CC SR 20220719 01 - Landslide Projects Status
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 07/19/2022
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration and possible action to receive a status update on various projects
associated with the Landslide Complex.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Receive and file a status report on the following projects associated with the
Landslide Complex: Landslide Monitoring Program, Portuguese Bend Landslide
Remediation Project, Palos Verdes Drive South Landslide Area Resurfacing
Program, Altamira Canyon Improvements Project, and Abalone Cove Sanitary
Sewer program;
(2) Approve Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with Harris &
Associates, extending the duration of the agreement to July 19, 2023, without
increasing the project budget; and
(3) Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute Amendment No. 1 for a time
extension only, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Ramzi Awwad, Public Works Director
REVIEWED BY: Same as above
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Amendment No. 1 to Harris & Associates Professional Services Agreement for
Altamira PSR (page A-1)
B. November 4, 2020, staff report (page B-1)
BACKGROUND:
On February 15, 2022, the City retained Hout Construction Services, Inc., DBA Hout
Engineering (HCS) to provide program management services for the following four
projects associated with the Landslide Complex as listed below:
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• Landslide Monitoring Program
• Portuguese Bend Landslide Remediation
• Palos Verdes Drive South Landslide Area Resurfacing
• Altamira Canyon Improvements
For purposes of this staff report, the term Landslide Complex means the larger landslide
comprised of the various individual landslides such as the Abalone Cove, Portuguese
Bend, and Klondike landslides as shown in the map below.
Since onboarding HCS as the “landslide” project manager, they have been coordinating
and managing various projects and tasks within the greater Landslide Complex as
depicted above. This report is being presented to the City Council and the community as
an opportunity to provide an update on the projects related to Landslide Complex
managed by HCS, and to provide an estimated timeline as to when action items are
anticipated to be brought forward for the City Council’s consideration. This staff report
will also discuss the Abalone Cove Sanitary Sewer, which is not currently managed by
HCS.
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DISCUSSION:
Landslide Monitoring Program
Background:
The City has regularly performed surveys within the Landslide Complex to understand
land movement trends. Licensed surveyors hired by the City have used the Global
Positioning System (GPS), which is a network of satellites and receiving devices used to
determine the precise location of features/landmarks on Earth, to compare the location of
specific monuments in the landslide from one survey to the next. The surveys have
occurred each year in the fall, winter, and spring; and the survey data and information
has been published on the City website. Because the surveying protocol had not been
reviewed to determine if it is using the most optimal method, occurring at the appropriate
frequency, and occurring at the appropriate locations, HCS was retained to re-evaluate
the existing program and make recommendations to the City. Additionally, HCS was
tasked with making recommendations on the reporting format published on the City
website so that it can be better understood by the community.
Discussion:
HCS began collecting and reviewing all available data and information prepared
previously for the City. As a result of its preliminary analysis, HCS anticipates
recommending the City make some changes to its monitoring protocols that will allow the
City to provide more accurate land movement information, such as landslide movement
distances and other relevant data. HCS’s proposed changes include the following:
• Using state-of-the-art technical tools for surveying, such as Lidar scanning.
• Using innovative and advanced geotechnical exploration techniques such as those
listed below:
o Adding two inclinometers in specific areas to better assess land movement
o Installing a large-diameter exploration boring (up to 120 feet deep ) and
lowering a landslide geotechnical expert to visually inspect the landslide
formation and plane.
• Partnering with utility companies and sanitation districts to use video surveying of
underground major utilities to determine state -of-repair and to share information.
This revised protocol will provide the City with more accurate land movement information,
such as landslide movement distances and other relevant data. HCS’s recommendations
will be subject to available funding, City Staff review and approval, feedback from the
Infrastructure Management Advisory Committee (IMAC), and appropriate City Council
action to move forward.
Next Steps:
• HCS will finalize the recommended monitoring program in the summer of 2022 for
the City’s review.
• HCS will provide an implementation cost estimate and schedule.
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• Staff will review the recommendations against cost estimates and iterate with HCS
as needed.
