REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BROCK D. BUCHE, PE, PLS, Director
Department of Public Utilities
BY: JESUS A. GONZALEZ, PE, Assistant Director
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
SAMUEL NADORES, Professional Engineer
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
SUBJECT
Title
Approve a consultant services agreement with Haley & Aldrich Incorporated, for an amount not to exceed $318,500, to provide a forensic investigation of structural components at the Northeast Surface Water Treatment Facility’s ozone contact basin and filter gallery (Council District 6).
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council approve a consultant services agreement with Haley & Aldrich Incorporated (Haley & Aldrich), for an amount not to exceed $318,500, inclusive of a $29,000 contingency, to provide professional engineering services for a forensic investigation of structural components at the Northeast Surface Water Treatment Facility’s ozone contact basin and filter gallery (Project); and authorize the Director of Public Utilities, or designee, to sign the agreement on behalf of the City of Fresno (City).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Department of Public Utilities (DPU) staff have identified structural deterioration, including cracks and moisture weeping, at various locations of the ozone basin and filter gallery tunnel at the Northeast Surface Water Treatment Facility (NESWTF). A forensic investigation by Haley & Aldrich is necessary to identify and assess the cause and extent of the structural deterioration. The Project consists of preparation of a report with recommendations for corrective measures to minimize impacts to continuous NESWTF operations, preparation of construction documents for the selected corrective measures, and support during bidding and construction.
BACKGROUND
The NESWTF has been in service since July of 2004. Over the last several years, cracks and moisture weeping in the ozone basin and filters gallery have resulted in active leaks on the concrete walls of the basin and drips from the tunnel of the filters gallery. The DPU is seeking a qualified consultant to identify the cause of the cracking and detail corrective measures, including the preparation of construction documents for a contractor to make necessary repairs.
In accordance with Fresno Municipal Code Chapter 4, Article 1, and Administrative Order 6-19, the DPU conducted a competitive process for selecting a consultant to provide the requested professional services for this Project. On March 1, 2023, a Request for Proposal was published in the Business Journal and posted on the City’s Planet Bids website. On April 4, 2023, one sealed proposal was received. A selection committee, consisting of representatives from the DPU Water Division and Utilities Planning & Engineering Division evaluated the proposal. Upon review of the qualifications for meeting the various criteria and analysis of the proposed fee, - Haley & Aldrich, was ultimately selected based on having met the criteria of the evaluation at a fee rate acceptable to the DPU. Staff recommends City Council approve a consultant services agreement with Haley & Aldrich, Inc., for a total amount not to exceed $318,500, inclusive of a $29,000 contingency. Funding for this Project is included in the Fiscal Year 2024 Water Enterprise Fund.
A standardized consultant service agreement has been approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office and has been used in accordance with Administrative Order 4-4. The consultant’s Certificates of Insurance have been approved by the City’s Risk Management Division. Upon approval by the City Council, the consultant service agreement will be executed by the Director of Public Utilities, or designee.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, the award of this consultant services agreement to provide design services does not qualify as a “project” for the purposes of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented as the sole proposer is not a local firm.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund. Funding for this Project is included in the Fiscal Year 2024 Water Enterprise Fund. The Project is located is Council District 6.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Consultant Services Agreement
Attachment 2 - Vicinity Map