Soledad council approves CEQA clearance and construction and oversight contracts for recycled‑water network

Soledad City Council adopted environmental findings and approved construction and construction‑management contracts for the city’s recycled‑water conveyance project, moving the $16.66 million state‑grant‑funded program from design to procurement and award.

Don Wilcox, Soledad's public works director, told the council the project will pipe tertiary‑treated recycled water from the city’s water reclamation facility to parks and schools across the city. Wilcox said the grant awarded in January 2023 provided $16,663,021 for planning, design and construction; that design and the CEQA review are complete; and that the grant requires the system to reduce groundwater pumping by at least 54,000,000 gallons per year. “If we construct this project utilizing reclaimed water, we'll pump 54,000,000 gallons less per year out of the ground,” Wilcox said.

Council approved three separate but related actions: adoption of an initial study/mitigated negative declaration and a mitigation monitoring and reporting program (and direction to file a CEQA notice of determination); approval of a construction services contract with Specialty Construction (the low bidder, with the council approving a negotiated net contract amount of $12,276,345 plus an initial $650,000 contingency); and approval of a construction management and inspection services agreement with the Wallace Group for roughly $11,000,232.

Project scope and funding - Grant and budget: Wilcox said the city received a $16,663,021 Urban Community Drought Relief Grant and that, after prior work and the recommended contract awards, a modest remaining balance was expected if contingencies and costs are stable. - Scope changes after bidding: The lowest construction bid returned higher than initial funding. Wilcox said staff negotiated a deductive change order of approximately $1,504,419 to bring the contract within the construction budget; two small parks were omitted from the initial construction package to stay within available funds. - Construction and schedule: Project construction will trench roughly 5.5 miles of pipe across city streets and is expected to take about 18 months. Wilcox recommended an initial construction contingency of $650,000. Wallace Group will provide construction management and inspection services.

Votes and approvals Council members unanimously approved the CEQA action and the contracts. The motions were moved and seconded on the council floor and carried without recorded opposition. The council also asked staff to continue to pursue additional funding (including potential state appropriations) to restore any cut segments and to return to council with updates.

Community and operational notes Contractor representatives said they have experience installing recycled‑water distribution systems in the region and committed to managing construction impacts to neighborhoods. Specialty Construction’s Tom Bridal described local project experience and said crews endeavor to limit disruptions and keep work sites tidy.

Next steps Staff will complete Title 22 updates (recycled‑water permitting), finalize construction contract execution and start procurement for long‑lead materials, then begin construction. Wilcox said a Proposition 218‑compliant recycled‑water rate study will follow before system operation. Council members asked staff to continue seeking state funding to restore omitted park segments and to provide community outreach during construction.