REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF BOARD GOVERNED COUNTY SERVICE AREAS
AND RECORD OF ACTION
August 5, 2025
FROM
NOEL CASTILLO, Director, Department of Public Works - Special Districts
SUBJECT
Title
Capital Improvement Program Project for County Service Area 70 J Oak Hills Chromium-6 Treatment Project
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of County Service Area 70 J Oak Hills:
1. Approve Capital Improvement Program Project, in the amount of $907,772, for the Chromium-6 Treatment Project.
2. Approve a professional engineering design and environmental services contract with Albert A. Webb & Associates, in the amount of $907,772, and for a term of August 5, 2025 through October 1, 2028, for the design of construction plans and specifications for the County Service Area 70 J Oak Hills Chromium-6 Treatment Project.
3. Authorize the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector to post budget adjustments in the amount of $907,772, as detailed in the Financial Impact Section, for the County Service Area 70 J Oak Hills - Chromium-6 Treatment Project (Four votes required).
(Presenter: Noel Castillo, Director, 387-7906)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). Costs for the recommended professional engineering design and environmental services contract for County Service Area 70 J Oak Hills (District) Chromium-6 Treatment Project (Project) will be funded by the District’s Available Unrestricted Net Position. The Department of Public Works - Special Districts (Department) anticipates returning to the Board of Supervisors (Board) at a later date with a recommendation to approve construction funding.
The following 2025-26 budget adjustments are needed to proceed with the Project:
|
Fund Center |
Commitment Item |
Description |
Action |
Amount |
|
CSA 70J - Oak Hills Water Expansion Reserve |
|
1650004678 |
55305030 |
Operating Transfers Out |
Increase |
$ 907,772 |
|
1650004678 |
40909995 |
Residual Equity Transfers In |
Increase |
$ 907,772 |
|
CSA 70 J - Oak Hills Water - CIP Fund |
|
1650004684 |
54304030 |
Structures and Improvements |
Increase |
$ 907,772 |
|
1650004684 |
40909975 |
Operating Transfers In |
Increase |
$ 907,772 |
Sufficient appropriation will be included in future recommended budgets as needed.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The District was established by the Board on December 28, 1971, to provide water services. It is currently responsible for the operation and maintenance of infrastructure serving more than 3,200 water connections, including wells, booster stations, storage reservoirs, and over 130 miles of water pipeline. The District is managed by the Department, which administers all Board Governed County Service Areas (CSAs) and Zones that provide various municipal services, including the design, construction, and operation of water systems.
Chromium-6, also known as hexavalent chromium, is a naturally occurring element found in groundwater due to the erosion of chromium deposits, and, in some instances, past or present industrial activities involving the use or handling of chromium compounds. On October 1, 2024, the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) established a maximum contaminant level (MCL) through the adoption of the Hexavalent Chromium MCL Regulation SWRCB-DDW-21-003, which sets the MCL at 10 parts per billion. Recent sampling data from CSA 70 J wells 1 through 5 indicate levels of chromium-6 above the newly established MCL. In order to meet the regulatory compliance deadline of October 1, 2027, the District is proposing to construct treatment facilities at the affected well sites to reduce chromium-6 concentrations.
Approval of this item will authorize a professional engineering design and environmental services contract with Albert A. Webb Associates in the amount of $907,772, for a term of approximately three years through October 1, 2028, to prepare construction plans and specifications for the County Service Area 70 J Oak Hills Chromium-6 Treatment Project.
PROCUREMENT
On March 26, 2025, the Department released Request for Proposal (RFP) SPD125-WATER-5748 on the County’s Electronic Procurement System (ePro) to solicit proposals from interested and qualified consulting firms for professional engineering design and environmental services for the Project. Two proposals were received by the response deadline. Both of the following Proposals met the minimum requirements and proceeded to the evaluation process.
|
Consultant |
Location |
|
Albert A. Webb Associates |
Riverside, CA |
|
Pacific Advanced Civil Engineering, Inc. |
Fountain Valley, CA |
An evaluation panel consisting of Department representatives reviewed and evaluated the proposals in accordance with the criteria listed in the RFP, including qualifications and experience, technical approach, and references. Based on the evaluation criteria, the panel determined that Albert A. Webb Associates best met the needs of the District. Evaluation and selection letters were sent to all responsible and responsive proposers on June 24, 2025. No protests were received within the allowable period.
Purchasing supports this competitive procurement based on the formal solicitation described above.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on July 11, 2025; Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector (Charlene Huang, Auditor-Controller Manager, 382-7022) on July 14, 2025; Purchasing (Jessica Barajas, Supervising Buyer, 387-2065) on July 14, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Amanda Trussell, Principal Administrative Analyst, 387-4773) on July 17, 2025.