Key Points from the Supreme Court Decision:
History of Eighth Amendment: The Court looked at the history of the Eight Amendment and how/why it was enacted and stated that it was a particularly weak argument against criminalization of conduct. The Court stated that there is nothing either cruel or unusual about modern incarceration.
Conduct vs. Status: The Court distinguished between penalizing conduct (camping in public places) and penalizing status (being homeless). It emphasized that the ordinances were constitutional as long as they addressed the act of camping and not the individual’s status as homeless.
Public Health and Safety: The Court acknowledged the city’s interest in maintaining public health, safety and welfare, which includes regulating the use of public spaces to prevent hazards and ensure accessibility for all community members. The Court noted that public health and safety was a particularly local concern that Federal Courts are not very equipped to grapple with.
Supportive Services: The decision noted the importance of cities providing supportive services and resources to homeless individuals. The Court suggested that punitive measures alone are insufficient without adequate support systems.
The Effect of Grants Pass: Following the Grants Pass decision, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-1-24, wherein he acknowledged the Grants Pass decision, and ordered state agencies, and encouraged local jurisdictions to address the homeless crisis in alignment with the California Department of Transportation’s Policy Directive to address encampments on state property and to address encampments consistent with that policy.
The policies are to include:
1. Whenever feasible, site assessment in advance of removal operations to determine whether an encampment poses an imminent threat to life, health or safety or infrastructure such that exigent circumstances require immediate removal of the encampment.
2. Where exigent circumstances exist, as much advance notice to vacate as reasonable under the circumstances.
3. Where no exigent circumstances exist, posting of a notice to vacate at the site at least 48 hours prior to initiating removal.
4. Contracting of service providers to request outreach for persons experiencing homelessness at the encampment.
5. Collecting and holding for at least 60 days of personal property collected at the removal site that is not a health or safety hazard.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
Agenda Item No. 10 Page 2 of 2 CC Agenda 12-02-2024
DATE: December 2, 2024
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: James Vega, City Manager
Tony Stewart, AICP, Community & Economic Development Director SUBJECT: PRESENTATION OF DUNE RESTORATION AND MAINTENANCE
PROPOSAL FOR HUENEME BEACH PARK BY THE VENTURA
SURFRIDER FOUNDATION
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the City Council receive information on a proposed dune restoration plan and maintenance plan for Hueneme Beach Park by the Ventura Surfrider Foundation and provide direction to staff on whether to proceed with preparing a Local Development Plan for review and approval by the California Coastal Commission.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:
This evening, Carla Avila-Martinez and Joan Tharp, representing the Ventura Surfrider Foundation, will be presenting reports prepared by Coastal Restoration Consultants for a dune restoration plan and an accompanying maintenance plan for the easternmost portion of Hueneme Beach Park.
The purpose of the Dune Restoration Plan is to restore and create a wider dune field in front of the naturalized dune area located around Beach Parking Lot C, to the City’s eastern limits, to enhance native habitat as well as to increase resilience for the natural and built environment as sea level rises and flooding risks increase.
To achieve the restoration project, Ventura Surfrider Foundation is proposing to remove non-native plants (in particular, the existing iceplant and Bermuda grass), controlling regrowth of the non-native plants over several years, removing woody vegetation, which will also improve sightlines, and installing sand fencing in selected areas towards the water-facing side of the dune area to trap blowing sand and allow it to accumulate into additional dune area.
It is anticipated the restoration project will occur over the course of one year, beginning in 2025 in monthly increments, with on-going maintenance as needed through 2030 (by Agenda Item No. 11 Page 1 of 36 CC Agenda 12-02-2024
Hueneme Beach Park Dune Restoration Plan
December 2, 2024
which time, the non-native plants should have been removed and the dune restoration activities would be well underway).
While the dune restoration project has the potential to benefit the City, particularly with regard to sea level rise, staff has reminded the Surfrider Foundation that documents, such as the Parks Master Plan, call for the potential development of Parking Lot C with other beach park amenities. Therefore, the Dune Restoration Plan should not impede such future City projects, and should include consideration to allow for City access and maintenance of facilities near the proposed area.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No direct costs will be required. The Surfrider Foundation is requesting green waste bins be provided six-eight times the first year and two-four times per year for the following years, and for volunteer parking passes eight-ten times the first year and two-four times the following years on weekend days. The Surfrider Foundation will secure and allocate the necessary funds to cover all costs associated with this project through a combination of donations and awarded grants.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
Primary Strategic Pillars and Initiatives:
Safe, Secure, & Beautiful Community
• Upgrade our beach, parks, City-owned facilities and structures to provide a better experience for our residents, employees, commuters, and visitors • Actively support on-going beach preservation efforts and funding for prevention of erosion
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
Updated: 12/2/24
A. Hueneme Restoration Plan
B. Hueneme Beach Park Dune Restoration Activities and Maintenance Plan Agenda Item No. 11 Page 2 of 36 CC Agenda 12-02-2024
December 2, 2024
Port Hueneme City Hall
250 North Ventura Road, Port Hueneme, CA 93041
6:30 PM Open Session
Attached are documents related to Agenda Item No. 11: PRESENTATION OF DUNE
RESTORATION AND MAINTENANCE PROPOSAL FOR HUENEME BEACH PARK BY THE VENTURA SURFRIDER FOUNDATION, which was received following the posting and distribution of the December 2, 2024, Agenda:
• Attachment A. Hueneme Restoration Plan
• Attachment B. Hueneme Beach Park Dune Restoration Activities and Maintenance Plan
Agenda Item No. 11 Page 3 of 36 CC Agenda 12-02-2024
This Page Intentionally Left Blank
Agenda Item No. 11 Page 4 of 36 CC Agenda 12-02-2024
Dune Restoration Plan for Hueneme Beach Park
June 10, 2024
Prepared for:
Ventura Surfrider Foundation
Prepared by:
772 Monte Vista Ave.
Ventura, CA 93003
Attachment A
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Chapter 1. Introduction
1.1 Project Background
The project area located at Hueneme Beach Park (Figure 1.1) provides an excellent opportunity to enhance and restore southern foredune habitat. Enhancement and restoration will increase the habitat value of the site and increase coastal resilience and protect inland areas from flooding during high tides and large wave events, especially as sea level rises over the coming years.
