To: Board of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency and Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency and County Administrator’s Office
Staff Name and Phone Number: Grant Davis 707-547-1911, M. Christina Rivera 707-565-2431
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Consulting Agreements
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute the First Amended and Restated Agreement for Support of Development of Renewable Energy, Efficiency, Regulatory Programs, and Evaluate Asset Leveraging Opportunities with Rusty Klassen, in a form approved by County Counsel. The amended agreement increases the amount by $140,000 and extends the agreement term by one year to June 30, 2026.
B) Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute the First Amended and Restated Agreement for Support of Development of Renewable Energy, Efficiency, Regulatory Programs, and Evaluate Asset Leveraging Opportunities with Karen Eggerman, in a form approved by county counsel. The amended agreement increases the amount by $140,000 and extends the agreement term by one year to June 30, 2026.
C) Approve the use of up to $90,000 in FY 2024-25 General Fund Contingencies to fund scope of services from Mr. Klassen ($45,000) and Ms. Eggerman ($45,000) that will evaluate leveraging opportunities for County of Sonoma owned assets.
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Executive Summary:
Rusty Klassen and Karen Eggerman (Consultants) were retained in 2023 to conduct work in support of Sonoma County Water Agency’s (Sonoma Water) 2023 Energy and Climate Resiliency Policy (Energy Policy). Under the proposed amended agreements, Consultants would continue to investigate innovative financing methods for energy development and climate adaptation projects; develop opportunities in partnership with local governmental institutions; assist Sonoma Water with proposal review; and inform Sonoma Water of legislative developments related to water, climate, energy efficiency, and drought. Given recent County Board of Supervisors open discussions that include Airport area and other County owned assets, the County’s Executive Officer (CEO) is also interested in and is recommending the amendment includes services for the County, with particular focus on investigating, analyzing, and evaluating opportunities to enhance and leverage existing County of Sonoma assets to meet County Strategic Plan goals. The CEO’s recommendation also includes a request of up to $90,000 in General Fund Contingencies for these services through June 30, 2026. A scope of services specific to the County of Sonoma needs, payment protocol to be used by the County for services rendered via a Sonoma Water consultant agreement, and identifying a County lead are pending. These steps will be completed as part of the initial County of Sonoma project launch.
Discussion:
HISTORY OF ITEM/BACKGROUND
In 2005, Sonoma Water’s Board of Directors authorized the Sonoma Water General Manager to finalize an Energy Policy for Sonoma Water establishing guidelines for Sonoma Water employees in the purchase of materials, design and construction of projects, and the operation and maintenance of Sonoma Water facilities.
In 2011, Sonoma Water’s Board of Directors approved an updated Energy Policy directing Sonoma Water to achieve Carbon Free Water and to collaborate on regional energy projects including investigating the feasibility of establishing a Community Choice Aggregation program. As a result of that directive, Sonoma Water and partners established Sonoma Clean Power in 2012. Sonoma Water achieved Carbon Free Water in 2015.
In August 2023, Sonoma Water’s Board of Directors approved the updated Energy Policy to replace Sonoma Water’s previous Energy Policy and authorized and directed the General Manager to implement the Energy Policy. The updated policy directs Sonoma Water to continue to pursue Carbon Free Water; invest in climate science and innovation; develop and implement climate resiliency strategies, including those identified in the Climate Adaptation Plan; collaborate with low-income communities and communities of color; and pursue energy and climate resiliency projects of regional benefit.
Consultants have performed work in support of the original Energy Policy under past agreements with Sonoma Water to investigate innovative financing methods for climate action projects, develop opportunities in partnership with local governmental institutions, assist Sonoma Water in review of proposals, and support Sonoma Water in staying informed of legislative developments related to water, climate, energy efficiency, and drought. Specifically, Consultants have assisted in the formation of Sonoma Clean Power, the Floating Solar Project, identifying grant funding opportunities, and in monitoring the activities of the California Public Utilities Commission and the California Energy Commission.
Sonoma Water and Consultants entered into agreements for their work on Sonoma Water’s 2023 Energy Policy dated July 1, 2023, in the amount of $100,000 each.
Consultant’s recent accomplishments under these agreements include coordination of the initial development of a pumped water storage project at Lake Sonoma; conducting stakeholder outreach on renewable energy and water resource management; and initiation of stakeholder outreach with the Department of Energy to support climate modeling options.
