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C.132

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Brian M. Balbas, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Date:	July 14, 2020

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

APPROVE an amendment to JEPA - Contra Costa County & City of Richmond for maintenance & repair of North Richmond Pump Station, N. Richmond area

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 07/14/2020

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Joe Yee (925) 313-2104

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: July 14, 2020
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director, or designee, to execute the First Amendment to the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JEPA) between the County of Contra Costa and the City of Richmond for County’s payment of repairs at the North Richmond Pump Station and for Richmond to reimburse County for the cost of repairs, North Richmond area.

FISCAL IMPACT:

This cost is to be 61% funded through Countywide General Drainage and Facility Lifespan Improvement Program budget and 39% City of Richmond funds.

BACKGROUND:

Built in 1974, the North Richmond Pump Station (Pump Station) provides flood protection of the North Richmond community which had a history of flooding. The community is composed of properties in the City of Richmond and unincorporated County.

A Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement was executed on April 16, 1974, between the County and City of Richmond to split the cost of maintaining the Pump Station – City 39% and County 61%, since the Pump Station provides flood protection for residents of both jurisdictions.

The Pump Station has four original engine driven pumps. Engine No. 4 became inoperable many years ago and was scavenged for parts over the years to keep the other three engines running. Towards the end of 2019, Engine No. 2 had major damage, rendering it inoperable. At the beginning of 2020, Engine No. 1 also suffered major damage and no longer operable.

With only one running pump, the Pump Station is only capable of a fraction of the pumping capacity needed to prevent flooding of the North Richmond community. Since continued repair of the existing vintage Caterpillar industrial engines is not practical and nearly impossible, due to lack of parts, the only viable option is to replace the engines.

With only one operational pump, there is great urgency to get the engines replaced before the beginning of the next rainy season, which typically is October. The County has ordered the replacement Caterpillar engines and associated equipment with delivery expected in September.

With a declaration of emergency by the City of Richmond, the City can quickly move forward with hiring a vendor to provide the engineering, fabrication, installation, and commissioning of the new equipment. The City does not have the funds available unless the County advances monies to the City so they can pay the vendor.

It is estimated that Richmond’s share of the project cost is $1,100,000. Richmond does not have the ability to pay 100% of its share of the project up front. The First Amendment to the JEPA provides that the County will pay up to $800,000 of Richmond’s share of the project cost to Richmond’s project contractor, and that Richmond will reimburse County for its 39% share of the project over the next four years. Under the JEPA amendment, the County has the right to approve the work and project invoices prior to making payment to Richmond’s project contractor.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If this amendment is not approved, the installation of new pump engines will be delayed beyond the start of rainy season and the Pump Station will not have the pumping capacity to prevent flooding in the North Richmond community.