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RESOLUTION NO. 2016-033 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING A SOLE-SOURCE AGREEMENT BETWEEN HALEY & ALDRICH, INC AND THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA TO DEVELOP A WATER CONSERVATION AND REUSE FRAMEWORK DOCUMENT
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
The City is working on developing a water reuse and conservation framework document to help guide and inform future water reuse and conservation measures/projects the City may consider. The attached contract with Haley & Aldrich, Inc. is for consultant work to assist the city with research and public engagement in the development of the guiding document.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Environmental Notice
Environmental Notice
The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
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Environmental Determination
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable
DISCUSSION
The City of Chula Vista and the San Diego Foundation partnered on a water reuse project for Partners for Places grant, Advancing Chula Vista’s Resiliency Through Water Reuse Opportunities. The result of this partnership will be a formal Water Reuse Framework to guide the City’s expansion of water reuse and conservation efforts. The project will build upon the current momentum of statewide action, community desire, city council support and existing work of key agencies to jumpstart the analysis needed to implement successful and sustainable methods of water reuse.
Requests for Proposals (RFP) seeking consultants to assist the City with this work were posted two separate times on the City’s bidding program PlanetBid (July 30 and October 5).
For the first bid, 976 consultant firms were reached, 37 downloaded the request for proposal package, and none responded. After receiving no responses, modifications were made to the bid package which was re-posted on October 5, 2015. Staff notified consultants and water consultant associations of the RFP. 976 consultant firms were reached and 45 downloaded the package. Again, there were no responses.
Staff then began a search and discussion with water consultant companies that other jurisdictions were using. Most of these companies felt that they were not experienced in policy recommendation, but rather more capital project development / construction. Additionally, the total project value ($109,000) was less than they would normally consider.
Through a recommendation from the San Diego Airport Authority, staff spoke to Haley & Aldrich, Inc. Haley & Aldrich are working on a large water capture and reuse project for the airport. Haley & Aldrich reviewed the Scope of Work and agreed to work with the City on the grant work. Staff is requesting Council approval of the agreement with Haley & Aldrich as a sole-source provider per the referral by another governmental agency and given the lack of response through two bidding processes; as provided for in accordance with CVMC 2.56.070.B.4 and 2.56.090.B2 and B3.
Through this contract Haley & Aldrich will conduct a cost-benefit analysis of short and long-term water reuse strategies (e.g on-site water harvesting, centralized storm water capture and reuse, wastewater reuse, and graywater). The effort will incorporate public outreach and input. The final report will identify best strategies for implementation in Chula Vista, which can be supported through state, federal and/or private funding.
Key activities of the agreement include research and analysis; public presentations and engagements to encourage resident action and maintain the already documented public support for water reuse; and identification of strategies that have the highest likelihood of success.
The City has already started collecting recommendations through the Climate Action Plan update work. City residents and stakeholders will remain engaged by recommending strategies to review and assist the City in prioritizing strategies following the analysis activities in the grant scope of work. Maintaining stakeholder engagement will ensure a comprehensive program/policy that increases community understanding and knowledge about water reuse and, helps ensure that implemented strategies are sustained and supported over time by residents, businesses and agencies.
Intended Outcomes and Impacts
The project’s outcomes and impacts include:
• Assess the City’s reuse short and long-term opportunities for storm water, wastewater, and graywater
• Create a cost-benefit analysis for prioritized strategies
• Host at least 3 civic events to engage and educate the public
• Draft the Water Reuse Framework for Resource Conservation Commission and City Council approval
• Initiate design of a water reuse strategy project, to be funded by state, federal, and/or private sources
By developing the Framework and identifying the best strategies to implement, this project leads to more equitable and sustained access to water for all members of the community, including future generations of water users.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the 500-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18702.2(a)(11), is not applicable to this decision for purposes of determining a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The City’s Strategic Plan has five major goals: Operational Excellence, Economic Vitality, Healthy Community, Strong and Secure Neighborhoods and a Connected Community. The approval of this agreement to develop a Water Reuse and Conservation Framework policy supports the City’s Strategic Plan goals of Economic Vitality and Healthy Community. Investments in sustainability projects ensure and promote a healthy environment, a strong economy and well-being for all.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
This agreement with Haley & Aldrich for $109,000 is funded by a grant from the San Diego Foundation and Bloomberg Funders Network in the Waste Management Fund. There is no impact to the General Fund.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no long-term, ongoing impact to the General Fund, as this is a limited timeframe grant project to be completed by early summer 2016 and is fully funded by grants within the Waste Management Fund.
ATTACHMENTS
Agreement with Haley & Aldrich
Staff Contact: Lynn France, Economic Development Department