Given recent County Board of Supervisors open discussions that include Airport area and other County owned assets, the County Executive is recommending the amendment includes similar services for the County, with particular focus on investigating, analyzing, and evaluating opportunities to enhance and leverage existing County of Sonoma assets to meet County Strategic Plan goals.
SELECTION PROCESS
A competitive selection process was not completed, and one Single Source Waiver covering both Consultants was obtained from Sonoma Public Infrastructure Department, Purchasing Division.
When the Energy Policy was updated in 2011, Rusty Klassen was selected to assist with implementation. Sonoma Water has contracted with Rusty Klassen since that time, and additionally with Karen Eggerman, who works directly with Rusty Klassen, to provide ongoing energy-related consulting services. The relevant relationships Consultants have developed with Department of Energy National Laboratories, academia, government officials, and businesses on behalf of Sonoma Water are unique, and Sonoma Water benefits from maintaining these relationships through Consultants, rather than seeking other consultants through a competitive selection process.
SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
Under the amended agreements, Consultants will continue to:
1. Investigate innovative financing methods for energy development and climate adaptation projects, including charitable foundations, investors, and state and local finance institutions.
2. Develop opportunities for energy development and climate adaptation in communities and through partnerships with local and governmental institutions.
3. Review and comment on proposals for development of energy development and climate adaptation projects received by Sonoma Water.
4. Assist Sonoma Water in monitoring activities at CalEPA (California Air Resources Board, and State Water Resources Control Board); California Natural Resources Agency; Department of Water Resources; and regional actions related to water, climate, and drought-related legislation.
5. Advise Sonoma Water on courses of action related to regional and legislative activities and assist in preparation of possible responses to issues as appropriate.
6. Consultants will also investigate, analyze, and evaluate opportunities to enhance and leverage existing County assets to meet County Strategic Plan goals. The County will fund this task.
These agreements are being amended because continued services from Consultants are required to continue these efforts. The additional cost is $95,000 each from Sonoma Water and $45,000 each from County, for new not-to-exceed agreement totals of $240,000 each. The new end dates are June 30, 2026.
Strategic Plan:
This item directly supports the County’s Five-year Strategic Plan and is aligned with the following pillar, goal, and objective.
Pillar: Climate Action and Resiliency
Goal: Goal 2: Invest in the community to enhance resiliency and become carbon neutral by 2030
Objective: Objective 1: Design or retrofit County facilities to be carbon neutral, zero waste and incorporate resilient construction techniques and materials.
Consultants will assist in the identification of grant money and financing strategies and the promotion of energy efficiency. This will assist Sonoma Water in pursuing funding and development of renewable energy projects of broad regional benefit to generate revenue, lower county-wide emissions profile, and reduce long term rate exposure risk to consumers.
Sonoma Water Strategic Plan Alignment
Goal: Planning and Infrastructure.
Strategy: Conduct planning that integrates and balances operational, maintenance, and infrastructure priorities.
Action: Continue to identify opportunities to implement renewable and efficiency enhancing energy projects to meet energy policy objective.
Consultants will assist in the identification of grant money and financing strategies and the promotion of energy efficiency. This will assist Sonoma Water and County in pursuing funding and development of renewable energy projects of broad regional benefit to generate revenue, lower county-wide emissions profile, and reduce long term rate exposure risk to consumers.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
Attached.
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY24-25 Adopted |
FY25-26 Projected |
FY26-27 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
$190,000 |
$90,000 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
$90,000 |
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Total Expenditures |
$280,000 |
$90,000 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
$190,000 |
$90,000 |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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County General Fund Contingencies |
$90,000 |
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Total Sources |
$280,000 |
$90,000 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgeted amount of $190,000 is available from the FY 2024-25 appropriations in the Sustainability/Renewable Energy Fund. FY 2025-26 appropriations will be budgeted in that fiscal year.
The County of Sonoma scope of work to be coordinated with County staff includes analysis and monthly reporting at an hourly rate of $200 for each consultant for a cumulative not to exceed amount of $45,000 through the contract period expiring June 30, 2026. If approved, the additional $45,000 would come from FY 2024-25 General Fund Contingencies and a budgetary adjustment will be included in upcoming Quarterly Budget Adjustments.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Prior Board Actions
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.