REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Director
Capital Projects Department
BROCK D. BUCHE, PE, PLS, Director
Department of Public Utilities
BY: francisco V. magos II, PE, Assistant Director
Capital Projects Department, Utilities and On-Site Project Management Division
CHARLES MASTERS, Engineer II
Capital Projects Department, Utilities and On-Site Project Management Division
SUBJECT
Title
Approve a professional engineering services agreement with Provost & Pritchard Engineering Group Inc., dba Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group, of Fresno, California, in the amount of $310,567 for the design of Improvements for the Leaky Acres Groundwater Recharge Facility Project. (Council District 4)
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that City Council approve a professional engineering services agreement with Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group in the amount of $310,567 for the design and preparation of construction documents for the Leaky Acres Groundwater Recharge Facility Project (Project) and authorize the Capital Projects Director, or designee, to sign the Agreement on behalf of the City of Fresno (City).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) proposes to design and construct improvements to the Leaky Acres Groundwater Recharge Facility located at the southwest quadrant of Ashlan Avenue and Winery Avenue. The project includes the design of improvements to silt bays, spill structures, pipelines, electrical systems, and the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. These improvements are needed to improve operational efficiency, increase recharge volumes, bolster drought resiliency, and alleviate drought impacts. The contract for professional engineering and architectural services is funded by a grant received from the State of California Department of Water Resources (DWR).
BACKGROUND
The Leaky Acres recharge facility was constructed in the early 1970s and various expansions have brought the facility to its current size of approximately 200 acres. Recharge rates over the first several years averaged approximately 0.6 feet per day but stabilized to approximately 0.4 feet per day by the late 1970s. Since then, groundwater recharge rates have declined to an average of approximately 0.2 feet per day.
Leaky Acres consists of eighteen recharge basins and six siltation basins. Recharge water is delivered via the Fresno Irrigation District’s (FID) Gould Canal that runs along Ashlan Avenue year-round, albeit the exact timing and quantities are dependent on surface water allocations, operations of the FID canal, and availability of storm water flows.
In June 2021, the City prepared a plan to identify improvements that could be made to improve operational efficiency and increase recharge volumes with the goal of reaching recharge rates previously observed in the 1970s. The City applied for and received a grant from the DWR to design and construct the improvements outlined in the plan.
In accordance with Fresno Municipal Code Chapter 4, Article 1, and Administrative Order 6-19, the Capital Projects Department conducted a competitive process in soliciting qualified consultants to provide professional services for the Project. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was published in the Business Journal and posted on the City’s Planet Bids website on November 10, 2023. One Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) was received by the submission deadline. A selection committee, consisting of representatives from the Department of Public Utilities and Capital Projects Department evaluated the SOQ and determined Provost & Pritchard Engineering Group was qualified to design the improvements.
Staff recommends approving a professional engineering and architectural services agreement with Provost & Pritchard Engineering Group in the amount of $310,567, and authorize the Capital Projects Director, or designee, to sign the Agreement on behalf of the City. This project will be funded by a DWR grant.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the professional engineering services agreement as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
A professional engineering and architectural services agreement for the design of plans and cost estimates does not qualify as a “project” pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines § 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable due to State of California funding requirements.
FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed Project is in Council District 4. The Project is fully funded by DWR grant funding and has no impact to the General Fund.
Attachments:
Consultant Agreement
Vicinity Map
Location Map