MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY WASTEWATER AUTHORITY
ENGINEERING COMMITTEE
August 14, 2008
A Regular Meeting of the South Orange County Wastewater Authority Engineering
Committee was held on Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. at the Administrative Office
located at 34156 Del Obispo Street, Dana Point, California.
The following Engineering Committee Members were present:
ROBERT HILL, El Toro Water District
DAVID SHISSLER, City of Laguna Beach
DAN FERONS, Santa Margarita Water District
LARRY DEES, Moulton Niguel Water District
JOE MCDIVITT, South Coast Water District
DR. ROBERT GUMERMAN, Moulton Niguel Water District
WAYNE POSEY, Irvine Ranch Water District
Also present:
BRIAN PECK, SOCWA, Director of Engineering
CHRISTINE HUTTON, SOCWA, Administrative Assistant
TOM ROSALES, SOCWA, General Manager
MIKE WILSON, SOCWA, Assistant General Manager/Director of Operations
MIKE DEMAREE, SOCWA, Director of Finance
KATHY LOTTES, City of Laguna Beach
OSCAR URANGA, The Athens Group
GREG VAIL, The Athens Group
SCOTT WILSON, Wilson Mikami Corp.
Mr. Peck, SOCWA Director of Engineering, called the meeting to order at 8:31 a.m.
and welcomed all those in attendance.
Minutes – Engineering Committee
August 14, 2008
Page 2 of 6
Review/Approval of meeting Minutes
DISCUSSION:
Mr. Peck referenced the June 12, 2008 and the July 10, 2008 Engineering Committee
Minutes and asked if there were any questions or comments. There were none.
ACTION:
Motion was made by Mr. Ferons and seconded by Mr. Shissler to approve the
provided Engineering Committee minutes. Motion carried unanimously, with all Engineering
Committee members voting aye.
Report on Aliso Creek Golf Resort Project and Potential Impact on Aliso Creek Land
Outfall
(PC 24)
DISCUSSION:
Mr. Peck provided a Power Point presentation on the Aliso Creek Land Outfall. This
presentation provided a general background on the route and the condition of the existing
Land Outfall. Mr. Peck then deferred to Mr. Uranga and Mr. Vail, The Athens Group, and Mr.
Scott Wilson, Wilson Mikami Corp., who provided a PowerPoint presentation on the proposed
Athens Group Project at the Aliso Creek Inn and Golf Resort. An open discussion ensued.
Mr. Peck inquired if The Athens Group could do all of the construction without affecting
the Outfall pipeline. Concern was raised regarding heavy equipment working down in the
creek channel might damage the encased pipeline. Representatives of the Athens Group
were not able to say definitively that there would be no impact. However, Mr. Scott Wilson
responded that approximately 8 feet of fill would be added along one portion of the Land
Outfall. The Athens Group proposed extending the pipeline encasement in this area. In
addition, Athens Group would seek permission from SOCWA for any type of construction
within the pipeline easement.
The Athens Group project also involves enhancement of Aliso Creek channel. The
design (by Hassan Nouri of RiverTech) would consist of adding a foot of riprap, five rockripples and broadening the channel cross section. Mr. Shissler voiced concern that the rockripples would wash out after a series of storms. Mr. Scott Wilson responded that the
upstream work is necessary to prevent scour throughout the entire creek. The rock-ripples
would provide the sediment to deposit and allow vegetation to grow upstream.
Minutes – Engineering Committee
August 14, 2008
Page 3 of 6
Mr. Posey inquired if the rock-ripples are grouted or wire mesh. Mr. Scott Wilson
responded that the rock-ripples are just open rock ungrouted. Mr. Peck noted that The
Athens Group is assuming that these grade control structures will be working in conjunction
with the upgrade control structures that the County of Orange calls the SUPER Project. Mr.
Shissler inquired if The Athens Group is relying on the SUPER Project to be able to maintain
the velocities or reduce velocities so that these structures do not wash away in one storm.
Mr. Scott Wilson responded that The Athens Group is also planning velocities that would
happen with a hundred year storm.
Mr. Peck pointed out that the exposed pipeline encasements were once buried under
three feet of riprap. Mr. Shissler voiced concern that the riprap is just a facade and will wash
away. Mr. Peck reminded the Committee that Mr. Nouri’s design is not to work by itself but in
conjunction with the SUPER Project control structures. Mr. Ferons inquired if the Athens
Group had an alternative plan in case the SUPER Project does not occur. Mr. Scott Wilson
suggested scheduling another meeting so that Mr. Nouri could respond.
Mr. Peck reported that the advantage SOCWA has with the existing situation is that
the access road throughout the golf course is always between the golf course holes and the
creek. This allows better access to the Creek should a failure of the Land Outfall occur. As
part of the proposed project the new access road will go on the outside of the resort and golf
course. SOCWA will need to work out a new agreement with The Athens Group clarifying the
rights and responsibilities to get to the pipeline though the fairways of the golf course.
Mr. Peck indicated the possibility of relocating the Outfall because the pipeline
is impacted by Athens Group construction or SOCWA opts to avoid the continued risk of the
location within the Creek. There are three primary potential alignments of the Outfall: (1)
remain within the Creek bed, (2) locate at edge of Creek and (3) follow the route of the new
Access Road. The second option of relocating the pipeline to the edge of the Creek is
complicated. Through the resort section of the property, there is a bluff on the east side
making it physically or economically impossible to move the pipeline over to the east side.
