DATE: September 17, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Water Utilities Department
TITLE: APPROVE CONTINUATION OF EMERGENCY WORK TO REPAIR THE 18-INCH MESA LOMA WATER MAIN AT LOMA ALTA CREEK
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends that the City Council determine there remains a need to continue emergency work on the 18-inch Mesa Loma Water Main.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
In January 2024, staff isolated a leaking segment of the 18-inch Mesa Loma Water Main near Loma Alta Creek and activated the Mesa Loma Pump Station to maintain service.
Emergency permits were secured in early 2025 from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, and NCTD. Cass Arrieta, the City’s emergency contractor, began work in April 2025. Initial repairs addressed significant damage to the pipeline within the creek, and subsequent inspections revealed additional deficiencies in multiple joints near the initial repair site.
To address these, staff revised the repair strategy to install a trenchless, high-pressure liner. Advantage Reline, Inc. commenced liner work in late August 2025. Cass Arrieta is providing trench support, flushing, testing, and final tie-ins. All work is anticipated to be completed by the end of September 2025 under the City’s emergency procurement policy.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding is from the Water Fixed Asset Replacement Fund (712), charged to the Water Pipeline Replacement Account 908163620712.
The current total estimated project cost is $1,528,872, covering construction, rehabilitation, engineering, permitting, and support services.
Staff will return with a final report at project completion including a full accounting of actual costs and will recommend replenishing the Cass Arrieta emergency account by $100,000 to maintain readiness for future emergencies.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The Project is located in an environmentally sensitive area. All required permits and notifications have been secured, and staff is coordinating with environmental consultants and regulatory agencies to ensure compliance and minimize impacts.
COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE REPORT
The Utilities Commission will be apprised of the project update at its regularly scheduled meeting on September 16, 2025.
CITY ATTORNEY’S ANALYSIS
Emergency procurements for public projects without competitive bidding are authorized according to the provisions of Section 28A.24 of the Oceanside City Code and California Public Contract Code Section 22050. The emergency action should be terminated at the earliest possible date that conditions warrant so that the remainder of the work, if any, may be completed pursuant to the City’s regular competitive bidding process.
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Prepared by: Mabel Uyeda, Water Engineering Manager
Reviewed by: Michael Gossman, Assistant City Manager
Submitted by: Jonathan Borrego, City Manager