• HCS and Staff will seek feedback from IMAC.
• Staff will then present the final recommendation along with an implementation
contract for the City Council’s consideration.
Portuguese Bend Landslide Remediation
Background:
The project’s goal is to minimize land movement for the Portuguese Bend Landslide (PBL)
area.
A feasibility study for stabilizing the Portuguese Bend Landslide (PBL) was completed on
August 7, 2018, with the goal of minimizing land movement . Subsequently, a proposed
remediation preliminary design was prepared and accepted by the City Council on
December 17, 2019. The proposed preliminary design consisted of a series of mitigation
measures that can be constructed all at once or be phased depending on factors such as
funding availability. The project components consist of the following:
• Infilling surface fractures to prevent stormwater runoff from easily becoming part
of groundwater.
• Installing surface drainage systems, including natural swales, to convey
stormwater runoff to the ocean and prevent it from becoming part of the
groundwater.
• Installing hydraugers to extract underground artesian water and reduce pressure
to slow down landslide movement.
On May 19, 2020, the City began work on the environmental document (Environmental
Impact Report or EIR) required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by
hiring The Chambers Group (Chambers) to complete the Environmental Impact Report
(EIR).
Discussion:
HCS, including its sub-consultant specializing in environmental studies, is in the process
of peer reviewing Chambers’ work. HCS is also managing Chambers’ scope, schedule,
and budget to assist the City in completing the environmental process in a timely manner.
At this time, the critical path of the EIR is completion of the technical studies component.
Those technical studies are as follows: air quality, noise analysis, biological habitat
assessment, cultural and archaeological/paleontological resources assessment, water
quality and hydrology, visual simulations, traffic impacts, geology and soils assessment,
and hazardous environmental study assessment. The timely completion of these
technical studies by Chambers has been challenging and has created schedule slippage
that the City and HCS are working diligently to resolve. HCS and the City are developing
the next steps with a goal of circulating the Draft EIR for review before the end of 2022.
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In addition to the EIR, HCS, including its sub-consultant specializing in geotechnical
engineering, is in the process of peer reviewing the preliminary design of the landslide
remediation. Staff believes that a peer review is an essential activity because there are
many opinions on how to effectively slow the landslide. The peer review will conclude with
clear information on the various opinions for the City Council to consider in its preferred
the sequence of construction as well as how to proceed with final design and preparation
of construction documents.
Furthermore, the PBL project requires a range of expertise, such as surveying,
environmental science, civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, and construction
engineering. HCS is effectively coordinating these resources to complete this highly
complex project.
Next Steps:
• HCS will work closely with Chambers and Staff to complete all technical studies
required for the EIR.
• The City and HCS are developing next steps with the goal of publicly circulating
the Draft EIR before the end of 2022.
• HCS will develop recommendations on construction sequencing and how to
proceed with final design and preparation of construction documents.
Palos Verdes Drive South Landslide Area Resurfacing
Background:
The City has been conducting regular repairs to Palos Verdes Drive South (PVDS) in the
landslide area since its incorporation in 1973. City Staff has conducted regular
inspections, prepared cost estimates for repairs, procured construction contractors to
perform repairs, and overseen construction activities. The City retained HCS to further
develop and implement a comprehensive program that will enable City staff time to focus
on other pressing projects.
Discussion:
HCS reviewed the current program and recommended new ideas to repair PVDS. These
included innovative roadway repair materials and techniques , such as laying geogrid
(earth strengthening fabric installed under asphalt to control cracking) and then
rubberized asphalt (asphaltic material mixed with recycled rubber to achieve asphalt
flexibility). HCS assisted the City to scope and analyze existing traffic sign s and pavement
markings to make certain that they are suitable for the conditions. The traffic analysis will
occur over the next several weeks, and HCS will coordinate the traffic engineering firm’s
work and perform a peer review of its recommendations.
To date, the HCS team and the City have performed and completed two construction
projects on the damaged roadway to provide motorists a smoother and more dependable
route.
