Agenda Item Wording:
title
Notice of completion - Authorization to file the notice of completion for the Evans Ditch culvert replacement on Conyer Street project.
body
Agenda Date: 07/20/2026
Prepared by:
Bryce Nagel, Assistant Engineer, bryce.nagel@visalia.gov, 713-4197
Jonathan Frausto, Senior Project Manager, jonathan.frausto@visalia.gov, 713-4369
Chris Crawford, City Engineer, chris.crawford@visalia.gov, 713-4331
Jason Huckleberry, Engineering and Building Department Director, Jason.huckleberry@visalia.gov, 713-4495
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the filing of the Notice of Completion for the Evans Ditch culvert replacement on Conyer Street project.
Summary:
This project replaced the existing Evans Ditch culvert in Conyer Street between Howard Avenue and Feemster Avenue. The existing culvert was estimated to be over 100 years old and was in need of immediate replacement. The road section around this culvert started to cave in on Wednesday March 4, 2026 while irrigation flows were present in the ditch. Upon investigation, water had significantly undercut the existing structure and there was significant damage to the top of the existing culvert. The Tulare Irrigation District (TID) agreed to stop water flow in the channel on Wednesday March 4th to prevent additional damage, but TID needed to utilize the ditch for irrigation flows again in early May. City staff successfully coordinated the culvert replacement so that it was completed prior to the scheduled irrigation flows in May 2026.
City staff worked quickly to prepare plans for the replacement and coordinated with Dawson-Mauldin to complete the work under an emergency construction contract. The contract included removal and replacement of the culvert and roadway and was awarded an initial amount of $435,070. The final construction cost was $475,315, an increase of $40,245 over the original contract amount.
Background Discussion:
The central valley is the heart of agriculture within the State of California. Due to this economic sector, many service line ditches were created off major bodies of water to help facilitate water deliveries throughout the Tulare County area. Evans Ditch in the City of Visalia is one of many service line canals. As natural growth occurred and city limits expanded, many roadways were constructed over existing canals utilizing culvert crossings typical of construction practices of that era.
This typical culvert design, which can be seen throughout the City of Visalia, consists of two sidewalls and a top slab. This simple construction method allowed culverts to be installed efficiently while allowing water to flow freely along the natural soil. However, over time this condition can lead to erosion of the underlying material, particularly when water infiltrates or “washes out” the surrounding soil material.
On March 4, 2026, the City of Visalia Public Works Department was called to investigate a possible sinkhole near the Evan’s Ditch culvert on Conyer Street between Howard Avenue and Feemster Avenue. Upon investigation, it was determined that due to the construction and design of the culvert, water infiltration along the sidewalls had caused the roadway structural section to fail. Separate from the erosion and adjacent pavement failure, further investigation revealed cracking along the bottom of the top slab, as well as deflection from loads produced by the roadway above. These conditions, along with the washout of the adjacent roadway structural section indicate that the culvert had experienced significant structural deterioration and required immediate replacement.
Subsequently, city staff designed a box culvert to replace the failing structure. This also included replacing the fencing, sidewalk, and pavement surrounding the structure.
On March 16, 2026, City Council approved an emergency construction contract with Dawson-Mauldin LLC in the amount of $435,070 for the Evans Ditch culvert replacement, with funds being allocated from the Gas Tax (Fund 111).
The project finished construction in May of 2026.
Change Orders:
The final cost of the construction contract including change orders is $475,315. Two (2) change orders were processed totaling $40,425. Below is the summary of the contract changes:
|
Change Order Breakdown To-Date |
|
Category |
Cost |
Percentage |
|
Errors & Omissions (E&O) |
$ - |
0.00% |
|
Utility Conflict (UT) |
$ - |
0.00% |
|
Balance of Quantities (BQ) |
$ 610.00 |
0.14% |
|
Unforeseen (UN) |
$ - |
0.00% |
|
Change of Scope (CofS) |
$ 39,635.00 |
9.11% |
|
Total: |
$ 40,245.00 |
9.25% |
Owner Directed Change in Scope (CoS):
The change in scope due to owner direction includes adding two 48” manholes on either side of the new structure, adding 32 LF of 10” storm drain line underneath and fixing the road sections the manholes were added into. This is due to the original storm drain line being a part of the original failing structure. This change order was completed at the cost of $39,635.00.
Balance of Quantities (BQ):
The change in scope due to balance of quantities includes adding extra sidewalk on top of the culvert structure and subtraction of curb on the roadway section of the project as the contractor was able to preserve more curb than originally bid. This change order was completed at a total cost of $610.00.
Fiscal Impact:
The Evans Ditch culvert replacement was funded by the Gas Tax Fund (111). Included in this budget is the contract amount awarded to Dawson-Mauldin LLC, contingency, and support costs such as project design/ management and materials testing services. See the table below for a breakdown of costs.
|
Evans Ditch Emergency Replacement (CP0805) |
|
Project Funding Source |
|
|
Gas Tax (Fund 111) |
$ 590,000 |
|
|
|
|
Total Project Funding |
$ 590,000 |
|
|
|
|
Estimated Final Project Costs |
|
|
Construction |
$ 435,070 |
|
Construction Change Orders |
$ 40,245 |
|
Construction Management & Services (Staff Time, Inspection, Survey, Design) |
$ 10,000 |
|
Construction Services (Material Testing) |
$ 9,330 |
|
|
|
|
Total Estimated Final Project Costs |
$ 494,645 |
|
Remaining Balance |
$ 95,355 |
The remaining balance shown in the above table is from Gas Tax Fund (111) and will be returned to the Gas Tax Fund.
Prior Council Action:
March 16, 2026: The City Council authorized the City Manager to execute an emergency construction contract with Dawson-Mauldin, LLC. In the amount of $435,070 from Gas Tax (Fund 111).
Alternatives: None
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize the filing of the notice of completion for the Evans Ditch culvert replacement on Conyer Street project.
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 07/20/2026
Attachments:
1. Project Location Map
2. Draft Notice of Completion
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
|
☐ Economic Vitality |
☐  Organizational Excellence |
☐ Fiscal Strength |
☒  Infrastructure & Growth |
☒  Quality of Life |