HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 7 - Advertisement of Transmission Pipeline Repair ProjectWhale Rock Commission Report
Whale Rock Commission Meeting – April 21, 2022
Agenda Item 7 – Advertisement of Transmission Pipeline Repair Project, Specification No. 91617
FROM: Aaron Floyd, Utilities Director
PREPARED BY: Mychal Boerman, Utilities Deputy Director - Water
SUBJECT: ADVERTISEMENT OF TRANSMISSION PIPELINE REPAIR
PROJECT, SPECIFICATION NO. 91617
RECOMMENDATIONS
1.Authorize staff to advertise for bids for the Transmission Pipeline Repair Project
construction upon completion of design plans; and
2.Authorize City of San Luis Obispo City Manager to award the Transmission Pipeline
Repair construction project if the lowest responsible bid is within the available project
budget of $510,000.
DISCUSSION
Background
The Whale Rock pipeline was
installed in 1960 and provides raw
water to the California Men’s Colony
(CMC)and City of San Luis Obispo
(City) water treatment plants for use at
CMC, Cal Poly, and the City. The 30-
inch diameter concrete cylinder pipe
(CCP) spans approximately 18 miles,
beginning at Whale Rock Reservoir
(Reservoir) and ending at the City’s
water treatment plant. The pipeline is
pressurized via gravity from the
Reservoir until the pressure is required
to be boosted at two pump stations,
one in the town of Cayucos, and another near the Morro Bay Water Resource Recovery
Facility. Whale Rock pipeline failures are uncommon but increasing in frequency as the
pipeline surpasses 60 years of service life.
In order to identify overall pipeline condition and to pinpoint segments that may be
experiencing abnormal wear, the City, on behalf of the Whale Rock Commission
(Commission), contracted with Pure Technologies in 2017 to conduct an inspection of the
interior of the Whale Rock pipeline. The inspection was designed to use magnetic resonance
technology to identify areas of the pipeline with metal loss which increases the likelihood of
pipeline failure. Inspection results documented a small number of locations experiencing
Figure 1- Pipeline Inspection Device
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abnormal pipeline degradation that were recommended for replacement and further analysis.
Further analysis requires the identified segments of pipeline to be removed to allow for
physical inspection of the interior and exterior of the pipe. When these sections are removed
and physically analyzed, results will be utilized to update the pipeline assessment model,
which will result in a more accurate assessment of points of potential failure in the pipeline.
The Commission approved funding for Fiscal Year 2021-22 for the Transmission Pipeline
Repair Project design work necessary for replacement of approximately 225 feet of Whale
Rock pipeline within the confines of the Dairy Creek Golf Course. Staff have requested
contributions amounting to $146,600 in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget for construction and
construction management related services. This $146,000 contribution will supplement the
$363,400 previously contributed by commission members, amounting to a total of $510,000
for replacement of the identified segment of pipe.
Staff are requesting authorization from the Commission to advertise for bids for the project
and to authorize City of San Luis Obispo City Manager to award the Transmission Pipeline
Repair construction project if the lowest responsible bid is within the available project budget
of $510,000.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Transmission Pipeline Repair Project is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to
CEQA Guidelines section 15302, Replacement or Reconstruction of existing structures and
facilities, Attachment 1. The pipeline being replaced will have the same purpose and capacity
when replaced.
FISCAL IMPACT
Action to approve the advertisement of this project does not directly carry a fiscal impact. The
current estimate for project construction and construction management is $510,000. Previous
CIP Reserve contributions totaling $363,400 have been made toward the project. The
difference between past contributions and the current project cost estimate, $146,600, will be
paid from 2022-23 CIP contributions.
Funding Category Contribution Source Amount
Construction Agency Capital Reserve Contributions $333,400
Construction 2022-23 CIP Contribution $116,600
Construction
Management
Agency Capital Reserve Contributions $30,000
Construction
Management
2022-23 CIP Contribution $30,000
Total Construction Cost $510,000
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ALTERNATIVES
Whale Rock Commission members may elect not to approve the Project for advertisement for
bids at this time. Staff does not recommend this alternative as it would result in 225 feet of
compromised pipe remaining in the system and would prohibit Pure Technologies from
updating the Whale Rock Pipeline Inspection Model.
Item 7
Notice of Exemption
To: Office of Planning and Research From: City of San Luis Obispo
1400 Tenth Street, Room 121 Community Development Department
Sacramento, CA 95814 919 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3249
County Clerk
County of San Luis Obispo Filing Not Required
1144 Monterey Street, Suite A
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
Project Title: Whale Rock Transmission Pipeline Replacement Project
Project Location: Pipeline easement within Dairy Creek Golf Course in an unincorporated area of San Luis
Obispo (SLO) County, CA
Project Location - City: Unincorporated, SLO County, CA Project Location - County: SLO
Description of Project: The Whale Rock pipeline was installed in 1960 and provides raw water to the California
Men’s Colony and City of San Luis Obispo Water treatment plants. The 30-inch diameter concrete cylinder pipe
spans approximately 18 miles, beginning at Whale Rock Reservoir and ending at the City’s water treatment
plant. The Whale Rock Transmission Pipeline Replacement Project includes replacement of approximately 225
feet of the existing pipeline within an existing 20-foot wide easement in the Dairy Creek Golf Course.
Name of Public Agency Approving the Project: City of SLO, on behalf of the Whale Rock Commission
Name of Person or Agency Carrying Out the Project: City of San Luis Obispo
Exempt Status (check one):
Ministerial (Section 21080(b)(1); 15268;
Declared Emergency (Sec. 21080(b)(3); 15269(a));
Emergency Project (Sec. 21080(b)(4); 15269(b)(c)
Categorical Exemption. State type and section number: Class 2: Replacement or Reconstruction
Statutory Exemptions. State code number:
Reasons why project is exempt:
The proposed Whale Rock Transmission Pipeline Replacement Project is exempt because it involves
replacement of a portion of the existing Whale Rock pipeline within an existing easement. The pipeline being
replaced will have the same purpose and capacity when replaced per Class 2, Part C.
Lead Agency
Contact Person: Noah Evans Area Code/Telephone/Ext. (805)540-8529
If filed by applicant:
1.Attach certified document of exemption finding.
2.Has a notice of exemption been filed by the public agency approving the project? Yes No
Signature:______________________________ Date: ___________________
By: Shawna Scott, Senior Planner (sscott@slocity.org)
Signed by Lead Agency Date Received for Filing at OPR: __________
Signed by Applicant
February 8, 2022
Item 7 - Attachment 1Item 7
Figure 1: Transmission Pipeline Repair Project
Whale Rock Commission, 2022
Existing 30” Whale Rock Transmission Pipeline
Dairy Creek Golf Course
Hi
g
h
w
a
y
1
NORTH
~13 miles to Whale Rock Reservoir
~5 miles to City of SLO Water Treatment Plant
Proposed ~225’ Transmission Pipeline Repair
Item 7 - Attachment 1Item 7