Summary

Utility board approves major projects

RiversideDec 8, 20253 min read

At a glance

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The Board of Public Utilities approved or advanced a series of electric, water, and power supply actions, including a $14.65 million turbine maintenance contract, a $9.64 million substation and street improvement bid, and funding steps for the Palmyrita PFAS water treatment project.

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Getaway Improvement Project

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Board of Public Utilities

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TransportationBudget & TaxEnvironmentalUtilities

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What this means

The board approved several utility projects meant to keep Riverside’s electric and water systems operating and to upgrade aging infrastructure. Those actions include well rehabilitation, pipeline replacement, pole replacements, substation work, and a long-term maintenance contract for gas turbine parts. The board also moved forward with financing and grant applications for the Palmyrita PFAS water treatment plant, which is meant to address contamination concerns in drinking water.

Key decisions

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Approved a five-year, $536,713 air compressor maintenance agreement for Riverside Energy Resource Center Units 3 and 4 and Springs Power Plant.
Approved $780,000 for the Harvey Lynn Substation Transformer (T3) improvement project.
Approved $210,000 for the Plaza Substation 4kV to 12kV conversion project.
Approved $889,810 for pole replacements at various locations.
Recommended an additional $300,000 in legal spending over two fiscal years to retain Holland and Hart LLP for power purchase and resource adequacy agreement negotiations.
Recommended the City Council receive and file the annual electric and water utility rate plan update for fiscal year 2024-25; Board Member Evans voted no.
Awarded the groundwater well rehabilitation construction contract to Best Drilling and Pump, Inc. for $1,690,277 and approved related work order and well rehabilitation funding totaling up to $2,134,000.
Approved $2,834,000 for engineering, construction, and paving costs for the Golden Avenue Pipeline Replacement Project.
Approved a five-year, not-to-exceed $14,650,629 agreement with GE Vernova Operations, LLC. for gas turbine component rotable exchanges.
Awarded Bid 8180 to Act 1 Construction, Inc. for $9,635,566 and approved a 10% contingency for the Wilderness Substation and Wildlife Switchyard site and related street improvements.
Reviewed and discussed the Board of Public Utilities Standing Rules and Policy Guide and asked staff to return with additional red-line changes.
Recommended City Council action to apply for State Water Resources Control Board funding for the Palmyrita PFAS Water Treatment Plant Project, including loan and grant or principal forgiveness options and the ability to advance funds subject to reimbursement.

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Meeting information

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Board of Public Utilities

Dec 8, 2025, 6:30 PMCity Hall - Art Pick Council Chamber 3900 Main Street, Riverside Live Webcast at: www.RiversideCA.gov/Meeting Originally Published: November 25, 2025completed

