SUBJECT
Title
ADVERTISE AND AWARD A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR WOODSIDE WATER QUALITY BASIN MODIFICATIONS & TRASH CAPTURE PROJECT AND RELATED CEQA EXEMPTION (DISTRICT: 2)
Body
OVERVIEW
The State of California regulates stormwater pollution at the local level through a Regional Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit and Trash Amendments set by the Water Resources Control Board. These regulations require local agencies to control the discharge of bacteria, trash, and other pollutants. To meet these requirements, the Department of Public Works (DPW) developed a green infrastructure capital program to improve local water quality. The Woodside Water Quality Basin Modifications & Trash Capture Project (Project) was specifically designed to advance the County of San Diego’s (County) regulatory compliance goals to improve water quality in local waterbodies and downstream receiving waters - in this case, within the San Diego River watershed. This Project was developed to optimize both the amount of stormwater that will be delivered to an existing flood control basin, as well as the treatment it will receive once there, supporting the County’s stormwater compliance efforts.
The Project is located within the County’s Woodside flood control basin property on the south side of Woodside Avenue in the community of Lakeside, between Winter Gardens Boulevard and Riverview Avenue. It incorporates structural best management practices (BMPs) that are designed to improve water quality during both wet and dry weather periods. Proposed BMPs include modifications to flood control basin structures to divert additional stormwater runoff during low flow periods into the existing basin for treatment while maintaining adequate capacity during storm events. In addition, a full capture trash screen that meets California’s requirements will be retrofitted onto the existing trash racks. The combination of these BMPs will reduce pollutants and trash that would otherwise discharge into the San Diego River downstream.
This is a request to approve the advertisement and subsequent award of a construction contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Project. If approved, construction is scheduled to begin in late-2026 and be completed in mid-2027. The total project cost, including design, environmental review, construction, and contingency is estimated at $1,377,000. The funding source is available prior year General Fund fund balance.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
1. Find in accordance with Sections 15301c of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) that the proposed project is categorically exempt from CEQA review because it involves the replacement and repair of existing County-maintained facilities involving no or negligible expansion of existing use.
2. Authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting, to advertise and award a construction contract and to take any other action authorized by Section 401 et seq. of the Administrative Code, with respect to contracting for the Woodside Water Quality Basin Modifications & Trash Capture 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 Department of Public Works (DPW) strives to preserve, enhance, and promote quality of life, sustainability and public safety through the responsible development and maintenance of reliable and sustainable infrastructure and services in the unincorporated area. DPW also considers whether a project is located in an underserved area when evaluating priorities, using metrics such as the Healthy Places Index and CalEnviroScreen 4.0. Although this project was identified primarily as a strategic opportunity to provide water quality and trash reduction benefits, its location within an underserved community will support equity efforts within the County.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
This Project will provide environmental, health and well-being sustainability benefits. It proposes modifications to the Woodside flood control basin and trash racks to provide additional water quality and trash reduction benefits. The Project will help restore the beneficial uses of local surface waters by improving water quality, habitat, and community aesthetics. The Project aligns with the County of San Diego’s sustainability goals of protecting and promoting natural resources, diverse habitats, and sensitive species, as it also enhances the natural environment for residents, visitors, and future generations to enjoy.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this request are included in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Operational Plan in the Department of Public Works (DPW) Flood Control District Fund Balance. The total estimated project cost is $1,377,000 consisting of $1,084,848 for design, environmental review, and contract administration and $292,152 for construction, including 20% contingency for unforeseen conditions. The funding source is available prior year General Fund fund balance in DPW Watershed Protection Program. There will be no change in net General Fund costs and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
County construction contracts are competitively and publicly bid and help stimulate the local economy by creating primarily construction-related employment opportunities and providing more contracting opportunities for small and local businesses through the County’s Small-Local Business Preference Program. All workers employed on public works projects must be paid prevailing wages determined by the California Department of Industrial Relations, according to the type of work and location of the project. The prevailing wage rates are typically 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 of San Diego’s Working Families Ordinance requirements for County construction projects.
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
The Project has been included on the County’s DPW 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan since 2022 and has been included in informational presentations to the Lakeside Community Planning Group regarding upcoming projects. Information on the project will be provided to the Lakeside Community Planning Group and adjacent property owners prior to construction, although no impacts to the community are anticipated.
BACKGROUND
Federal and State laws require local governments to control pollution that enters waterways through streets, storm drains, and other features of the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). In 2013, the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) issued an updated MS4 Permit to 21 regional agencies, including the County of San Diego (County). This MS4 Permit established rules for how stormwater runoff entering and discharged from the MS4 must be controlled. Among these requirements, the Permit mandated responsible parties to develop Watershed Management Area Water Quality Improvement Plans (WQIPs) for each of the region’s watersheds and established Total Daily Maximum Load (TMDL) limitations for pollutants impacting waterbodies. TMDL limitations require a reduction of bacteria, nutrients, and sediments from MS4 runoff during both dry and wet weather conditions, which help to protect receiving waters and their beneficial uses, such as water recreation, wildlife habitat, and preservation of rare and endangered species. In addition, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted regulations in 2013 and 2015 requiring local agencies to control the discharge of trash and dry weather flows from the MS4 into surface waters (Trash Amendments). The purpose of these regulations is also to protect and enhance the quality of receiving waters such as creeks, rivers, and the ocean that are designated for beneficial uses.
The Department of Public Works (DPW) prioritizes water quality capital projects that address MS4 Permit and Trash Amendment requirements, align with watershed priorities, and provide measurable pollutant reduction benefits. Projects are advanced based on regulatory need, feasibility, and their ability to deliver multi-benefit stormwater improvements. The Woodside Water Quality Basin Modifications & Trash Capture Project was selected because it addresses a high priority compliance need in the San Diego River watershed, where meeting pollutant limits for bacteria are the most challenging. Its location and existing County owned infrastructure allow the Project to efficiently reduce bacteria, trash, and other pollutants, making it one of the most effective and feasible opportunities to support compliance. Proposed Best Management Practices (BMPs) include modifications to flood control basin structures to divert additional stormwater runoff during low flow periods into the basin for treatment while maintaining adequate capacity during storm events. In addition, a full capture trash screen that meets California’s trash capture requirements will be retrofitted onto the existing trash racks. The combination of these BMPs will reduce pollutants and trash that would otherwise discharge into the San Diego River downstream.
This is a request to approve the advertisement and subsequent award of a construction contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Woodside Water Quality Basin Modifications & Trash Capture Project. If approved, construction is scheduled to begin in late-2026 and be completed in mid-2027. The total project cost including design, environmental review, construction, and contingency is estimated at $1,377,000. The funding source is available prior year General Fund fund balance.
ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
Section 15301(c) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines exempts activities related to the operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing highways and streets from CEQA review. The key consideration for this section is whether the activity involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use. This project consists of the advertisement and award of a contract for construction activities consisting of replacement of a ribbon gutter, construction of a pipeline to connect an existing box culvert to the ribbon gutter. Additionally, a notch will be added into an existing concrete channel. These improvements involve negligible or no expansion of existing uses and include activities that are necessary to ensure existing right-of-way facilities continue to function as designed.
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 2026-2031 Strategic Plan by utilizing sustainable construction practices, focusing on underserved communities, and providing adequate maintenance to ensure safe communities that improve the quality of life of all residents.
Respectfully submitted,
DAHVIA LYNCH
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment A - Vicinity Map