However, locating the pipeline on the west side would align the Outfall next to the new resort
structure but it might make the pipeline difficult to access for future repairs. The Athens
Group has done some preliminary route assessments in which the potential relocation to the
new Access Road alignment is believed to be unfeasible. The pipeline functions by gravity
Minutes – Engineering Committee
August 14, 2008
Page 4 of 6
so if the pipeline were located on the new road there would be sections that will have to be 40
to 50 feet deep.
Mr. Peck inquired if the contention of The Athens Project is that they do their project
and leave the Outfall pipeline in place with that one issue of extending the encasement.
However, there is a possibility of making space for a relocation of the pipeline but SOCWA
would cover the expenses. Mr. Vail responded that if The Athens Group affected something
that has to be relocated as a function of their project then it is their responsibility.
Mr. Peck pointed out that if SOCWA ever intends to relocate the Outfall out of Aliso
Creek the window of time would be during the Athens Group construction project. Mr. Vail
added that when The Athens Group builds this project everything would be built all at once in
one phase.
Mr. Ferons inquired on the easement restrictions. Mr. Peck responded that anyone
working on top of the easement would still need permission from SOCWA. Dr. Gumerman
inquired if the easements were in SOCWA’s name. Mr. Vail responded that some of the
easements are still in Moulton Niguel Water District name. Mr. Peck stated he would look
into this.
Mr. Hill inquired if The Athens Group had any cost estimates for the pipeline
relocation. Mr. Scot Wilson responded that the construction cost estimate is approximately
$3 million.
The Athens Group is looking at making the creek a riparian habitat as part of the
environmental rehabilitation of the project. Would this create an access issue for SOCWA in
the future?
Mr. Peck stated that if The Athens Group stays with their baseline project then
SOCWA would look for reassurance that their construction will have no impact on the
pipeline. SOCWA will further discuss the merits of relocating the pipeline.
ACTION:
The Engineering Committee directed staff to schedule a meeting with the Project
Committee 15 for review of the PowerPoint presentation and for direction.
Minutes – Engineering Committee
August 14, 2008
Page 5 of 6
Status Report on Coastal Treatment Plant Access Bridge Protection Project
(PC 15)
DISCUSSION:
Mr. Peck reported that the Coastal Treatment Plant Access Bridge Protection Project
is fully permitted. However, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers had to renegotiate with their
contractor due to the lapse in time since the original construction contract was prepared.
This has resulted in a proposed construction cost increase of $90,000 of which SOCWA
would be responsible for 35%. Mr. Demaree noted that staff would apportion the $180,000
for the FEMA – Road Relocation reimbursement to cover the additional costs.
Mr. Peck stated that the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers documents probably would not
meet the standards of any design documents that SOCWA would approve for our own
organization. There are issues with the amount of design detail, unexpected field conditions
and the timeline could eventually result in many change orders. This indicates the need for a
contingency to handle these potential change orders.
ACTION:
The Engineering Committee directed staff to schedule a Project Committee 15
meeting for discussion and direction.
Review of Proposals for Coastal Treatment Plant Headworks Improvements Project
(PC 15)
DISCUSSION:
Mr. Peck stated that three firms submitted proposals for the Coastal Treatment Plant
Headworks Improvements Project: Brown & Caldwell, Carollo, and Dudek.
ACTION:
The PC 15 Engineering Committee recommended for the Board of Directors to
approve awarding the contract to Carollo Engineers in the amount of $73,331.
Review of Proposals for Regional Treatment Plant Primary Sedimentation Upgrade
Project
(PC 17)
DISCUSSION:
Mr. Peck stated that two firms submitted proposals for the Regional Treatment Plant
Primary Sedimentation Upgrade Project: Brown and Caldwell for $47,983.00 and Malcolm
Minutes – Engineering Committee
August 14, 2008
Page 6 of 6
Pirnie for $119,259.00. Mr. Peck recommended awarding the contract to Brown and Caldwell
based on what appears to be a more accurate estimate of effort for the work.
ACTION:
The PC 15 Engineering Committee members recommended that the Board of
Directors approve awarding the contract to Brown and Caldwell in the amount for $47,983.
Status Report: Project Committee 15 Capital Improvements Projects
(PC 15)
DISCUSSION:
Mr. Peck stated that in response to a request from the Finance Committee, there
would be a different Project Committee status report provided once every meeting. Mr. Peck
stated that all projects are moving ahead for Project Committee 15 except for the Bridge
Protection Project and the Export Sludge System. The Road Alignment Study associated
with the Export Sludge System has begun.
SOCWA will ultimately need to determine
whether to press ahead with the Export Sludge Pipeline without waiting for the County to
secure funding for the SUPER Project.
Mr. Demaree added that the Finance Committee wanted to know why at the beginning
of the year SOCWA had estimated how much money was going to be collected and hoped
that 80 to 85 percent of it had been collected and now that amount has drastically decreased
on what SOCWA has actually collected.
ACTION:
No action needed.
Public Comments on Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
DISCUSSION:
Mr. Peck asked if there were any public comments on items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. There was
none.
ACTION:
No action needed.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:40 a.m.
/Christine Hutton/_______________
Christine Hutton, Administrative Assistant/Recorder
_