Council awards construction and inspection contracts for water system flow‑control rehab project

The City Council on Oct. 14 authorized the city manager to execute a construction contract and a separate construction‑management/inspection services agreement for a water‑system flow‑control facilities rehabilitation project aimed at replacing aging pressure‑reducing valves, vault components and valves at seven locations across the city.

Marcus Yasutaki, Environmental/Water Resources director, told the council the project replaces eight pressure‑reducing valves (two valves at one site), installs new piping, operating valves, air release valves and flow meters at three sites, and replaces vault lids, concrete and pavement where needed. Yasutaki described safety and maintenance deficiencies — leaking vaults, obsolete valve parts, heavy vault lids without spring assistance and trip hazards from exposed piping — and showed examples of past installations that place piping and controls above ground in secured enclosures to improve accessibility and safety.

"We're removing quite a bit of the tripping hazards and some of these areas have limited accessibility," Yasutaki said, noting the work will improve maintenance safety and operational reliability.

Council approved two resolutions: one authorizing award of the construction contract (Resolution No. 11465) and a second authorizing award of a construction‑management/inspection services contract (Resolution No. 11466). Both measures passed unanimously on roll call.

Votes at a glance: Res. No. 11465 (construction contract) — Passed 5–0; Res. No. 11466 (construction‑management/inspection) — Passed 5–0.