City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: October 6, 2026
From: Brian Saeki, City Administrator
Department: City Administration
Submitted by: Sara Sandoval, Management Analyst
Subject
Report on Power Plant Control Center Emergency Sewer Repairs Approved by the City Administrator
Recommendation
Receive and file a report on the emergency sewer repairs performed by Quality Jet Rooter, Inc. at the Power Plant Control Center, in the amount of $34,200, as approved by the City Administrator pursuant to Vernon Municipal Code Section 3.32.250.
Background
On August 6, 2026, the Department of Public Works’ Facilities Maintenance team identified a severe sewer line failure at the Power Plant Control Center. Due to the nature and severity of the failure, immediate corrective action was necessary to mitigate potential public health hazards, prevent disruption to facility operations, and avoid further environmental and infrastructure damage.
Quality Jet Rooter, Inc. (Jet Rooter), which currently provides routine plumbing maintenance services for City facilities, was contacted due to its familiarity with the City's infrastructure and ability to mobilize immediately. On August 7, 2026, Jet Rooter conducted an inspection and identified extensive deterioration of the sewer system requiring emergency repairs. The initial scope of work included the open-trench replacement of approximately 30 linear feet of exterior sewer line and 15 linear feet of interior piping. As excavation progressed, additional damage was discovered extending into the roadway. This required the replacement of an additional seven linear feet of sewer line and an 18-foot drain line. The emergency repairs required specialized construction activities, including concrete and asphalt saw cutting, heavy equipment operation, slurry backfilling, and traffic control. Given the imminent public health and safety concerns, the necessary work was performed prior to formal contract execution and was completed on August 17, 2026.
Jet Rooter’s familiarity with the City's utility infrastructure allowed for immediate mobilization and expedited completion of the repairs, minimizing disruption to the Power Plant Control Center and sufficiently addressing the localized sewer and roadway failures.
The emergency expenditure was warranted pursuant to the emergency procurement provisions of Vernon Municipal Code (VMC) Section 3.32.250, which provide an exception to standard procurement procedures when immediate action is necessary to address an emergency and protect public health, safety, or essential City operations. Pursuant to these provisions, the City Administrator approved payment of the invoice for the emergency repair services for a total amount of $34,200. This report to City Council is provided pursuant to VMC Section 3.32.250 which requires that a full report regarding the circumstances of any such emergency purchase be filed with the City Council within 30 days of the expenditure.
Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 4: Enhance Community Infrastructure and Facilities Fiscal Impact
The fiscal impact is not-to-exceed $34,200. Sufficient funds are available in Electric Field Operations, Capital Outlay Account No. 055-050-570-660000 for the current fiscal year.
Attachments
None.