Resolution No.
STOCKTON CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE FINDINGS AND RATIFY EMERGENCY EXPENDITURES of $8,290,874.96 RELATED TO THE REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL OF THE DERELICT MOTOR VESSEL AURORA On May 22, 2024, the Motor Vessel (M/V) Aurora sank near the end of Eight Mile Road in the Delta, releasing a significant quantity of diesel fuel and engine oil and other pollutants into Little Potato Slough; and Although the incident occurred outside the City’s jurisdiction, the location was less than one mile from the City’s Delta Water Supply Project Intake Pump Station (IPS), which provides raw water to the City’s Water Treatment Plant, serving approximately 200,000 customers daily; and The Municipal Utilities Department (MUD) staff acted immediately to shut down the IPS to prevent contamination of the City’s water supply and treatment infrastructure; and On June 27, 2024, the City Manager authorized emergency procurement for the removal and salvage of the M/V Aurora, in accordance with City Manager Emergency Contract and Procurement Policy (Section 17.05.150) and Chapter 3.68 of the Stockton Municipal Code, which allows expedited procurement to address critical, unforeseen needs during emergencies; and On November 19, 2024, under the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County and pursuant to California Harbors and Navigation Code Sections 550 and 551, MUD noticed the vessel as “marine debris”; and Following the noticing period, the City accepted a direct transfer of the vessel from the United States Coast Guard via Lind Marine of Vallejo, CA as the qualified disposal contractor as part of the Unified Command’s spill response; and On December 21, 2024, the dead ship tow was completed and the vessel remained in drydock at Mare Island until final disposal operations were completed on May 13, 2025; and City costs incurred to remove, abate, salvage, and dispose of the M/V Aurora by all contractors, subcontractors and agencies include the following (the “Total Incurred Costs”):
Lind Marine LLC and subcontractors $7,908,993.76
Universal Protection Service LP $161,033.18
Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc. $118,335.00
Global Diving and Salvage Inc. $97,480.42
K.D. Moore Associates Inc. $4,732.60
NPFC Vessel Certification Division $300.00
The payment of the Total Incurred Costs was necessary for the completion of all work and execution of the emergency procurement; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF STOCKTON, AS FOLLOWS:
The City Council approves findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code Section 3.68.070 in support of an exception to the competitive bidding process:
The Delta Water Supply Project Intake Pump Station is a critical component of the City’s water infrastructure.
The sinking of the M/V Aurora created an immediate and substantial environmental hazard that threatened the Delta Water Supply Project Intake Pump Station and, therefore, City’s water supply, intake system, and treatment infrastructure.
The survey, removal, abatement, salvage, and disposal of the M/V Aurora were necessary to protect public health, in accordance with environmental regulations.
Each contractor paid was a responsive, qualified, and available contractor capable of executing their role in the survey, removal, abatement, salvage, and disposal operations in a timely and effective manner.
The removal and disposal of the M/V Aurora was completed by May 13, 2025.
The City Council ratifies the Total Incurred Costs, $8,290,874.96, as all costs related to the survey, removal, abatement, salvage, and disposal of the derelict M/V Aurora.
The City Manager, or designee, is hereby authorized to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED July 15, 2025 .
CHRISTINA FUGAZI
Mayor of the City of Stockton
ATTEST:
KATHERINE ROLAND, CMC, CPMC
City Clerk of the City of Stockton