TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Nader Heydari, Public Works Director
DATE:April 14, 2026
SUBJECT: Memorandum of Agreement with Las Virgenes–Triunfo Joint Powers Authority
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the Pure Water Project with the Las Virgenes–Triunfo Joint Powers Authority (JPA).
2. Approve budget appropriation and authorize revenue increase in the amount of $3,929,830 from A/C #624-8250-484-9900 (Wastewater Fund – Reimbursements/Other, CI 5824) to A/C #624-0000-341-9900 (Wastewater Fund – Net Position).
3. Approve budget appropriation and expenditure in the amount of $311,104 ($282,822 base cost of construction, plus $28,282 for contingency) from A/C #624- 8250-682-8300 (Wastewater Fund – Capital Improvements, CI 5824).
4. Approve Joint Utility Easement with Las Virgenes–Triunfo JPA and authorize the City Engineer to execute all necessary documents for dedication of easements on City property associated with the project (APNs 667-0-120-320, 667-0-120-160, 667-0-120-055, 520-0-180-175, 520-0-180-155, 520-0-180-135, 520-0-180-255, and 520-0-180-185).
5. Find that approval of the MOA and easement coordination is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
$3,618,726 Net Increase to FY 2025-26 General Fund Budget. $3,618,726 net increase to General Fund, Fund Balance. Expenditure budget/funds for pavement restoration will be requested during the upcoming biennial CIP budget process and will be fully offset by $3,618,726 contribution from JPA.
MOA with Las Virgenes–Triunfo Joint Powers Authority
April 14, 2026
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BACKGROUND:
On March 4, 2024, the Las Virgenes–Triunfo JPA awarded a design-build construction contract to The Walsh Group, Ltd., for the Pure Water Project, which includes the construction of an Advanced Water Purification Facility, located at 30800 Agoura Road in Agoura Hills, and the installation of a Reverse Osmosis Concentrate Pipeline (ROC) that passes through the City of Thousand Oaks, from Westlake Village all the way to Newbury Park. This project will provide a local drought-resilient drinking water supply for the region, including areas of the Thousand Oaks community, for decades to come. On December 8, 2025, the JPA unanimously approved a contract amendment with Walsh Construction, officially launching construction of the Pure Water Project.
The JPA has been actively planning and working towards a more self-reliant, sustainable, and environmentally responsible water supply. Once in full operation, the Pure Water Project will provide the following benefits for the region:
Up to 30 percent of the community’s drinking water needs from a local supply Reduce discharges to the Malibu Creek watershed
Increase resilience amid climate-driven drought
Reduce reliance on imported water
Strengthen long-term water reliability and affordability This is the largest infrastructure investment in the JPA’s history, tailored to the unique needs of their service area and the challenges this region faces over the next century.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The City and the JPA wish to enter into an MOA which serves to allow the JPA to install the ROC pipeline in the City’s right-of-way on our streets and roads. The pipeline will run from Westlake Village, through Thousand Oaks and into Newbury Park, before heading down the Conejo Canyons to Hill Canyon Road. This includes the use of an existing City-owned sleeve/casing pipe across the recently completed Conejo Canyons Bridge, and across several parcels of City-owned open space adjacent to the Hill Canyon Treatment Plant. The MOA also allows the City to retain the option to have the JPA install fiber conduit infrastructure between the City‘s Municipal Service Center and Hill Canyon Road, to minimize future disruptions to the City’s streets and access roads. The fiber conduit infrastructure installation during the ROC portion of the project has an estimated total cost of $311,104 (base cost of $282,822 plus a 10 percent contingency of $28,282) and will facilitate future interconnection between the City's Municipal Service Center and the City's Hill Canyon Treatment Plant facilities. This project, CI 5824, was recently created outside of the formal 2-year FY 2025-27 CIP Budget approval.
MOA with Las Virgenes–Triunfo Joint Powers Authority
April 14, 2026
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The JPA will cover all costs associated with other project components, while the City will be responsible for the costs related to the fiber conduit infrastructure should that option be exercised. The JPA will also pay an in-lieu fee for pavement impact/restoration associated with the construction of the Pure Water Project, which will contribute towards and support the City’s future pavement rehabilitation on affected roadways upon completion of the Pure Water Project. This pavement restoration contribution was calculated based on the increased cost to the City for performing more extensive pavement rehabilitation on Hillcrest Drive and Hampshire Road due to the need to defer the pavement program on those roadways for the duration of the project. The City desires to complete future pavement restoration with its own contractors once the Pure Water Project is complete.
The MOA also outlines the JPA’s desire to establish an access road through City- owned open space for the installation and maintenance of the ROC by the JPA.
The JPA and City desire to establish a non-exclusive utility easement over such access road for installation of the ROC line by the JPA and to preserve future rights for City-owned utility installation, as well as a joint utility easement for the City and Las Virgenes Municipal Water District for the portion of the pipeline passing near private property between Rancho Conejo Boulevard and the City-owned open space. Staff recommends approval of the requested easement and authorization for the City Engineer to execute necessary documents. Both agencies have collaborated on this MOA, and JPA staff will seek approval from the JPA Board of Directors at the Board Meeting on May 4, 2026.
Staff recommends approval of the attached MOA with the JPA for a net contribution in the amount of $3,618,726 (Attachment #1). The project construction phase is expected to start in May 2026 and be completed in late 2028.
Community Outreach: The project will have temporary construction related impacts along the alignment of the brine line, across the 9.5 miles of City streets and roads. Staff will work closely with the JPA to minimize impact to motorists and businesses via traffic control, special timing of construction work at intersections to avoid peak hour impacts. The project has a dedicated website www.ourpureh2o.com/pure-water-project-update, which will be cross-linked from the City’s website to help inform the public throughout the construction process.
This action meets City Council’s Top Ten Priorities #8, “Environmental Sustainability” and #9, “Public Works Infrastructure Investments.” MOA with Las Virgenes–Triunfo Joint Powers Authority
April 14, 2026
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COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
C. Operate City government in a fiscally and managerially responsible and prudent manner to ensure that the City of Thousand Oaks remains one of California's most desirable places to live, work, visit, recreate, and raise a family.
F. Provide and enhance essential infrastructure to ensure that the goals and policies of the Thousand Oaks General Plan are carried out and the City retains its role and reputation as a leader in protecting the environment and preserving limited natural resources.
PREPARED BY: Paul Weinstein, Associate Analyst
Attachment:
Attachment #1 – MOA with Las Virgenes–Triunfo Joint Powers Authority DPW: 840-10\ev\Council\2026\041426\MOA with Las Virgenes–Triunfo Joint Powers staff report.docx