To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ANDREW WINJE, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
TITLE
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APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH DUKE’S ROOT CONTROL TO PROVIDE SEWER LINE ROOT FOAMING SERVICES FOR AN ANNUAL COST NOT TO EXCEED $316,000, AND A TOTAL THREE-YEAR NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $948,000, FOR THE TERM JULY 19, 2025 THROUGH JULY 18, 2028
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In order to maintain the operational capacity of the City’s sewer main lines, staff recommends approving a three-year agreement with Duke’s Root Control to provide root foaming service. This service mitigates the impact of tree roots that have grown into sewer lines. Duke’s Root Control will apply an herbicidal foam which greatly reduces the likelihood of system blockages. The service would be provided for an annual cost not to exceed $316,000, and a total three-year cost not to exceed $948,000. Funding for the annual service is included in the City’s sanitary sewer maintenance program budget.
BACKGROUND
The City’s sewer system contains approximately 600,000 linear feet of main lines, with approximately 400,000 linear feet being located in areas where tree roots can cause damage and obstruct pipes. Approximately 75% of all sewer blockages and overflows involve tree root intrusion into main lines. The most effective way to proactively address this issue is through the periodic application of an herbicidal foam that kills the roots and allows them to decay naturally and slough off inside the sewer line. The trees, and other above ground vegetation, are not harmed by this process. The chemical root control agent is approved by the Los Angeles County Sanitation District and is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.
The City’s current agreement with Duke’s Root Control is scheduled to expire on July 18, 2025. The contractor has proposed to provide services for another three years for a base cost of $1.85 per linear foot. The proposed pricing matches the unit pricing provided in a contract recently awarded to Duke’s Root Control by the City of Novato, California, following a competitive bidding process, and thereby satisfying the City’s piggyback purchasing requirements.
While the cost represents an 18% increase from the current agreement, staff believes the price/proposal is the best option available to the City. Duke’s has provided high quality, reliable service to the City over the past three years. In addition, the company was recently awarded root foaming service agreements by two cities, including the City of Manhattan Beach, that contain pricing that is roughly 40% higher than the City’s existing agreement. There are very few contractors that provide root foaming service in the Los Angeles area. When the City initially went out to bid in 2022, the proposal from Duke’s Root Control was the only bid received. Staff believes initiating an independent bidding process at this time could result in pricing that is significantly higher than what is included in the proposed Agreement.
The annual cost of the Agreement will not exceed $316,000, which will provide annual root foaming service for approximately 170,000 linear feet of sewer main lines. The City will also have an option to extend the agreement for two additional years if acceptable terms can be negotiated.
COORDINATION
This item was coordinated with the Financial Services Department. The City Attorney’s Office prepared the agreement and has approved it as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost for the proposed agreement for root foaming services will not exceed $316,000 per year, with a total three-year amount not to exceed $948,000. Funding for the Agreement is available in the Public Works Department’s annual Wastewater Fund Budget and the Sanitary Sewer Facilities Rehabilitation Capital Project account.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Agreement - Duke’s Root Control
• Insurance - Duke’s Root Control