CITY OF SIGNAL HILL
STAFF REPORT
2175 Cherry Avenue • Signal
Hill, California 90755-3799
8/22/2023
AGENDA ITEM
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CARLO TOMAINO
CITY MANAGER
BY: THOMAS BEKELE
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
SUBJECT:
AUTHORIZATION OF PAYMENT FOR EMERGENCY WATER LEAK REPAIRS AND
ACCEPTANCE OF THE COMPLETED EMERGENCY REPAIR WORK
Summary:
On July 20 and July 21, 2023, the City’s water system experienced four water leaks that necessitated the coordinated effort of several contractors working on an emergency basis. Staff concluded that the cause of the leaks was an increase in pressure resulting from maintenance work on one of the ClaVals (pressure-reducing valves) at Temple Reservoir. In response, the City has taken several proactive measures to prevent similar issues in the future including expediting certain capital project efforts, updating the City’s Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, implementing new maintenance procedures, and establishing a Mutual Aid Agreement through CalWarn with the City of Long Beach for emergency pipeline repair.
The Signal Hill Municipal Code allows for the temporary suspension of the City’s standard procurement process in the event of an emergency. Staff recommends the City Council consider authorizing the City Manager to execute payment for a not-to-exceed amount of $250,000 for emergency work performed. Funds are available within the Water Department Repair Budget to cover expenses incurred for contractor services used to address the emergency water leaks. Despite efforts by City crews to handle the repairs, the time constraints and extensive work involved in each repair warranted a collaborative effort with three prime contractors: RP Vititow Construction, WA Rasic Construction, and Doty Bros, along with several subcontractors.
Recommendation:
Adopt a resolution, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL, CALIFORNIA,
DECLARING THE CITY MANAGER'S AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE PAYMENT FOR EMERGENCY CITY OF SIGNAL HILL Page 1 of 4 Printed on 8/18/2023
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DECLARING THE CITY MANAGER'S AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE PAYMENT FOR EMERGENCY
WATER LINE REPAIR WORK CONDUCTED AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS WITHIN THE CITY ON JULY 20 AND JULY 21, 2023, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SIGNAL HILL MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 3.20.120 AND ACCEPTING COMPLETION OF THE EMERGENCY WORK
Fiscal Impact:
The estimated cost to repair the four major leaks is approximately $250,000. Sufficient funds are available within the Water Department Repair and Maintenance Services Account No. 500-40-5560.
Strategic Plan Objective:
Goal No. 4: Maintain and improve the public infrastructure.
Background and Analysis:
On July 20 and July 21, 2023, residents and businesses reported several leaks, some of which were also detected in the City’s SCADA system. Staff addressed minor related repairs which included a service leak at Myrtle Avenue and East 27th Street, a hydrant at Dawson Avenue and Hilltop Park, two valves on East 27th Street and Raymond Avenue, two valves on Signal Hill Parkway, and a hydrant located at 29th Street and east of Cherry Avenue.
In addition to the above stated leaks, the following locations required extensive efforts from both staff and contractors:
· Junipero Avenue and East 28th Street Intersection (12” cast iron pipe) · 2031 Raymond Avenue (2” service line/copper)
· 3259 Walnut Avenue (16” cast iron pipe)
· 2603 E. Pacific Coast Highway (8” cast iron)
Junipero Avenue and East 28th Street Intersection: On July 20, 2023, at 9:45 AM, nearby businesses reported a water main break at the intersection of Junipero Avenue and E. 28th Street. City crews identified the actual location of the leak which was a moderately pressurized 12” water main, informed all nearby businesses, isolated the affected segment, and set traffic control. Despite facing challenges in securing a qualified contractor, RP Vititow Construction (Vititow) who has worked on other City projects in the past was engaged to uncover and repair the leak promptly. Collaborating with City staff, Vititow's efforts continued for more than 20 hours, as containment remained elusive for hours. Consequently, on July 21, 2023, another qualified contractor, WA Rasic was contacted as they had experience, expertise, specialized equipment, and skilled manpower capable of working on leaks of significant size pipelines. The repair process encompassed the replacement of a 12” cast iron main, the removal of an existing T-fitting, and the installation of a 90-fitting and 12” valve. Notably, these repairs unveiled damage to a pre-existing 16” oil line, owned by Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC), positioned approximately 2 feet higher than the compromised water pipe. On July 22, MPC's contractor executed the required remediation, including line repairs, backfilling, and provision of temporary asphalt. All work including, pipeline repair, paving and complete street restoration was completed at approximately 6:30 PM on July 22, 2023.
