Approve updated plans and special provisions and technical provisions for the Knights Landing Drainage Infrastructure Improvements Project; authorize the Director of General Services to award a contract for construction services to MJ Shelton General Engineering; approve the construction contract with MJ Shelton General Engineering in the amount of $508,725; authorize the Director of Community Services to approve change orders consistent with applicable limits of the Public Resources Code; and authorize a construction contingency budget of 10% of the contract's value. (No general fund impact) (Lindbo/Sabatini)

Staff is recommending that the Board of Supervisors award and approve a construction contract with MJ Shelton General Engineering, Inc. for the Knights Landing Drainage Infrastructure Improvements Project ("Project").  The Project is a component of the Knights Landing Flood Management Project, which is funded by a Funding Agreement between the California Department of Water Resources ("DWR") and the County.  

• roadside ditch improvements along 2nd Street, between the Post Office and Railroad Street, to improve storm water drainage capacity;
• a buried closed conduit under Railroad Street between 2nd Street and 4th Street (approximately 2.25-foot-wide by 1-foot-deep);
• an open channel along the east side of Railroad Street between 4th Street and 7th Street (approximately 3-foot-deep; 2:1 side slopes);
• removal of the existing concrete arch culvert; and
• degrade of the abandoned railroad embankment using a 50-foot-wide open cut channel.

Background
The town of Knights Landing ("Town") is an unincorporated community located in Yolo County.  In 2017, the County received a grant from DWR's Small Community Flood Risk Reduction Program ("SCFRRP") to complete a feasibility study of structural and non-structural actions that could reduce flood risk to the Town.

During the 2017-2018 winter, the Town experienced flooding along 2nd Street and Railroad Street that partially inundated the U.S. Post Office on 2nd Street near the intersection of Mill Street.  At the time of the flooding, the Sacramento River, which is adjacent to the Town, was elevated and seepage through (or under) the State Plan of Flood Control levee may have been contributing to the flooding.  This accumulation and migration of floodwater across the surface of the Town is influenced by direct rainfall over the Town; seepage through the surrounding levees where elevated water from the river flows through or under the levees; and upwelling groundwater levels due to high groundwater conditions in the basin.

The Town drains primarily to a single ditch along the north side of County Road 116, through agricultural land sloping generally to the southwest.  An existing abandoned railroad embankment (spur alignment) is located parallel to, and east of, Railroad Street and forms a barrier to overland runoff exiting the Town to the southeast.  This forces all runoff coming from the west to collect along Railroad Street until it can flow beneath the abandoned railroad via an existing culvert.  The downstream interior watershed areas are part of a basin protected by levees on all sides that outfall to the Ridge Cut Canal.  The northern portion of this interior of the basin, including the Town, drains to an existing pump station located approximately two miles southeast of the Town.

The County prepared the 2019 Knights Landing Small Community Flood Risk Reducition Feasibility Study, and also commissioned a drainage study.  In 2020, the County received additional grant funding from DWR as a part of Phase 2 of the SCFRRP ("DWR Funding Agreement"), which included funding to complete the design, environmental documentation and permitting, and construction of the drainage improvements identified within the Town.

In February 2021, the Yolo County Drainage Study Report: Knights Landing was prepared, which provided an analysis of three alternatives to alleviate the flood conditions within the Town at the U.S. Post Office.  After reviewing the analysis provided in the drainage study report, the County selected Alternative 2 as the preferred alternative for the drainage facility improvements within the Town.  This project is referred to as the Knights Landing Drainage Infastructure Improvements Project.
 

Environmental Review
An Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation and Monitoring Reporting Plan for the Project was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on May 10, 2022 (BOS Minute Order No. 22-57; Item No. 11).  A Notice of Determination was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder and the State Clearinghouse in compliance with Section 21152 of the Public Resources Code on May 12, 2022 (recorded as County document No. 57-05122022-054).  A State Clearinghouse Number of 2022030394 was attributed to the Project.

Department of General Services - Procurement Division
Department of Community Services - Public Works Division
Office of County Counsel

The County issued a formal solicitation (reference no. GSDIFBKK2404) on March 6, 2024, seeking a contractor to provide construction services.  A total of 4 vendors submitted bids upon the deadline, which were opened on April 11, 2024.  The contract was ultimately not awarded from this solicitation because the lowest responsive and responsible bidder was significantly over the Engineer's Estimate and exceeded the available budget within the DWR Funding Agreement.

The County issued another formal solicitation (reference no. GSDIFBKK2412) on April 30, 2024.  A mandatory job walk was held on May 8, 2024, and 7 vendors attended.  A total of 3 vendors submitted bids, which were opened on May 30, 2024.  A summary of the bids received can be found below:

Bid Alternate B (Removal and Relocation of Existing Residential Landscape Features): This alternative relates to the removal and relocation of an existing residential landscape feature that is located within the existing County right-of-way along 2nd Street, at the northwest intersection of 2nd Street and Railroad Street.  The landscape features are located within the grading area of the new ditch.  Department of Community Services staff have coordinated the relocation activities with the landowner.