Agenda #: 5.20
Meeting Date: June 20, 2023
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Daniel Fox, City Manager
TITLE: CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH JOHN L. HUNTER & ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR MUNICIPAL NATIONAL POLLUTANT
DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES THROUGH JUNE 30, 2026.
STRATEGIC
GOAL: Open, Engaged & Responsive Government
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve, and authorize the City Manager to sign, the Consulting Services Agreement with John L. Hunter and Associates, Inc. (JLHA) for a three-year term, with an option to extend for an additional two years, in an annual not-to-exceed amount of $74,770.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
An annual authorization of $74,770 is recommended for the as-needed consulting services for the City’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Program.
The Fiscal Year 2023/24 PW Operating Budget includes adequate funding for these services. For consulting services performed on development-related projects, funding will be provided through developer fees and deposits paid by the applicant prior to any work.
BACKGROUND:
The federal government enacted the Clean Water Act in 1972, which introduced the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Program to regulate point sources of pollution. The State of California administers the NPDES Permit Program through the State Water Resources Control Board and the nine (9) Regional Water Quality Control Boards.
The City of Diamond Bar’s point source is the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (“MS4”), which is tributary to the Lower San Gabriel River (“LSGR”) and the coastal watersheds of Los Angeles County. The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control
Board (Regional Water Board) regulates local MS4 discharges through the current Municipal NPDES Permit Order No. R4-2021-0105.
The City relies on the support from professional environmental engineering consultants to administer environmental programs, conduct routine inspections for commercial and industrial businesses, monitor construction projects and illicit discharges, represent the City for the activities of the LSGR Watershed Management Group, and submit reports to the Regional Water Board in compliance with the Municipal NPDES Permit.
Property owners within the Los Angeles County Flood Control District approved Measure W in 2018, which created the Safe Clean Water Program (“SCWP”) and authorized the assessment of new special property taxes for the improvement of regional stormwater quality and pollution reduction. The City’s allocation of this funding source can offset the costs for new stormwater quality related projects and programs.
ANALYSIS:
On May 1, 2023, the City released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for professional environmental engineering services through the City’s online bidding platform (PlanetBids). Upon closure of the RFP, five proposals were received as follows:
1. John L. Hunter & Associates, Inc. $74,770
2. CASC Engineering and Consulting, Inc. $80,311
3. Environmental Compliance Specialist, LLC $81,745
4. Proactive Engineering Consultants, Inc. $132,392
5. Socal Stormwater Runoff Solution Services, Inc. NONRESPONSIVE Staff utilized qualitative metrics to evaluate each firm’s proposal and subsequently compared the total fees and proposed hours for one year to complete all of the consulting tasks. Aside from its competitive pricing, the proposal submitted by John L.
Hunter & Associates, Inc. (“JLHA”) exhibited the firm’s extensive knowledge and experience with the Municipal NPDES Permit in the Los Angeles region.
JLHA has served as the City’s stormwater compliance service consultant since 2007, to the satisfaction of the City. The firm has extensive relevant experience with the State Water Resources Control Boards and other local jurisdictions within the watershed, including the Regional Water Board. Given its regional involvement, JLHA can provide high-quality services to the City in a cost-effective manner.
A short form of the JLHA’s proposal is attached as Exhibit “A” to the proposed agreement.
It is recommended that the City Council approve a three-year agreement, with an additional two-year extension option, with John L. Hunter & Associates, Inc. with an annual not-to-exceed amount of $74,770.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed and approved the agreement as to form.
PREPARED BY:
REVIEWED BY:
Attachments:
1. 5.20.a Agreement with John L. Hunter & Associates, Inc.
2. 5.20.b JLHA Proposal (short form)