To: The Board of Directors of Russian River County Sanitation District
Department or Agency Name(s): Russian River County Sanitation District
Staff Name and Phone Number: Grant Davis 547-1911
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): Fifth
Title:
Title
Receive Report on Emergency Need to Perform Work to Stabilize Dangerous Conditions Resulting from a Manhole Collapse on Highway 116 in Guerneville within the Russian River County Sanitation District Wastewater Collection System.
End
Recommended Actions:
Recommended action
Receive report on emergency work to stabilize dangerous conditions resulting from a manhole collapse within the Russian River County Sanitation District wastewater collection system and resulting sinkhole on River Road (Highway 116) in Guerneville; and Extend suspension of the requirements for competitive bidding. (4/5th Vote Required)(Fifth District)
end
Executive Summary:
This item requests the Board of Directors for the Russian River County Sanitation District (“District”) receive a report on the emergency need to repair and/or replace a manhole in the District’s wastewater collection system that has collapsed resulting in a sinkhole on River Road (Highway 116) in Guerneville and extend suspension of the requirements for competitive bidding.
Discussion:
On Wednesday, December 23, 2020, the General Manager of Sonoma Water acting on behalf of the District, pursuant to authority delegated in Resolution # 06-0649, declared the existence of an emergency for the District due to a manhole collapse within its wastewater collection system. As a result of the collapsed manhole owned by the District, and resulting sinkhole, dangerous conditions arose at the manhole on River Road that were sudden and unexpected, and posed a clear and imminent danger requiring immediate action to prevent or mitigate the loss or impairment of life, health, property, or essential public services.
The manhole, which is near the District's main lift station, had a hole in its wall that is believed to have resulted from corrosion of the 40-year old manhole. The hole was located 3-4 feet below the surface of the ground. Soil falling through the hole from outside the manhole created the sinkhole. The incident did not result in a sewage spill.
Wastewater has continued to flow into and out of the nearby lift station, which pumps wastewater to the District’s treatment plant, and there has been no interruption of service to sanitation customers. The 24-inch diameter sinkhole, located on the right edge of the eastbound lane of River Road (Highway 116), prompted Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol to limit traffic temporarily to one lane in the 17000 block of River Road, near the intersection with Riverside Drive. With Caltrans approval, the District installed a temporary steel plate Tuesday evening December 22, 2020 that will remain in place until final repairs are made. On December 23 and 24, 2020, the District and a contractor executed further temporary measures to stabilize the manhole and surrounding area.
The District (staffed by Sonoma Water) does not have the capacity and/or expertise to deliver the necessary repairs and would normally issue a notice inviting bids to hire a contractor to perform this work. The normal contracting process takes three months from a minimum advertising period through assessing bids and awarding and executing contracts. This delay would mean that it would not be possible to perform necessary measures to protect public health, public safety, essential public services, and property in a timely manner.
Therefore, pursuant to the authority delegated to the General Manager of Sonoma Water in Resolution No. 06-0649 and California Public Contract Code section 22050, the General Manager of Sonoma Water declared that the District had suffered damage, and emergency conditions exist which necessitate immediate action to protect public health, public safety, essential public services, and property, thus allowing the District to contract for the necessary repair work without bidding. The manhole was temporarily stabilized as of December 24, 2020, and staff began preparations for a repair that will stabilize the site in a manner that protects Highway 116 and the public.
Since the Board of Directors ratified the emergency on January 5, 2021, further investigative excavation has been performed in order to determine the repair approach. The repair is expected to be completed by March 15, 2021.
Public Contract Code section 22050 authorizes Sonoma Water, on behalf of the District, to enter into contracts for public projects as may be necessary to mitigate emergency conditions without giving notice for bids. Additionally, pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 22035, this emergency work may proceed without adopting plans or specifications. This item will be brought back to the Board every 14 days to determine if there is a need to continue the action without competitive bidding. The Board is obligated to terminate the waiver of the bid process at the earliest possible date that conditions warrant so that the remainder of the work may be completed under the normal procurement process.
Prior Board Actions:
01-05-2021 Receive Report on Emergency Work to Stabilize Dangerous Conditions Resulting From the 2019 Winter Storms and Flooding and Make Findings to Extend Suspension of Competitive Bidding
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
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FY 20-21 Projected |
FY 21-22 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
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400,000 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
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400,000 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
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400,000 |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
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400,000 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgeted amount of $400,000 is available from FY 2020/2021 appropriations for the Russian River County Sanitation District Operations Fund. Appropriations intended for transfer to the Construction fund will be used for this emergency repair work; construction award for the Russian River County Sanitation District Treatment Plant Seismic Retrofit of Secondary Clarifiers contract award was below budget. No additional appropriation required.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A - I Step) |
Additions (number) |
Deletions (number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None