That the City Council:
A. Authorize the City Manager to execute an Agreement with Mike Bubalo Construction Co., Inc., and authorize staff to issue a purchase order in an amount not to exceed $400,000 for emergency storm drain repairs on 941 and 951 Ridgehaven Drive; and,

B. Appropriate $400,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for this emergency storm drain repair. 

On March 16, 2023, City staff were made aware of a sinkhole within a City easement on a residential property at 951 Ridgehaven Drive. Staff conducted an initial assessment of the damage and determined that the existing City owned 36-inch corrugated metal pipe (CMP) storm drain pipe near an existing private block wall had failed, leaving a void of approximately 10 feet by 10 feet. Staff, using camera equipment, inspected the entire storm drain pipe between the properties at 951 Ridgehaven and 941 Ridgehaven and found the pipe had corroded and a portion of the pipe had completely collapsed. It was determined that the flow of storm water received as a result of heavy rainstorms this year caused damage to the pipe resulting in the sinkhole. Staff retained Valverde Construction, Inc. (Valverde) to temporarily shore the trench and support the private block wall.

In order to ensure the proper flow of storm water and protect surrounding private property from damage, staff is recommending the City Council declare this as an emergency event and authorize staff to issue a purchase order to Mike Bubalo Construction Co., Inc. to perform emergency permanent repairs to the pipe at this location. Mike Bubalo Construction Co., Inc. is an experienced and qualified contractor capable of this type of work. They recently completed satisfactory emergency repairs to another underground storm channel in the City. If this emergency repair request is approved by City Council, the Contractor can mobilize by the end of May, with work anticipated to take up to 6 weeks to complete. The permanent repairs will include the replacement of approximately 200 feet of 36-inch CMP pipe with Reinforced Concrete Pipe (RCP), backfill the trench with a 1-sack slurry, restore a private planter, concrete patio slabs, landscape, turf installation and other incidental work. Since the private wall is immediately adjacent to the storm drain line, it is possible that the entire wall may need to be replaced; however, the contractor will make best efforts to protect the wall in place and make as needed repairs.

As a result of the damaging nature of the unusual storm activity in California this year, the state and federal governments have declared states of emergency and disaster for California. These actions will help provide the City with access to emergency funding to reimburse the City for storm related impacts and damage repairs. Staff has already submitted a preliminary application to Caltrans/Cal OES for reimbursement for the emergency repairs to be made on 951 Ridgehaven Drive and 941 Ridgehaven Drive related to recent storm activity, and will amend this application with any additional repair costs.

If approved by City Council, up to $400,000 in funding will be made available for emergency repairs to the underground City owned storm pipe located at 951 Ridgehaven Drive and 941 Ridgehaven Drive. Staff recommends appropriating these funds from available American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fund balance, as they are eligible for storm water system improvements and repairs. If the City's application for disaster funding reimbursement is subsequently approved by Caltrans/Cal OES, the City's expenditures for these emergency repairs may be reimbursed at a future date.