STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date:
September 22, 2026
CONSENT
CALENDAR
12 SUBJECT: AWARD OF TASK ORDER FOR ALISO CREEK BERM MAINTENANCE
MONITORING SERVICES
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to approve a task order with ECORP Consulting, Inc. for biological monitoring, water quality sampling, reporting, and permit compliance services for Aliso Creek Outlet Maintenance in an amount not-to-exceed $102,610;
2. Approve the transfer of $26,743 from the NPDES Storm Water Permit account (Account No. 110- 3136-72037) into the Contractual Services account (Account No. 110-3136-55036) to consolidate Public Works operating budget for this task, and authorize the remaining $115,457 in the NPDES Storm Water Permit account to remain available; and
3. Find that the services are exempt under CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15308.
SUMMARY OF THE MATTER
The City conducts recurring maintenance of the sand berm at the Aliso Creek outlet to maintain the creek outlet and protect public access and recreational use of Aliso Beach. Because the maintenance activities occur within and adjacent to sensitive coastal habitat and waters, the City must comply with biological resource protection and water quality requirements established by federal and state regulatory agencies. To ensure compliance, staff recommends the award of a task order to ECORP Consulting, Inc. in the amount of $102,610.
DISCUSSION
The Aliso Creek outlet requires routine maintenance to clear accumulated sand, prevent localized flooding, and maintain natural water flow into the Pacific Ocean. Standard maintenance work includes excavating the sand berm, re-locating sand above the high-tide line, and grading the surrounding beach area. Work is performed on a regular schedule, consisting of:
• Semi-Annual Maintenance: Primary clearing activities conducted prior to the winter wet season and ahead of the busy summer beach season.
• As-Needed Maintenance: Up to two minor clearing activities each month to maintain proper creek discharge.
Because Aliso Beach is an ecologically sensitive coastal ecosystem, these operations are governed by federal and state resource agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Section 404 Permit), the Regional Water Quality Control Board (Section 401 Permit), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. To stay in compliance with these permits, the City must conduct specialized biological monitoring and water quality testing before, during, and after any sand movement to safeguard local wildlife.
AWARD OF TASK ORDER FOR ALISO CREEK BERM MAINTENANCE MONITORING
SERVICES
September 22, 2026
To secure these required professional services, the City solicited proposals from six pre-qualified on-call environmental consultants: BKF, CJ Biomonitoring, Dokken, Dudek, ECORP Consulting, Inc., and LSA.
Following a review of the submissions staff identified ECORP Consulting, Inc. (ECORP) as the highestrated firm.
Under the proposed task order, ECORP will perform three key services:
• Task 1: Project Management & Permit Compliance:
Program management, agency coordination, and general compliance tracking. • Task 2: Environmental & Water Quality Services:
Pre-activity surveys for nesting birds, western snowy plovers, and California least terns; seasonal grunion spawning surveys (March 1 – August 31); active on-site biological monitoring during all excavation and grading; and pre- and post-maintenance water quality sampling and lab coordination. • Task 3: Annual Regulatory Reporting:
Documenting field observations and compiling mandatory annual compliance reports for state and federal regulatory agencies.
Work will be performed under ECORP’s 2026–2029 Master Consultant Services Agreement. Based on the anticipated maintenance schedule for the remaining fiscal year, staff recommends awarding the task order in a total amount not to exceed $102,610.
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
The total cost for the remaining fiscal year of environmental maintenance monitoring services is $102,610.
Sufficient funding is available within the Public Works Operating Budget by utilizing existing appropriations in both the Contractual Services Account (Account No. 110-3136-55036) and the NPDES Storm Water Permit Account (Account No. 110-3136-72037). The Contractual Services account holds $272,000, of which $196,133 is anticipated to be encumbered for NPDES Compliance Services, leaving an unencumbered balance of $75,867. To cover the remaining $26,743 needed for this task order, staff recommends a budget transfer of $26,743 from the NPDES Storm Water Permit account into the Contractual Services account. This transfer will fully fund the $102,610 contract within the Contractual Services account, while leaving $115,457 in the NPDES Storm Water Permit account for future program needs. This administrative adjustment requires no additional appropriation and results in no net increase to the General Fund or overall Public Works budget.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
Biological monitoring, water quality sampling, reporting, and permit compliance services for the Aliso Creek Outlet Maintenance is an action taken to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment and is thus exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15308.
AWARD OF TASK ORDER FOR ALISO CREEK BERM MAINTENANCE MONITORING
SERVICES
September 22, 2026
ATTACHMENTS
1. ECORP Proposal
Submitted By: Thomas Perez Approved: .David A Kiff
Thomas Perez, Acting Director of
Public Works & Utilities
Dave Kiff, City Manager
Report Prepared By: Coordinated With:
Tran Tran, Assistant City Engineer Thomas Perez, Acting Director of Public Works & Utilities