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January 18, 2022
ITEM TITLE
Contract Award: Preparation of a Storm Water Management & Drainage Funding Report with SCI Consulting Group
Report Number: 21-0228
Location: No specific geographic location
Department: Engineering
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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the activity qualifies for an Exemption pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines.
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution awarding a contract to SCI Consulting Group to provide professional services for the preparation of a Storm Water Management & Drainage Funding Report.
SUMMARY
City Council Ordinance No. 2463 established the Storm Drain Fee that has two objectives: (1) maintenance of the storm drain system, and (2) compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit. On March 2, 2021, City Council passed City Council Resolution No. 2021-041 establishing a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project and appropriating $100,000 thereto, to allow City staff to solicit proposals for a consultant to prepare a Storm Water Management and Drainage Funding Report to address the current and projected funding shortfalls of the City’s Storm Water Management Program.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed activity has been reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and it has been determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the state CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it has also been determined that the activity qualifies for an Exemption pursuant to Section P a g e | 2
15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines. Thus, no environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
Background
In 1991, City Council passed Ordinance No. 2463 establishing the Storm Drain Fee and the Storm Drain Revenue Fund by adding Chapter 3.21 and Chapter 14.16 to the Chula Vista Municipal Code. Per Ordinance No. 2463, the Storm Drain Fee has two objectives: (1) maintenance of the storm drain system, and (2) compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit.
In fiscal year 2021 , the Storm Drain Revenue Fund collec ted a total of $671,198 , accounting for approximately 30% of the $2.4 million annual costs required to implement the Storm Water Management Program (Program), leaving a $1.7 million deficit. The deficit amount does not include the drainage maintenance funds needed for drainage capital improvement projects (CIPs) to replace, repair, and maintain aging infrastructure. Over the past 30 years, the deficit to the Storm Water Management Program has primarily been covered with revenues from the General Fund. On occasion, when a nexus is identified and justified, some of the Program work elements may have been funded from: special assessment districts; development deposits and fees; wastewater fees; Transnet funds; solid waste fees; grants; and Measure P funds. These supplemental sources of funding are rare and do not have any annual guaranteed funding levels to ensure the City’s compliance with the Regional Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit.
On March 2, 2021, the City Council approved Resolution No. 2021 -041 for an amendment of Fiscal Year 2020/21 CIP Program Budget appropriating $100,000 from the General Fund and establishing the Capital Improvement Project: “Storm Water Management & Drainage Funding Report and Public Outreach (DRN0218)”. Resolution No. 2021-041 authorizes City staff to retain a consultant to prepare a Storm Water Management and Drainage Funding Report to address the current and projected funding shortfalls of the City’s Storm Water Management Program.
Consultant Selection Process
On August 20, 2021, the City advertised a Request for Proposals (RFP) for professional services of qualified Proposers to prepare a Storm Water Management & Drainage Funding Report (“Report”). Subsequently, the City received proposals from the following five qualified firms (in alphabetical order):
1. A & N Technical Services, Inc. from Encinitas, CA.
2. Black & Veatch Management Consulting, LLC. from Los Angeles, CA.
3. NBS Consultants from Temecula, CA.
4. Raftelis Financial Consultants Inc. from Los Angeles, CA.
5. SCI Consulting Group from Fairfield, CA.
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Prior to the scheduled interviews, A & N Technical Services, Inc. and Raftelis Financial Consultants Inc, rescinded their proposals. The remaining three (3) consultants were interviewed.
The procedures outlined in the Chula Vista Municipal Code Section 2.56.110 for Professional Services were followed. Based on subsection (C) a selection committee, approved by the Engineering Department Head and City Manager, used pre-established criteria to rank firms based on their proposals and interviews. The selection panel’s top three ranked consulting firms in priority order are:
1. SCI Consulting Group.
2. NBS Consultants.
3. Black & Veatch.
The Engineering Department negotiated a Consultant Services Agreement with SCI Consulting Group as the highest ranked firm. The proposed Agreement is attached. SCI Consulting Group has direct experience in California analyzing existing stormwater program revenues and expenditures, and identifying, developing, and impl ementing successful and comprehensive long -term revenue approaches within the unique state legal requirements.
The scope of this contract is for professional services for the preparation of a Storm Water Management & Drainage Funding Report for up to $100,000.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the real property holdings of the City Council members do not create 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 City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for decision-maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Sufficient funding from the General Fund is available in CIP DRN0218 to cover professional services associated with the Storm Water Management & Drainage Funding Report.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
No ongoing fiscal impact is anticipated if contract is approved. The consultant will be compensated in an amount not-to-exceed $100,000 for professional services associated with this contract.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution No. 2021-041 dated March 2, 2021
2. Consultant Services Agreement with SCI Consulting Group to Provide Professional Services for the Preparation of a Storm Water Management & Drainage Funding Report
Staff Contact: Sandra Hernandez, Associate Engineer, Engineering Department