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Chino council approves appropriation and amends IUA reimbursement cap for Preserve lift station SW201
Summary
Council approved an appropriation of $283,375 from sewer fund reserves and amendment to the reimbursement agreement with the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IUA) to cover actual construction and administrative costs for the Preserve lift station expansion project (SW201).
The Chino City Council on Jan. 7 approved an amendment to the reimbursement agreement with the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IUA) for the Preserve lift station expansion (SW201), including a $283,375 appropriation from the sewer fund reserves and a revised total agreement amount not to exceed $1,240,936. The motion, made by Councilperson Comstock and seconded by Councilman Flores, passed unanimously.
Staff overview: Natalie Avila, Associate Engineer, said the city partnered with IUA when the Preserve lift station entered service in 2018 and that IUA identified preventive-maintenance and equipment improvements (a bypass cleaning cycle and a chopper pump) needed to manage debris and increased flows. Avila said the chopper pump installation was substantially completed in September 2024 and that some planned passive bypass improvements were deferred because costs exceeded original engineer estimates.
Why it matters: staff said the facility conveys up to 1,000,000 gallons per day and the amendment reflects actual construction and administrative costs that exceeded earlier high-level estimates (staff cited pandemic-related price increases and differences between early estimates and bid results). The staff presentation noted bidding and procurement steps in late 2022 and identified Thoros Incorporated as the lowest responsible bidder for construction work.
Key fiscal details: the agenda described an amendment amount of $840,160; staff explained the appropriation request of $283,375 from sewer fund reserves to cover the gap between prior estimates and actual IUA expenditures, and stated the revised agreement amount will not exceed $1,240,936. Staff said administrative closeout tasks by IUA remain before final reimbursement is completed.
Council discussion: Mayor and council members asked whether it would be cheaper to complete the facility’s ultimate improvements now rather than staging them; staff said further evaluation will be done during the city/IUA transition of operations and maintenance responsibilities. The item passed unanimously and staff said they will continue coordination with IUA to finalize project closeout and the final reimbursement payment.
