REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
August 18, 2016
FROM: THOMAS C. ESQUEDA, Director
Department of Public Utilities
BY: GEORGEANNE A. WHITE, Assistant, Director
Department of Public Utilities
SUBJECT
Title
Approve a consultant services agreement with The Gualco Group, Inc., for an amount not to exceed $90,000 for professional water lobbying and consulting services in California
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve a consultant services agreement with The Gualco Group, Inc., for an amount not to exceed $90,000 over an 18-month period for professional water lobbying and consulting services in California and authorize the Director of Public Utilities, or designee, to sign the agreement on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Public Utilities seeks City Council approval for a professional consultant services agreement with The Gualco Group, Inc. to perform professional water lobbying and consulting activities regarding State governmental activities.
BACKGROUND
The City is seeking to retain the services of a qualified water lobbying consultant to serve as a legislative, administrative and regulatory representative for the City on water issues, maintain relationships and monitor the activities of all relevant State agencies and departments, and advocate positions as instructed by the City.
The California State Legislature and Office of the Governor have been actively involved in drafting and adopting legislation that impacts the City of Fresno’s Water Division. The specific areas of concern include, but are not limited to, emergency drought regulations, modifications and alterations to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, mandatory water and sewer consolidations between cities and disadvantaged communities, and application guidelines related to low-interest loans and grants for water supply, treatment, and distribution projects.
Given the potential financial, operational, and technical impacts associated with proposed legislation, the Department of Public Utilities desires to retain the services of a professional services firm to provide legislative liaison services to monitor and report on the legislative actions being contemplated in Sacramento so that the City may respond appropriately, and in a timely manner, to express either support or concern for the proposed legislative action.
The selected consultant will work with state officials to ensure maximum input on water matters of concern to the City as recognized by the consultant and/or designated by the City. This will include, but is not limited to the Governor’s Office, state departments and agencies, boards and commissions, and key legislators and individuals. This contract will be for 18 months.
The City issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) on June 7, 2016. On July 8, 2016, the City received two (2) proposals from The Gualco Group, Inc., and, Churchwell White LLP.
After interviews with the firms, The Gualco Group, Inc. was determined to be the best selection to represent the City.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Approval of the consultant service agreement amendment is not a “project” within the meaning of CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 because the organizational and administrative activities as identified in the consultant agreement will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not applied because no local firms responded to the RFQ.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding has been appropriated in the FY 2017 Water Division budget.
Attachments:
Consultant Services Agreement
RFQ Proposal