TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Steven Lederer, Director of Public Works
REPORT BY: Estrella Munoz, Junior Engineer
SUBJECT: Approval of Plans and Specifications and Authorization to Advertise for Bids for the “Mt. St. Helena Tower Replacement Project,” PW 25-10
RECOMMENDATION
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Approve the Plans and Specifications for the “Mt. St. Helena Tower Replacement Project,” PW 25-10, and authorization to advertise for sealed bids and opening of the bids at a time, date, and locations to be published by the Director of Public Works pursuant to Section 20150.8 of the Public Contract Code. (No Fiscal Impact)
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BACKGROUND
Napa County Communications Department currently operates a 40-foot telecommunications tower located at the South Peak of Mt. St. Helena. The tower, constructed in 1970, is a critical component of the County’s public safety communication network, serving local government, law enforcement, and fire agencies. The site is managed under a communications use lease with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and replacement of the tower requires BLM approval.
In recent years, the tower has sustained significant damage from ice accumulation and falling ice, which has also created hazardous conditions for personnel accessing the site during winter months. The existing structure was not designed to accommodate ice protection systems and is no longer capable of supporting the equipment needed for reliable operation. Replacing the tower has therefore become a high priority.
Through an existing on-call services contract, Nacht & Lewis Architects, Inc. was tasked with preparing the design, plans, and specifications for a new 80-foot self-supporting tower. These documents are now complete and ready for Board of Supervisors approval. While BLM approval is still pending, it is anticipated by early November. Staff is requesting approval of the plans and specifications at this time to allow the project to move to the bidding phase as soon as possible.
The Engineer’s Estimate for construction is $1,700,000, with construction anticipated to begin in spring or summer 2026. Once bids are received, County staff will return to the Board with a detailed project budget and a request for a budget amendment and authorization to award the construction contract.
Requested Action:
1. Approve Plans and Specifications for the “Mt. St. Helena Communications Tower Replacement Project,” PW 25-10 and authorize to advertise for sealed bids.
FISCAL IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
Fund 3000, Sub-Division 3000550, Project 25018 |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
The existing tower is at risk of failure and is critical for the operation of public safety communication. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Staff will return at a later date to request a budget amendment once bids are received to fund construction of the project. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
The tower would not be replaced, jeopardizing public safety. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: Consideration of possible adoption of Categorical Exemption Class 1: It has been determined that this type of project does not have a significant effect on the environment and is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. [See Class 1 (“Existing Facilities” and Class 2 (“Replacement or Reconstruction”) which may be found in the guidelines for the implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act of 14 CCR §15301 and §15302; see also Napa County’s Local Procedures for Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act, Appendix B.]