To: Board of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency
Staff Name and Phone Number: Steve Koldis 707-547-1914
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Fifth
Title:
Title
Engineering and Design Services Related to the Monte Rio and Villa Grande Wastewater Treatment Project
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute an agreement with Brelje & Race Consulting Engineers, in a form approved by County Counsel, for engineering and design services related to the Monte Rio and Villa Grande Wastewater Treatment Project through June 30, 2024 in the not-to-exceed amount of $425,000.
B) In addition to the authorities granted under Resolution 20-0092, authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to amend the agreement to extend the term, make modifications to the scope of work, and increase costs provided amendments do not cumulatively increase the total cost to Sonoma County Water Agency by more than 10 percent.
(Fifth District)
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Executive Summary:
Several economically disadvantaged communities along the lower Russian River in Monte Rio and Villa Grande contain homes and businesses that rely on onsite wastewater treatment systems for treatment and disposal of septic waste. Under the requirements of the Total Maximum Daily Load Action Plan for pathogens for the Russian River Watershed adopted by the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control, property owners whose septic systems do not meet the state's minimum requirements will need to repair, upgrade, or replace their systems within the next 15-20 years. Many of the systems in Monte Rio and Villa Grande are subject to these requirements. The goal of the Monte Rio and Villa Grande Wastewater Treatment Project is to help these communities bring wastewater treatment to current standards.
Discussion:
HISTORY OF ITEM/BACKGROUND
The North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board) is initiating a pilot project to analyze alternatives for residents in economically disadvantaged communities in Monte Rio and Villa Grande to bring individual and community wastewater treatment to current standards and comply with the new Total Maximum Daily Load requirements adopted by the Regional Board to address pathogen pollution in the lower Russian River watershed. Under the requirements of the Total Maximum Daily Load Action Plan for pathogens for the Russian River Watershed adopted by the Regional Board, property owners whose septic systems do not meet the state's minimum requirements will need to repair, upgrade, or replace their system within the next 15-20 years.
Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) will serve as the contract manager for a feasibility report for the pilot project, which will include the above-mentioned feasibility study and conceptual design. Sonoma Water is scheduled to receive planning funds from the State of California’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund that will be used to retain a consulting firm to complete the feasibility study and conceptual design (10%) for the pilot project.
Collectively, the tasks for the feasibility study will provide the basis for solutions to wastewater treatment challenges in the Monte Rio and Villa Grande communities. Sonoma Water is working with an Interagency Team and a Citizens Advisory Group to develop this feasibility report. The Interagency Team consists of representatives of the Regional Board, Sonoma County Fifth District Supervisor’s office, Sonoma County’s Permit Sonoma Department, Sonoma County Administrator’s Office, and Sonoma Water. The Interagency Team meets as needed to assist the Citizens Advisory Group, identify and resolve outstanding issues and concerns related to planning study development efforts, and build consensus throughout the feasibility study and design process.
The Citizens Advisory Group is comprised of appointees representing Lower Russian River communities. The Citizens Advisory Group was formed in 2018 to provide citizen input to government agencies that are working to improve wastewater management in unsewered areas of the lower Russian River and to provide feedback on steps needed to successfully transition to cleaner, more reliable and more accountable wastewater infrastructure.
SELECTION PROCESS
Brelje & Race Consulting Engineers (Consultant) was selected from a list of qualified consultants developed from a federally-compliant competitive selection process that is explained in the attached memorandum.
Consultant was selected for the subject work because Consultant has a complete understanding of the Monte Rio and Villa Grande Wastewater Treatment Project (Project) history and of West County politics and has a well-thought out approach that meets the Project’s needs.
Sonoma Water may seek to amend or enter into subsequent agreement(s) with Board approval if required, relying upon this competitive selection process, after the preliminary or initial work is completed for the Project.
SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
Consultant will investigate a broad range of permissible alternatives meeting the needs of the Monte Rio and Villa Grande communities, including an alternative or alternatives recommended by the Citizens Advisory Group and Interagency Team, and prepare a draft and final feasibility study, conceptual design (10%), and a budget for the Consultant’s recommendation(s).
The cost of services will not exceed $425,000; 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 Consultant 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:
Waste Water Treatment and Water Reuse, Goal 1: Improve operational reliability of wastewater treatment and water reuse systems.
Work performed under the proposed agreement will help property owners in communities along the lower Russian River bring individual and community wastewater treatment to current standards. In addition, this work will help these communities comply with the new Total Maximum Daily Load requirements adopted by the Regional Board to address pollution in the lower Russian River watershed.
Prior Board Actions:
09/17/2019: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the General Manager to sign and file the necessary documents for financial assistance applications with the State Water Resources Control Board to plan and design improvements to address water quality impairment in the Monte Rio and Villa Grande communities; execute financial assistance agreements; and carry out Sonoma Water’s responsibilities under these agreements.
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 21-22 Adopted |
FY22-23 Projected |
FY 23-24 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
$300,000 |
$125,000 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
$300,000 |
$125,000 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
$300,000 |
$125,000 |
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Fees/Other |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$300,000 |
$125,000 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgeted amount of $300,000 is available from FY 2021/2022 appropriations for the Sonoma Water General Fund. FY 2022/2023 appropriations will be budgeted in that fiscal year.
Offsetting revenue will come from State of California’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund.
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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:
Selection Memorandum
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None