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TO: |
Flood Control Board of Directors |
SUBJECT
Title
AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE AND AWARD A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT MAJOR MAINTENANCE PROJECTS (HAPPY WAY N, CASA DE LA TORRE CT, BURKSHIRE PL) AND RELATED CEQA EXEMPTION (DISTRICTS: 2 & 4)
Body
OVERVIEW
The San Diego County Flood Control District (FCD) operates and maintains FCD facilities within the unincorporated areas of San Diego County, including approximately 80 open channels, and more than 1,900 storm drain facilities, such as catch basins, underground pipes, and culverts. These facilities convey water to protect homes, businesses, and residences from flooding.
The maintenance of the flood control system and associated facilities is vital for the protection of public health and safety and for keeping our waterways clean and safe. Recurring maintenance minimizes the chance of pipe failures, allows for efficient transport of stormwater, and reduces impacts to the community by extending the useful life of the system. The maintenance activities include regular inspections of the drainage system and annual cleaning to remove sediment, vegetation, and debris. If deficiencies are identified, they are documented in inspection logs and added to a list of flood control facility locations for repair. The list is prioritized based on the severity of the deficiency and the risk to safety, health, and property. The Flood Control major maintenance project list includes projects located throughout all areas of the district. Due to funding constraints, the annual repairs are limited to two to three of the highest priority projects. This year, the three proposed flood control major maintenance projects are located in the communities of Lakeside and Valle De Oro which are included in the Flood Control District Major Maintenance Projects.
This is a request to approve the advertisement and subsequent construction contract award to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for three Flood Control District Major Maintenance Projects. If approved, construction costs are estimated to be $600,000, including contingencies, for a total cost of $750,000. Construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2024 and be complete in early 2025. The funding source is available prior year fund balance in the San Diego County Flood Control District.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
1. Find in accordance with Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) that the Project is categorically exempt from CEQA review because it involves the maintenance of existing storm drain culverts involving negligible or no expansion of existing use and replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity.
2. Authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting, to take any action necessary to advertise and award a contract and to take other action authorized by Section 401 et se., of the Administrative Code with respect to contracting for the Construction Contract for the Project.
3. Designate the Director, Department of Public Works, as the County Officer responsible for administering the construction contract, in accordance with Board Policy F-41, Public Works Construction Projects.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The San Diego County Flood Control District strives to preserve, enhance, and promote quality of life and environmental resources through the implementation of projects that improve flood control facilities. Maintaining the flood control system and associated facilities provides equitable benefits for communities by reducing flood risks, maintaining property values, ensuring public safety, and protecting environmental quality. Properly functioning culverts effectively channel floodwater, protecting property and infrastructure throughout the unincorporated area. By ensuring the flood control system functions correctly, communities can mitigate flood risks and keep everyone safe. Proper flood control system maintenance helps reduce flood risks and safeguard the environment for everyone.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Maintaining existing flood control facilities has economic, environmental, health and well-being, and sustainability benefits. Maintaining flood control facilities in a timely manner prevents more costly future maintenance efforts, thereby reducing environmental impacts and supporting economic sustainability. The flood control system rehabilitation proposed in this action will enhance water quality by effectively channeling floodwater to minimize disruption of the environment. The improvements will also help prevent erosion and flooding which contributes to the County of San Diego's sustainability goal of protecting ecosystems and habitats.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this request are included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 Operational Plan for the Department of Public Works (DPW) Flood Control District (District). If approved, construction costs for these three Flood Control District Major Maintenance Projects are estimated to be $600,000, including contingency, for a total cost of $750,000. The funding source is available prior year Flood Control District Fund fund balance. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
County of San Diego construction contracts are competitively and publicly bid and help stimulate the local economy by creating construction-related employment opportunities. All workers employed on public works projects must be paid the prevailing wages determined by the Department of Industrial Relations, according to the type of work and location of the project. The prevailing wage rates are usually based on rates specified in collective bargaining agreements. A skilled and trained workforce requirement will be included in the contract in compliance with the County’s Working Families Ordinance requirements for County construction projects.
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
This contract proposes performing maintenance work on flood control facilities at locations in the unincorporated communities of Lakeside and Valle De Oro. The Lakeside Community Planning Group and Valle De Oro Community Sponsor Group have been notified that the San Diego County Board of Supervisors is considering this request today.