Agenda

MISSION STATEMENT The City of Riverside is committed to providing high quality municipal services to ensure a safe, inclusive, and livable community. The City of Riverside Public Utilities Department is committed to the highest quality water and electric services at the lowest possible rates to benefit the community. For virtual Public Comment, two options are available: VIA TELEPHONE: Call (951) 826-8688 Press *9 to be placed in the queue to speak. Individuals in the queue will be prompted to unmute by pressing *6 to speak. VIA ZOOM: Use the following link: https://zoom.us/j/92696991265 Select the "raise hand" function to request to speak. An on-screen message will prompt you to "unmute" and speak. Public comments are limited to 3 minutes. Please follow along via the telephone or Zoom options above to ensure you call in at the appropriate time for your item(s). Public comments regarding items on this agenda or any matters within the jurisdiction of the Board can be submitted by eComment at www.RiversideCA.gov/Meeting until two hours before the meeting. Email comments to City_Clerk@riversideca.gov * * * * *
PAGE BREAK
6:30 P.M.
CHAIR CALLS MEETING TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
ROLL CALL
PUBLIC COMMENT
To comment on any matters within the jurisdiction of the Board of Public Utilities, you are invited to participate via telephone at (951) 826-8688. Press *9 to be placed in the queue to speak. Individuals in the queue will be prompted to unmute by pressing *6 when you are ready to speak. To participate via ZOOM, use the following link: https://zoom.us/j/92696991265, select the "raise hand" function to request to speak. An on-screen message will prompt you to "unmute" and speak.
COMMUNICATIONS
Office of Communications Update
Declaration of conflicts of interest on any agenda items (Board of Public Utilities)
CONSENT CALENDAR
Minutes of November 17, 2025
Excuse absence of Board Member Montgomery from October 27, 2025, Board of Public Utilities meeting
Approve Services Agreement to Request for Proposal 2476 with Lans Compressors, Inc., Glendora, for $536,713 from Riverside Energy Resource Center Maintenance-Generating Plants and Springs Maintenance-Generating Plants Accounts to perform air compressor maintenance for five-year term ending December 31, 2030 - Riverside Energy Resource Center Units 3, 4, and Springs Power Plant
Approve Work Order 2509126 for total capital expenditure of $780,000 from Public Utilities Electric Capital Account for Harvey Lynn Substation Transformer (T3) Circuits 1287, 1289, and 1291 Getaway Improvement Project
Approve Work Order 2410179 for total capital expenditure of $210,000 from Public Utilities Electric Capital Account for Plaza Substation 4kV to 12kV Conversion Area 4 Project, Circuits 444 and 445 Cutover to Circuit 1253
Approve Work Order 2320724 for $889,810 from Public Utilities Electric Capital Account for Pole Replacements at various locations
Recommend City Council approve increase in expenditures to retain Holland and Hart LLP, for by $300,000, $150,000 from Electric Fund, PU Electric Power Supply Operation, Outside Legal Services, and Power Supply Operation Account to represent City for negotiation of power purchase and resource adequacy purchase agreements for Fiscal Years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027
DISCUSSION CALENDAR
Recommend City Council receive annual electric and water utility rate plan update for results of Fiscal Year 2024-25
Award contract Bid RPU-8212 to lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Best Drilling and Pump, Inc., Colton, for $1,690,277 plus 10 percent change order for construction for Fiscal Year 2025-26 of Groundwater Well Rehabilitation Project for $169,027.70 - Approve capital expenditure for Work Order 2522339 for $991,000 for design, construction, construction support, contract administration, inspection and construction change order authority costs for rehabilitation of Garner C Well - Approve capital expenditure for Work Order 2522340 for $1,143,000 for design, construction, construction support, contract administration, inspection and construction change order authority costs for rehabilitation of Tippecanoe Well - Total project estimate is $2,134,000 from Public Utilities’ Facility Rehabilitation Account
Approve Work Order 1614978 for $2,834,000 from Public Utilities’ Water Main Replacement Account for engineering, construction and paving costs for Golden Avenue Pipeline Replacement Project
Approve Services Agreement with GE Vernova Operations, LLC., Houston, Texas, for not to exceed $14,650,629 from Public Utilities Electric CIP OH/UG Substations Generating Station Account to perform gas turbine component rotable exchanges for five-year term commencing on January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2030, at Riverside Energy Resource Center - Approve Work Order 2607457 for $14,650,629
Award Riverside Public Utilities Bid 8180 to Act 1 Construction, Inc., Norco for $9,635,566 with 10 percent contingency in amount of $963,557 from Accounts Receivable Miscellaneous Southern California Edison Cost Sharing Riverside Transmission Reliability Project and Public Utilities Capital Accounts for grading construction of Wilderness substation and Wildlife switchyard site, and street improvement construction of Wilderness Avenue and Ed Perkic Street
Board of Public Utilities Standing Rules and Policy Guide updates
Recommend City Council (1) authorize application to State Water Resources Control Board for Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Loan and Emerging Contaminants Grant or Principal Forgiveness Program funding for Riverside Public Utilities Department’s Palmyrita Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Water Treatment Plant Project; (2) approve resolution authorizing City Manager, or designee, to file financial assistance application for Financial Agreement with State Water Resources Control Board for the construction of Riverside Public Utilities Department’s Palmyrita PFAS Water Treatment Plant Project; (3) approve resolution authorizing advance of funds for construction of Riverside Public Utilities Department’s Palmyrita PFAS Water Treatment Plant Project subject to later reimbursement of City expenditures by State Water Resources Control Board; (4) authorize City to receive fifty percent of Riverside Public Utilities Department’s Palmyrita PFAS Water Treatment Plant project costs up to $25 million from Emerging Contaminants Grant or Principal Forgiveness Program for Riverside Public Utilities Department’s Palmyrita PFAS Water Treatment Plant upon grant and/or principal forgiveness award; (5) with five affirmative votes, authorize Chief Financial Officer, or his designee, to record increase in estimated revenues and corresponding supplemental appropriation in amount of actual Emerging Contaminant Grant or Principal Forgiveness Program award in Water Fund Federal Grants revenue and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Emerging Contaminant Grant-Palmyrita PFAS Construction Project expenditure accounts; and (6) recommend staff return to Board of Public Utilities to provide update on State Water Resources Control Board for Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Loan application and application and acceptance of Emerging Contaminants Grant and/or Principal Forgiveness Program funding
BOARD MEMBER/STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Systematic reporting on meetings, conferences, and seminars by Board members and/or staff
Items for future Board of Public Utilities consideration as requested by members of the Board. Only items that fall within the powers and duties of the Board of Public Utilities as set forth in the City Charter and/or the Riverside Municipal Code will be agendized for future discussion.
GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT
WA-12 Agricultural Service Water Rate report - October 31, 2025
Power Supply Report - September 2025
Water Supply Report - September 30, 2025
Electric Contractor and Consultant Panel updates for September 2025
Customer Engagement Report updates through October 2025
Southern California Public Power Authority Agendas and Minutes
Upcoming City Council and Board Meetings
Electric/Water Utility Acronyms
* * * * * * * * * The next regular Board of Public Utilities meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 12, 2026
For live Webcast of the Board Meeting: RiversideCA.gov/Meeting
* * * * * * * * * Sign up to receive critical information such as unexpected road closures, utility outages, missing persons, and evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods. www.RiversideAlert.com

Utility board approves major projects

At a glance

Projects mentioned

Committees mentioned

Topics discussed

What this means

Key decisions

Timeline & follow-ups

Meeting information

Board of Public Utilities

Agenda

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