The project site has undergone multiple rounds of degradation and natural recovery over the years (see Chapter 2). The most dramatic habitat loss was due to disruptions in sediment supply after the construction of breakwaters at the Port of Hueneme. Currently, sand is regularly bypassed around these structures and the beach and dune systems south of the breakwaters are consistently wide and not obviously sediment-starved. As long as this sand bypassing continues, dunes will be sustainable far into the future at the project site.
The footprint of the project was developed with input from local residents and the City of Port Hueneme. Areas landward of the project site are dominated by non-native iceplant.
These areas could support backdune habitats in the future. The open sand seaward of the project site could support more dune habitats (i.e., a wider dune system). This restoration plan focuses on the area where the greatest ecological lift and coastal resilience gains can be made with low-cost enhancement and restoration approaches. The project will also test weeding, fencing, and dune-building strategies to determine which are most effective and could be employed in the future in other local areas.
Figure 1.1. The project is located in the city of Port Hueneme at Hueneme Beach Park. The project area is approximately 2.5 acres.
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1.2 The Need for Restoration
The project area includes dunes dominated by native and non-native plants and areas of open sand that are not vegetated and lack dune forms. Enhancement strategies aimed at eradicating perennial non-native species such as iceplant and Bermuda grass would allow for the establishment of native foredune plants in these areas. Dunes formed by native species would tend to be lower and have gentler slopes than dunes formed by iceplant. Native plantdominated dunes will probably provide better habitat for wildlife as well.
Establishing native foredune species and building topography in front of the existing dunes in areas that are not vegetated currently would allow for a wider dune field that would provide added protection during large wave events for inland areas and provide more dune habitat. Restoring dunes in this area would result in a wider dune field that will increase resilience over the long term as sea level rises and flooding risks increase.
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Chapter 2. Historical Ecology
An analysis of historical maps and aerial images show that the project site historically supported dune habitats. Over the years, dunes have come and gone at the site due to humaninduced disturbances to longshore transport of sand and subsequent erosion (i.e., the construction of the Port Hueneme breakwaters) and grading to facilitate development. Despite these disturbances, dunes have naturally re-formed multiple times after sand bypassing restored a more natural sand source and other disturbances were removed. Figures 2.1 – 2.7 illustrate how the site has changed over time.
Figure 2.1. 1855 T-sheet mapping of the project vicinity. Annotations made in 1894 are in red, showing the Hueneme Wharf and the beginnings of the town of Hueneme (the name was later changed to Port Hueneme). The northern salt water lagoon was later dredged to form the Port of Hueneme and the southern salt water lagoon was later mostly filled. North of Pt. Hueneme the beach and dune system is very wide. The narrower beach and dune system south of the point is probably due to much of the sand moving down the coast being lost into the Hueneme submarine canyon which is right off the point. Enough sand made it past the point however to sustain dunes to the south. The approximate location of the project area is shown in yellow.
The project area was mapped as dunes.
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Figure 2.2. 1929 aerial photo showing the approximate location of the project area in yellow.
Sparsely vegetated dunes characterize this area. Inland areas have largely been converted to agriculture.
Figure 2.3. 1945 aerial photo showing the approximate location of the project area in yellow.
Sparse vegetation and dune topography are clearly visible. The lagoon north of the project area has been filled and the inflows diverted south to Mugu Lagoon (out of frame) via a ditch running parallel to the coast well behind the dunes. The Hueneme Wharf has been removed and the Port of Hueneme was completed in 1940.
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Figure 2.4. 1959 aerial photo showing the approximate location of the project area in yellow.
The coastline in this area has retreated significantly due to the construction of the breakwaters at the Port of Hueneme, which blocked downcoast sand transport. What is now the project area was under water at this time. The beach and dunes have retreated far enough to fill most of the ditch (seen in the previous figure) constructed to drain wetlands to Mugu Lagoon.
Figure 2.5. 1963 aerial photo showing the approximate location of the project area in yellow.
Sand has been moved around the Port of Hueneme breakwaters to restore the coastline to its previous alignment. Since the beach and dunes retreated in the previous decades of sand starvation, the whole beach system is wider than it was historically. Little to no dune vegetation is visible at this time.
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Figure 2.6. 1970 aerial photo showing the approximate location of the project area in yellow.
Regular bypassing of sand has maintained the wider beach and dune system. Dune vegetation and topography have recovered, presumably naturally, in the project area and areas inland.
Figure 2.7. 1980 aerial photo showing the approximate location of the project area in yellow.
Dune vegetation and topography have once again been lost, presumably graded as part of the development and Hueneme Beach Park (completed by 1982).
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Chapter 3. Current Conditions
In general, the project site contains a combination of fairly low coastal dunes with low cover of native and non-native plants and flat, mostly unvegetated, sand sheets seaward of the dunes. Four species of native dune plants are present on site as are several non-native species that are adapted to dune habitats. Public access through the site is mostly confined to a few trails, though there are no barriers to people moving through any part of the site currently.
3.1 Existing Topography
In March 2024, CRC established three topography monitoring transects through the project area (Figure 3.1). They extended from the landward toe of the dune to the high tide line. Elevations were measured relative to a benchmark on a curb in the adjacent parking lot (Figure 3.1). The baseline for the transects was a line from a light post next to the Alaska Flight 261 Memorial in the northwest to the “Port Hueneme City Limit” sign in the southeast (Figure
3.1). The middle transect starts at a sign
(Figure 3.1) and the west and east
transects are 50m to the west and east
respectively along the baseline. Elevations
relative to the benchmark were measured
with an auto level to the nearest
centimeter every five meters along each
transect through the dunes. Seaward of
the dunes, measurements were taken at
irregular intervals to capture low and high
points out to the high tide line.
The middle and west transects
show similar profiles, with dunes about
1.5m (~5ft) tall when looking from the back
and about 3m (~10ft) tall when looking
from the seaward side. (Figure 3.2). The
east transect showed a considerably lower
dune crest. The beach in front of the dunes
on the mid and west transects were
similar, with a relatively flat back-beach
and a dip just landward of the high tide
line. The beach on the east transect had a
considerable backslope from the high tide
line to the toe of the dunes (Figure 3.2).
Topo monitoring benchmark
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Figure 3.1. Locations of the three topography monitoring transects. Also shown are the locations of land marks used to locate the transects and the benchmark used for the elevation measurements.
Figure 3.2. Results of topographic survey along three transects. -2.5
-2
-1.5
-1
-0.5
0 0.5
1 1.5
2 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
Elevation (meters)
Distance (meters)
Dune & Beach Profiles, Port Hueneme Beach, 23 March
2024
Mid
West
East
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3.2 Existing Vegetation
The vegetation at the site was characterized through vegetation mapping and baseline vegetation monitoring. A species list for the site was developed during the mapping and monitoring effort and on other field visits.
