SR 01-26-2016 3J
City Council
Report
City Council Regular and Special Joint Meeting: January 26, 2016
Agenda Item: 3.J
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Martin Pastucha, Director, Public Works, Civil Engineering
Subject: Amendment to Professional Services Agreement to Provide Support Services
for MS4 Discharge Permit Compliance
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a second modification to professional services agreement #2611 in the amount
of $85,000 with California Watershed Engineering (CWE), a California-based company,
to continue providing support services for compliance with the Municipal Separate
Storm Sewer System (MS4) discharge permit. This will result in a four-year amended
agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $150,000.
Executive Summary
The City of Santa Monica is part of the Los Angeles County Flood Control District,
administered by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (Control Board).
The Control Board adopted the new Waste Discharge Requirements for Municipal
Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) Discharges withi n the Coastal Watersheds of
Los Angeles County, except those Discharges Originating from the City of Long Beach
MS4 (Permit) on November 8, 2012. As part of its Permit compliance efforts, the City
participated in the development of an Enhanced Watershed Ma nagement Program
(EWMP) for the Santa Monica Bay Jurisdictional Group 2 and 3 which were submitted
to the Control Board in June 2015.
This modification would provide staff with technical support in the planning and
implementation of the EWMP. Staff recomm ends increasing the existing California
Watershed Engineering (CWE) agreement amount by $85,000 and extending the term
for one additional year.
Background
CWE has provide support services for permit compliance to the City of Santa Monica
since April 2013, previously under Council threshold. The Federal Clean Water Act
(CWA) requires the Control Board to develop water quality standards that identify
beneficial uses, and criteria to protect beneficial uses for each water body found within
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its region. Beneficial uses include swimming, fishing, drinking water, navigability, and
wildlife habitats and reproduction.
CWA section 402 requires the issuance of a permit to regulate municipal storm water
discharges. On November 8, 2012, the Board adopted the Permit with an effective date
of December 28, 2012.
The Permit covers the Los Angeles County Flood Control District, the County of Los
Angeles, and 84 incorporated cities in Los Angeles County, including the City of Santa
Monica.
As part of Permit compliance efforts the City of Santa Monica and Cities of Los Angeles,
El Segundo, Los Angeles County Flood Control District and the County of Los Angeles
jointly developed the EWMP for Jurisdictional Groups 2 & 3 of the Santa Monica Bay
watershed. EWMP is a comprehensive program that is expected to improve water
quality through the planning and implementation of multi-benefit, regional projects and
low impact development strategies in the watershed area.
Multi-benefit, regional projects (EWMP Projects) would be designed to retain runoff
generated by the 85th percentile 24-hour storm event on the drainage areas tributary to
the projects, while also achieving other benefits such as flood control and water supply.
Discussion
As part of its Permit compliance efforts, t he City would implement the EWMP projects.
These projects would be supported by a number of funding sources including
Proposition 1 as administered by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).
These funding opportunities require the City to develop individual project reports which
include in-depth feasibility studies, cost analysis, alternative comparison and
environmental analyses.
CWE is a multi-disciplined engineering firm that provides design and engineering
consulting in stormwater management, water resources and civil engineering. CWE has
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been providing support services for the City’s permit compliance efforts and was
involved in the development of the EWMP. With the proposed amendment, CWE would
provide the additional engineering support to co mplete the necessary feasibility reports
for the EWMP Projects.
With the amended professional services agreement CWE would continue to provide the
following services on an as-needed basis:
A. Provide support services and technical input pertaining to the requirements of the
MS4 Permit and its compliance options.
B. Assist the City in evaluating existing storm water programs and permit
compliance efforts.
C. Provide guidance on permit requirements.
D. Attend coordination meetings with City staff, the W ater Board or other City
partners.
E. Provide feasibility and concept reports for the EWMP Projects.
Consultant Selection
On February 4, 2013, the City published Request for Proposals #SP2104 for Los
Angeles County MS4 Discharge Permit Compliance, which was posted on the City's
online bidding site in accordance with City Charter and Municipal Code provisions.
Sixty firms received copies of the request for proposal. Staff received seven proposals.
Based on the selection criteria in SMMC 2.24.073, CWE, wa s identified as the best
qualified firm to provide the services based on their experience, qualifications, technical
competence and competitive cost. Staff recommends CWE as the best proposer to
provide as needed support services for this project.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The contract modification to be awarded to CWE is $85,000, for an amended
agreement total not to exceed $150,000. Funds are available in the FY 2015 -16 budget
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in the Public Works Department. The modification will be char ged to account
06402.555060.
Prepared By: Selim Eren, Civil Engineer
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Reference:
Agreement No. 10243
(CCS)