REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: PAUL AMICO, PE, Director
Department of Public Utilities
BY: JILLIAN GAYTAN, Business Manager
Department of Public Utilities - Administration
CHRISTINA SEMONIOUS, Management Analyst II
Department of Public Utilities - Administration
SUBJECT
Title
Approve the First Amendment to the Consultant Services Agreement with Bodewell Group LLC for stakeholder engagement and public education support services to increase the compensation by $1,156,632, for a total contract amount not to exceed $2,494,632 (Citywide)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend City Council approve the First Amendment to the Consultant Services Agreement (Amendment) with Bodewell Group LLC (Consultant) for stakeholder engagement and public education support services, to increase compensation by $1,156,632 for a total contract amount not to exceed $2,494,632, change the name of Consultant, and authorize the Director of Public Utilities, or designee, to sign the amendment.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) provides high quality utility services professionally, efficiently and in an environmentally responsible manner to ensure the health and safety of our community. Stakeholder engagement and public education are essential for communicating and demonstrating the value of utility services and building and maintaining the trust and support of customers. DPU uses a programmatic approach to engagement and education that addresses the unique cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic diversity of Fresno to maximize the efficiency and impact of its different customer education and outreach efforts.
DPU entered into the original agreement with the Consultant in December 2024 to prepare a strategic communications plan and provide programmatic support for DPU’s Stakeholder Engagement and Public Education Program (Program). This amendment provides compensation to continue the consulting support services for the Program.
BACKGROUND
Stakeholder engagement and public education services have been provided by outside consultants to DPU since 1993. DPU relies on outside consultants for these services because the specific knowledge and skills for engagement and education are not possessed by DPU. The need for stakeholder engagement and public education is constant, and DPU needs to continue to work with outside consultants to expand and enhance these efforts.
On December 16, 2024, the City entered into an agreement with the Consultant to provide Program support, expert opinions, and management consulting services on the most effective means and methods for conducting specific engagement and education campaigns for each of DPU’s operating divisions. The services included an audit of current education and outreach materials and development of a five-year implementation strategy. The Consultant has been collaborating with DPU on specific campaign messaging related to topics such as organic waste recycling, disposal of household hazardous waste, the used motor oil collection program, water conservation, lawn to garden conversion, water conservation rebates, and providing other stakeholder engagement support.
All work performed by the Consultant to date has been completed to DPU’s satisfaction in a timely and professional manner. The original agreement anticipated that the compensation would fund one-year of professional services, with subsequent amendments for the additional years in the contract term. The First Amendment includes $1,156,632 in additional compensation to continue the services, for a total contract amount not to exceed $2,494,632.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed the amendment and approved as to form. Upon approval by the City Council, the Amendment will be signed by the Director of Public Utilities, or designee.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By definition of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, the approval of this agreement is not a “Project” for the purposes of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local Preference was not implemented because this is an amendment to an existing consultant services agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund. Funding for this agreement is included in DPU’s Fiscal Year 2026 Administration, Water, Solid Waste Management, and Wastewater Management Enterprise Funds. Future funding will be budgeted in the various Enterprise Funds as recommended in the communications plan in alignment with the five-year budget and DPU’s financial plan.
Attachments:
First Amendment
Consultant Services Agreement