3.2.1 Vegetation Mapping
The entire project area was walked by CRC ecologists Matt James and Dave Hubbard on March 23rd, 2024. Areas with vegetation were assessed and mapped using the system developed by the California Native Plant Society in the Manual of California Vegetation1 (MCV).
This vegetation mapping system is the current industry standard. This classification system can also be cross-walked to the “Holland Type”, which is more familiar to many readers. Polygons were delineated in the field on printed aerial photographs and digitized in ArcGIS Pro. Directed surveys for rare plants and wildlife were not conducted. However, all special status species detected within the project area during vegetation mapping were identified.
One vegetation alliance was found on the site as well as unvegetated areas (Figure 3.3).
The following are descriptions of these two cover types.
Abronia latifolia - Ambrosia chamissonis Herbaceous Alliance. Beach bur (Ambrosia chamissonis), a low-growing suffrutescent perennial found primarily in active dune habitats, is the dominant shrub (Abronia latifolia is not present). Other species commonly associated with this alliance include red sand verbena (Abronia maritima), beach evening primrose (Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia), and beach morning glory (Calystegia soldanella), all three of which were observed in the project area. Overall cover of vegetation is generally less than 25%. Native shrubs are absent.
Non-native plants are sparse but include coastal wattle (Acacia cyclops), Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), and European sea rocket (Cakile maritima).
Unvegetated. Open sand sheets lacking any perennial vegetation. European sea rocket seedlings were present but very sparse (<<1% absolute cover).
The Abronia latifolia – Ambrosia chamissonis Herbaceous Alliance has global and state rarity rankings of G3 and S3, meaning it is considered rare. This means that it could be considered as Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area (ESHA) by the California Coastal Commission (CCC). The CCC should be consulted before undertaking enhancement or restoration actions within this area.
3.2.2 Baseline Vegetation Monitoring
Pre-project vegetation monitoring was carried out along 10 transects through the project area (Figure 3.4). The transects were spaced 25m apart and extended from the dune crest to the seaward toe of the dunes. The starting point relative to the baseline (described 1 https://vegetation.cnps.org/
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above in Section 3.1) for each transect varied depending on the location of the dune crest relative to the baseline (Table 3.1). This position also corresponds to the landward project boundary.
The percent cover of each plant species was estimated using a 1m X 1m quadrat placed every two meters along each transect starting at the dune crest. The mean percent cover was calculated (including zero values) for each species on each transect. Overall cover for natives, annual non-natives, and perennial non-natives was calculated by averaging the means for each transect. Native species richness was calculated for each transect by totaling the number of different native species observed in at least one quadrat. Overall average species richness was calculated by averaging the total richness for each transect.
A total of four native and three non-native species were detected in the monitoring transects. Richness varied widely between transects (Figure 3.5). The average native and nonnative richness in the monitoring transects were both 1.8 species per transect.
The average native cover in the 10 transects was 2.1% and the average non-native cover was 2.9%. Native and non-native cover varied widely between transects (Figure 3.6). Beach bur and iceplant were the native and non-native species respectively, with the highest total percent cover (Figure 3.7). Perennial non-native cover was 2.0% overall.
Figure 3.3. Vegetation alliance mapping of the project area. The vegetated part of the project area would be classified as Southern Foredune using the Holland system.
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Table 3.1. Starting position for vegetation monitoring transects relative to the monitoring baseline. Negative or positive values indicate a starting position landward or seaward of the baseline respectively. The ending location is the seaward toe of the existing dunes. The transect length is a good estimate of the width of the dunes from the crest to the toe at each location.
Transect # Starting
Location
(meters)
Endling
Location
(meters)
Transect
Length
(meters)
T1 10 34 24
T2 8 32 24
T3 4 42 38
T4 -8 46 54
T5 -10 46 56
T6 10 38 28
T7 6 30 24
T8 6 12 6
T9 2 44 42
T10 2 46 44
Figure 3.4. Locations of the 10 vegetation monitoring transects, which extended from the dune crest to the seaward toe of the dunes.
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Figure 3.5. Pre-project species richness based on 10 monitoring transects.
Figure 3.6. Pre-project vegetation cover in 10 monitoring transects.
Iceplant-dominated dunes
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Figure 3.7. Pre-project vegetation cover by species.
3.2.3 Species List for project site and adjacent areas
A total of seven native and eight non-native species were observed within the project area and its immediate surroundings (Table 3.2).
Table 3.2. Species list of the project site and surrounding area.
Native dune plants Common name
Abronia maritima Red sand verbena
Ambrosia chamissonis Beach bur
Calystegia soldanella Beach morning-glory
Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia Beach evening primrose
Juncus sp. Rush
Native backdune/upland plants
Baccharis pilularis Coyote brush
Lupinus arboreus Bush lupine
Non-native plants
Acacia cyclops Coastal wattle
Cakile maritima Sea rocket
Carpobrotus edulis Iceplant
Melilotus indica White sweetclover
Tamarix sp. Tamarisk
Bromus diandrus Ripgut brome
Cynodon dactylon Bermuda grass
Pennisetum clandestinum Kikuyu grass
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3.3 Existing Management and Public Access
There are currently several active public access points through the project area from the parking lot to the beach (Figure 3.8). Discouraging the use of some of these paths will be desirable for achieving restoration goals. This can be done without negatively impacting public access to the beach by focusing usage into fewer areas.
Illegal camping in the dunes is a concern at the site and dunes to the southeast (outside the Port Hueneme city limits) contain several encampments. Regular patrols by public safety officials are probably crucial to keeping camping to a minimum. Restoration actions should not create conditions more conducive to camping.
Figure 3.8. Access paths through the project site. “Major” usage paths seem to be by far the most used as they pass through low points in the dunes. “Minor” usage paths mostly lead to steeper dunes areas.
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Chapter 4. Opportunities and Constraints
The following opportunities and constraints have been identified for the site based on site visits by CRC and discussions with Surfrider staff. In general, the project site provides an excellent opportunity to enhance and expand foredune habitats while maintaining public access and view sheds. No constraints were identified that would preclude dune restoration at the site.
