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Corte Madera council authorizes storm pump-station repairs, approves sole-source controllers
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Summary
The Corte Madera Town Council voted to authorize public-works staff to approve plans and award a construction contract for short-term repairs to multiple storm pump stations, approving specifications for Allen Bradley CompactLogix controllers and PanelView interfaces and authorizing spending not to exceed $860,000 plus a 10% contingency.
The Corte Madera Town Council on Feb. 17 authorized town staff to move forward with short-term repairs at several storm drain pump stations, approving plans and contract documents and a sole-source specification for Allen Bradley CompactLogix controllers and PanelView operator interfaces.
Public Works Director Chris Good introduced the project as a response to the town's 2024 storm drain master plan, saying the work is "a very high priority" to reduce reliability risks at pump stations. Senior civil engineer Nick Cartagena, the project manager, told the council the phase-1 package focuses on "replacing level sensors, electrical components, and replacement of select controllers where they're outdated" at stations including Black Kettle, High Canal, Marina Village, San Clemente and the Corporation Yard, with Lagoon 1 and Lagoon 2 included as bid additives.
Cartagena provided cost estimates: a base bid of approximately $760,000, a 10% construction contingency, and a $30,000 technical construction-support allowance for a net anticipated cost of about $866,000. "Approximately $700,000 is programmed in the current fiscal year budget," he said, adding that additional Measure F sales-tax revenue would be used if bids come in higher and to cover additive work.
Council members asked whether the upgrades would increase flood capacity or merely improve reliability. Cartagena answered they would "increase reliability so we don't lose pump stations during major storms," but would not increase hydraulic capacity. Staff said some Allen Bradley controllers already exist at other stations and standardizing equipment would simplify maintenance.
A council member moved to authorize the director of public works to approve the plans and contract documents, advertise the bid, allow the specified sole-source equipment and award a construction contract to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder on the base bid plus bid additives not to exceed $860,000 plus a 10% contingency. After a second, the council recorded a roll-call vote and the motion carried unanimously.
What happens next: staff said they plan to advertise the project "as soon as practicable," with construction beginning in early summer so critical upgrades will be in place before the fall/winter storm season.
