AGENDA
ITEM
1 OF
AGENDA
CALEXICO California ITEM
WHERE CALIFORNIA AND MEXICO MEET
1 CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
DATE: January 24, 2024
TO: Mayor and City Council
APPROVED BY:
REVIEWED BY:
PREPARED BY: Esperanza Colio Warren, City Manager
SUBJECT: Authorize City Manager to sign Agreement of Professional Services with BCG Beauchaine Consulting Group, LLC in the amount not to exceed $50,000.00 to assist the city with grant application to the California Extended Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program.
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Recommendation:
Authorize City Manager to sign Agreement of Professional Services with BCG Beauchaine Consulting Group, LLC in the amount not to exceed $50,000.00 to assist the city with grant application to the California Extended Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program.
Background:
The COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for many Californians to pay their bills due to job loss and other hardships.
On July 10, 2023, Governor Newsom signed a budget trailer bill expanding the Arrearages Program.
This new Extended Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program extends the COVID Relief Period to December 31, 2022, with the state legislature allocating the remaining $600 million in federal funding for this Program. The new Extended Arrearage Program will include both water and wastewater debt from residential and commercial customers.
The Extended Arrearage Program will have a 60-day application period for both water and wastewater arrearages, and disbursement of funds will begin immediately after. The application deadline was extended to January 31, 2024.
Discussion and Analysis:
On January 17, 2024, the City of Calexico City Manager's Department requested proposals from qualified vendors to assist with the California Extended Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program grant application, needed to comply with a state's mandate.
On January 19, 2024, the office of the City Manager received two (2) proposals:
1. BCG Beauchaine Consulting Group, LLC
2. Alex A. Aazami, EA, CPA
The City of Calexico City Manager's Department has reviewed the proposals and recommends that the City Council of the City of Calexico authorize the City Manager to sign Agreement of Professional Services with BCG Beauchaine Consulting Group, LLC in the amount not to exceed $50,000.00 Fiscal Impact:
Budgeted Items for FY 2023-2024
Expenditure Amount
513-81-811-55001-000 $25,000.00
544-82-821-55001-000 $25,000.00
Coordinated With:
City Manager's Office
Finance Department
Attachments):
1. BCG Beauchaine Consulting Group, LLC proposal.
Alex A. Aazami, EA, CPA proposal.
2 Attachment # 1
CITY OF
CALEXICO
CALIFORNIA EXTENDED WATER AND
WASTEWATER ARREARAGE PAYMENT PROGRAM
GRANT APPLICATION
PROPOSAL
OF CAL
IMPERIAL CALIFORNIA
COUNTY.
BICG BEAUCHAINE
CONSULTING GROUP. LLC
BIOG
BESE CHAINE CONSULTINC GROUP. LIC
Scope of Services
City of Calexico
01/19/2024
Deliverables
Beauchaine Consulting Group, LLC., through Stephanie N. Beauchaine, Principal Consultant, and Aaron F. Slater, Managing Consultant, shall provide services to the City of Calexico as follows:
1. Review the City's data and documents to generate a list of eligible customers to apply for funding on behalf of, in compliance with the State Water Resource Control Board's CEWWAPP Guidelines and applicable law, including potential re-application for the initial round of funding under the Arrearages Payment Program.
Identify how much to apply for on behalf of each eligible customer, in compliance with the State Water Resource Control Board's CEWWAPP Guidelines and applicable law.