4.1 Opportunities
Biological
• The site currently supports all of the common native foredune plant species, which can provide a natural seed source for recruitment
• Existing soils will support native foredune plants
• Removing iceplant from dunes and replacing it with native foredune plants will allow the dunes to take on a more natural shape with lower crest heights and gentler slopes • Removing non-native plants will allow for the expansion of native foredune plant populations
Coastal Resilience
• The un-vegetated beach in front of the project area is a good source of blowing sand that can build topography in the project area if it is trapped by native plants and/or sand fencing
• Increasing the sand volume and crest height of the lowest dunes can better protect inland areas from wave overwash
• Increasing the width of the dune system will store more sand high on the beach where it can protect inland areas from wave overwash
• The wide beach and dune system at the site can support a wider dune system while still maintaining a wide beach for recreation
Visitor Experience
• Access from the parking lot to the beach is already focused at a few points through the dunes
• There is ample space for interpretive signage along existing access ways along the inland edge of the project area
• Focusing pedestrian use on defined paths through the site would reduce trampling in most of the project area and would favor establishment of native foredune plants Public Safety
• Removal of woody vegetation would improve sight lines.
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4.2 Constraints
Biological
• Trampling probably limits natural recruitment of native dune species • Trampling probably favors non-native plants such as iceplant and Bermuda grass, which are tolerant of trampling and spread mostly vegetatively as opposed to through seedling establishment
• Removal of some weeds such as iceplant and Bermuda grass will require repeated treatments over multiple years
• Controlling the non-native annual sea rocket may be an ongoing maintenance issue as its seeds will disperse from adjacent habitats
Coastal Resilience
• Taller dunes can offer more protection from coastal flooding but would potentially block views
Visitor Experience
• Eliminating some of the minor trails though the dunes would benefit native plants but would require a change in human use patterns to some extent Public Safety
• Increased topographic complexity within the site may reduce lines of sight for public safety officials
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Chapter 5. Goals and Objectives
Goal #1: Restore and enhance native foredune habitat
Objective 1a: Eliminate perennial non-native plants from the project area Objective 1b: Expand populations of native foredune species Goal #2: Strategically build topography by trapping blowing sand Objective 2a: Expand populations of native dune-building plants, especially in unvegetated areas and where non-natives are removed in existing dunes Objective 2b: Use sand fencing to build topography and slow sand transport in open sand (unvegetated) areas
Goal #3: Maintain public access through the site between the parking area and the beach Objective 3a: Use post and cable fencing to focus pedestrian traffic through the site into two or three paths
Objective 3b: Install temporary and/or permanent signage to help reduce trampling outside of paths
Goal #4: Use restoration strategies that are durable and maintain public safety Objective 4a: Use fencing materials that are least likely to be scavenged Objective 4b: Maintain access to the site and the adjacent beach for public safety officials
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Chapter 6 Restoration Design
The primary restoration actions needed at the site are invasive plant removal, addition of symbolic fencing to reduce trampling, and seeding with native dune species. Invasive plant removal, (especially iceplant, Bermuda grass, and coastal wattle) should be carried out throughout the site.
Figure 6.1 shows a preliminary layout for symbolic fencing that should reduce trampling and focus public access through fewer points. The public access paths through the site (Figure
6.1) will likely remain unvegetated and have lower topography. This alignment of the two paths through the site allows for pedestrian access to the beach in front of the project site while not allowing a “straight shot” through the site for waves during large storm events. This should allow the site to achieve both coastal resilience and public access goals. Seeding of native foredune species should be focused in unvegetated areas and where invasive plants have been removed.
Use of sand fencing in unvegetated areas in front of the dunes (Figure 6.1) would speed up the process of building topography versus using just seeding of native dune plants. In general, sand fencing is most effective where there is a large fetch of open sand providing a source of blowing sand. With a westerly prevailing wind direction, sand fencing will be most effective in a more-or-less north-south alignment. This will also make the fencing effective in trapping blowing sand during offshore wind events, which come from the east. Sand fencing can also reduce pedestrian use and make symbolic fencing more effective.
Figure 6.1. Conceptual site plan for the project. Public access would be focused on the routes that are currently most heavily used. Symbolic fencing would be used to direct foot traffic to these routes. Sand fencing could be used to build topography in areas that are currently unvegetated and lack dune topography – the arrangement shown is for illustrative purposes. In the long-term, vegetation will be the most important element contributing to dune building.
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Chapter 7 Restoration Techniques
The following list of techniques for restoring more natural coastal habitats includes mostly proven strategies that have been employed elsewhere in southern California by CRC and others. Also presented are some approaches that were developed with the specific opportunities and constraints of the project site in mind.
7.1 Perimeter Fencing
Establish defined boundaries for the site using symbolic fencing. Ensure that the entire fenced area is consistent with project permits, goals, and management objectives. Use primarily post and rope fencing that uses materials that are least likely to be scavenged (e.g., avoid using wood).
7.2 Dune Restoration
One of the primary goals in increasing resiliency at the site is to trap more of the blowing sand in the upper beach area and to increase topography and elevations. There are two primary options for repairing damaged dunes and increasing resilience to rising sea level by building topography. These can be used individually or in combination.
1. Sand fencing. Sand fencing is a proven technique for stabilizing areas with high levels of blowing sand. It is not a permanent solution. Sand fencing can be effectively mixed with re-vegetation techniques to delineate restoration areas, slow sand movement, build topography and create areas suitable for plant establishment.
2. Re-vegetation. Native dune plants are the best sustainable long-term choice for building coastal dunes in California and elsewhere. There are situations in which some form of sand stabilization may help in the establishment of plants. California native dune plants also benefit greatly from protection from driving and trampling, so directing foot and vehicle traffic around vegetated areas is important. Section 7.4 below provides details on re-vegetation strategies.
7.3 Invasive Non-native Species Control
In order to successfully expand native plant populations within the project area, certain non-native plants will need to be controlled and/or eradicated.
1. Ice plant on dunes. Pull by hand. Turn upside down on site or off-haul.
2. Bermuda grass. Treat with herbicide. Follow up to get all patches and re-sprouts. The primary alternative to herbicide is to dig out patches. Patches will re-sprout from even small pieces of root material (rhizomes) so thorough removal and usually repeated treatments are essential.
3. Sea rocket. Annually hand-pull large plants before seed drops in April and May.
4. Coastal wattle. Cut existing standing wood; for large individuals use trained chainsaw operators only and for smaller individuals, loppers and other hand tools may be used.
Remove plant material from site. Treat stumps by applying herbicide or dig out stumps and roots and remove from site.