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The HCS team and City Staff began implementing rigorous, regular inspection activities
along PVDS to document damage and/or deterioration from land movement. Inspections
include visual inspection, photo and video documentation, and highly accurate laser
scanning surveys, while applying hands-on construction experience to assess and report
damage to roadway features. HCS will prepare the necessary reporting documents for
the City’s review, approval, and use.
Next Steps:
• HCS will continue performing regular roadway inspections, documenting findings,
prioritizing repairs, preparing design and construction packages, coordinating with
construction contractors, and overseeing repair work.
• HCS will oversee the signs and pavement markings analysis and coordinate any
needed changes.
Altamira Canyon Improvements
Background:
The City developed the Altamira Canyon Improvements project to minimize groundwater
infiltration and erosion as an additional measure to reduce landslide movement in the
Abalone Cove landslide area. On November 4, 2015, the City retained Harris &
Associates (Harris) to prepare a Project Study Report (PSR) and associated appendices
to identify and consider solutions to minimize groundwater infiltration and canyon erosion.
The study limits of the 2015 PSR extended from just south of Palos Verdes Drive South
to just north of properties located along Narcissa Drive along Altamira Canyon. During
project informational meetings with the public, participants in the meetings, Staff and the
City Council concurred that the PSR would provide a more comprehensive review of
existing conditions and proposed solutions if the area studied were expanded to include
the drainage basin to the north and south of the area included in the 2015 PSR.
On November 4, 2020, the City retained Harris to revise the 2015 PSR to include the
expanded study area which included the drainage basin along Altamira Canyon from the
ocean north to the original study area of the 2015 PSR and from the original study area
of the 2015 PSR to the north through the Preserve extending to Crenshaw Boulevard,
Santa Catalina Drive, Crest Road, and Ocean Terrace Drive.
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Discussion:
HCS has been working closely with Harris and City Staff to complete a revised Draft PSR.
HCS conducted a peer review and provided Harris with input to be incorporated into the
revised Draft PSR so that the City can make informed decisions on alternatives. HCS has
been managing the scope, schedule, and budget for the revised PSR. At this time, an
Administrative Draft PSR has been submitted to Staff, representing a significant milestone
in this project. Upon Staff’s acceptance of the Draft Administrative PSR, the City will
schedule a public meeting and release the revised Draft PSR.
Shortly after the Administrative Draft PSR was submitted to Staff, the Harris contract
expired, and no work has occurred since then. To continue with next steps, Staff
recommends the City Council approve Amendment No . 1 (Attachment A) to the
professional services agreement with Harris, extending the duration of the agreement to
July 19, 2023, so that Harris can attend public meetings and respond to community
comments. There is no additional cost associated with this amendment because the
budget included for public meetings has not been expended.
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Next Steps:
• Staff will meet with HCS and Harris to finalize the revised Draft PSR and release
it to the public.
• Staff, HCS, and Harris will conduct a public process to solicit input on the revised
Draft PSR.
• Harris will make revisions to the revised Draft PSR based on public comment and
prepare a Final PSR at the direction of Staff and HCS.
• Staff will determine what City Council action is needed and when.
Abalone Cove Sanitary Sewer
For the past few years, one of the City Council’s goals, Goal 7b for Fiscal Year 2022-23,
has been consideration of a proposal to reduce the City’s subsidy of the Abalone Cove
Sanitary Sewer System. On June 7, 2022, the City Council reiterated to Staff the
importance of making progress toward this goal.
To provide the City Council with a complete picture of operating and maintenance costs
of the sewer system, Staff recommends a life-cycle cost analysis based on the current
condition of the sewer system. This is because there can be high variation in opera tions
and maintenance costs year-over-year, and because the cost of periodic rehabilitation
capital improvement projects can be orders of magnitude greater than yearly operations
and maintenance costs. Therefore, Staff hired a consultant (NV5) to review the condition
of sewer system components and provide an opinion of the life-cycle operating,
maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation costs based on current the condition and
anticipated useful life. The consultant is also identifying deficiencies in the desi gn or
construction of the sewer system that may cause higher operating or maintenance costs.
