REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BROCK D. BUCHE, PE, PLS, Director
Department of Public Utilities
BY: CASSIE L. SCHOLZ, PE, Licensed Engineer Manager
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
SARAH AGUILA, Project Manager
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the cleaning of Digester #2 and cleaning and rehabilitation of Digester #9 at the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (Bid File 12401763) (Council District 3):
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Award a construction contract to F.D. Thomas, of Central Point, Oregon, in the amount of $1,135,915.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the CEQA Guidelines; award a construction contract to F.D. Thomas as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of $1,135,915 for the cleaning of Digester #2 and cleaning and rehabilitation of Digester #9 at the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (Project); and authorize the Director of Public Utilities, or designee, to sign and execute all documents on behalf of the City of Fresno (City).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Periodic cleaning and rehabilitation of the 13 mesophilic anaerobic digesters at the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (Facility) is required to keep the Facility functioning within regulatory requirements. This Project will allow for the cleaning, coating, and sealing of the interior surfaces of the digesters with an elastomeric polyurethane material. The Department of Public Utilities, Wastewater Management Division (WMD), is seeking to award the Project to F.D. Thomas in the amount of $1,135,915. The bid will expire on June 26, 2024.
BACKGROUND
The Facility treats approximately 68 million gallons per day of wastewater conveyed from the Fresno-Clovis area. The Facility operates 13 mesophilic anaerobic digesters to eliminate pathogens and volatile organic compounds from the biosolids generated throughout the treatment process. The digesters range in size from 860,000 to 1,870,000 gallons. Over the period of approximately seven years, these digesters accumulate undesirable debris associated with the treatment process (i.e., sand, plastics, hair, etc.).
Following routine maintenance and inspections of Digesters #2 and #9, seepage stains and visible concrete surface cracks were discovered. This Project includes the routine cleaning and dewatering of both digesters, and removal and replacement of the existing interior coating in Digester #9, because it has exceeded its life expectancy.
A Notice Inviting Bids was published on March 29, 2024, and posted on the City’s Planet Bids website. The plans and specifications, inclusive of the City’s adopted Community Workforce Agreement (PLA) requirements, were distributed to forty-eight prospective bidders and posted at nine Building Exchanges. Three sealed bid proposals were received and publicly opened on April 23, 2024, two of which were considered responsive and responsible. The bid proposals ranged from $1,135,915 to $1,730,860. F.D. Thomas was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with the bid amount of $1,135,915. The bid will expire within 64 days of bid opening, on June 26, 2024.
The staff determination was posted on the City’s Planet Bids website on Thursday, June 6, 2023. Staff recommends that the City Council award a construction contract to F.D. Thomas, in the amount of $1,135,915, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Their bid price is 5.3 percent below the Engineer’s Estimate of $1,200,000.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the contract documents as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed an environmental assessment of this Project and determined it falls within the Categorical Exemption set forth in Section 15301/Class 1 (Restoration or Rehabilitation). This Project includes the routine cleaning and dewatering of the digesters, and removal and replacement of the existing interior coating, which has exceeded its life expectancy. The Project is necessary to correct deficiencies within the interior structure of the digesters in order to meet public health standards for a wastewater facility, as is consistent with a Section 15301/Class 1 exemption. The proposed cleaning and restoration will not result in any expansion of the existing use of the digesters. Furthermore, the staff has determined that none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2, apply to this Project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented as none of the bidders were a local business pursuant to Fresno Municipal Code Section 4-108.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund. Funding for this Project is included within the Wastewater Management Division’s Sewer Enterprise Fund. The Project is located in Council District 3.
Attachments:
Notice of Exemption
Environmental Assessment
Bid Evaluation and Fiscal Impact Statement
Sample Contract
Vicinity Map