administrative Services (Financial) Approval Date: N/A
Costs authorized in City Approved Budget: ☐ Yes ☐ No N/A (see Fiscal Analysis) Account Code (f applicable) ___________________
City Attorney Approval: Approval Date: N/A
City Manager Approval: Approval Date: 11/24/25
Agenda Item Number 7
Agenda Item Number 7
City Council Meeting Packet for December 2, 2025
Project Name: City of Sebastopol Water Masterplan Update Client Name: City of Sebastopol
Project Number: 12658893
Project Director: Matt Kennedy
Project Manager: Abhishek Kumar
Project No Project Name CIP Description Project Rationale Total Ranking of importance 1 Pleasant Hill Loop
Pleasant Hill Road water system connection loop from Pleasant Hill Tanks at Lynch Road to to intersection at Pleasant Hill road at Mitchell Cr This stretch of watermain represents a critical component of the water distribution network, as it connects the two main storage tanks that supply the broader distribution system. Due to its length and strategic location, any failure or disruption along this section poses a significant risk to the overall water security of the service area. A break, leak, or shutdown could compromise the continuity of supply, reduce system pressure, and potentially impact a large number of consumers. $910,670
High
2 Covert Lane CI
Watermain
Replacement
Replace approximately 360 feet 6 inch cast iron water line on Covert Lane between Norlee Street and Zimpher Drive
This is 40 year Old CI pipe and hence would have severe corrosion resulting in reduced flow.
Replacing the Old CI pipe with HDPE will result in enhanced hydraulic efficency and system performance. $218,530
Medium
3 Ellis Court CI
Watermain
Replacement
Replace approximately 195 feet 6 inch diameter old cast iron pipe between Ellis Court and High School Road
This is an Old CI pipe and hence would have severe corrosion resulting in reduced flow.
Replacing the Old CI pipe with HDPE will result in enhanced hydraulic efficency and system performance. $127,230
Medium
4 Valley View Drive
Watermain
Replacement
Replace approximately 3296 feet, 50 year old asbestos from Valley View Drive from the intersection of Ragel Avenue.
This location has had many lateral breaks due to corrosive soils and city has performed multiple repair services in the past. Replacing this section with HDPE pipe will help reduce the issues with the corrosive soil. $2,337,590
Low
5 Well 4 Replacement
Included in the Adopted CIP Fiscal Year 2025-26. Included in the Adopted CIP Fiscal Year 2025-26. $3.0 million in
CIP
High
6 Gwendolyn Place
Watermain
Replacement
Replace approximately 287 feet, 6 inch watermain along Gwendolyn place from the intersection of Litchfield Avenue
According to City operation staff this location has had multiple repairs (couple replacements) in past. Replacing this with new pipe will provide enhanced hydraulic efficiency and system performance and also prevents any leakage losses that may have happend during maintenance works. $170,310
High
7 500 South Main
Street Watermain
Replacement
Replace approximately 215 feet, 8 inch watermain along 500 South Main Street from the intersection of Gravenstein Highway South south of Walker Avenue This replacement is suggested by the city's operation staff due to past maintainence works.Replacing this with new pipe will provide enhanced hydraulic efficiency and system performance and also prevents any leakage losses that may have happend during maintaince works. $131,450
High
8 Maintainence of
Existing Pressure
Reducing Valves
Fixing/ replacing of the existing pressure reducing valves at Healdsburg Avenue, fircrest Avenue and at Dutton and Huntley Avenue
Currently the pressure reducing valves present in the network system is not working. Site visit shows that the existing PRV's do not have set pressure. By fixing or replacing the PRV, the water system can be divided to pressure zones and will be able to maintain steady downstream pressure which will prevent overpressurised sections leading to leaks or even pipe bursts. $196,970
Low
9 Painting and
Relining of Existing
Water Tanks
Painting and relining of First Street Tank and Pleasant Hill Tanks Repainting and relining of the steel storage tanks are essential to prevent corrosion, maintain structural integrity, and ensure water quality compliance. The protective coating system prevents metal deterioration, extends the service life of the assets, and reduces longterm maintenance costs. Previous inspection was conducted in the year 2012 and hence it is recommended to perform an inspection followed by painting and relining of the tanks. $249,760 Low
10 Structural
Assessment of
Existing Water
Tanks
Study of structural assessment of First Street Tank and Pleasant Hill Tanks Based on site visit it was found that the tanks do not have achorage to the soundation which is is not as per the standards. The operation level of the tank is lower than the design liquid level suggsted in the plate for respective tanks hence it is needed to determine the actual structural condition of the tank beyond visual inspection. Required now because previous reports (2022) were only visual and do not meet U.S. standards for structural diagnosis. Benefits: ensures safety, compliance, and informs seismic retrofit design. $88,440 High
11 Seismic Retrofit
Study for Existing
Water Tanks
Design for seismic retrofit and construction project for First Street Tank and Pleasant Hill Tanks
Required to upgrade the tank to meet current seismic codes and ensure resilience during earthquakes. Benefits: compliance with ASCE 41 and AISC 342-22, reduced risk of failure, extended service life. $166,600
High
12 Installation of
Isolation Valves
Installation of isolation valves at different location for system isolation during repair works at Parquet St and Litchfield Avenue
Isolation valves enables pressure zoning and sectional operations.
This allows sections of the water system to be shut off while keeping the rest in operation.Avoids complete system shutdown and minimizes downtime and water loss. $113,570
Low
13 Installation of
Automated Flow
Meter
Installation of automated flow meter for Yard tower at Johnson Street- to supply potable water to local customers
The installation of automatic flow meters at the yard tower is essential to accurately measure, monitor, and manage water supplied for construction activities and customer use during the dry season.
Currently, the absence of flow measurement limits the ability to track water distribution, assess consumption, and accountable usage.
Automatic flow meters will enable real-time monitoring, improve operational control, and support data-driven decision-making for resource allocation $63,180
High
14 Valley View Drive
Watermain
Replacement Replace approximately 100 service connections using approximately 20 feet ,3/4 inch diameter HDPE pipe along Valley View Drive .
This location has had many lateral breaks due to corrosive soils and city has performed multiple repair services in the past. Replacing this section with HDPE pipe will help reduce the issues with the corrosive soil. $329,270
High
15 Gwendolyn Place
Service
Connections Replace approximately 15 existing service connection with 3/4 inch diameter HDPE along Gwendolyn Place from the intersection of Litchfield Avenue According to City operation staff this location has had multiple repairs (couple replacements) in past. Replacing this with new pipe will provide enhanced hydraulic efficiency and system performance and also prevents any leakage losses that may have happend during maintenance works. $54,980
High
Recommended Capital Improvement Projects
Agenda Item Number 7
Agenda Item Number 7
City Council Meeting Packet for December 2, 2025