REDONDO BEACH, CA — Redondo Beach is preparing for potentially damaging winter storms with a $1.6 million expansion of its emergency drainage and sewer repair contract, giving the city greater flexibility to tackle failing underground pipes before they cause flooding, sinkholes or roadway damage.
The City Council unanimously approved the amendment to its agreement with Toro Enterprises Inc. on Oct. 20, increasing the contract's maximum value from $378,875 to $1,978,875.
The additional authorization includes $800,000 for storm drain maintenance and repairs and another $800,000 for sanitary sewer services according to a Public Works Department report.
The move comes as officials prepare for what they describe as potentially heavier rainfall associated with El Niño conditions, raising concerns about the ability of aging drainage systems to withstand severe weather.
The city's underground infrastructure includes corrugated metal storm drains, clay sewer mains and manholes that require regular maintenance to prevent failures. Over time, deteriorating pipe walls, cracked joints and invasive tree roots can allow surrounding soil to erode, potentially creating sinkholes, damaging streets and increasing the risk of flooding or sewage overflows.
Some damaged pipes can continue carrying water despite significant structural defects, making problems difficult to detect without inspections. Under the expanded agreement, Toro Enterprises will provide routine, urgent and emergency maintenance at locations identified by city engineers, rather than being restricted to specific repair sites.
Having a contractor available before winter will allow crews to address vulnerable infrastructure and respond more quickly to unexpected failures, particularly when storms increase demand for workers and equipment, officials said.
The original contract, approved in September 2025, covered emergency repairs at four locations where inspections had identified problems. According to the latest report, Toro completed repairs along Dixon Avenue, at Ormond and Steinhart avenues, and on Marshallfield Avenue.
A fourth project, involving a damaged sewer line near Pacific Coast Highway and Knob Hill Avenue, was removed from the company's responsibilities after Caltrans accepted responsibility for the damage and undertook repairs at no cost to Redondo Beach.
City officials said Toro had performed its previous work satisfactorily and agreed to maintain its existing competitively established rates. Staff also compared the company's pricing with similar public agency contracts before recommending the expansion.
Although the revised agreement allows nearly $2 million in total spending, it does not commit the city to that expenditure. Individual projects must be authorized as needed, with costs charged to the appropriate storm drain or sewer capital improvement accounts.
The contract runs through Sept. 16, 2028, allowing the city to draw on emergency repair services beyond the upcoming winter storm season.
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