Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Flood Control Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves $1.5 million PACE contract to design regional drainage basin near Avenue R
Summary
Palmdale hired PACE for a $1,508,304 design contract (15% contingency) to update the master drainage plan and design a regional detention basin at Avenue R and Division Street aimed at reducing chronic flooding in western Palmdale and lowering flood‑insurance burdens.
The council approved a professional services agreement with PACE to update the city's master drainage plan and design a regional detention basin near Avenue R and Division Street for $1,508,304 plus a 15% contingency. Deputy Public Works Director Jonathan Wu and PACE representatives described the project as a large‑scale detention basin that would reduce peak flows, protect downstream infrastructure (railroad and Highway 18) and improve the city's community rating for flood insurance.
PACE representatives Andrew O'Neil (technical director) and Jose Cruz (stormwater management) said they had led a prior 30% design and that historical studies gave them a head start; they proposed a 36‑month schedule for design and plan preparation. Staff explained a holistic bid analysis was conducted to compare proposed hours and rates and that PACE's prior work in the area explained why their fee was lower than some other proposals.
Council members emphasized urgency: recent storms left streets with mud and stranded vehicles, and members described public‑safety concerns, ambulance access problems and property damage. Several council members said basin design would unlock high‑value development corridors now limited by drainage constraints.
Outcome: Council moved and approved the contract; members asked staff to monitor contingency use and to provide schedule milestones.
