To: Boards of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency; and Occidental, Russian River, Sonoma Valley, and South Park County Sanitation Districts
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency; and Occidental, Russian River, Sonoma Valley, and South Park County Sanitation Districts
Staff Name and Phone Number: Kevin Booker / 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 to execute an agreement with Larry Walker Associates, Inc., for regulatory and permitting assistance through June 30, 2024, in the not-to-exceed amount of $300,000.
end
Executive Summary:
Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) needs 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 and Region 2. The assistance includes but is not limited to:
1. Completing Reports of Waste Discharge for various facilities,
2. Reviewing and negotiating permits,
3. Analyzing data (including Reasonable Potential Analysis),
4. Performing water quality studies (e.g. Metals Translator),
5. Performing water reuse studies, and
6. Providing pollution prevention expertise.
Discussion:
HISTORY OF ITEM/BACKGROUND
Sonoma Water has management responsibilities for wastewater treatment operations at the Occidental, Russian River, Sonoma Valley, and South Park county sanitation districts, as well as Airport/Larkfield/Wikiup, Geyserville, Penngrove, Sea Ranch Central, and Sea Ranch North sanitation zones. The services of a consultant are needed to support operations and the permitting process.
SELECTION PROCESS
On October 20, 2017, Sonoma Water issued a Request for Statements of Qualifications to the following 15 firms:
1. Adobe Associates, Inc., Santa Rosa, California
2. Brelje & Race Consulting Engineers, Santa Rosa, California
3. CDM Smith, Walnut Creek, California
4. Coastland Civil Engineering Inc., Santa Rosa, California
5. GHD, Inc., Santa Rosa, California
6. Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, Santa Rosa, California
7. Larry Walker Associates, Inc., Davis, California
8. Mott MacDonald, San Jose, California
9. Prunuske Chatham, Inc., Sebastopol, California
10. RMC Water and Environment, Walnut Creek, California
11. Stantec Consulting Services, Inc., Petaluma, California
12. Summit Engineering, Santa Rosa, California
13. URS Corporation, Oakland, California
14. Water System Consulting, Inc., San Luis Obispo, California
15. West Yost Associates, Santa Rosa, California
The Request for Statements of Qualifications was also posted on the Sonoma Water and County of Sonoma Purchasing Department websites.
The 13 firms listed below submitted Statements of Qualifications:
1. Brelje & Race Consulting Engineers
2. CDM Smith
3. GHD Inc.
4. Kennedy/Jenks Consultants
5. Kleinfelder, Inc., Santa Rosa, California
6. Larry Walker Associates, Inc.
7. Lescure Engineers, Inc., Santa Rosa, California
8. Natural Systems Utilities, LLC, Hillsborough, New Jersey
9. RMC Water and Environment
10. Stantec Consulting Services, Inc., Petaluma, California
11. Summit Engineering, Inc., Santa Rosa, California
12. Water System Consulting, Inc., San Luis Obispo, California
13. West Yost Associates
Statements of Qualifications were evaluated based on thoroughness of response, professional qualifications and demonstrated ability to perform the work, and exceptions to standard terms in the sample agreement. Based on the evaluations, all respondents were selected for the list of qualified consultants.
Larry Walker Associates, Inc., was selected for the proposed agreement because of its extensive experience in NPDES and WDR permitting. Larry Walker Associates, Inc., is currently assisting other agencies in Regional Water Quality Control Boards in Region 1 and Region 2 with NPDES and WDR permit requirements.
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 $300,000; the term end date is June 30, 2024.
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.
Prior Board Actions:
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 20-21 Adopted |
FY21-22 Projected |
FY 22-23 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 2020/2021 appropriations for the County Sanitation District and Zone funds for permitting. FY 2021/2022 and FY 2022/2023 appropriations will be budgeted in those fiscal years.
|
Staffing Impacts: |
|
|
|
|
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:
Attachment 1: Agreement with Larry Walker Associates, Inc.
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None