DATE: October 1, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Water Utilities Department
TITLE: AWARD OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO HPS MECHANICAL, INC. FOR THE LA SALINA WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT SOLIDS DEWATERING AND HEADWORKS BUILDINGS STRUCTURAL REPAIRS AND APPROVE AN ASSOCIATED BUDGET CHANGE
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends that the City Council award a contract to HPS Mechanical, Inc., in the amount of $1,010,800, for the construction of the La Salina Wastewater Treatment Plant Solids Dewatering and Headworks Buildings Structural Repairs; authorize the City Engineer to approve Change Orders up to 15 percent of the contract value for any unforeseen conditions for a total not to exceed amount of $1,162,420; approve a budget change in the amount of $600,000; and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the agreement upon receipt of all supporting documents.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The La Salina Wastewater Treatment Plant (LSWWTP) has been in operation since 1949 and throughout the years has had several expansions and improvements to keep up with increasing flows and necessary repairs. In 2014, the City determined that rerouting wastewater flows to the San Luis Rey Water Reclamation Facility to centralize flows and decommissioning the LSWWTP would be the best financial option for the City. Sewer improvements to divert flows are in final design and expected to start construction in 2026. Until completed, the City must continue critical repairs and maintenance at the LSWWTP to continue operating properly to meet regulatory and permitting requirements, and to protect the health and safety of the community and operations staff.
LSWWTP personnel have identified severe corrosion on several structural members within three critical buildings: Solids Dewatering Building, Headworks Building, and Effluent Pump Station. A condition assessment completed in 2021 identified significant metal loss due to corrosion impacting the structu...
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