HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2k - Contract for Development of Enhanced Watershed Management Program PlanGPLIFORnr9y�r
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Co�nnity STAFF REPORT
Public Works Services Department
DATE: June 4, 2013
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tom Tait, Public Works Services Director
Prepared by: Vanessa Hevener, Environmental Services Officer
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH CALIFORNIA
WATERSHED ENGINEERING (CWE) FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF
THE ENHANCED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PROGRAM PLAN FOR
THE RIO HONDO /SAN GABRIEL RIVER WATER QUALITY GROUP IN
THE AMOUNT OF $790,537
Recommendation: Approve
SUMMARY
The Public Works Services Department recently solicited bids for a professional
services agreement (PSA) to develop an Enhanced Watershed Management Program
Plan (Plan) for the Rio Hondo /San Gabriel River Water Quality Group (Working Group).
The Working Group consists of six Cities including the City of Arcadia, the County of
Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles County Flood Control District. The cost to prepare
the Plan will be divided between the Working Group based on the cost share formula
outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding based on land area. The City of
Arcadia's cost -share for the Plan is approximately $179,891 spread over a three year
period. It is recommended that the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into
a professional services agreement with California Watershed Engineering (CWE) in the
amount of $790,537.
DISCUSSION
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Municipal Separate Storm Sewer
System Permit (MS4 Permit) Order No. R4- 2012 -0175 establishes the waste discharge
requirements for stormwater and non - stormwater discharges within the watersheds of
Los Angeles County. This MS4 Permit was adopted by the California Regional Water
Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region (Regional Board), on November 8, 2012,
and became effective on December 28, 2012.
Award PSA for Enhanced Watershed Management Program
June 4, 2013
Page 2 of 3
The new MS4 Permit includes provisions that allow permittees the flexibility to
customize their stormwater programs to achieve compliance with certain receiving water
limitations and water quality based effluent limits over time. Specifically, permittees
may choose to implement one of three programs to achieve compliance with the
Stormwater Permit:
1. Baseline Numeric Compliance
2. Watershed Management Program (WMP)
3. Enhanced Watershed Management Program (EWMP)
Both the WMP and EWMP include prioritization of water - quality issues, identification of
implementation strategies, control measures, and Best Management Practices (BMPs)
sufficient to meet stormwater standards, integrated water - quality monitoring, and
opportunity for stakeholder input. If a city chooses to implement a WMP or EWMP they
are allotted additional time to complete the Plan. The EWMP uses integrated planning
to comprehensively evaluate opportunities to implement multi- benefit regional projects.
Through the EWMP, permittees will not only implement projects to improve water
quality, but also have incentives to evaluate and, where feasible, implement regional
projects that retain all non - stormwater runoff and all stormwater runoff from the 85th
percentile, 24 -hour storm event for the drainage area tributary to those projects. These
projects may also achieve other benefits such as flood protection, water supply
enhancement, recreational opportunities, and wildlife habitat enhancement. The goal
for the Plan will be to provide each agency with a road map that will effectively show
compliance with the MS4 Stormwater Permit. If a municipality chooses to implement
Baseline Numeric Compliance Program, they have to be in compliance with the new
regulations immediately.
On May 21, 2013, City Council approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
with the Cities of Azusa, Bradbury, Duarte, Monrovia, Sierra Madre, the County of Los
Angeles and the Los Angeles County Flood Control District to collaborate and develop
the Enhanced Watershed Management Program Plan for the Working Group. The City
of Arcadia has agreed to act as the project manager. In this role, the City will be
responsible for the administration of contract services and collecting and administering
funds under the MOU. The City of Arcadia will be acting in this capacity at no cost to
the participating agencies. All of the agencies participating in the preparation of the
Plan have taken the MOU to their respective City Councils and /or Board for
consideration and have signed the MOU.
Request for Proposals were sent directly to 13 environmental consultants and
advertised in the City of Arcadia's local newspaper. A total of three proposals were
received, reviewed, evaluated, and ranked by staff of the participating agencies under
the MOU with the following results:
Award PSA for Enhanced Watershed Management Program
June 4, 2013
Page 3 of 3
RANK
FIRM
LOCATION
COST
1
CWE
Fullerton
$790,537
2
MWH Americas, Inc.
Arcadia
$799,013
3
Stetson Engineers, Inc.
Covina
$365,000
Staff reviewed the three proposals and ranked each environmental firm according to
quality and responsiveness; thoroughness of the scope of work; familiarity of the
project; background and experience; qualifications; and performance tasks outlined in
the RFP.
CWE was rated highest based on a complete evaluation of the above points, as well as
overall cost. The selection was based on the CWE Team's expertise with the MS4
Permit, expertise and experience developing similar plans, their existing relationships
with the Regional Board Staff, Board members, and key stakeholder groups. CWE also
developed the modeling system that will be used to evaluate potential projects for
compliance with the MS4 numerical requirements.
Although Stetson Engineers submitted the lowest cost, Stetson Engineers did not
demonstrate that they had expertise and /or experience in developing the programs
needed to comply with the Municipal NPDES Permit. Therefore, the proposal was
deemed to be non - responsive.
FISCAL IMPACT
Annual costs would be divided among participating agencies based on the MOU's cost
share formula. The total cost to the City of Arcadia for the preparation of the Enhanced
Watershed Management Program Plan will be approximately $179,891, and is
budgeted in the proposed Fiscal Year 2013 -14 Capital Improvement Program. Cost -
share payments will be split over three years with the first installment of $66,739.83 due
in Fiscal Year 2013 -14, $56,575.78 in Fiscal Year 2014 -15, and $56,575.78 in Fiscal
Year 2015 -16.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council authorize and direct the City Manager to
execute a Professional Services Agreement with California Watershed Engineering
(CWE) for the development of the Enhanced Watershed Management Program Plan for
the Rio Hondo /San Gabriel River Water Quality Group in the amount of $790,537.
Approved:
Dominic Lazzare�t
City Manager