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7.4 Re-vegetation Strategies
In sand dune areas, the most effective strategy for re-introducing native species is to seed the areas in the late fall and to let seed germinate with winter rains. Timing is very important.
Irrigation is not usually effective.
1. Primary dune forming plants. Seed open sand areas with red sand verbena and beach bur. Use seeding rates per S&S Seeds2. Prepare the sand surface using a rock rake (leave deep grooves). Scatter seeds/fruits by hand and bury seeds by raking again with rock rakes. It is important to prevent driving and trampling in seeded areas.
2. Most dune plant seeds remain viable for years. Germination rates are low in any given year. If year one performance is poor because of very low rainfall (less than 6 inches), consider re-starting in the second year with the same seed in the ground.
3. Add California poppy (coastal variety) and beach evening primrose seed after dune vegetation exceeds 10% cover and sand is relatively stable.
7.5 Sand Fencing
Standard sand fencing
(4-feet tall) with vertical
wooden slats provides the
most reliable way of trapping
blowing sand and building
topography in dune settings.
Fending should be supported
by 6-foot-tall steel t-posts
spaced about eight feet apart.
T-posts should be driven into
the sand at least two feet.
Fencing should be secured to
the t-posts with wire.
Multiple rows of sand
fencing can be used to create
multiple dune ridges in front
of existing low, narrow dunes
but they need to be spaced at least 30 feet apart in order for there to be enough fetch to promote sand accumulation. Fencing with the greatest fetch to windward over open sand will accumulate the most sand.
7.6 Adaptive Management
Adaptive management is a tool for achieving success where there is uncertainty as to what actions will be needed to accomplish specific goals. Ecological restoration is inherently uncertain. There are simply too many variables to control, especially in dynamic coastal dune 2 www.ssseeds.com
Low, narrow dunes
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Dune Restoration Plan for Hueneme Beach Park
22 Coastal Restoration Consultants
systems at urban interfaces with high public visitation. These systems are naturally dynamic in space and time and potential human disturbances add to uncertainty. Designing and implementing this project using an adaptive management approach will lead to better outcomes and help the project meet its goals.
The hallmark of the adaptive management approach is a reliance on streams of data that are regularly analyzed and used to assess progress towards the achievement of goals. In the implementation phase of restoration, adaptive management has a clear role in assuring the goals and performance criteria are met by assessing progress (i.e., data collection) and tweaking techniques and designs as necessary to achieve the goals and performance criteria.
The monitoring plan outlined in Chapter 8 should be the primary source of data for ecological factors. It may be desirable to collect other data (e.g., visitor usage, weather data, etc.) and qualitative information (e.g., discussions with beach managers, lifeguards, etc.) to assess why different aspects of the project might be on positive trajectories towards goals and others may not be.
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Dune Restoration Plan for Hueneme Beach Park
23 Coastal Restoration Consultants
Chapter 8 Monitoring and Performance Criteria
Setting appropriate performance criteria for restoration projects, and assuring those criteria are met, helps assure that the ecological benefits of the project are realized.
Performance criteria should focus on measuring the extent to which appropriate physical and biological ecosystem processes have been restored in the short-term and how they might be expected to be self-sustaining in the long-term. Additionally, performance criteria should be sufficient for measuring weather or not the project goals have been achieved. Performance criteria should be quantitative and measurable.
The ecosystem monitoring strategy for the project is closely tied to the performance criteria. The specific goals of ecosystem monitoring include: 1) quantitatively assessing progress towards achieving performance criteria during the initial implementation phase, 2) quantitatively documenting achievement of performance criteria at the end of implementation, and 3) informing the adaptive management process during implementation.
8.1 Monitoring Protocols
Ecosystem monitoring shall occur pre-project and then annually between April 1 and June 30 for five years. All monitoring shall be conducted by ecologists familiar with the native and non-native species in the different habitats within the project. All monitoring will take place only within the delineated restoration area.
Vegetation monitoring at the Hueneme Beach Park Dune Restoration Project will occur along 10 shore-normal transects extending from the crest of the dunes to the seaward edge of the symbolic fencing3. Transect locations were established during pre-project monitoring and should be reacquired annually for at least five years. Monitoring techniques are detailed in Section 3.2.2. Topographic monitoring should also occur annually along at least three transects (see Section 3.2.1).
8.2 Performance Criteria
The following performance criteria were developed to provide objective measures of restoration success. Monitoring should occur in Year 1, but in order to allow for a range of implementation strategies and unknown project start date, there are no performance criteria for Year 1. Year 2-4 goals are mainly to estimate progress toward final (Year 5) goals. If any Year 2-4 goals are not being met, the implementation contractor should, in the annual report, either 1) explain why they still expect Year 5 goals to be met, or 2) trigger adaptive management actions. If any of the Year 5 quantitative goals are not met, the implementation contractor should either 1) make a case for why the restoration is successful despite not achieving the goals (e.g., flooding removed vegetation, exceptional drought, etc.), or 2) continue work on the site and monitor until the goals are met. If a robust adaptive management strategy is developed and employed, all of the Year 5 quantitative goals are achievable barring large-scale “acts of God”.
3 Pre-project monitoring extended from the dune crest to the seaward toe of the dunes since no fencing was installed yet. Future monitoring should extend to the symbolic fencing to capture the entire site.
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Dune Restoration Plan for Hueneme Beach Park
24 Coastal Restoration Consultants
Table 7.1. Vegetation goals.
Metric Response Variable PreprojectYear 2
Goal
Year 3
Goal
Year 4
Goal
Year 5
Goal
Native cover (foredunes) Average % cover 2.1% >3% >5% >10% >15% Non-native cover -
annuals
Average % cover 0.8% <5% <5% <3% <1%
Non-native cover -
perennials
Average % cover 2.0% <1% <1% 0% 0%
Native species richness Average # of native
species per transect
1.8 >2 >2 >2.5 >3
Table 7.2. Topography goals.
Metric Response Variable PreprojectYear 2
Goal
Year 3
Goal
Year 4
Goal
Year 5
Goal
Change in average sand
elevation (dune crest)
Average dune crest
elevation of three
transects (above
benchmark)
1.14m 1.1m 1.2m 1.3m 1.4m
Change in average sand
elevation (unvegetated
areas)
Average elevation 0-50m
along all three transects
(above benchmark)
-0.46m -0.3m -0.1m 0.2m 0.4m
8.3 Reporting
Annual reports will be produced for the first five years of the project. The reports will include, at least, a summary of work to date, summaries of data collected during monitoring (in graphs and tables as appropriate), and a discussion of progress towards quantitative goals.
