REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
January 11, 2018
FROM: THOMAS C. ESQUEDA, Director
Department of Public Utilities
THROUGH: MICHAEL CARBAJAL, Planning Manager
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
BY: RAUL GONZALEZ, Professional Engineer
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Design of the Reclaimed Water Pipeline at the Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (Council District 3)
1. ***RESOLUTION - 46th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution No. 2017-165 appropriating $91,000 for Design of the Reclaimed Water Pipeline at the Fresno/Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (Requires 5 affirmative votes) (Subject to Mayor’s veto)
2. Award a Professional Consultant Services Agreement in the amount of $70,970 and a contingency of $10,000 to Blair, Church & Flynn, Inc., a California Corporation, for professional engineering services for the Design of the Reclaimed Water Pipeline at the Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (Council District 3)
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the City Council approve the 46th amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution No. 2017-165 to appropriate the project funds; award a Professional Consultant Services Agreement in the amount of $70,970 to Blair, Church & Flynn, Inc., a California Corporation, for the design of the Reclaimed Water Pipeline at the Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (RWRF); and authorize the Director of Public Utilities or designee to execute the Agreement on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Public Utilities requests to adopt the 46th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution No. 2017-165 and award of a Professional Consultant Services Agreement in the amount of $70,970 with a $10,000 contingency to Blair, Church & Flynn, Inc., for the design of the Reclaimed Water Pipeline connecting the existing Houghton Pipeline to the existing Recycled Water Pipeline at the RWRF. The new pipeline will serve to supplement the recycled water produced by the Tertiary Treatment and Disinfection Facility (TTDF).
BACKGROUND
In 2009, the State of California adopted a recycled water policy establishing a mandate to increase the use of recycled water in California by 200,000 acre-feet per year by 2020 and by an additional 300,000 acre-feet per year by 2030. In support of these goals, in April 2013, the Fresno City Council adopted the Recycled Water Master Plan. The Master Plan recommended development of Tertiary Treatment facilities to produce recycled water for irrigation in order to offset potable water.
In December 2014, the City of Fresno broke ground on an ambitious three-phased water recycling facility. Phase I would provide 5 million gallons per day (mgd) of recycled water, Phase II would add 10 mgd, and Phase III would add another 15 mgd for a total of 30 mgd. Phase I of the TTDF was completed in July 2016. The TTDF has the capacity to produce up to 5 (mgd) of recycled water, compliant with the California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 22. Title 22 compliant water can be used for irrigation, without restrictions. By early 2018, the City of Fresno will be delivering recycled water to five customers, consisting of two large farms, two cemeteries, and Roeding Park. Due to the nature of farming irrigation practices, there may be times when recycled water demand will exceed the production capacity of the TTDF. Phase II of the TTDF will not be online for at least four years.
In order to supplement recycled water production by the TTDF, reclaimed water can be used. In 2015, the RWRF obtained approval from the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to amend the Waste Discharge Requirements to include the use of Soil Aquifer Treatment (SAT) as a means of filtration and disinfection. The City currently treats approximately 68 mgd of wastewater to an undisinfected secondary level of treatment. Most of this water is percolated into the ground in ponds at the RWRF. A portion of the water percolated into the ponds is later extracted by reclamation wells and delivered to Fresno Irrigation District (FID). Studies were performed in 2010 and 2011 by the Cities of Fresno and Dinuba, in cooperation with the US Bureau of Reclamation, which demonstrated that water from the reclamation wells met the requirements of Title 22. The reclaimed water can be combined with the recycled water produced by the TTDF, as a supplement during times of high demand. In order to combine these two sources, a new pipeline is needed to connect the existing Houghton Pipeline to the existing Recycled Water Distribution Pipeline 1A, traversing city-owned agricultural fields. The new pipeline will be approximately 0.65 miles in length.
Due to the timeliness of the project, it is necessary to have a consultant perform the scope of services because staffing levels are not available to support this project.
On September 7, 2017, an advertisement was published inviting Proposals for the pipeline design. Only two proposals were received. The proposal by Blair, Church & Flynn, Inc., was considered the best overall value to the City of Fresno.
A standardized Professional Services Consultant Service Agreement has been used in accordance with Administrative Order 4-4 and the consultant’s Certificates of Insurance have been approved by the City’s Risk Management Division. Upon approval by the Council, the Agreement will be executed by the Director of Public Utilities.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, the award of this contract does not qualify as a “project” for the purpose of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was applied and Blair, Church & Flynn, Inc., is a local business.
FISCAL IMPACT
This project has no financial impact on the General Fund and is located in Council District 3. Funds are available in the Sewer Enterprise Fund 40501 from funds carried over from the prior fiscal year. Approval of the AAR Amendment will appropriate the funds into the FY 2018 capital improvement budget. The AAR includes an additional $10,000 for staff salaries, City Attorney charges, and Purchasing in addition to the $81,000 for the contract.
Attachment:
46th AAR No. 2017-165 (Attachment 1)
Consultant Agreement (Attachment 2)