TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Nader Heydari, Public Works Director
DATE:June 9, 2026
SUBJECT: Unit W Box Canyon Maintenance Hole Addition Project (CI 5684)
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt resolution adopting the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) and Mitigation Monitoring Plan for the Box Canyon Manhole and Road Improvements Project (CI 5684) in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. $900,000 is included in the Adopted FY 2025-26 Wastewater Fund Capital Budget, along with $253,000 in Carryover Funds for a total of $1,153,000. Adoption of the IS/MND does not commit the City to construction but allows the project to proceed through final design, permitting, and implementation.
BACKGROUND:
The Box Canyon Manhole and Road Improvement Project is located along the Box Canyon access road in the open space canyons and supports a critical segment of the City’s wastewater conveyance system (Attachment #1).
The purpose and goals of the project include:
Improvement of long-term access for maintenance vehicles Enhancement of drainage conveyance across the access road Continued reliability of critical city wastewater infrastructure The proposed improvements include installation of a new manhole, replacement of approximately 10 feet of existing 8-inch asbestos cement (AC) wastewater pipeline, concrete paving of approximately 260 linear feet of an existing steep and
Unit W Box Canyon Maintenance Hole Addition Project (CI 5684) June 9, 2026
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unpaved access road, installation of five new 18-inch storm drain pipelines with associated headwalls, and construction of three additional culvert headwalls.
On August 26, 2025, the City retained Envicom Corporation (Envicom), a professional environmental engineering firm, to prepare the required project regulatory permit application packages for the Regional Water Quality Control Board, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the US Army Corps of Engineers. These regulatory permits are necessary due to the environmentally sensitive area of the project and the required construction work adjacent to the creek banks. One of the steps to complete the regulatory permits is the completion of the project CEQA document.
On March 11, 2026, the City issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) to adopt the IS/MND.
The document was circulated for a 30-day public review and comment period from March 11, 2026, through April 9, 2026. The IS/MND was made available online via the City’s website and at designated public locations, including the Public Works Department at City Hall and both Thousand Oaks Library branches.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
Envicom has prepared an IS/MND (Attachment #2) for the Box Canyon Manhole and Road Improvements Project in compliance with CEQA requirements. The IS/MND evaluates the potential environmental impacts associated with the project.
With implementation of the identified mitigation measures, all impacts would be reduced to less-than-significant levels, and no significant and unavoidable impacts were identified.
All comments received during the public review period have been reviewed and addressed as appropriate, and do not affect the conclusions of the IS/MND. Based on the responses to comments provided (Attachment #3), staff and Envicom have determined that the revisions to the IS/MND were not material and therefore do not warrant public recirculation.
The tentative schedule for completion of the project is as follows:
Bid and Award Phase Fall 2026
Start of Construction Winter 2027
Project Completion Summer 2027
The estimated project costs are as follows:
Design Phase $ 150,000
Construction Phase including Contingency $1,000,000 Total $1,150,000
Unit W Box Canyon Maintenance Hole Addition Project (CI 5684) June 9, 2026
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Staff recommends City Council adopt a resolution adopting the proposed IS/MND and Mitigation Monitoring Plan for the Box Canyon Manhole and Road Improvements Project (CI 5684) (Attachment #4).
Community Outreach: Initial coordination with Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) occurred during the environmental review, and will continue through construction, regarding advertising the project schedule during the construction phase, so hikers and trail users will be aware of the intermittent trail closures.
This project meets the City Council’s Top Ten Priority #9, “Public Works Infrastructure Investments.”
CIP PROJECT PRIORITY (as outlined in FY 2025-26 CIP Program Budget) Priority Two - Necessary, but not essential, and there could be consequences if deferred.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goal:
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: Patrick McCulloch, Utilities Maintenance Supervisor Attachments:
Attachment #1 – Vicinity and Location Maps
Attachment #2 – Final MND
Attachment #3 – Box Canyon Response to Comments Memorandum Attachment #4 – Resolution
DPW: 850-20\ev\Council\2026\060926\CI 5684\Box Canyon Manhole and Road Improvements Project staff report.docx