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Dune Restoration Plan for Hueneme Beach Park
25 Coastal Restoration Consultants
Chapter 9 Long-term Maintenance Considerations
Long-term maintenance includes tasks that are important after the initial restoration actions and monitoring phase ends (presumed to be after five years). It will be important to identify responsible parties, and in some cases funding, for each task.
1. Symbolic fencing repair/replacement
2. Maintenance and replacement of signage
3. Maintenance weeding of sea rocket
4. Occasional searches for new infestations of iceplant, Bermuda grass, and coastal wattle Agenda Item No. 11 Page 29 of 36 CC Agenda 12-02-2024
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Agenda Item No. 11 Page 30 of 36 CC Agenda 12-02-2024
Surfrider Ventura Chapter
Proposed Restoration Activities and Maintenance Plan
Project Overview:
The dune restoration project at Hueneme Beach Park aims to enhance coastal resilience through native plant restoration and invasive species removal. This plan outlines our approach to the restoration and maintenance of the site, leveraging Surfrider’s extensive experience in leading successful restoration events. The Ventura chapter will be spearheading the efforts outlined in this plan with support from Surfrider’s Climate Action Program Manager.
Surfrider Experience:
Surfrider Foundation has led community-led coastal restoration events that focus on invasive species removal, native planting, and ecosystem maintenance including at Surfers Point.
Restoration Activities:
Example timeline at end of this document.
➢ Dates: Approximately once a month January 2024 - January 2025. Weather and site progress will determine the exact number of events needed. ➢ Event Timing: Restoration workdays are likely to be scheduled 8-11am ➢ Tasks: All proposed tasks are from the Dune Restoration Plan for Hueneme Beach Park developed by Coastal Restoration Consultants.
○ Symbolic fencing installation
■ Installation of fencing to protect and stabilize the dune area. The city will be consulted about the timing and requirements for this process, which may be a 1-2 day task.
○ Signage installation
■ Install signage to inform the public about the restoration efforts. The content and design of the signage will be coordinated with the city, including standard texts and logos, and a QR code for additional information. See end of document for example.
○ Invasive species removal
■ Volunteers will remove invasive species identified in the Dune Restoration Plan for Hueneme Beach Park including ice plant and sea rocket. Detailed instructions and identification guides will be provided to volunteers. ○ Sand fencing installation
■ Installation of sand fencing to enhance the dune area. The timing and requirements for this process will be coordinated with the city.
Attachment B
Agenda Item No. 11 Page 31 of 36 CC Agenda 12-02-2024
○ Native seeding
■ Volunteers will seed the restoration site with native plant seed mix.
Detailed instructions and guides will be provided.
➢ Preparation:
○ Informational signs and symbolic fencing to be completed before the first workday.
➢ Restoration Methods:
○ Invasive Species Removal: All invasive species removal will be completed by volunteers using best practices.
■ Herbicide treatment was recommended for Bermuda Grass but the chapter will remove bermuda grass by hand following best practices. The chapter will reevaluate herbicide use in Year 2 during the maintenance phase and if herbicide is identified as needed, a qualified herbicide applicator will be contracted to treat bermuda grass.
○ Native Seeding: Seeding is the most successful form of revegetation of dunes in the area and this will be implemented by volunteers
Maintenance Restoration Plan:
➢ Dates: 2026-2030
➢ Frequency: Maintenance restoration events to be held 2-4 times per year or as needed ➢ Tasks:
○ Follow-up invasive species removal
■ Spring is the best time to address any seed-bearing invasives but general weeding can be ongoing at any time
○ Monitoring and repair of fencing and signs
○ Planting maintenance and re-seeding as needed
Monitoring Plan:
➢ As outlined in the Dune Restoration Plan for Hueneme Beach Park, Coastal Restoration Consultants will undertake comprehensive monitoring of the project’s progress annually over the course of five years. This long-term commitment is designed to ensure that the restoration efforts are on track to meet the established performance criteria. Each year, the consultants will conduct detailed assessments of the site, examining key indicators such as plant growth, dune stability, and the overall health of the restored ecosystem.
Based on their findings, they will provide targeted recommendations to address any issues and optimize the project's outcomes.
Agenda Item No. 11 Page 32 of 36 CC Agenda 12-02-2024
Adaptive Management:
➢ Coastal projects of this scale can come with unexpected challenges, and it's important to be prepared for surprises. Adaptive management is a key approach in addressing these unforeseen issues, and the Ventura chapter is well-suited for this task. To effectively manage the project, regular site inspections—about once per month—are essential. During these inspections, the focus will be on monitoring plant growth and die-offs, dune development around sand fencing, the presence of weeds and trash, the condition of fencing and signage, and identifying any hazards, unauthorized structures, or trails forming in planted areas. This proactive approach ensures the project remains on track despite any surprises that may arise.
Funding Information:
➢ The Surfrider Foundation will secure and allocate the necessary funds to cover all costs associated with this project through a combination of donations and awarded grants. We are actively seeking funding to ensure that the city does not bear any financial burden for the project.
City Collaboration:
➢ Green Waste Bins
○ Approximately 6-8 times in the first year and 2-4 times per year the following years on weekend days
➢ Volunteer Parking Passes
○ Approximately 8-10 times in the first year and 2-4 times per year the following years on weekend days
Volunteer Information:
● Waivers and Safety Briefings: Volunteers will sign waivers and receive safety briefings, including instructions on tasks and locations.
● Task Assignment: Volunteers will be assigned tasks based on interest and ability ● Plant Identification: Volunteers will be provided with plant identification instruction and photos of target plants and sensitive plants
● Seed Planting: Specific instructions will be given for planting seeds. ● Supplies: Gloves and other necessary supplies will be provided. Volunteers will wear closed-toed shoes and sun protection.
