REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BROCK D. BUCHE, PE, PLS, Director
Department of Public Utilities
BY: PETER A. MARACCINI, PE, PHD, Licensed Engineer Manager
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility raw sewage pump repair (Council District 3):
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Class 1, set forth in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Sections 15301(b)&(d) (Existing Facilities).
2. *** RESOLUTION - Declare an urgent necessity exemption under the Fresno Charter, Procurement and Competitive Bidding Section 1208(A)(5)(V) for the repair, installation, and commissioning of a rebuilt raw sewage pump at the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility by JM Squared Associates, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $229,517. (Subject to Mayor’s Veto) (Requires 5 Affirmative Votes)
3. Award a product and service agreement to JM Squared Associates, Inc., in the amount of $229,517, to repair, install, and commission a rebuilt raw sewage pump at the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility.
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption, pursuant to Sections 15301(b)&(d) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, for the repair, installation, and commissioning of a rebuilt raw sewage pump at the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (RWRF); adopt a Resolution declaring an urgent necessity exemption for JM Squared Associates, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $229,517; award a product and service agreement to JM Squared Associates, Inc., in the amount of $229,517; and authorize the Director of Public Utilities, or designee, to sign and execute all associated documents on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
One of the raw sewage pumps located at the RWRF experienced a catastrophic failure and is in immediate need of repair. RWRF staff contacted the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to request a quote for the repair, installation, and commissioning of the rebuilt raw sewage pump. JM Squared Associates, Inc., the manufacturer representative for the OEM, provided a quote in the amount of $229,517 to repair, install, and commission the rebuilt raw sewage pump. Any delays to the repair of the raw sewage pump increases the risk to public health should another raw sewage pump fail, and staff lose the ability to convey all raw sewage into the RWRF for proper treatment and disposal.
BACKGROUND
The RWRF is a secondary wastewater treatment facility that processes an average daily amount of 60 million gallons per day (MGD), which represents nearly all the sewage flow collected from the cities of Fresno and Clovis. After conveying by gravity to the RWRF, pumps lift the raw sewage into the RWRF to begin the treatment and disposal process. Without these raw sewage pumps, the sewage would not be able to enter the RWRF and instead would back up into the sewer trunk lines, which may lead to sanitary overflows and public exposure to raw sewage, a significant risk to public health. While the RWRF has redundant raw sewage pumps, whenever any pump fails, it needs to be expeditiously repaired to reduce the likelihood of total failure should another raw sewage pump fail.
RWRF staff contacted the OEM, Fairbanks Morse Pumps, through their manufacturing representative, JM Squared Associates, Inc., to request a quote for the repair, installation, and commissioning of the rebuilt raw sewage pump. JM Squared Associates, Inc., provided a quote on October 23, 2023, in the amount of $229,517. The scope of work includes the shipping of the raw sewage pump to the Kansas City repair facility, disassembly, cleaning, inspection, replacement of worn parts with OEM components, balancing of the impeller, reassembly of the raw sewage pump, and shipping of the rebuilt pump back to the RWRF. Upon receipt, two OEM technicians will travel to the RWRF to install and supervise the start-up commissioning of the rebuilt raw sewage pump. The quote expires on December 10, 2023.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved as to form the product and service agreement. Upon approval by City Council, the product and service agreement will be executed by the Director of Public Utilities, or designee.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff have performed an environmental assessment for this Project and have determined it is consistent with Categorical Exemption pursuant to Class 1, set forth in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Sections 15301(b)&(d) (Existing Facilities), which exempts the repair and maintenance of existing facilities and mechanical equipment that involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use. Furthermore, 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 because this action falls under an urgent necessity exemption.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund. Funding for emergency projects is included in the Fiscal Year 2024 capital improvement budget within the Wastewater Management Division’s Wastewater Operating Enterprise Fund 4500-4501. This project is located within Council District 3.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Notice of Exemption
Attachment 2 - Environmental Assessment
Attachment 3 - Resolution
Attachment 4 - JM Squared Associates, Inc., Pump Repair Proposal
Attachment 5 - Product and Service Agreement