Seal Beach approves wetlands water‑main lining; council moves forward pending SRF loan details

Seal Beach council on June 22 unanimously approved awarding the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority (LCWA) water‑main lining contract to T.E. Roberts and authorized associated contingencies and construction‑support services.

Director Lee explained the 18‑inch transmission main runs through environmentally sensitive wetlands and that the city spent multiple years on design, permitting and environmental review. Because of those constraints, the city specified trenchless lining technology to minimize disturbance and to coordinate work with ongoing wetland restoration. Bids opened May 21; staff found the two higher bids non‑responsive because they failed to submit required federal funding forms, and staff evaluated T.E. Roberts as the responsive, responsible low bidder at $3,209,485.

Staff said the project is expected to be financed primarily through a State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan (staff cited an approximate 2.1% interest rate). Design costs were previously paid from water enterprise funds. Construction support (engineering, environmental compliance, inspection) is estimated at roughly $235,000 and staff recommended a 10% construction contingency ($320,950), for a project total near $3.77 million. Because SRF operates on a reimbursement basis, the city budgeted the work in the 2026–27 CIP and will bring the final loan agreement back to council for approval.

Council discussion acknowledged the tight schedule to coordinate wetlands restoration work and requested firm SRF loan terms including prepayment and fee details. The council approved staff’s recommendation 5–0 and authorized the city manager to execute the contract and related construction support and contingency.