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 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 County Sanitation Districts to execute the First Amended Agreement for As-Needed Regulatory and Permitting Assistance with Larry Walker Associates, Inc., to provide regulatory and permitting assistance in a form approved by County Counsel. The amended agreement updates Exhibit C, Schedule of Costs, with no change to agreement total of $300,000 and no change to end date of June 30, 2024.
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) 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.
7.
The First Amended Agreement will increase rates, by an average of 4-percent annually, to align with Larry Walker Associates Inc.’s, (Consultant) current rates. The consultant has indicated that all work under the agreement can be completed with no change to the agreement total of $300,000.
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, as well as Airport/Larkfield/Wikiup Sanitation Zone, Geyserville Sanitation Zone, Penngrove Sanitation Zone, and Sea Ranch Sanitation Zone (“Zones”). The services of a consultant are needed to support operations and the permitting process.
Sonoma Water and Consultant entered into an agreement for regulatory and permitting assistance, dated August 5, 2020, in the amount of $300,000.
Consultant is continuing to assist with the development and negotiations of NPDES and WDR permits on an as-needed basis.
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.
Consultant was selected for the agreement because of its extensive experience in NPDES and WDR permitting. Consultant 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 amended agreement, Consultant 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.
Amending the agreement is necessary to update Exhibit C, Schedule of Costs, to increase rates to be aligned with Consultant’s current rates, with no change to agreement total of $300,000 and no change to end date of June 30, 2024.
Prior Board Actions:
08/04/2020: Approved agreement between Sonoma Water and Larry Walker Associates, Inc., for 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
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
No additional funds.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
None
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None