Community Engagement
● R.E.A.C.H
● Ventura Audubon Society
Agenda Item No. 11 Page 33 of 36 CC Agenda 12-02-2024
● Coastal Keepers
● Beacon
● Merito Foundation - educational group
● Local University- channel islands intern
Tribal Engagement
● Chumash Nation
Example Timeline
(This timeline assumes city council approval in the fall of 2024) Pre-Planning Month/Year Tasks Supplies Needed
Project Prep and
Outreach
Oct - Dec
2024
- Secure permits and approvals
- Purchase necessary supplies and
equipment
- Plan, schedule and promote
volunteer workdays
- Supplies/equipment list
- Promotion materials
- Final materials list
Restoration Events Month/Year Tasks Supplies Needed
Restoration Event
1/2
January
2025
- Begin invasive species removal
- Install symbolic fencing
- Install informational signage with qr
code for more information
- Invasive species removal
tools
- symbolic fencing materials
- informational signage
Restoration Event 3 February
2025
- Continue invasive species removal
- Focus on sea rocket removal before
seed drops
- Begin sand fencing installation
- Sand fencing materials
- Invasive species removal
tools
Restoration Event 4 March 2025 - Continue invasive species removal - Focus on sea rocket removal before
seed drops
- install additional sand fencing as
needed
- Invasive species removal
tools
Restoration Event 5 April 2025 - Continue invasive species removal - Invasive species removal tools
Agenda Item No. 11 Page 34 of 36 CC Agenda 12-02-2024
Restoration Event 6 July 2025 - Continue invasive species removal as needed
- Invasive species removal
tools
Restoration Event 7 October
2025
- Continue invasive species removal
- Seed if rainy season has started
- Seed open sand areas with native
dune plants, prepare sand surface
using rock rakes
- Invasive species removal
tools
-native seed mix and tools
Restoration Event 8 November
2025
- Continue invasive species removal
- Seed if rainy season has started
- Invasive species removal
tools
-native seed mix and tools
Restoration Event 9 December
2025
- Continue invasive species removal
- Seed season has started
- Invasive species removal
tools
-native seed mix and tools
Maintenance Plan Year Tasks Supplies Needed
Restoration
Maintenance
Activities
2026 -2029 - Site visit in January and list
maintenance needs
-Plan restoration maintenance
activities as needed
- Capture additional maintenance
needs at each event
Maintenance tools, sand
fencing inspection tools
Restoration
Maintenance
Activities
2030 - Site visit in January and list
maintenance needs
-Plan restoration maintenance
activities as needed
- Identify future maintenance needs
if any and plan accordingly
Maintenance tools, sand
fencing inspection tools
Agenda Item No. 11 Page 35 of 36 CC Agenda 12-02-2024
Example Signage:
Agenda Item No. 11 Page 36 of 36 CC Agenda 12-02-2024
DATE: December 2, 2024
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: James Vega, City Manager
Fred Camarillo, Public Works Director
Lupe Acero, Finance Director
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
TO CONDUCT WATER, WASTEWATER AND SOLID WASTE RATE
STUDIES
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council authorize staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to conduct Water, Wastewater and Solid Waste rate studies to analyze the rates associated with each city utility and provide recommendations regarding rates for future City Council consideration.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:
The city provides Water, Wastewater and Solid Waste services to about 6,700 homes apartments and businesses. These utility funds operate as Enterprise funds where rates and fees within each fund are set to cover the costs of providing respective services to customers. These funds must operate as a “stand-alone business” and generate the revenues necessary to provide services.
The city has not conducted current studies for the utility enterprise funds. The industry standard is to perform comprehensive rate studies every three to five years. The Wastewater and Solid Waste rate studies were completed in 2009 or 15 years ago. The Water utility study was more recent and was completed in 2019. Costs that the City pays related to these services have increased and it is appropriate to analyze these costs and determine if adjustments are needed for the cost of providing these utilities.
The city is proposing to conduct rate studies for all three utility services.
The costs to provide services to our residents have continued to increase similar to other utilities such as electricity and gas. The utility enterprise funds have been absorbing the incremental operating, maintenance and capital costs to provide these services. This is not sustainable and these funds will eventually impact the General Fund if adjustments are not made.
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Enterprise Utility Rate Studies
December 2, 2024
The primary objective of the rate studies is to provide transparency into what the city utility can expect in the years ahead and to ensure the utility funds have the financial resources to maintain infrastructure, explore new technologies, implement the capital improvement plan (CIP), and continue to provide these utilities to residents. The rate studies break down the costs of operating the system, including maintenance and repairs and capital improvements
As mentioned, the last rate study for the Water Utility was completed in December 2019 by Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. The study provided water rate recommendations for 5 years or for fiscal years 2020 – 2024. The cost that the Water purchase costs have continued to increase and the increases are being absorbed by the water fund.
The water utility purchases water from the Port Hueneme Water Agency (PHWA). The water that PHWA supplies to the city consists of groundwater from the United Water Conservation District (UCWD) and imported water from Calleguas Municipal Water District (CMWD). Groundwater from UCWD is provided through the Oxnard-Hueneme Pipeline and is treated using a nanofiltration and reverse osmosis desalination process then blended with groundwater. Water purchase cost have increased over 50% in fiscal year 2025 and are expected to continue to rise due to inflation and capital project requirements to maintain the water plant. The estimated fund balance for the Water utility fund as of June 30, 2025 is $10,461,141. A rate study for water utility is recommended to keep up with the cost of providing the service.
Wastewater Utility –The last study that was conducted by Bartle Wells Associates, Independent Public Finance Advisors 2009. The study provided with proposed wastewater rates for the years of 2010 through 2013. Since 2013, the wastewater enterprise fund has not conducted a study or increased rates. With no rate increase since 2013, it is likely that rates have fallen behind the cost of providing the service. As of June 30, 2025, the Wastewater Utility fund balance is estimated to be $1,938,418. A rate study is necessary to restore financial stability and keep up with the cost of providing this service.
Solid Waste Utility –The last study conducted for solid waste was completed in 2009. The rate study provided proposed solid waste rates for four years or for the years 2010 to 2014. Since 2014, the solid waste rates have not been increased or adjusted to reflect the increases in cost of providing the service. As of June 30, 2025, the Solid Waste fund balance is estimated at $1,702,863. A rate study is necessary to ensure financial stability and keep up with the cost of providing this service.
This item is intended to recommend City Council authorize staff to begin the analysis of these rates. Any adjustment to utility rates will need to go through the Prop 218 process.
The entire process takes several months to complete. The estimated schedule for the rate study is included in the attached draft RFP.
At this point, staff recommends beginning the process of issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a rate study for all three utility services (Water, Wastewater and Solid waste).