Staff is considering engaging HCS to provide day-to-day management of the scope,
schedule and budget of this analysis. HCS will also peer review the consultant’s work and
advise the City on next steps.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Infrastructure Management Advisory Committee (IMAC)
Staff is scheduled to present this status update on projects related to the Landslide
Complex at the IMAC meeting on July 18. Similar to this status update, the information
presented will be high-level, but will allow IMAC to provide some initial feedback on the
projects’ direction. As the projects progress further, more detailed information will be
presented to IMAC for its feedback. Staff will be prepared to present input from the IMAC
to the City Council at the July 19 meeting.
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ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to Staff recommendations, the following alternative actions are available for
the City Council’s consideration:
1. Direct Staff to return with clarifications or additional information on all or certain
projects.
2. Do not approve Amendment No. 1 to the professional services agreement with
Harris & Associates, and provide additional direction to Staff.
3. Take other action, as deemed appropriate.
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AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
THIS AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
(“Amendment No. 1”) by and between the CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES (“City”) and
HARRIS & ASSOCIATES, INC., a California Corporation (“Consultant”) is effective as of July
19, 2022.
RECITALS
A. City and Consultant entered into that certain Agreement for Professional Services
effective November 4, 2020 (“Agreement”) whereby Consultant agreed to provide City with
Altamira Canyon Drainage Study services (the “Services”), for a term of 1 year and a maximum
Contract Sum of $254,967.
B. Completion of the Services was extended to facilitate on-boarding of a consultant
program manager to aid the City in managing the Services. To this end, the City’s Contract Officer
authorized an extension of time to perform in accordance with Section 3.2 of the Agreement,
adding 180 days to the Schedule of Performance to allow completion of the draft Project Study
Report.
C. The Services are almost completed, and City and Consultant now desire to amend
the Agreement and further extend the term of the agreement by 1 year through July 19, 2023 to
provide Consultant additional time to attend public meetings and respond to community
comments. There is no additional cost associated with this Amendment No. 1 because the budget
included for public meetings has not been expended.
TERMS
1. Contract Changes. The Agreement is amended as provided herein. Deleted text is
indicated in strikethrough and added text in bold italics.
a. Exhibit B Special Requirements I. Section 3.4, Term is hereby amended to
read:
“ Unless earlier terminated in accordance with Article 7 of this Agreement, this
Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until completion of the services
but not exceeding one (1) year from the date hereof July 19, 2023, except as
otherwise provided in the Schedule of Performance (Exhibit “D”). The City may,
in its discretion, extend the Term by one additional one-year term.”
2. Continuing Effect of Agreement. Except as amended by this Amendment No. 1,
all provisions of the Agreement shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect. From and
after the date of this Amendment No. 1, whenever the term “Agreement” appears in the Agreement,
it shall mean the Agreement, as amended by this Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement.
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01203.0006/802597.1 -2-
3. Affirmation of Agreement; Warranty Re Absence of Defaults. City and
Consultant each ratify and reaffirm each and every one of the respective rights and obligations
arising under the Agreement. Each party represents and warrants to the other that there have been
no written or oral modifications to the Agreement other than as provided herein. Each party
represents and warrants to the other that the Agreement is currently an effective, valid, and binding
obligation.
Consultant represents and warrants to City that, as of the date of this Amendment No. 1,
City is not in default of any material term of the Agreement and that there have been no events
that, with the passing of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a material default
under the Agreement.
City represents and warrants to Consultant that, as of the date of this Amendment No. 1,
Consultant is not in default of any material term of the Agreement and that there have been no
events that, with the passing of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a material
default under the Agreement.
4. Adequate Consideration. The parties hereto irrevocably stipulate and agree that
they have each received adequate and independent consideration for the performance of the
obligations they have undertaken pursuant to this Amendment No. 1.
