REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BROCK D. BUCHE, PE, PLS, Director
Department of Public Utilities
BY: JESUS A. GONZALEZ, PE, Assistant Director
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
PATRICIA DIEP, Supervising Engineering Technician
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the North Fresno Wastewater Reclamation Facility (Council District 6):
1. Adopt a finding of Statutory Exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15262 and a “common sense” exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
2. Award a consultant services agreement to Carollo Engineers, Inc., a Delaware corporation, in the amount not to exceed $148,638, inclusive of a $15,000 contingency, to conduct a feasibility study for the expansion of the North Fresno Wastewater Reclamation Facility (Council District 6).
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council award a consultant services agreement to Carollo Engineers, Inc., in the amount not to exceed $148,638, inclusive of a $15,000 contingency, to conduct a feasibility study for the expansion of the North Fresno Wastewater Reclamation Facility (Project); and authorize the Director of Public Utilities, or designee, to sign on behalf of the City of Fresno (City).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is seeking to award a consultant services agreement to Carollo Engineers, Inc. for the Project. The feasibility study will forecast sewer flows to the facility to best predict when the expansion is required, as well as investigate design alternatives to best determine the appropriate mode of expansion. The feasibility study will make no physical changes to the environment.
BACKGROUND
DPU-Wastewater Management Division (WMD) operates and maintains the North Fresno Wastewater Reclamation Facility (Facility). The Facility currently treats an average of 0.34 MGD of wastewater to a recycled water standard, which is thereafter distributed to nearby recycled water users for beneficial use.
WMD recognizes future growth needs of north Fresno and improved operations of the Facility and is looking to hire an engineering consultant firm to assess the Facility when the expansion is required. The assessment should include performing a hydraulic analysis of the service area, condition assessment of the current treatment processes and unit conditions to determine the efficacy of the Facility as currently built and its useful life extending into the future, and investigate design alternatives to best determine the appropriate mode of expansion.
In accordance with Fresno Municipal Code Chapter 4, Article 1, and Administrative Order 6-19 (AO 6-19), DPU conducted a competitive process to select a consultant to provide services for the Project. A Request for Qualifications was published in the Business Journal and posted on the City’s Planet Bids on March 15, 2023. The City received one qualification package from prospective consultants on April 11, 2023. On April 25, 2023, the selection committee members met to review and evaluate the qualifications. As allowed for in AO 6-19, the Request for Qualifications was structured for the consultant to provide detailed information regarding experience of the firm and team members, along with other project related concerns, to perform the confined space entry program and training for WMD staff. Upon review of the qualifications for meeting the various criteria and analysis of the proposed fee, -Carollo was ultimately selected as the firm providing the best value on the services based on the totality of the evaluation.
A standardized Consultant Services Agreement has been approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office 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 City Council, the agreement will be executed by the Director of Public Utilities, or his designee.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
The award of this consultant services agreement for a feasibility study is statutorily exempt from a CEQA review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15262. Additionally, because there is no possibility of a significant effect on the environment from this study, the study qualifies for a “common sense” exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3). Should a project be pursued in the future based on the findings of the feasibility study, a CEQA review will be required at that time.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was implemented, Carollo Engineers, Inc. is a local business as defined by the Fresno Municipal Code.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund. This Project is located in Council District 6. This Project is identified in the Wastewater Management Division’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan. Funds for the Project are budgeted in the Fiscal Year 2023 Sewer Enterprise Fund 40501.
Attachment:
Attachment 1 - Consultant Services Agreement