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2031 Raymond Avenue: On July 20, 2023, at 10:00 AM, residents reported a 2” service line leak.
Subsequently, WA Rasic was contacted to carry out the required repair. The contractor mobilized shortly thereafter, and the work was successfully completed within 12 hours on the same day. The general scope of work included the removal of the leaking service line and the establishment of a new service line from the main (8” distribution line) on Raymond Avenue. 2603 E Pacific Coast Hwy (PCH): On July 21, 2023, at approximately 2:00 PM, businesses along PCH and Molino Ave reported a water leak. City staff identified the leak on the 8” distribution line and undertook rigorous efforts to isolate the affected segment by closing the applicable valves. Shortly after contacting a contractor (WA Rasic), City staff implemented traffic control measures on PCH. WA Rasic performed the necessary excavation and effectively repaired the line by replacing the leaking section, which was roughly 5 feet long, with a new ductile iron pipe. All essential repairs, encompassing pipeline restoration, sidewalk reinstatement, and the removal of traffic control, were satisfactorily completed around 5:00 AM.
3259 Walnut Avenue: On July 20, 2023, at approximately 2:30 PM, the water department staff identified a relatively minor leak on a 16” transmission main situated at 3259 Walnut Avenue. Due to the size and potential impact of the 16” transmission main, repair of the leak was promptly scheduled for the following day through a contractor (Doty Bros) on an emergency basis. Doty Bros mobilized to the site at 7:00 AM on July 21, initiating the necessary excavation and replacement procedures without delay. All essential repairs, encompassing pipeline replacement, backfilling, and asphalt repair, were effectively completed by 8:00 PM on July 21, 2023.
Cause of Leaks
The cause of all the leaks that occurred on July 20 and July 21, 2023, was identified as an increase in pressure resulting from maintenance work on one of the Cla-Vals (pressure-reducing valves) at Temple Reservoir. The closure of the pressure-reducing valve led to a slight pressure increase in the water system, impacting the aging cast iron pipes throughout the City. While it is unusual for a single valve closure to have such a significant impact on the entire water system, unfortunately, it is common for aging cast iron pipes to exhibit unpredictable characteristics when subjected to even a slight pressure increase. To mitigate this issue in the future, the Water Department will diligently pursue the following actions:
· Replacement of cast iron pipes per the existing 2018 Master Plan. · Install high- and low-pressure pump cutoff switch at all reservoirs. · Increase the number of pressure-reducing valves throughout the City. · Update the SCADA program to provide additional information pertaining to field conditions. · Implement a leak detection program that encompasses current leak detection technology. · Implement a valve exercising program to ensure isolation of pipeline segments in a short period of time.
· Establish a Mutual Aid Agreement through CalWarn with the City of Long Beach for emergency pipeline repair.
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Authority under Emergency Conditions
Section 3.20.120(C)(1) of the Signal Hill Municipal Code (“Municipal Code”) defines an “emergency” as “a sudden, unexpected occurrence that poses a clear and imminent danger, requiring immediate action to prevent or mitigate the loss or impairment of life, health, property, or essential public services.” Pursuant to Section 3.20.120(C)(2) of the Municipal Code, the City Manager has the authority to make an emergency determination and immediately procure contractors without following the procurement procedures in Chapter 3.20 of the Municipal Code to perform the emergency work and execute payment for the emergency repair work performed by the aforementioned contractors and subcontractors, up to $100,000. Pursuant to Section 3.20.120(C)(2) of the Municipal Code, the City Council has the authority to execute payment for the emergency repair work performed by the aforementioned contractors and subcontractors, in excess of $100,000.
The City was required to urgently act and retain the services of contractors to address the emergency leak conditions that transpired on July 20 and July 21, 2023. All three contractors retained possess an extensive working history with the City and hold appropriate licenses and registrations to conduct work on water mains within the public right-of-way. The exact cost of the repairs has not yet been submitted by the contractors, but staff anticipates the combined cost will be less than $250,000. Staff has diligently documented the manpower and equipment employed during the incident. The City supplied most of the materials used for the actual repairs. Staff anticipates that all contractors will finalize their invoices by late August. Staff will diligently review contractor invoices, with revisions to be completed by late September. Authorizing the City Manager to execute payments for invoices, not to exceed $250,000, would facilitate the effective project closeout for the City.
Reviewed:
_________________________
Sharon del Rosario
Attachment:
A. Resolution
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