IMPERIAL – Imperial’s Department of Public Services was certainly in the spotlight at the recent City Council meeting as it addressed a number of important needs related to the water and wastewater treatment systems, including access to underground sewerage.
David Dale, the city’s new director of public services, presented three separate items during the Imperial City Council meeting on Wednesday evening, August 7: a water flow meter, wastewater treatment disinfection parts and the sewer manhole rehabilitation project.
The first step was to purchase a new raw water flow meter for the water treatment plant to measure the flow rate of water through a pipe or line.
“This item is to replace the raw water flow meter in the water treatment plant; it is broken. We currently use a replacement treatment meter system which is a plug-in type,” Dale told the council. “It is not as accurate and due to the (increased) cost we are submitting it to the council for approval.”
The approved cost was estimated at $22,856.43 by the previously contracted agency, Control Systems Engineering, which acts as both retailer and installer.
The city is replacing a 22-inch-diameter magnetic flow meter to measure “the raw water inflows at the water plant,” according to city documents. It currently uses a plug-in meter that is not as accurate. In addition, the city says if the replacement plug-in meter fails, the city will no longer be able to regulate how much of the city’s raw water is sent to the water plant for treatment.
Parts for UV disinfection
By a 4-0 vote, the city approved the purchase of ultraviolet (UV) disinfection parts for the annual maintenance of its wastewater treatment plant in preparation for the September inspection schedule.
UV disinfection is a safe technology used to disinfect water without the use of chemicals. “Basically, it’s used to disinfect the wastewater… the water that leaves the treatment plant,” said Director Dale.
City Council member Stacey Mendoza asked if any additional parts would be needed in the future in addition to the one requested on Aug. 7, and if costs were budgeted for such purchases. “So, are we only going to have that cost once? So there was a $50,000 savings?” Mendoza asked.
“There may be more, but for now, it’s what we need. If more units fail, we may have to buy more, but for now, it’s what we need,” Dale replied.
Parts such as lamps, sleeves, gaskets, o-rings and canisters are included in the purchase. Approval of the purchase will avoid potential delays in receiving materials and performing required maintenance. The project is valued at $41,399.92 by Trojan Technologies, a company from Canada.
Shaft renovation and pipeline project
Imperial’s manhole rehabilitation project will be expanded to include several additional manhole openings and two lift stations. Lift stations are used to move wastewater from lower elevations to higher elevations and bring it to the treatment plant. Lift stations or pumping stations are installed “when land areas are low or the pipe depth below ground becomes too great. The stations then lift the wastewater to a higher point so it can drain away again by gravity. Or the wastewater can be pumped under pressure directly to the treatment plant,” sources said.
On August 1, 2018, the City had already hired Webb and Associates to compile the plans and specifications needed for its manhole rehabilitation project. The project included seven to ten manholes. However, over time, it became apparent that additional infrastructure was in need of repair.
“Before I came here, the city had hired Webb and Associates for a manhole rehabilitation project,” Dale said. “But that project was just a couple of manhole openings, and in our CIP we have about $500,000 for manhole rehabilitation. And it also includes rehabilitation of some manholes at two pump stations. So I asked Webb and Associates to put together a quote for the additional work, and this is what they came up with: $31,285. So within the percentage of what I would expect for a $500,000 project.”
The rehabilitation includes relining at least six manholes by converting them to a standard manhole, replacing four manholes, adding three new manholes along Barioni Boulevard on an active 12-inch sewer line and rehabilitating a lift station that includes replacing the lining of the Claypool wet well and relining the cross-lift station wet well, according to city documents.
The cost of additional items and services for the project was estimated at $31,285, out of a total budget of about $40,000. According to Public Services, the “increased costs are to be accounted for under the following account: Wastewater Collection and Distribution Equipment Maintenance.”
Seventh Street renovation and pedestrian improvements
A competitive bid of $275,100.86 from Rove Engineering Inc. was approved by the City Council for the rehabilitation of Seventh Street and pedestrian improvements from South D Street to South E Street.
See also
The Department of Community Development conducted a competitive bidding process for the Seventh Street Resurfacing and Pedestrian Improvement Project in the City of Imperial. Staff sent a bid to a total of 10 local and non-local contractors, three of which participated in the formal bidding process. Rove Engineering Inc. with a bid of $275,100.86; LC Paving and Sealing Inc. with $381,633.58; and Pyramid Construction and Aggregates Inc. with $310,198.63.
According to the City Council agenda, the project includes, among other things, “crushing the existing asphalt on site, blending the product with the existing Class II base and recompaction, installing a 4-inch layer of asphalt-rubber hot mix with spacer (ARHM-GG), removing and replacing the existing ADA ramps, concrete curbs and gutters, sidewalks, driveways and cross gutters, installing thermoplastic strips, and traffic control around the construction sites.”
In addition to awarding the contract to Rove Engineering Inc., the Imperial City Council approved a 25 percent reserve. The road to be worked on is in the oldest part of the city and the infrastructure is unknown, so the reserve serves as a safety net in case any unforeseen obstacles arise during the project, reducing the risk of delays.
The offer is financed by funds from LTA Measure D.
Shadow project for the playground in Sunset Park
The City Council approved a bid from USA Shade, Inc. for the Sunset Park Playground Shade Project plus a 10 percent reserve for incidental costs.
Back in June 2024, the Parks and Recreation Department launched a bid process for the Sunset Park Playground Shade project, requiring all potential bidders to complete a mandatory “job walk.” However, on July 11, 2024, a single bidder, USA Shade Inc., submitted a bid.
“We have received a quote from USA Shade, Inc.,” explained Tony Lopez, director of Parks and Recreation. “As a reminder, (this) will provide us with two hip and fabric shades. 145 x 45 (and) 135 x 35 and it will completely cover both structures.”
USA Shade Inc.’s bid was approved for $125,500, including shades and installation, while the 10% reserve totals $12,550.00. The project is being funded through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