3. Execute a letter or signed verification of the accuracy and truthfulness of the City's CEWWAPP application.
4. Ensure the City's application is compliant with the CEWWAPP Guidelines and applicable law.
5. Provide other related CEWWAPP assistance to the City as requested by City.
Timeline
January 22, 2024 - January 31, 2024
Proposed Cost
Up to 40 hours as follows:
Cost Estimate Hours Cost
1 Review the CEWWAPP Application Criteria and eligibility requirements 4 $ 900 2 Review the City's Utility Billing Records and generate a list of eligible 24 $ 4,200 customers to apply for funding and prepare the application template Second Review of eligible customers and execution of signed letter of verification of accuracy 6 $ 1,350
4 Review final application and assist the City as requested 6 $ 1,350 Total Estimate 40 $ 7,800
1 | Page
BIOG
BESE CHAINE CONSELTINC GEOLF. LIC
Additional hours will be billed on a time and materials basis at the following regular rates:
Position Billable Rate
Consultant 225.00
Managing Consultant 175.00
2 | Page
STEPHANIE
BEAUCHAINE
Managing Member, Principal Consultant
BIO
Stephanie was born and raised in Humboldt County,
California. She began her career working in public
accounting before finding her passion for government,
CONTACT where she served 9 years as a municipal Finance [email protected] Director, and 2 as Deputy City Manager. After exploring a career in non-profit and tribal finance where she
(707) 298-7564
served as CFO, with the support of her husband and
www.beauchaineconsulting.com family she returned to her passion in public sector finance; first as a freelance consultant, and finally
establishing the Beauchaine Consulting Group.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
• Public Sector Finance Stephanie is passionate about public sector finance, • Accounting, Year-End, GL data driven management, and the importance of timely Reconstruction and accurate financial reporting for the benefit of the • Audit Findings Resolution - Annual, public, and decision-making bodies. She specializes in JLAC, Grant accounting and financial reconstruction, taking a keen • Budget Development & interest in distressed departments, through the lens of Management City Management and wholistic solutions.
• Policy and Procedure
• Operations Assessment & Stephanie resides in Fortuna, California serving clients Corrective Action Planning throughout the State and frequently traveling upwards of • Software Implementation 50% of the year. In her spare time, she enjoys a passion • Financial Reporting for global travel, ancient civilization, history and • Interim Management architecture. She is an avid connoisseur of the arts and loves animals.
CLIENTS
Serving as Managing Member, Stephanie is passionate
City of Benicia about the firm's mission, values and culture, where trusted City of Clayton partnerships
are paramount, and professionalism,
City of Lincoln
City of Roseville passion, and creativity drive client results.
Nevada Irrigation District
SDRMA BICG BEAUCHAINE
CONSULTING GROUP. LLC
AARON
SLATER
MBA, SPHR, IPMA-SCP, AWI-CH
Managing Consultant
BIO
Aaron was born and raised in the Napa Valley. He served 19 years in law enforcement, 1l as a police officer, and eventually transitioned to human resources after a career fighting on the
CONTACT
labor side in union leadership. After spending several years as [email protected] an HR Director in the public sector, Aaron joined BCG to assist in the mastery and augmentation of specific HR functions for (415) 689-4014 cities, counties, and special districts as well as to conduct www.beauchaineconsulting.com external workplace investigations. One of Aaron's passions is empowering the employer to uphold high standards and
accountability within the state of California which works tirelessly to disarm employers. With his educational background AREAS OF EXPERTISE in accounting, Aaron also supports the firm's finance team. • Governmental Accounting
Aaron specializes in employee and labor relations strategy, • Public Sector Human Resources
negotiations, MOU/CA review and language clean-up, union • Labor Relations relations repair, policy review and writing, grievance and PERB defense, workplace investigations with a specialty in police and • Negotiations fire, class & compensation including Payroll and FLSA challenges, • Policy Writing & Review leadership training and lifeline support as a trusted advisor for HR leaders/supervisors through a lens of risk mitigation, • Grievance & PERB Defense
compliance and employer advocacy.
• Workplace Investigations
He holds an undergraduate degree in accountancy from Arizona • Performance Management State University and an MBA in executive leadership from • Supervisor Training & Mentorship Seattle University which had a focus on adaptive problem- solving, strategy and empathy. Aaron is a certified SPHR, IPMA- • Risk Management SCP as well as AWI-CH investigator.
Aaron currently resides in Oakland with clients in northern and
CLIENTS
southern California. In his free time, he loves nothing more than California City to travel, appreciate the arts and indulge at new eateries. He's City of Benicia up to 38 countries visited. He's a zealous advocate for children City of Clayton in the California foster care system as a CASA volunteer.
City of Vallejo
Nevada Irrigation District
SDRMA BEAUCHAINE
BIOG
CONSULTING GROUP. LLC
Attachment # 2
From: A. Aazami, EA, CPA
To: Esperanza Colio
Subject: RE: City of Calexico - Accounting Consulting Firm Needed ASAP Date: Wednesday, January 17, 2024 5:05:48 PM
Hi Esperanza,
I hope this email finds you well. We are writing to formally submit our proposal to assist the City of Calexico with its California Extended Water and Waster Arrearage Payment Program ("CEWWAPP") grant application, in response to your request for proposals.
1. Introduction:
San Diego CPA is a highly reputable accounting firm with a proven track record in providing exceptional financial and consulting services. Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to assisting public entities in securing grants and managing financial resources efficiently.
