Oxnard staff ask council to ratify $250,000 emergency contract after Channel Islands water-main break

Chris Payton, the city’s water division manager, told the City Council that staff is seeking ratification of an emergency order and authorization for an emergency contract with Toro Enterprises Inc. to repair a water-main break at the intersection of Channel Islands Boulevard and Statham Boulevard. Payton said the contract (agreement 32600454) would be for $210,266.11 with a contingency of $39,733.89 for a total not to exceed $250,000.

Payton said the break occurred on March 14, 2026, on a 10-inch water distribution line, forcing the closure of the intersection, redirecting traffic and requiring water to be shut off to a nearby grocery store. "The repairs included replacing part of the 10-in water line and excavating 11 ft deep under an existing box culvert and a 60-in storm drain," Payton said. He added that staff located conflicting underground utilities—such as an existing storm drain pipe—that required additional excavation, pipe work and specialized equipment beyond what the city's water crew had available.

To ensure immediate completion of repairs, the Director of Public Works ordered emergency work and staff contacted Toro Enterprises Inc. "Toro Enterprises Inc. was contacted on an urgent basis to assist," Payton said. Payton said Toro completed the work, including sand and slurry, paving and striping of the intersection, and that Toro's estimated cost exceeded $210,000. As of the date of the report, Payton said the emergency circumstances had ceased and no further emergency action was required.

Staff told the council they are proceeding with a stand-alone emergency public project agreement under Oxnard City Code section 4-30 and Public Contract Code §22050, which allow emergency contracts without competitive bidding under specified conditions. Payton noted the city's purchasing ordinance 3053, adopted April 15, 2025, sets forth the city's emergency procedures and that emergency repair items have appeared more frequently on agendas primarily because of updates to procurement procedures rather than a higher failure rate in the distribution system.

Funds for the agreement are available in Water Operating Fund 601. The presentation asked the council to review and ratify the Director of Public Works' emergency order and to authorize the City Manager to execute the emergency contract; the transcript provided does not record a council vote on the matter.