SR-502-009 (2)
EPWM/JH:JH:F:\ADM\STAFFRPTS
Council Meeting: October 8, 2002 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Extension of Professional Services Contract 7816 (CCS) with
KOMEX H0 Science, Inc. for Charnock Well Field Technical
2
Oversight
INTRODUCTION
This report recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to
extend the professional services contract with KOMEX H0 Science, Inc.
2
(KOMEX) through June 30, 2003, in an amount not to exceed $715,000, for
Charnock well field technical oversight.
BACKGROUND
Charnock Well Field
All five City water wells at the Charnock well field are shut down due to MTBE
contamination from underground gasoline storage tanks and pipelines owned by
various oil companies. For the Charnock well field, the City retained KOMEX in
1996 for the purpose of technical oversight of the activities related to well field
restoration. Among the tasks KOMEX performs on behalf of the City are review
of work plans and other correspondence, laboratory analysis, interpretation of
data, regulatory compliance and permitting review, preparation of technical
reports and presentations, and continuous coordination and communication with
1
City technical and legal staff.
In 1997, an interim settlement agreement between the City and the responsible
parties stipulated that the City would be made financially whole with respect to
replacement water costs and technical oversight costs, while the companies
responsible for the contamination pursued the cleanup of the ground water.
In January 2000, the settlement agreement between the City and the Charnock
responsible parties expired. Pursuant to a September 1999 order from the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, the cost of water replacement continues to be
funded by the responsible parties; however, ongoing technical oversight costs
are not included. These technical oversight costs are presently borne entirely by
the City.
DISCUSSION
The contract for technical oversight for Charnock represents a continuation of an
existing contractual relationship with KOMEX which has provided services
relative to the City?s MTBE contamination crisis. Komex principals and staff
involved provide technical expertise and have developed an understanding of
Santa Monica?s unique hydro-geologic characteristics since the problem was
initially discovered. Additionally, Komex possess an institutional knowledge of
the water division?s operations, as well as background of the current situation.
For these reasons, staff has determined that the most efficient and cost effective
2
approach is to continue the Komex contract. It is proposed that the contract
term end June 30, 2003, and be reviewed at that time.
Budget/Financial Impact
Funds are available at account C25038603.589000.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to extend the
contract with KOMEX for a second year in an amount not to exceed $715,000 to
provide technical oversight services for the remediation of the Charnock well
field.
Prepared by: Craig Perkins, Director of EPWM
Gil Borboa, Utilities Manager
Joseph Lawrence, Assistant City Attorney
Jean Higbee, Utilities Business Supervisor
3