Millbrae council awards $394,197 contract to line La Prenda water tank; staff seeks federal mitigation grant

The Millbrae City Council on Tuesday voted 5-0 to award a $394,197 contract to United Field Service Corporation to apply an interim lining to the La Prenda water storage tank and to establish a project contingency that brings the total authorized project budget to $453,327.

City Engineer and capital improvement program manager Ahmad Haya told the council the La Prenda tank, built in 1978, is nearly 50 years old and was decommissioned in November 2023 after routine inspection revealed ‘‘severe corrosion’’ and water‑quality issues. Haya said a lining would extend the tank’s service life an estimated five to 10 years while staff pursues funding for a full replacement.

‘‘It is cost‑effective and stores critical infrastructure most immediately,’’ Haya said, adding staff expect the lining project to be complete by November 2025 and that completing the work will make the site eligible for federal hazard‑mitigation grant funding administered through Cal OES.

Haya said consultants recommended a future replacement tank of about 660,000 gallons, upgraded to current seismic and safety standards. In the interim, the city has also moved forward with a pressure‑reducing valve (PRV) project at Hillcrest to address pressure concerns in Pressure Zone 1 while La Prenda remains offline.

Mayor and council members questioned grant prospects and durability. Haya said the grant opportunity comes through federal disaster funding allocated to California after recent wildfire disasters and that city staff have already discussed eligibility with Cal OES, which advised a September subapplication. He said the lining is intended to provide a bridge to a funded replacement but does not resolve underlying seismic vulnerabilities.

The motion to award the construction contract was made by Councilmember Rinaldi, seconded by Councilmember Edwin, and passed unanimously.

The council also instructed staff to proceed with required contract documents within the approved project budget and contingency. The staff presentation noted the city will keep pursuing larger grant awards that could cover up to $3 million toward a full replacement subject to a 25 percent local match.

The project staff also found that Skyland Tank currently provides most of the storage for Pressure Zone 1; La Prenda’s return to service would restore redundancy for fire‑flow and other peak demands.

No public comment was received on the item. The council’s action includes a finding that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the purposes of contract award and construction planning.