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ADOPT A RESOLUTION AND RATIFY THE EMERGENCY CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE WEBER POINT EVENT CENTER FOUNTAIN REPAIRS PROJECT
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Appropriate funds in the amount of $260,182 from Fiscal Year 2022-23 Discretionary Projects Contingency Funds to the Parks Special Services Operating Account.
2. Approve Notice of Exemption No. NOE28-25 under the California Environmental Quality Act for the Weber Point Event Center Fountain Repairs, Project No. OM-25-130.
3. Approve findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070 in support of an exception to the competitive bidding process.
4. Approve findings and ratify the City Manager’s approval to execute an Emergency Construction Contract to Soracco, Inc. of Lodi, CA, in the amount of $260,181.40, for the Weber Point Event Center Fountain Repairs, Project No. OM-25-130.
It is also recommended that the City Manager be authorized to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.
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Summary
On March 27, 2025, Siegfried Engineering, Inc. (Siegfried) evaluated the access at the Weber Point Event Center (WPEC) Fountain below the existing water feature and found severe structural damage and recommended that the water feature be fully restricted to the public until repairs could be completed.
On May 8, 2025, the City Manager approved an Emergency Construction Contract to Soracco, Inc. of Lodi, CA, in the amount of $260,181.40, for the WPEC Fountain Repairs, Project No. OM-25-130.
It is recommended that Council adopt a resolution ratifying the City Manager’s approval to execute an Emergency Construction Contract with Soracco, Inc. of Lodi, CA, in the amount of $260,181.40, for the WPEC Fountain Repairs, Project No. OM-25-130. It is also recommended that Council adopt a resolution approving Notice of Exemption No. NOE28-25 under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
DISCUSSION
Background
On March 27, 2025, Siegfried evaluated the access at the WPEC Fountain below the existing water feature to facilitate future structural inspections. During the inspection, the engineer noted severe structural damage and recommended that the water feature be fully restricted to the public until repairs could be completed.
Due to the critical need to complete the structural repairs at the WPEC Fountain, both for safety and to prevent further damage, Public Works’ staff negotiated a Construction Contract with Soracco, Inc. Staff chose Soracco, Inc. to complete the repairs based on their past work experience on the WPEC Fountain Renovation project and their ability to mobilize to complete the structural repairs immediately.
On May 8, 2025, the City Manager approved an Emergency Construction Contract to Soracco, Inc. of Lodi, CA, in the amount of $260,181.40, for the WPEC Fountain Repairs, Project No. OM-25-130.
Present Situation
On May 14, 2025, Soracco, Inc. commenced work on the WPEC Fountain Repairs project. The repairs to the fountain included grouting all cracks in the concrete, repairing spalling concrete, replacing nine 33’ pieces of steel C-channel with stainless steel C-channel, and replacing a deteriorated section of steel grating. The repairs were completed on June 19, 2025.
The Emergency Construction Contract was processed in accordance with Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) section 3.68.070, which provides an exception to the competitive bidding process under certain circumstances, including cases of emergencies.
The WPEC Fountain Repairs, Project No. OM-25-130, is categorically exempt from the requirements of CEQA as specified under Section 15301(d) of the CEQA Guidelines because it is the restoration or rehabilitation of a deteriorated or damaged structure or facility to meet current standards of public health and safety. As a result, the project has been granted a Categorical Exemption. The activities related to this project constitute a discretionary project under the City’s jurisdiction and qualifies as a project that does not have a significant effect on the environment. The resolution will approve the filing of Notice of Exemption No. NOE28-25 under CEQA.
It is recommended that Council adopt a resolution ratifying the City Manager’s approval to execute an Emergency Construction Contract with Soracco, Inc. of Lodi, CA, in the amount of $260,181.40, for the WPEC Fountain Repairs, Project No. OM-25-130 and appropriating the funds for the project.
Findings
Pursuant to SMC section 3.68.070, Council may approve findings which support an exception to the competitive bidding process.
These findings include:
1. As determined by Siegfried’s evaluation of the WPEC Fountain, the structural damage could adversely affect the public health, safety, and welfare of the City of Stockton.
2. Failure to undertake emergency construction repairs of the WPEC Fountain may contribute to significant liability for the City.
3. Soracco, Inc. was selected as the most qualified construction contractor given the following:
• Experienced local contractor;
• Prior experience working on the WPEC Fountain in 2020 for the WPEC Fountain Renovation project; and
• The contractor was responsive and could start work upon the City’s issuance of a Notice to Proceed.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
With the appropriation of funds in the amount of $260,182 from the allocated Fiscal Year 2022-23 Discretionary Projects Contingency Funds to the Parks Special Services Operating Account, there will be sufficient budget to fund all construction-related costs to complete the WPEC Fountain Repairs, Project No. OM-25-130.
There is no impact to the City’s General Fund or any other unrestricted fund as a result of taking the recommended actions.