For City Council Meeting September 10, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: G. Michael Milhiser, Interim City Manager
AUTHOR: Tim Sullivan, Director of Public Works
Title
Request City Council to Authorize the Release of Bids for the Baseline Storm Drain Project, City Project No. 170700.
Body
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the Release of Bids for the Baseline Storm Drain Project, City Project No. 170700.
BACKGROUND:
In 2016, the San Bernardino County Flood Control District (SBCFCD) began developing the Cactus Basin System Improvements, which include expanding the basins to increase storage capacity. On August 8, 2017, the City Council authorized staff to release a Request for Proposal for the design of the Master-planned storm drain on Baseline Road from Cactus Basin to Tamarind Avenue.
On June 26, 2018, the City Council awarded Huitt-Zollars Inc. a $521,625 Professional Services Agreement for the design of the Baseline Master Plan Storm Drain from the Cactus Basin to Tamarind Avenue.
On April 27, 2021, the City Council adopted a mitigated negative declaration and approved a first amendment to the professional services agreement with Huitt-Zollars in the amount of $44,000 for a total not-to-exceed contract amount of $565,625. The project was originally anticipated to be split into two (2) phases to allow for the City to obtain the necessary easements, encroachment permits, and regulatory permits. However, easements have been obtained, and staff is working closely with the County to finalize permits. Because of this progress, it is no longer necessary to split the project into multiple phases, and the Project has been combined into one continuous project.
On September 12, 2023, the City Council approved Tentative Parcel Map No. 2020-0001, Resolution No. 8141 Conditional Development Permit No. 2020-0002, Resolution 8142 Precise Plan of Design No. 2020-00012 and Resolution No. 8143 Environmental Assessment Review No. 2020-0003 for the Crow Holdings Industrial development (APN:0264-213-18) located on the north side of Baseline Road approximately 350 feet east of Fitzgerald Avenue. Crow Holdings Industrial agreed to grant the easement and a voluntary contribution of $3,000,000 towards the construction of the Baseline Storm Drain Project. The details were included in the Olive Grove Development Agreement Regarding Community Enhancement Contributions.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
The project consists of an approximate 2.0-mile-long storm drain system capturing ultimate flows north of Baseline Road. The storm drain line starts at the Tamarind Avenue/Baseline Road intersection and continues along Baseline Road to the outlet at Cactus Basin No. 3. A project limit image is included as Attachment 1.
The City has been in coordination with the County of San Bernardino for an encroachment permit. Staff is requesting Council’s authorization to advertise for construction bids prior to issuance of the encroachment permit in the event the City acquires the permit during the month of September or when the City Council goes dark in October.
The tentative timeline for the award is as follows:
Anticipate Release of Bids to be Issued October 2024
Anticipate Award by City Council December 2024 / January 2025
Anticipate Start of Construction March 2025
Anticipate Construction Completion May 2026
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
The City has completed an analysis of potential environmental impacts associated with the Project. Huitt-Zollars, Inc. on behalf of the City acting as Lead Agency pursuant to CEQA, has prepared an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration, (the “IS/MND”). At the April 27, 2021, council meeting, the City Council adopted a Mitigated Negative Declaration. A copy of the declaration is included as Attachment 2.
The Initial Study concluded and determined that the Project will not have a significant effect on the environment. During the construction phase, various mitigative monitoring and reporting actions will be implemented per the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP).
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY:
This action is consistent with Guiding Principle 3A in the General Plan:
Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.
Approval of this action also complies with the following City of Rialto General Plan Goals and Policies:
Goal 3-6: Require that all developed areas within Rialto are adequately served with essential public services and infrastructure.
Policy 3-6.3: Require an increasing level of public safety infrastructure and service capability tied to population increase and increasing service demand.
Policy 3-6.4: Complete infrastructure master plans for sewer, water, and drainage.
Goal 3-7: Upgrade public infrastructure as an inducement to promote private investment.
Goal 5-2: Minimize the risk and damage from flood hazards.
Policy 5-2.5: Require that any structure proposed within an officially designated 100-year floodplain, or other floodplain as determined through geotechnical investigation, be designed in a manner that does not negatively impede or redirect floodwaters or raise anticipated flood heights.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed the staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Operating Budget Impact:
The proposed action will not affect the Operating Budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact:
The project is currently funded by the Storm Drain DIF Fund, Account No. 22304720-53001-170700, in the amount of $12,500,000. The project currently has a remaining budget of $11,794,544. In addition, there is a $3,000,000 contribution from Crow Holdings Industrial towards the project, for a cumulative amount of $14,794,544 available for construction.
The final engineer’s estimate is $18,500,000, and construction support costs are estimated at $3,700,000, for a total project estimate for the construction phase of $22,200,000.
To fully fund the construction of this project, an estimated amount of $7,405,456 is needed. The Storm Drain DIF currently has an estimated uncommitted fund balance of $15,401,801, which is sufficient to cover the remaining portion of this project. A budget resolution will be presented to the City Council for an additional budget appropriation for the project upon receipt of bids and at the time of the award.
Licensing
A business license or payment of applicable fees are not required for this action.