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Committee backs $9M amendment to SFPUC engineering contract for dam and reservoir work
Summary
The committee recommended forwarding an amendment that increases a PUC engineering services contract by $9 million (to $20 million) to continue planning, design and engineering support for multiple dams and reservoirs following condition assessments prompted by the Oroville spillway failure.
The Budget and Finance Committee on Oct. 2 recommended the Board of Supervisors approve Amendment 1 to an existing SF Public Utilities Commission professional services contract (Pro 138 C) with AECOM, increasing the contract by $9 million to a not-to-exceed total of $20 million. The amendment keeps the current contract term in place.
Tedman Lee, civil division manager for the PUC’s engineering management bureau, told the committee the amendment will provide planning, design and engineering support across a slate of dam and reservoir facilities — including San Andreas Dam, Turner Dam, Pilarcitos (spelled in the transcript 'Pilar Cetus') Dam, Sunset Reservoir and University Mountain Reservoir. He said that after the Oroville Dam incident in 2017 the California Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) requested condition assessments of spillways, which led to expanded scopes and higher capital budgets.
"As DSOD analyzed and repaired Oroville, they imposed additional requirements and analysis on the dam owners in the state," Lee said, describing how initial assessments have led to defined project scopes and the need for additional design-phase engineering work. The PUC presented the amendment as an intentional evolution of work based on project criticality and priority.
Nick Menard of the Budget Legislative Analyst Office recommended approval and explained the amendment purchases billable engineering hours to move projects from assessment into design; the work is funded from the Water Enterprise capital budget (including revenue bonds and customer revenues). Committee members asked about third-party review and when the city would issue new solicitations versus continuing with the current consultant; PUC staff said they typically retain the designer of record through design and construction and will procure independent technical reviews and cost-estimate checks as needed.
Chair Connie Chan moved the item to the full Board with a positive recommendation; Supervisor Mirna Melgar and Chair Chan voted "Aye." The item will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for final action.
