Supervisors forward $20 million emergency authorization for Stern Grove slope and park repairs

The Budget and Finance Committee on April 20 forwarded to the full Board an emergency declaration authorizing the Public Utilities Commission to expand contracts for storm and slope repairs at Stern Grove to a not-to-exceed $20 million amount.

Assistant General Manager Steve Ritchie told the committee the Aug. 23, 2021 failure of a large water transmission appurtenance produced a prolonged geyser, substantial erosion down a steep slope and damage to trees, rock walls and ancillary festival structures. Ritchie said crews removed 63 mature eucalyptus trees, engaged geotechnical engineers, and determined significant concrete and retaining-wall work will be required to stabilize the hillside.

"The initial $4 million estimate was developed within 48 hours of the emergency and was lowballed," Ritchie said, describing additional discoveries — including an unexpected, large-diameter sewer near the top of the slope — that raised projected costs. He said work will be sequenced so the Stern Grove Festival can proceed this year while longer-term restoration continues, with completion targeted by summer 2023.

Nick Bernard of the Budget and Legislative Analyst’s office said the PUC will fund the work from its capital plan (local water conveyance and distribution projects) and that some preventive maintenance on the PUC’s water mains will be deferred this year to cover emergency costs. He recommended approval and requested that final reports to the committee include documentation of Local Business Enterprise (LBE) commitments made on the work.

Supervisor Matt Haney and others expressed support for restoring the grove, calling it a treasured community resource and noting the PUC’s accountability in moving rapidly to complete repairs. Committee members asked PUC to include photos and documentation in its final report and to return with details on LBE commitments.

The committee voted to forward the emergency declaration and related reports to the full Board with a positive recommendation. The full Board will consider the item on its April 26 agenda.

The committee’s action does not itself award construction contracts; it extends emergency contracting authority so the PUC can hire firms necessary to meet stabilization and cleanup needs immediately and report back with documentation and LBE participation.