REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
December 17, 2015
FROM: THOMAS C. ESQUEDA, Director
Department of Public Utilities
THROUGH: MICHAEL CARBAJAL, Division Manager
Department of Public Utilities - Water Division
BY: GLENN A. KNAPP, PE, Professional Engineer
Department of Public Utilities - Water Division
SUBJECT
Title
Approve First Amendment to Agreement with Provost & Pritchard Engineering Group, Inc., in the amount of $13,055 for design modifications of the City of Fresno’s Nielsen Groundwater Recharge Facility
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that City Council:
1. Approve the First Amendment to the Professional Engineering Consultant Services Agreement with Provost & Pritchard Engineering Group, Inc. for $13,055 for design modifications of the City of Fresno’s Nielsen Groundwater Recharge Facility.
2. Authorize the Director of Public Utilities, or designee, to sign the Amendment on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This First Amendment to the professional engineering contract with Provost & Pritchard Engineering Group, Inc., for design modifications to the City of Fresno’s (City’s) Nielsen Groundwater Recharge Facility (NGRF), to accommodate proportional use of recycled water as determined through cooperative efforts between the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Water and Wastewater Divisions, State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), and Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). This effort is a necessary first-step to meet the City’s long-term goals for a balanced water resources portfolio.
BACKGROUND
The DPU Water and Wastewater Divisions are coordinating efforts with the SWRCB and RWQCB to initiate use of recycled water to supplement existing water resources to aid in the restoration of the City’s overdrafted groundwater aquifer.
Currently, the SWRCB and RWQCB have established criteria for Groundwater Replenishment Reuse Projects (GRRP’s) under Chapter 4 of Title 22 (Section 60320.116). In conjunctive use with available surface water supplies, and in accordance with regulatory agency testing and monitoring requirements, proportional allowances for use of up to 20% of recycled water may be authorized for GRRP’s. Utilization of recycled water at the NGRF will play a key role in defining parameters necessary for potential future expansion of recycled water use throughout the City in meeting the City’s long-term goals for a balanced water resources portfolio.
The original professional engineering design consultant Agreement with Provost & Pritchard Engineering Group, Inc. was for the design of the City’s Neilsen Groundwater Recharge Facility and was previously approved by Council for a Total Fee of $204,611 (including project contingencies). This First Amendment will utilize remaining design budget allocations and project contingencies to effectively reduce additional consultant project service fees to $13,055, for a Total Fee of $217,666. These additional consultant services are necessary for agency coordination efforts and project design revisions which will result in reduction of overall project construction costs.
This First Amendment has been approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Adoption of this First Amendment is not a “project” for the purposes of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), as it is a funding mechanism or other government fiscal activity, and does not involve commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment as contemplated by CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b).
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented because this action pertains to an amendment of an existing service contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund. This First Amendment utilizes project contingencies previously approved and encumbered. These expenditures are fully funded in the five-year utility rate plan that was adopted by the City Council on February 26, 2015.
Attachment:
First Amendment to Agreement