City of Gonzales
PUBLIC WORKS / CITY ENGINEER DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: June 17, 2024
FROM: Patrick Dobbins, Public Works Director/City Engineer THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Agreement with Dudek Consulting for Wastewater Design Services and Execution of Task Order 1
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council Authorize Execution of a Non-Exclusive Master Services Agreement Between the City of Gonzales and Dudek Consulting for Wastwater Design Services, and Approve Execution of Task Order 1 for Design Support Services During the Bid/Award Phase of the Industrial Wastewater System in the Amount of $219,529
BACKGROUND
The city’s Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant (MWWTP) operates under a Waste Discharge Permit from the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board). The MWWTP has a permitted capacity of 1.3 million gallons/day and current sewer flows to the plant are approximately 1.2 million gallons/day (MGD). Therefore, the MWWTP is near its permitted capacity and for the last several years has struggled to meet the 2006 discharge permit requirements as the MWWTP wasn’t designed to treat the amount of ag-wash water it receives daily.
Through the preparation of a Long-Term Wastewater Management Plan, the city determined that construction of an Industrial Wastewater (IW) System was the most cost effective and expedient approach to expand the city’s wastewater system. The System will collect the ag-wash water (industrial wastewater) discharged from the large processing facilities in the Business Park and convey them to a new IW Treatment Facility to be constructed on city-owned property just east of the MWWTP.
In April 2023 the Regional Board issued a new Waste Discharge Permit that contains requirements the MWWTP is not capable of meeting. Therefore, in addition to constructing the IW System, the city needs to upgrade the MWWTP to comply with the new RWQCB permit.
AGENDA
ITEM
14 The city will expand the wastewater system through the following phases:
Phase 1 – The IW System will be delivered under three contracts:
1. Construct the IW Pipeline along Fermin Lane
2. Construct the IW Treatment Facility.
3. While the IWTF is under construction, issue a contract to rehabilitate the existing 21-inch sewer main by shifting sewer flows to the new IW Pipeline.
The CEQA-Plus document for the IW System was completed in October 2021 and construction documents (plans, technical specifications, and cost estimate) were completed in September 2022. Over the last two years, the city pursued a $29M State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan for project financing.
Currently staff is finalizing the construction documents for the IW Pipeline contract for public bidding.
Phase 2 - Upon completion of the IW System, 800,000 gallons of ag-wash water will be shifted from the MWWTP to the IW Treatment Facility. The city will then begin rehabilitating the MWWTP which includes removing accumulated sludge, lining the treatment ponds, upgrading the aeration system and constructing a new treatment process. When this phase is completed, the MWWTP will meet the Regional Board permit requirements.
Phase 3 - Add additional treatment processes at the MWWTP to expand the wastewater system capacity to 2.9MGD which will accommodate projected housing growth through 2050.
Phase 4 - Expand the IW System treatment capacity to 3.5 MGD to accommodate additional processing facilities in the city’s Industrial Business Park and add a recycled water component.
REVIEW & ANALYSIS
To obtain consultant services, staff prepared a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Design Services for Wastewater Projects. The RFQ listed the following services:
1. Design support during the public bid/award phase and construction phase of the IW System.
2. Feasibility Analysis, Preliminary and Final design of a new treatment process at the MWWTP to comply with 2023 RWQCB WDR Permit. Includes design support during the public bid/award phase and construction phase.
3. Design services to rehabilitate the MWWTP (i.e., sludge removal, add aeration, line ponds, add groundwater monitoring wells).
4. Assess the existing 21-inch sewer trunk main along Fermin Lane from Alta Street to the MWWTP. This includes video inspection, condition assessment, and preparation of bid documents for recommended repair work.
5. Grant applications to the State Water Resource Control Board, Economic Development Agency, and other entities.
On March 28, 2024, Staff issued the RFQ to 12 consultant firms and staff held a preproposal meeting on April 9. Statements of Qualifications were received from the following five firms by the May 8 deadline:
• Ardurra
• Black & Veatch
• Dudek
• HydroScience
• MNS Engineers
City staff and two outside panelists (Don Wilcox, City of Soledad and Andy Sterbenz, Schaaf & Wheeler) interviewed the five consultant teams on June 4. Upon completion of the interviews, the panel ranked Dudek Consulting as the top firm for Wastewater Design Services.
Staff anticipates executing the following Task Orders under Dudek’s Master Services Agreement:
Project Phase Estimated
Consultant fee
Task Order 1 Design support during the public bid/award phase of the Industrial Wastewater System $219,529
Task Order 2 Feasibility Analysis of new treatment process at the MWWTP to comply with 2023 RWQCB WDR Permit. $100,000
Task Order 3 Preliminary design of new treatment process at the MWWTP to comply with 2023 RWQCB WDR Permit.
Unknown at
this time
Task Order 4 Design support during the construction phase of the Industrial Wastewater System $1,300,000
Task Order 5
Design services to rehabilitate the MWWTP (i.e., sludge removal, add aeration, line ponds, add groundwater
monitoring wells)
Unknown at
this time
Task Order 6 Design support during the public bid/award phase and construction phase of the rehabilitation work at the MWWTP Unknown at
this time
Therefore, staff recommends the City Council authorize the City Manager to approve a Master Services Agreement with Dudek Consulting including Task Order 1 for Design Support Services in the amount of $219,529 to support the city’s efforts to construct the Industrial Wastewater System.
At an upcoming Council meeting, staff will present Task Order 2 for Council approval under Dudek’s Master Service Agreement for a Feasibility Analysis to evaluate the alternatives for a new treatment process at the MWWTP to comply with 2023 RWQCB WDR Permit.
Also, at an upcoming Council meeting, staff will present a recommendation for the Council to approve a Master Service Agreement with MNS Engineers with Task Order 1 for the assessment of the existing 21- inch sewer trunk main from Alta Street to the MWWTP. This includes video inspection, condition assessment, and preparation of bid documents for recommended repair work.
How Recommendation Supports the Vision
Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small-town charm.
Explain: Upgrading and improving the city’s wastewater system is essential for protecting public health and promoting residential and industrial growth.
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Mission The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community. X Yes ____ No____ N/A
Explain: Maintaining and improving the wastewater treatment plant enhances the community’s quality of life by providing for treatment and safe disposal of the City’s wastewater.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful and friendly manner to insure the safety and well-being of the residents and the promotion of business, recreational, housing and employment opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner. X Yes ____No ____ N/A Explain: See Vision explanation above.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety X Yes ____ No ___ N/A
• Housing X Yes ____ No ___ N/A
• Recreation X Yes ____ No ___ N/A
• Environment X Yes ____ No ___ N/A
• Education X Yes ____ No ___ N/A
ALTERNATIVES
Amend or modify staff recommendation.
BUDGET IMPACT
This contract will be funded with Sewer Impact and Sewer Enterprise monies.
CONCLUSIONS
It is recommended that the City Council Authorize Execution of a Non-Exclusive Master Services Agreement Between the City of Gonzales and Dudek Consulting for Wastwater Design Services, and Approve Execution of Task Order 1 for Design Support Services During the Bid/Award Phase of the Industrial Wastewater System in the Amount of $219,529
Attachments:
1. City's RFQ for Wastewater Design Services
2. Dudek Task Order 1
3. Master Services Agreement with Dudek