To: Boards of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency, Occidental County Sanitation District, Russian River County Sanitation District, Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District, and 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, and South Park County Sanitation District
Staff Name and Phone Number: Kevin Booker 707-521-1865
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Regulatory and Permitting Assistance
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager on behalf of Sonoma County Water Agency and 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 Larry Walker Associates, Inc., for as-needed regulatory and permitting assistance through June 30, 2027, in the not-to-exceed amount of $500,000 in a form approved by County Counsel.
end
Executive Summary:
Sonoma County Water Agency, Occidental County Sanitation District, Russian River County Sanitation District, Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District, and South Park County Sanitation District (collectively referred to as Sonoma Water) need an experienced consultant to assist with the development and negotiations of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR) permits issued by the Regional Water Quality Control Boards in Region 1 (North Coast) and Region 2 (San Francisco Bay). The assistance includes but is not limited to the following areas:
• Completing reports of waste discharge for various facilities,
• Reviewing and negotiating permits,
• Analyzing data (including reasonable potential analysis),
• Performing water quality studies (e.g. metals translator),
• Performing water reuse studies, and
• Providing pollution prevention expertise.
Discussion:
HISTORY OF ITEM/BACKGROUND
Sonoma County Water Agency operates and manages Occidental County Sanitation District, Russian River County Sanitation District, Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District, and South Park County Sanitation District (“Districts”) under contract with Districts. Sonoma County Water Agency owns, operates, and manages Airport/Larkfield/Wikiup Sanitation Zone, Geyserville Sanitation Zone, Penngrove Sanitation Zone, and Sea Ranch Sanitation Zone. The services of a consultant are needed to support operations and the permitting process.
SELECTION PROCESS
Larry Walker Associates, Inc., was selected from a list of qualified consultants developed from a prior competitive selection process. Attached is a List of Qualified Consultants memo that explains the previous competitive selection process.
Larry Walker Associates, Inc., was selected for the subject work because of its familiarity with the sanitation facilities Sonoma Water manages and its vast permitting experience working with the Regional Water Quality Control Boards in both Region 1 and Region 2.
SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
Under the proposed agreement, Larry Walker Associates, Inc., will communicate with Regional Water Quality Control Board staff, review and prepare comments on draft permits and tentative orders, assist with NPDES permit implementation, provide updates on water quality regulations and policies, participate in stakeholder advisory groups and support policy development efforts, provide technical advice for agricultural irrigation impoundments pilot project (AB 1200), and other tasks as requested by Sonoma Water.
The cost of services will not exceed $500,000; the term end date is June 30, 2027.
The agreement includes two options for Sonoma Water to extend this agreement for a period of one year each by providing written notice to Larry Walker Associates, Inc., thirty days in advance of the expiration date of the agreement and of the first extension option.
County of Sonoma Strategic Plan Alignment: N/A
Sonoma Water Strategic Plan Alignment
Wastewater Treatment and Water Reuse, Goal 1: Improve operational reliability of wastewater treatment and water reuse systems. Supports compliance with NPDES, WDR, and with obtaining permits issued by the Regional Water Quality Control Boards.
Prior Board Actions:
08/04/2020: Approved agreement between Sonoma Water and Larry Walker Associates, Inc., for as-needed regulatory and permitting assistance. Cost $300,000, term end June 30, 2024.
12/10/2013: Approved agreement between Russian River County Sanitation District and Larry Walker Associates, Inc., for regulatory and permitting assistance. Cost $250,000; term end December 31, 2018.
10/22/2013: Approved agreement between Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District and Larry Walker Associates, Inc., for regulatory and permitting assistance. Cost $491,665; term end December 31, 2018.
04/09/2013: Approved agreement between Occidental County Sanitation District and Larry Walker Associates, Inc., for regulatory assistance services for discharge and permit requirements. Cost $100,000; term end June 30, 2017.
10/25/2011: Approved agreement between Sonoma County Water Agency and Larry Walker Associates, Inc., for regulatory assistance services for discharge and permit requirements for Airport/Larkfield/Wikiup Sanitation Zone. Cost $75,000; term end December 31, 2012.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 22-23 Adopted |
FY23-24 Projected |
FY 24-25 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$100,000 |
$100,000 |
$100,000 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$100,000 |
$100,000 |
$100,000 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
$100,000 |
$100,000 |
$100,000 |
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$100,000 |
$100,000 |
$100,000 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgeted amount of $100,000 is available from FY 2022/2023 appropriations for the Sonoma County Sanitation District and Zone Funds for regulatory and permitting assistance.
FY 2023/2024, 2024/2025, 2025/2026, 2026/2027 appropriations of $100,000 per fiscal year will be budgeted in those fiscal years.
|
Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
List of Qualified Consultants
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.