Agenda Item Wording:
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Airport sewer lift station rehabilitation notice of completion - Request authorization to file a notice of completion for the airport sewer lift station rehabilitation project.
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Agenda Date: 10/5/2026
Prepared by:
Cody McLaughlin, Associate Engineer, Cody.Mclaughlin@visalia.gov, 713-4595
Rebecca Keenan, Senior Civil Engineer, Rebecca.Keenan@visalia.gov, 713-4541
Chris Crawford, City Engineer, Chris.crawford@visalia.gov, 713-4331
Jason Huckleberry, Eng. & Bldg. Director, Jason.huckleberry@visalia.gov, 713-4495
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the filing of a notice of completion for the airport sewer lift station rehabilitation project.
Summary:
The airport sewer lift station rehabilitation project prepared and maintained a temporary sewer by-pass, installed a new sewer manhole, removed the existing liner and repaired the concrete surfacing, sandblasted and coated the existing concrete sewer lift station vault and existing concrete sewer discharge vault, and replaced and installed new ductile iron piping and lift station pumps. Staff is requesting authorization to file a notice of completion for the project.
Background Discussion:
The airport sewer lift station is an existing and currently operating sewer trunkline lift station that services a 42-inch sewer main. The existing lift station was in need of rehabilitation and improvements with deficiencies including but not limited to deteriorated ductile iron piping and valves, deteriorated concrete lift station vault and concrete discharge vault, and outdated and failing lift station pumps. The existing lift station is a critical section of the sewer trunkline that services an estimated 3.9 million gallons per day. This lift station has had a history of frequent emergency repairs in order to stay in operation. The completion of this project has refurbished the existing sewer trunkline lift station that serves the northwest industrial district of the city and has re-established it to satisfactory operating condition.
The project improvements included the preparation and maintenance of a temporary sewer by-pass, installation of a new sewer manhole, sandblasting and coating of existing concrete sewer lift station vault and existing concrete sewer discharge vault, replacement of ductile iron piping and new lift station pumps.
GSE Construction was awarded and under contract in October of 2025. Preliminary coordination began in November and a preconstruction meeting was held in December of 2025. Due to delays resulting from material lead times construction began March of 2026. Construction was initially targeted for completion in June of 2026 with a total of 30 working days. Due to unforeseen conditions additional scope of work was required, this added an additional 25 working days to the project. Construction was completed in July of 2026. The project was completed successfully and the lift station was revitalized.
Fiscal Impact:
City Council awarded the contract to GSE Construction at the 08/18/2025 council meeting in the amount of $713,650.00. The final construction cost including construction change orders is $964,057.00. The total construction change orders amounted to $267,262.00. The following is a breakdown of the construction change orders.
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Errors and Omissions (EO) |
$ 57,022.10 |
7.99% |
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Unforeseen Conditions (UN) |
$ 210,239.90 |
29.45% |
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TOTAL: |
$267,262.00 |
37.44% |
Errors and Omissions (EO):
The change in scope resulting from error and omission included the upsizing of all 8” ductile iron pipe to 10” ductile iron pipe in order to properly handle flows and accommodate the city provided pumps. This also included a $15,000 not to exceed amount performed on a time and materials basis to remove and existing liner within the sewer lift station that was not clearly identified on the plan set. This liner needed to be removed due to its deterioration and in order to properly coat the lift station with a new protective coating. As a result of an error in existing downstream elevations the specified new downstream manhole could not be installed and required a change in scope. City staff was able to resolve the issue and provide some alternative materials for a new alternative manhole design to be installed, resulting in a $2,126 credit. A change in scope resulting from an error and omission also included the upsizing of new valve vaults from the specified sizing. This stemmed from error in existing pipe and pavement depths requiring upsizing of valve vaults in order to properly fit and accommodate existing pipe penetration depths to the existing sewer lift station.
Unforeseen Conditions (UN):
The changes in scope due to unforeseen conditions included an $86,950 change order for an increase in material costs due to continuing inflation and recent tariffs on materials over the 10 months from the original bid proposal was submitted as well as an upgrade to safety hatches that incorporated the safety grating and hatches together that were retrofitted in the existing footprint for improved mounting. Changes in scope also include the repair and resurfacing of the existing concrete beneath the existing (deteriorated) liner that required removal and this was performed on a time and materials basis. The concrete was not suitable for the new protective coating in its existing state due to some concrete corrosion and the conditions left by the T-lock protective liner. This work cleaned all residue from the grooves created by the t-lock and corrosion and applied a topcoat of concrete for a smooth surface ready for protective coating.
Changes in scope also due to unforeseen conditions included the relocation of a portion of perimeter fencing due to conflict with newly installed infrastructure footprints, removal and replacement of a failing manhole lid and frame leading to a discharge vault of the lift station, and the capping of an overflow connection from the discharge vault that was not functioning properly and counterproductive to operations with the infrastructure improvements.
Fortunately, city staff prepared a more conservative construction contingency for this project due to the age and existing state of the sewer lift station and the possibility of unknown discoveries. City staff was able to navigate the errors and unforeseen conditions during construction with the most suitable and effective solutions possible to deliver a successful project. Refer to the Project Budget Summary below.
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Airport Sewer Lift Station Rehabilitation (CP0578) |
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Total Construction Funding: |
$1,077,300 |
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Project Costs |
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Construction Contract Amount: |
$713,650.00 |
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Change Orders: |
$267,262.00 |
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Materials Testing: |
$2,292.50 |
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City Staff Time & misc.: |
$35,000.00 |
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Total Project Construction Cost |
$1,018,204.50 |
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Remaining Balance: |
$59,095.50 |
Remaining balance of funds will be returned to the wastewater fund after the project has been fully closed.
Prior Council Action:
08/18/2025: Authorized the City Manager to award a contract with GSE Construction for the Airport Sewer Lift Station Rehabilitation Project in the amount of $713,650 and authorize an appropriation of an additional $272,000 from the Wastewater Fund (431).
10/07/2024: Authorized the City Manager to award a contract with SW Construction for the airport sewer lift station rehabilitation project in the amount of $588,272.94.; and Authorized the appropriation of an additional $468,000 from the Wastewater fund (431).
Other: NA
Alternatives: None Recommended
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize the filing of a notice of completion for the airport sewer lift station rehabilitation project.
Environmental Assessment Status: Categorical Exemption
CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption
Deadline for Action: 10/5/2026
Attachments:
1. Project Location Map
2. Ownership Disclosure Form
3. Before and After Photos
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
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☐ Economic Vitality |
☐  Organizational Excellence |
☐ Fiscal Strength |
☒  Infrastructure & Growth |
☒  Quality of Life |