Item Number: 1
City Council / Board of Directors
Public Hearing(s)
Meeting of: February 4, 2025
Submitted By:
Fredy Bonilla, City Engineer
Subject:
Pressure Zone Change Project - Area 7 District – Approve Notice of Exemption and Award of Construction Contract
Recommendation:
That the Honorable Board of Directors:
(1) Open and conduct a Public Hearing, receiving testimony regarding the proposed capital improvement project (CIP);
(2) Close the Public Hearing;
(3) Find the project exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301(b) of the CEQA guidelines and Approve the Notice of Exemption; and
(4) Award a construction contract to Hemet Manufacturing Company, Inc., DBA Genesis Construction in the amount of $2,011,621.00, for the Pressure Zone Change Project – Area 7 District Project No. CC25-027.
Fiscal Impact:
This action will result in a fiscal impact of $2,011,621. This project is funded by the Water Fund, No. 410. An additional appropriation is not required. There are sufficient funds available in the project budget to cover the planned expenses.
Budget Account Number Budget Amount
4104500-55080-74428 $4,144,072.42
Strategic Plan Goal:
This item aligns with “Goal E Invest in Infrastructure" in the City of Victorville Strategic Plan 2023-2026. The project involves reconfiguring the existing water system and transitioning the project area from Pressure Zone 3170 to Zone 3290 to address deficient pressure and inadequate fire flow in the Square Mile area. 3 9
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Background:
The Victorville Water District’s residential and commercial customers in the northeast area of Balsam Road and Bear Valley Road have been experiencing low static water pressure and insufficient fire flow deficiencies. The water distribution system of the project area is currently connected to Pressure Zone 3170 and receives supplemental water from Zone 3290 through pressure-reducing valves located at the intersection of Balsam Road and Bear Valley Road. The static water pressure in this area typically ranges from 35 to 40 pounds per square inch (psi).
This project is part of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) outlined in the City's 2021 Water Master Plan. As part of the project, the City will remove and replace the existing pressure-reducing valve station and reconfigure the distribution pipelines to convert the area from Pressure Zone 3170 to Zone 3290, delivering water at approximately 80–90 psi. Additionally, approximately 440 individual pressure regulators will be installed on all service laterals within the project area to protect the plumbing of existing homes and commercial buildings from the increased water pressure.
Discussion:
It is a routine requirement to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) before construction starts on a capital improvement project. A Notice of Exemption, Attachment B, describes the project activities and states that the project is categorically exempt under CEQA section 15301b because the project involves minor alteration of the existing public utility facilities with no expansion of capacity.
This project was bid using formal bidding procedures in accordance with Victorville Municipal Code §2.28.210 and the California Public Contract Code. Formal bidding procedures are used for public works contracts with an estimated cost in excess of five hundred thousand dollars. On November 13, 2024, a Notice Inviting Bids was e-mailed to potential bidders, posted on the City of Victorville website; in addition, it was also published in newspaper(s) of general circulation within the City. On December 19, 2024, five (5) bids were received.
The bid results are shown below:
Company Bid Amount
Hemet, dba Genesis Construction $2,011,621.00
TK Construction $2,600,230.00
Big Ben Construction $2,925,821.00
High Desert Underground Inc. $2,973,951.50
Mike Bubalo Construction $3,447,250.00
The Engineer’s estimate for this project ranged from $1,800,000 to $2,000,000 based on previous CIP projects with similar scopes. The Engineer’s estimate was low due to significant cost increases in construction materials and labor that has occurred in the last few years.
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After a review of the bid proposals, it was determined that the lowest responsive, responsible bidder is Hemet Manufacturing Company, Inc., DBA Genesis Construction with a bid amount of $2,011,621. Therefore, staff recommends awarding a construction contract to Hemet Manufacturing Company, Inc., DBA Genesis Construction. Please refer to Attachment C, the construction contract, which includes the contract bid items and total contract amount.
Staff recommends that the Honorable Board of Directors approve the Notice of Exemption and award a construction contract to Hemet Manufacturing Company, Inc., DBA Genesis Construction, in the amount of $2,011,621.00, for Pressure Zone Change Project – Area 7 District.
Staff is available for any questions the Board may have.
Attachments: A. Location Map
B. Notice of Exemption
C. Construction Agreement