That the City Council:
A. Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute an Agreement with E&R Construction Inc., and authorize staff to issue a purchase order for an amount $132,774 which includes 20% contingency for emergency storm drain repairs on the northwest corner of Harbor Boulevard and Arbolita Drive, City Project No. 1-D-24; and,

B. Appropriate $132,774 from the capital improvement general fund reserve for this emergency storm drain repair. 

On February 18, 2024, City staff were alerted to a sinkhole forming within the City right-of-way and at the front yard of private property located at 1131 Arbolita Drive. An initial assessment revealed that the existing City-owned 36-inch corrugated metal pipe (CMP) storm drain, situated near an existing "North Hills" neighborhood sign, had failed. This failure caused a portion of the entry sign’s brick wall to collapse, resulting in a void approximately 5 feet by 5 feet in size.

Following a thorough inspection of the area and sinkhole using camera equipment, it was determined that the stormwater flow from recent heavy rainstorms had significantly damaged the corroded storm drain pipe. Consequently, the sinkhole formed, posing a threat to both public safety and the surrounding private property.

To address this critical situation, staff solicited proposals from qualified contractors for emergency repairs. Three proposals were received:

E&R Construction Inc.: $110,645.00

Staff recommends that the City Council declare this an emergency event and authorize staff to issue a purchase order to E&R Construction, Inc., a qualified contractor experienced in this type of work. If approved, the Contractor can mobilize promptly, with repair and remediation work anticipated to be completed within approximately six weeks, depending on weather.
 
The proposed permanent repairs will involve the replacement of approximately 110 feet of 36-inch CMP pipe with High-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe. Additionally, the project will include backfilling the trench with a 1-sack concrete slurry, restoring a private planter, landscaping, turf installation, and reinstalling the private "North Hills" neighborhood entry sign.

If approved by City Council, $132,774 in funding will be appropriated from available capital improvement general fund reserves for emergency repairs to the underground City-owned storm pipe located at the northwest corner of Harbor Boulevard and Arbolita Drive.  Should the City's application for disaster funding reimbursement be subsequently approved by Caltrans/Cal OES, some or all of the City's expenditures for these, and other emergency repairs made this year, may be reimbursed at a future date.