CITY OF MERCED
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Merced Civic Center
678 W. 18th Street
Merced, CA 95340
File #: 24-1148 Meeting Date: 11/18/2024
Report Prepared by: Frank Quintero, Deputy City Manager and Director of Economic Development SUBJECT: Approval of a First Amendment to the Professional Service Agreement with Provost & Pritchard Engineering Group, Incorporated, for Monitoring Well Installation, Ground Water Sampling, Preparation of a Work Program, and Ground Water Monitoring Report for the Airport Remediation Site Investigation and a Supplemental Appropriation in the Amount of $371,400 from Fund 6001 Water Operations
REPORT IN BRIEF:
Considers approving a first amendment to a Professional Services Agreement for additional monitoring wells, sampling, work program and investigation at the Airport Remediation Site as required by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board in the amount of $371,400 for a contract total of $453,565.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving the First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Provost & Pritchard Engineering Group, Incorporated, in the amount $371,400.00 for monitoring wells installation, ground water sampling, preparation of a work program, ground water monitoring for the Airport Remediation Site Investigation; and,
B. Approving a Supplemental Appropriation in the amount of $371,400 from the unencumbered, unreserved fund balance of Fund 6001-Water Operations in the Professional Services account; and, C. Authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute the necessary documents.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, providing direction to staff; or,
2. Provide alternative staff direction; or,
3. Refer to staff for reconsideration as requested by the City Council; or,
4. Defer action until a specific date; or,
5. Deny
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200, et. seq.
Services with an estimated value greater than $38,000.00 are made by written contract in the CITY OF MERCED Printed on 11/13/2024Page 1 of 3
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File #: 24-1148 Meeting Date: 11/18/2024
accordance with the Merced Municipal Code, Title 3 - Revenue and Finance, Chapter 3.04.
3.04.110 - Exceptions to Sections 3.04.090, 3.04.120, and 3.04.130.
Generally. The restrictions and requirements of Sections 3.04.090, 3.04.120, and 3.04.130 shall not apply to contracts involving the obtaining of professional or specialized services such as, but not limited to, services rendered by architects, attorneys, engineers, and other specialized consultants.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As adopted in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget.
DISCUSSION
At the City Council meeting of September 18, 2023, Provost & Pritchard was selected to take over the ongoing investigation and monitoring of the Airport Remediation Site. The previous company, Herschy Environmental, Inc., closed its doors no longer providing the services to the City.
After conducting a series of monitoring and sampling, followed by reporting to the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board), Provost & Pritchard submitted proposals in response to the direction from the Water Board (Attachment 1.) To complete the tasks requested by the Water Board, Provost & Pritchard will need to install additional monitoring wells, extract samples, test the samples, and report the findings all subject to an approved Work Plan by the Water Board (Attachment 2.)
PCE levels continue exceeding the Water Board’s quality objectives necessitating ongoing monitoring and reporting actions. However, the Water Board is requiring the continued and expanded investigation and characterization of emerging chemical contaminants of concern classified as per and polyoalkyl substances (PFAS) including perfluoroctane sulfuric acids (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acids (PFOA), and Adsorbable Organic Fluorine (AOF.)
PFAS chemicals, commonly referred to “forever chemicals” because they are highly persistent in the environment, are long-lasting and do not easily break down leading to concerns about their long- term impacts on ecosystems and human health. PFAS substances have been commonly used in various applications, including non-stick cookware (such as Teflon), water-repellent and stain resistant clothing, firefighting foam, food packaging (for resistance to sticking wet and greasy foods), and some electronics. Due to their widespread use, PFAS found throughout the environment, humans and animals have led to concerns about their potential health effects.
Background
The City has been working since the 1980’s to investigate and remediate contamination at the Merced Airport Remediation Site, located in the vicinity of Riggs and West Avenues. The site contains contaminants from old crop-dusting operations, petroleum hydrocarbons, solvents, and other volatile substances from a fire department training area. Portions of the site investigation and asphalt capping have been completed. Sampling over the last several years has also confirmed the presence of PFAS/ PFOS in groundwater. The presence of these chemicals may be associated with the historic use of AOF at the airport. A City water well is located approximately ±one-mile from the subject area CITY OF MERCED Printed on 11/13/2024Page 2 of 3
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File #: 24-1148 Meeting Date: 11/18/2024
contributing to the Water Board’s sense of urgency for additional monitoring wells, testing, investigating, and reporting.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOUCES
A supplemental appropriation from the unencumbered, unreserved fund balance of Fund 6001-Water Operations is needed to fund the First Amendment of Professional Service Agreement with Provost & Pritchard Engineering Group, Incorporated.
This will require an affirmative vote of 5 Council Members to pass.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Letter from the California Water Quality Control Board
2. Provost & Pritchard First Amendment
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