Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: MARCH 17, 2026
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SUBMITTED BY: STEPHEN BISE, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
PREPARED BY: JEROME JOAQUIN, ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER
OLIVIA MARTINEZ, ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES COORDINATOR
SUBJECT: $162,338.30 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE WITH JOHN L. HUNTER AND ASSOCIATES FOR STORMWATER CONSULTING SERVICES
SUMMARY
Staff requests City Council approve a one‑year extension with John L. Hunter and Associates (JLHA) for professional stormwater consulting services as the City enters a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program state audit.
PROPOSED MOTION
1. Approve $162,338.30 Professional Services Agreement Amendment Number One with John L. Hunter and Associates to continue their professional stormwater consulting services.
2. Authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute the Agreement, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Approve the Proposed Motion
Other options brought by City Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Proposed Motion.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
None.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statements:
Fiscal and Organizational Stability
Infrastructure and City Assets.
FISCAL IMPACT
The annual budget contains Sanitation Fund (Fund 23) which covers the cost of these consulting. The requested contract extension includes a 3% Consumer Price Index (CPI) fee increase which equals the average CPI for Urban Consumers in the Los Angeles - Long Beach - Anaheim area. The one-year cost of consulting service would total $162,338.30 with $112,012.50 allocated for the City MS4 NPDES management and compliance program and $50,325.80 for private development projects and Capital Improvement Program projects.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The original contract with JLHA Consultants became effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023 and included three optional one‑year extensions. The final extension currently provides for JLHA services through June 30, 2026.
The California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) identified the City of Fullerton for an upcoming NPDES program audit. The NPDES program, established under the Clean Water Act, regulates municipal stormwater discharges and requires monitoring, reporting and pollution‑reduction practices to protect local waterways. Staff expects review to begin Summer 2026, based on the State audit rotation, with exact dates confirmed when the City receives formal notice.
An SWRCB audit evaluates program effectiveness, documentation, reporting procedures and field practices. Audit findings can result in penalties depending on the severity and nature of violations. The City does not anticipate issues, however, maintaining experienced guidance is important to ensure full compliance.
JLHA supported the City NPDES program for many years and provides services such as preparing and submitting the Program Effectiveness Assessment (PEA), performing in‑field inspections, assisting Public Works Engineering with Water Quality Management Plan reviews and staff training. Their long‑standing involvement gives them a strong understanding of past and current program requirements and improvements. JLHA’s continued participation will ensure consistency and accuracy in implementing the City stormwater program and represented during the audit.
City staff recommends extending JLHA services for an additional year based on their experience, historical knowledge and ongoing role in regulatory compliance, in addition to the upcoming SWRCB audit. This extension would support a smooth and successful audit process. Staff will prepare and issue a Request for Proposals to establish a new contract for stormwater consulting services near the end of the one-year extension.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Draft JLHA Contract Extension Amendment
Attachment 2 – Original JLHA Contract
cc: City Manager Eddie Manfro
Amendment Number One to John L. Hunter Agreement
March 17, 2025 - Page PAGE \* MERGEFORMAT 2