5. Authority. The persons executing this Amendment No. 1 on behalf of the parties
hereto warrant that (i) such party is duly organized and existing, (ii) they are duly authorized to
execute and deliver this Amendment No. 1 on behalf of said party, (iii) by so executing this
Amendment No. 1, such party is formally bound to the provisions of this Amendment No. 1, and
(iv) the entering into this Amendment No. 1 does not violate any provision of any other agreement
to which said party is bound.
[SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the date
and year first-above written.
CITY:
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, a
municipal corporation
____________________________________
David L. Bradley, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ALESHIRE & WYNDER, LLP
_________________________________
William W. Wynder, City Attorney
CONSULTANT:
HARRIS & ASSOCIATES, INC.
By: ________________________________
Michelle White
Division President/COO
By:_________________________________
Michelle White
Secretary
Address: 22 Executive Park, Suite 200
Irvine, CA 92314
Two corporate officer signatures required when Consultant is a corporation, with one signature required from
each of the following groups: 1) Chairman of the Board, President or any Vice President; and 2) Secretary, any
Assistant Secretary, Chief Financial Officer or any Assistant Treasurer. CONSULTANT’S SIGNATURES
SHALL BE DULY NOTARIZED, AND APPROPRIATE ATTESTATIONS SHALL BE INCLUDED AS
MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE BYLAWS, ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, OR OTHER RULES OR
REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO CONSULTANT’S BUSINESS ENTITY.
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01203.0006/802597.1
CALIFORNIA ALL-PURPOSE ACKNOWLEDGMENT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
On __________, 2022 before me, ________________, personally appeared ________________, proved to me on the
basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose names(s) is/are subscribed to the within instrument and
acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies), and that by
his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted,
executed the instrument.
I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true
and correct.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
Signature: _____________________________________
OPTIONAL
Though the data below is not required by law, it may prove valuable to persons relying on the document and could
prevent fraudulent reattachment of this form.
CAPACITY CLAIMED BY SIGNER DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED DOCUMENT
INDIVIDUAL
CORPORATE OFFICER
_______________________________
TITLE(S)
PARTNER(S) LIMITED
GENERAL
ATTORNEY-IN-FACT
TRUSTEE(S)
GUARDIAN/CONSERVATOR
OTHER_______________________________
______________________________________
SIGNER IS REPRESENTING:
(NAME OF PERSON(S) OR ENTITY(IES))
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
___________________________________
TITLE OR TYPE OF DOCUMENT
___________________________________
NUMBER OF PAGES
___________________________________
DATE OF DOCUMENT
___________________________________
SIGNER(S) OTHER THAN NAMED ABOVE
A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the
document to which this certificate is attached, and not the truthfulness, accuracy or validity of that document.
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01203.0006/802597.1
CALIFORNIA ALL-PURPOSE ACKNOWLEDGMENT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
On __________, 2022 before me, ________________, personally appeared ________________, proved to me on the
basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose names(s) is/are subscribed to the within instrument and
acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies), and that by
his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted,
executed the instrument.
I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true
and correct.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
Signature: _____________________________________
OPTIONAL
Though the data below is not required by law, it may prove valuable to persons relying on the document and could
prevent fraudulent reattachment of this form.
CAPACITY CLAIMED BY SIGNER DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED DOCUMENT
INDIVIDUAL
CORPORATE OFFICER
_______________________________
TITLE(S)
PARTNER(S) LIMITED
GENERAL
ATTORNEY-IN-FACT
TRUSTEE(S)
GUARDIAN/CONSERVATOR
OTHER_______________________________
______________________________________
SIGNER IS REPRESENTING:
(NAME OF PERSON(S) OR ENTITY(IES))
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
___________________________________
TITLE OR TYPE OF DOCUMENT
___________________________________
NUMBER OF PAGES
___________________________________
DATE OF DOCUMENT
___________________________________
SIGNER(S) OTHER THAN NAMED ABOVE
A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the
document to which this certificate is attached, and not the truthfulness, accuracy or validity of that document.
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