BACKGROUND
The San Diego County Flood Control District (FCD) manages the maintenance of flood control system and facilities within the unincorporated areas of San Diego county. The FCD is made up of a complex system of storm drains, open channels, and approximately 2,000 storm drain facilities such as, catch basins, underground pipes, and ditches. These facilities and structures make up more than 60 miles of drainage systems used to convey water into local water bodies and to reduce flood risk to homes, businesses, and residences. It is important to consistently maintain this system so it can be used to full capacity.
The FCD was first formed in 1966 by the State legislature to deal with watershed issues in the unincorporated County of San Diego, focusing primarily on flood control issues. In 1985, the FCD Act was modified to define the FCD boundary as the unincorporated county boundary and include the protection of watercourses, watershed management, and water quality.
The FCD manages the maintenance of the flood control system for the unincorporated County of San Diego. State of California law allows the FCD to use County staff to provide these services. Maintenance of the flood control system is important for public health and safety, protecting the ocean and watersheds, and the sustainability of the FCD’s facilities. Recurring maintenance minimizes the chance of pipe failures, allows for efficient transport of stormwater, and reduces impacts to the community by extending the useful life of the system. The maintenance activities include regular inspections of the drainage system and annual cleaning to remove sediment, vegetation, and debris. If deficiencies are identified, they are documented in inspection logs and added to a list of flood control facility locations for repair. The list is prioritized based on the severity of the deficiency, the risk to safety, health, and property, as well as to consideration for areas of the County identified as being an underserved community, per mapping data from the Healthy Places Index (HPI), from the “Public Health Alliance of Southern California,” and the California Environmental Health Screening Tool (CalEnviroScreen 4.0). The prioritization of the list also considers other metrics of community health, including Healthy Places Index (HPI), CalEnviroScreen 4.0, from the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), a branch of the California Environmental Protection Agency, and SB-535 Disadvantaged Communities, also from OEHHA. Repairs and rehabilitation are performed as funding is available.
Flood Control major maintenance project list includes projects located throughout all areas of the District. Due to funding constraints, the annual repairs are limited to two to three of the highest priority projects. This year, the three Flood Control District Major Maintenance Projects are located in the communities of Lakeside and Valle De Oro. The proposed work will rehabilitate three flood control culverts by improving inlet and outlet conditions for more efficient flow, constructing storm drain cleanouts for improved maintenance access, and installing liners to restore the integrity of the interior pipe surface. This method of rehabilitation is a proactive strategy that provides about 20 years of additional useful life without the need to trench and replace pipe segments. Rehabilitation of the flood control facilities will prevent pipe failure from occurring at these locations and reduce the risk of damage to the road, properties and injury to people from storm and flood waters. All culvert sites are located within flood control easements on private property, and the locations are listed below:
1. 8470 Happy Way North (District 2)
(between Bashful Way and end of the cul-de-sac, in Lakeside)
Cul-de-sac serving several condominiums.
2. 9602 Casa De La Torre Court (District 2)
(between Conrad Drive and Avenida Gregory, in Lakeside)
Small cul-de-sac serving four single-family residences adjacent to Murdock Elementary School.
3. 8778 Burkshire Place (District 4)
(between Burkshire Place and Los Coches Rd, in Valle De Oro) Cul-de-sac serving several single-family homes.
Prior to the start of construction, notifications will be sent to surrounding residences and businesses, which could include mailers, doorknob-type notices, social media postings, and signage. Notices will be sent to property owners in advance, if construction activities will affect property access. All work will be within the existing public right of way. During construction, traffic control measures will be in place to limit impacts to the community and traveling public. County staff will be onsite throughout the duration of the project and will be available to respond to any project related inquiries from the public.
This is a request to approve the advertisement and subsequent construction contract award to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the three Flood Control District Major Maintenance Projects. If approved, construction costs are estimated to be $600,000, including contingencies. Construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2024 and be complete in early 2025.
ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines exempts activities related to the operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing facilities from CEQA review. The key consideration in applying this exemption is whether the project involves negligible or no expansion of existing use. This project consists of the advertisement and award of a contract to allow for repair and replacement of culverts within existing County-maintained roads in the unincorporated area of San Diego County. Project activities would occur on structures within existing right-of-way involving negligible or no expansion of existing of former use, and none of the exceptions under Section 15300.2 of the CEQA Guidelines would apply. Accordingly, the proposed action is categorially exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15301 of the state CEQA Guidelines.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s recommendations support the Sustainability, Community, and Equity Strategic Initiatives in the County of San Diego’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan by providing infrastructure that strengthens the local economy and ensures that facilities continue to properly function as designed.
Respectfully submitted,
amy harbert
Interim Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
A. Vicinity Maps