2. Understanding the Scope of Work:
We have carefully reviewed the Scope of Work outlined in your Request for Proposals and are fully prepared to meet your requirements. Our proposal addresses each aspect of the scope in detail:
2.1 Eligibility Assessment:
We will meticulously review the City's data and documents to identify eligible customers in strict compliance with the State Water Resource Control Board's CEWWAPP Guidelines and applicable laws. We will also explore the possibility of re-application for initial round funding if necessary.
2.2 Funding Allocation:
Our team will determine the appropriate funding amount to apply for on behalf of each eligible customer, ensuring full adherence to CEWWAPP Guidelines and all relevant state
2.3 Application Verification:
We will provide a letter or signed verification, confirming the accuracy and truthfulness of the City's CEWWAPP application.
2.4 Compliance Assurance:
Our experts will conduct a comprehensive review of the application to ensure it meets CEWWAPP Guidelines and all applicable laws. We will make any necessary adjustments to guarantee compliance.
2.5 Additional Assistance:
We stand ready to offer any further assistance required by the City during the CEWWAPP application process.
3. Hourly Rate Schedule:
As requested, please find our hourly rate schedule for our services:
Certified Public Accountants (CPA): $300-350 per hour
Non-Certified Public Accountants: $175-200 per hour
Our rates are competitive and reflect the high-quality support we provide.
4. Conclusion:
We are enthusiastic about the opportunity to collaborate with the City of Calexico on this mportant project. Our team is committed to delivering the highest level of service an xpertise to ensure the successful acquisition of the CEWWAPP grant. If this proposal i accepted, we will send an engagement letter.
Thank you for considering our proposal. We look forward to the opportunity to work together.
Best regards,
Alex A Aazami, EA, CPA
San Diego, CPA A Professional Tax and Accountancy Corporation Professional Advice. Sharper Results.
5703 Oberlin Drive Suite 107
San Diego, CA 92121
(858)246-6519 Office
(866)272-8296 Toll free
(858)800-3888 fax
www.sandiegocpas.com
CIRCULAR 230 DISCLOSURE: To ensure compliance with recently-enacted U.S. Treasury Department Regulations, we are now required to advise you that, unless otherwise expressly indicated, any federal tax advice contained in this communication, including any attachments, is not intended or written by us to be used, and cannot be used, by anyone for the purpose of avoiding
federal tax penalties that may be imposed by the federal government or for promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any tax-related matters addressed herein.
PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL
This communication and any accompanying documents are confidential and privileged.
They are intended for the sole use of the addressee. If you receive this transmission in error, you are advised that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or the taking of any action in reliance upon this communication is strictly prohibited. Moreover, any such disclosure shall not compromise or waive the attorney-client, accountant-client, or other privileges as to this communication or otherwise. If you have received this communication in error, please contact me at the above email address
From: Esperanza Colio <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2024 4:00 PM
To: [email protected]; A. Aazami, EA, CPA <[email protected]>; [email protected]; Gary P Glud <[email protected]>; [email protected]; [email protected]; Stephanie Beauchaine <[email protected]> Cc: Sandy Fonseca <[email protected]>
Subject: City of Calexico - Accounting Consulting Firm Needed ASAP You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen,
The city of Calexico would like to secure proposals from qualified accounting firms to assist with a California Extended Water and Waster Arrearage Payment Program ("CEWWAPP") grant application, needed to comply with a State's mandate. The deadline for the grant application is January 31, 2024. Please provide us with a proposal no later than Friday January 19, 2024 noon. Also, please include hourly rate schedule in your proposal.
Scope of Work
Consultant shall assist the City in applying for the California Extended Water and Waster Arrearage Payment Program ("CEWWAPP") by:
1. Reviewing City's data and documents to generate a list of eligible customers to apply for funding on behalf of, in compliance with the State Water Resource Control Board's CEWWAPP Guidelines and applicable law, including potential re- application for the initial round of funding under the Arrearages Payment Program;
2. Identifying how much money to apply for on behalf of each eligible customer, in compliance with the State Water Resource Control Board's CEWWAPP Guidelines and applicable law;
3. Executing a letter or signed verification of the accuracy and truthfulness of the City's CEWWAPP application;
4. Ensuring the City's application is compliant with the CEWWAPP Guidelines and applicable law;
5. Providing other related CEWWAPP assistance to the City as requested by City.
Thank you.
Esperanza Colio Warren
City Manager
City of Calexico
608 Heber Avenue
Calexico, CA 92231