Ventura council approves $44.7M State Water pipeline, rejects bid protest

The Ventura City Council voted 4-1 on July 14 to award a $44.7 million construction contract for the State Water Interconnection Pipeline, a project that will connect the city to the State Water Project for the first time.

The council upheld the city engineer's decision to deny a bid protest filed by Mountain Cascade, Inc., then awarded the contract to Sam Hill & Sons. Councilmember Liz Campos voted against both motions, according to the July 14 action agenda.

The project carries a base construction contract of roughly $38.9 million with a 15 percent contingency of $5.8 million, for a total not-to-exceed amount of $44.7 million. The contract includes a completion timeline of 1,098 consecutive calendar days from the notice to proceed, per the staff report filed July 14.

The council also approved two related professional services agreements: $4.5 million with Kennedy/Jenks Consultants for construction management through October 2029, and $2.2 million with Stantec Consulting Services for engineering services during construction through March 2030.

The council added a condition requiring staff to notify the council of any contingency use and to obtain council approval before spending more than 3 percent of the construction bid, except in emergencies.

Councilmember Jim Duran made the motion to approve the staff recommendation on the contract award, seconded by Councilmember Bill McReynolds. Deputy Mayor Doug Halter and Mayor Dr. Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios joined them in the majority. Campos was the sole no vote. Councilmembers Ryyn Schumacher and Alex Mangone were absent.

The meeting was extended past 10 p.m. to complete the item, per the council's protocols.