To: Boards of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency, Occidental County Sanitation District, Russian River County Sanitation District, Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District, South Park County Sanitation District
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency, Occidental County Sanitation District, Russian River County Sanitation District, Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District, South Park County Sanitation District
Staff Name and Phone Number: Grant Davis 707-547-1900, Connie Barton 707-547-1905
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Cultural Resource Services
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager, acting on behalf of Sonoma County Water Agency, Occidental County Sanitation District, Russian River County Sanitation District, Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District, and South Park County Sanitation District, to execute an agreement with Alta Archaeological Consulting, LLC, in substantially the form presented to this Board, for as-needed cultural resource services through June 30, 2029, in the not-to-exceed amount of $300,000.
B) Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager, acting on behalf of Sonoma County Water Agency, Occidental County Sanitation District, Russian River County Sanitation District, Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District, and South Park County Sanitation District, to execute the First Amended and Restated Agreement for As-Needed Cultural Resource Services with Evans and De Shazo, Inc., in substantially the form presented to this Board. The amended agreement increases the amount by $200,000 and extends the agreement term by approximately 1.5 years for a new not-to-exceed agreement total of $350,000 and end date of June 30, 2029.
end
Executive Summary:
Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) is required by federal, state, and local laws to analyze potential impacts of its work on cultural and historic resources that may result from implementation of proposed projects, including those within its sanitation zones, flood control zones, and on behalf of the sanitation districts. This item requests that the Board authorize Sonoma Water’s General Manager to execute a new As-Needed Cultural Resource Services Agreement with Alta Archaeological Consulting, LLC (Alta) and the First Amended and Restated Agreement with Evans & De Shazo, Inc. (E&D) to conduct these cultural resource surveys and related services.
Discussion:
HISTORY OF ITEM/BACKGROUND
Cultural resource surveys will help to determine if any potential resources discovered during the identification process meet the legal criteria of significance under local, state, and federal laws. The cultural resource surveys will help determine if the project’s effects would cause a “substantial adverse change” in the significance of a historic or archaeological resource, as defined in CEQA Guideline section 15064.5(a).
Expertise in the potential for cultural and historic resource impacts, the eligibility of resources for listing as historic resources, and survey techniques is essential for such analyses. In addition, cultural resources services may be necessary in the event of accidental discovery of cultural or historic resources during project implementation.
Sonoma Water needs two cultural resources agreements to ensure sufficient capacity and schedule flexibility. Having two consultants allows Sonoma Water to manage overlapping projects and respond to urgent project needs. This redundancy minimizes delays if one consultant is unavailable and supports consistent progress on capital, maintenance, and grant-funded projects. Maintaining two agreements ensures reliable cultural resources support for all of Sonoma Water’s projects.
SELECTION PROCESS
Alta and E&D (Consultants) were selected from a list of qualified consultants developed from a competitive selection process. Attached is a memo that explains the competitive selection process.
Alta Archaeological Consulting, LLC and Evans & DeShazo, Inc were selected because they have demonstrated a strong combination of relevant experience, technical qualifications, and availability to meet Sonoma Water’s cultural resources needs. Their experience within the region, familiarity with local tribal governments, and tribal engagement are determined to be the best fit to support Sonoma Water’s workload and timelines.
SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
Under the proposed agreements, Consultants will conduct cultural resource surveys of Areas of Potential Effects as needed and prepare reports of the survey results to Sonoma Water.
Alta Agreement: The cost of services will not exceed $300,000; the term end date is June 30, 2029.
E&D Agreement: Sonoma Water and E&D entered into an agreement for as-needed cultural resource services, dated January 22, 2025, in the amount of $150,000. The additional cost is $200,000, for a new not-to-exceed agreement total of $350,000. The new end date is June 30, 2029. Board approval is necessary for the time extension because the revised term will exceed the maximum three-year limit on agreements signed by the General Manager. Additionally, the payment structure is being modified to remove the $50,000 per year structure to allow Sonoma Water the flexibility to use these services when needed.
Through the proposed agreements, the General Manager will be delegated the authority to approve written amendments to extend the term of the agreements for up to two additional years by providing written notice to the other party thirty days in advance of the term end date and by executing agreement amendments.
County of Sonoma Strategic Plan Alignment:
N/A
Sonoma Water Strategic Plan Alignment
Goal: Planning and Infrastructure
Strategy: Develop processes for addressing emergency or urgent infrastructure repairs.
Action: Establish contractor, consultant, and vendor contracts to be used for urgent projects.
Implementing these two as-needed agreements improves responsiveness for emergencies or time-sensitive work. Emergency repairs, storm damage response, and unanticipated discoveries during project implementation require a quick response to minimize risks and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
4/28/2015: Board approved agreement between Sonoma Water and Tom Origer and Associates for archaeological and cultural resources surveying and related services. Cost $100,000, end date 4/30/2018.
11/9/2010: Board approved agreement between Sonoma Water and Tom Origer and Associates for archaeological and cultural resources surveying and related services. Cost $100,000; end date June 30, 2014.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY25-26 Adopted |
FY26-27 Projected |
FY27-28 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$150,000 |
$150,000 |
$200,000 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$150,000 |
$150,000 |
$200,000 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
$150,000 |
$150,000 |
$200,000 |
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
General Fund Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$150,000 |
$150,000 |
$200,000 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgeted amount of $150,000 is available from FY 2025/2026 appropriations for the Water Transmission Fund, for the Occidental, Russian River, and Sonoma Valley County Sanitation Districts’ Operations Funds, and for the Geyserville, Penngrove, and Sea Ranch Sanitation Zones’ Operations Funds. The revenue source for the Water Transmission Fund is water rates and for the Districts and Zones is rate-payer annual sewer service charges. Future fiscal year appropriations will be budgeted in the applicable fiscal year.
|
Staffing Impacts: |
|
|
|
|
Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Attachment 1: Draft Agreement with Alta Archaeological Consulting, LLC
Attachment 2: Draft Amended Agreement with Evans and De Shazo, Inc.
Attachment 3: Competitive Selection Process Memo
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.