Actions pertaining to the emergency replacement of existing low security fencing along the frontage of Fresno water storage tank site T-4 located at 401 H Street (Council District 3) 1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Class 1, Section 15301(b) (Existing Facilities) and Section 15301(d) (Restoration or Rehabilitation) and Class 2, Section 15302 (c) (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines 2. ***RESOLUTION - Declaring an urgent necessity for the preservation of life, health, property and authorizing the City Manager or designee to enter into agreements without advertised competitive bidding for the emergency replacement of low security fencing along the frontage of water tank site T-4 located at 401 H Street with high security palisade type fencing (Requires 5 Affirmative Votes) (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)

REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: PAUL AMICO, PE, Director Department of Public Utilities BY: AHMED ALY, PE, Assistant Director Department of Public Utilities – Utilities Planning and Engineering DAVID SWEET, PE, Licensed Professional Engineer Department of Public Utilities – Utilities Planning and Engineering SUBJECT ..Title Actions pertaining to the emergency replacement of existing low security fencing along the frontage of Fresno water storage tank site T-4 located at 401 H Street (Council District 3) Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Class 1, Section 15301(b) (Existing Facilities) and Section 15301(d) (Restoration or Rehabilitation) and Class 2, Section 15302 (c) (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines ***RESOLUTION – Declaring an urgent necessity for the preservation of life, health, property and authorizing the City Manager or designee to enter into agreements without advertised competitive bidding for the emergency replacement of low security fencing along the frontage of water tank site T-4 located at 401 H Street with high security palisade type fencing (Requires 5 Affirmative Votes) (Subject to Mayor’s Veto) ..Body RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends that Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Class 1, Section 15301(b) (Existing Facilities) and Section 15301(d) (Restoration or Rehabilitation), and Class 2, Section 15302(c) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and adopt a Resolution declaring an urgent necessity for the preservation of life, health, property and authorizing the City Manager or designee to enter into an agreement with Harris Development Corp without advertised competitive bidding for the emergency replacement of the low security fencing along the frontage of water tank site T-4 with high security palisade type fencing. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The T-4 water storage tank site operated by Department of Public Utilities (DPU) located at 401 H Street has been experiencing frequent break-ins through the frontage fencing along H Street. Most recently these break-ins have escalated to include fires near critical electrical and site equipment, posing serious danger to City staff and the public. Although the site was recently upgraded with new steel security fencing on three sides, the H Street frontage was excluded because it appeared at the time that the existing fencing would be sufficient to deter intrusion. Unfortunately, recent break ins and fires present a clear threat to the integrity of the tank site, its support equipment, structures, as well as exposure to potentially damaging effects to the surrounding properties. Upgraded fencing is urgently needed along the H Street frontage of the tank site to match the new, taller steel security fencing to minimize the risk of future break-ins and continued property damage, and improve site safety for City staff. A Declaration of Urgent Necessity is now needed to preserve City property, to prevent continued unauthorized access to the tank site, and to protect the health and safety of the staff and community. This Resolution will allow DPU to procure services without advertising for competitive bids and to enter into an agreement to perform emergency replacement work, in an amount not to exceed $500,000.  BACKGROUND The City’s T-4 water storage tank site is located on approximately 3.6 acres at 401 H Street. It includes a 3-million-gallon (MG) storage tank, booster pumps, and an 8,700 square foot operations building. The tank was built to address water availability issues in Downtown Fresno and to support planned redevelopment. The storage tank works with the booster pump station to increase water flow to the area as daily demand shifts, which provides consistent and reliable water service in the area’s distribution system. The T-4 site has been experiencing frequent vandalism in recent years, and the break-ins and vandalism have impacted DPU’s ability to fully utilize the operations building. DPU completed construction of taller steel security fencing on three sides of the site, but the existing front fence has proven to be inadequate to prevent intrusion since the upgraded fencing project was completed. The numerous break-ins have resulted in damage to exposed water lines, site lighting and electrical systems, and automatic gate systems. Recently, intruders have set fires that resulted in exterior damage to electrical switchgear and the backup electrical generator. Intruders have also attempted to access the operations building and the H Street fencing is needed to provide a complete steel perimeter fence. The attached photos show the fire damage and vandalism at the T-4 site. The City contacted Harris Development Corp. dba HBC Enterprises in July of 2026 to provide a construction estimate for the replacement of the H Street frontage fencing. HBC Enterprises was chosen due to their familiarity with the site and fencing systems obtained through replacement of the initial three sides of the site with the new high security fencing. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS Staff have reviewed the scope and nature of the Project and determined that it is categorically exempt from the requirements of CEQA pursuant to Sections 15301/Class 1, (Existing facilities of both investor and publicly owned utilities) and 15302/Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the CEQA guidelines. The Project described herein represents an emergency project that includes the replacement of an existing, publicly owned structure that will have substantially the same purpose. All work will occur within the publicly owned T-4 Water Tank Site. The Project will not expand the use of the existing facility, nor will it relocate any existing facilities or structures. The Project is merely to conduct an emergency replacement of existing structures. Existing fencing will be replaced or modified in place. These facilities will be located on the same site as the structures being replaced, will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced and will not involve expansion of existing use. Staff have determined that no adverse environmental impacts would occur because of the proposed Project and none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference was not implemented because this action is being performed on an emergency basis. FISCAL IMPACT There is no impact to the General Fund. The Project is located in Council District 3. Funding for this Project will utilize the Fiscal Year 2027 Capital Improvement Budget within the Water Enterprise Fund 4000-4001. Attachments: Sample Contract Environmental Assessment Notice of Exemption Resolution of Urgent Necessity Vicinity Map Location Map Photos Exhibit