Council approves Cheney Avenue emergency repair and $358,000 appropriation from Measure X

The City Council authorized an emergency repair project for Cheney Avenue to address groundwater seepage under the pavement and approved a not‑to‑exceed budget appropriation of $358,000 from Measure X and the capital improvements fund for construction, inspection and internal project management.

Engineering staff said residents and staff observed surface groundwater seeping through the roadway between the south terminus at Highway 101 and Aragon Drive during spring 2024. Soils investigation encountered groundwater approximately 6 feet below the pavement surface and indicated clayey soils that prevent downward percolation. A soils engineer recommended installing a subdrain (similar to a French drain) under the pavement to intercept groundwater and direct it to an existing storm drain inlet at the south terminus of Cheney Avenue, staff said.

City staff received a construction proposal from Toro Enterprises for $310,395 plus a 10% contingency ($31,040) and an inspection proposal from Philippine Engineering for $15,600; in‑house project management will be provided by Public Works. The combined total was presented as $358,000 (rounded to the nearest $1,000) and staff described the amount as fair and reasonable. Measure X fund balances were cited as sufficient (staff reported a Measure X fund balance of $1,182,852 at the meeting).

Council approved the emergency repair authorization and appropriation in a roll call vote. Staff said the work would include installing the subdrain and restoring the roadway, and stated the contractor’s tentative start date was Jan. 26. Staff noted ponding water accelerates pavement deterioration and identified the repair as preventive to protect underlying utilities and curb, gutter and sidewalk infrastructure.