Agenda Item No. 12 Page 2 of 13 CC Agenda 12-02-2024
Enterprise Utility Rate Studies
December 2, 2024
FISCAL IMPACT:
The recommended rate study is needed to ensure that the Utility funds will continue to cover the costs of the services being provided, and to avoid an impact on the general fund in future years. More information will be provided once the analysis is complete.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
Primary Strategic Pillar(s) and Initiative(s):
Optimal Levels of Service for Residents and Businesses
• Promote operational excellence in all City functions and embody best practices as a municipality
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Draft RFP
Agenda Item No. 12 Page 3 of 13 CC Agenda 12-02-2024
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Agenda Item No. 12 Page 4 of 13 CC Agenda 12-02-2024
The City of Port Hueneme
Invites Proposals for a
COMPREHENSIVE UTILTITY RATE STUDY
RFP responses to be received until
JANUARY 15, 2025 – 5:00 PM PDT
(Postmarks not accepted)
City of Port Hueneme
250 N Ventura Rd.
Port Hueneme, CA 93041
ATTN: Lupe Acero, Finance Director
Fred Camarillo, Public Works Director
Attachment A
Agenda Item No. 12 Page 5 of 13 CC Agenda 12-02-2024
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City of Port Hueneme RFP for Comprehensive Utility Rate Study
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
The City of Port Hueneme seeks the professional services of a consultant firm to prepare a Comprehensive Utility Rate Study to ensure the City’s Solid Waste, Wastewater, and Water Enterprises are supported by rates that are adequate to recover the costs of the three enterprise funds for operations and maintenance, debt service, capital costs, and replacements and upgrades of the facilities; and also provide adequate funding of reserves.
The City is located along Ventura County's Gold Coast just south of the City of Oxnard and east of Channel Islands Harbor. It holds a population of approximately 23,000 residents and covers a 4.5-square mile area that comprise the city limits and serves as home to the Naval Base Ventura County and the Port of Hueneme.
The City of Port Hueneme was incorporated in 1948 as a General Law city, and became a Charter city in 1996. The City operates under the council/manager form of government.
Five City Councilmembers are elected at large by City residents for staggered four-year terms and serve as the City's legislative and policymaking body. The Mayor is selected annually from the Councilmembers. The City Manager is responsible for directing City affairs prescribed by the City Council. The City Manager also handles the administration of day-to-day activities of the City employees.
The City is a full-service City, with the exception of a fire department, which is provided by the Ventura County Fire Protection District. The City’s governmental structure is compact, reflecting the size of the community. There are six departments: 1) Police; 2) Finance; 3) Community Development; 4) Public Works; 5) Facilities Maintenance and Housing Authority; and 6) City Administration, which encompasses the functions of Human Resources, Information Technology, and Parks & Recreation. The City employs approximately 170 full-time equivalent employees, consisting of full-time, part-time, and seasonal positions.
The City has not conducted current studies for the utility enterprise funds. The industry standard is to perform comprehensive rate studies every three to five years. The Wastewater and Solid Waste rate studies were last completed in 2009, or 15 years ago.
The Water utility study was more recent and was completed in 2019. Projected fund balances as of June 30, 2025 are projected to be $10,461,141 for Water Operations, $1,938,418 for Wastewater Operations, and $1,702,863 for Solid Waste Operations.
OBJECTIVE:
The objective of the RFP is to receive proposals for a Water, Sewer and Wastewater Rate Fee Study that includes reviewing and updating all fees and charges for services, recommending additional fees, provide a comparison of current water, sewer and wastewater system costs (operational and capital improvement) against appropriate industry benchmarks.
SCOPE OF WORK
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City of Port Hueneme RFP for Comprehensive Utility Rate Study This project, culminating in the creation of comprehensive utility rate recommendations for the community of Port Hueneme, entails both process and product, in that the steps leading to its development are as important as the document itself. Key aspects of this project include:
1. Meet with key personnel to gain a solid understanding of the physical system, current operations and maintenance practices, billing system, contract obligations, and other challenges facing the Enterprise Funds.
2. Work with the key personnel to analyze current rates and, if necessary, develop equitable user fees that ensure Enterprise Fund services are provided on a selfsupporting basis, are not a drain on general fund revenues, and that adequate reserves based on long-range funding requirements are established.
3. A comprehensive cost of service-based study of Water, Sewer and Waste water rates and recommended rates for a five-year period (Fiscal years 2025-26 through 2029-30).
4. Provide logical rationale for any proposed new rate structures and provide a spreadsheet model reflecting the p[roposed rate adjustments which will become the property of the City.
5. A rate study narrative, documenting the report methodology, assumptions, and data behind the recommendations.
6. Quantify the expected impacts that will occur with implementation of the City’s capital improvement plans and master plans.
7. Compare any proposed new rates to other utilities providing similar services in the county and region.
8. Make clear and concise public presentations that discuss not only any recommended new rates, but also alternatives if applicable.
9. Perform all aspects of creating the Proposition 218 noticing and public outreach
10.Conduct a minimum of 3 meetings (kickoff, progress and final) with staff and the consultant.
The proposed rates must support the following criteria:
• Revenue Sufficiency. Rates must generate adequate revenues to meet the operating and capital costs of the system. This does not necessarily translate into rate increases for everyone. Changes in rate structure may impact some users more than others. This information needs to be communicated to the users so they clearly understand the reasons for the change.
• Fairness and Equity. If rates are perceived to be fair and equitable, users are more likely to support changes in rates, and rate structures. The proposed new rates must be designed so that users pay in proportion to the cost of service. • Reserves. Cash reserves are used to meet working capital requirements, provide the cash for rate stabilization, meet emergency requirements, and help in running a sound financial system. Adequate reserves also provide better ratings for issue of debt. The approach must focus on recommending an adequate level of reserves to meet each Agenda Item No. 12 Page 7 of 13 CC Agenda 12-02-2024
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City of Port Hueneme RFP for Comprehensive Utility Rate Study of the Enterprise Funds unique requirements. Reserve funding is an important element of any financial plan. It enhances equity since all existing users pay for use of the assets.
• Cost of Service. The cost-of-service analysis must take into consideration the unique functional aspects of each of the systems operations and cost components, including current, and future CIP needs.
• Rate Structure. The proposed equitable rate structures must be reviewed to ensure they meet any and all federal, state, and local regulations as well as EPA and State Water Resources Control Board guidelines to ensure they are eligible for State Revolving Fund loans, should that be desired during the rate structure term. • Presentations. It is important to present findings and recommendations in a format that is readily understandable by Council and public. The consultant must be proficient in conducting public workshops to educate and inform users about rates, and have been successful in implementing significant changes to rates and rate structures.
These are very fundamental issues that need to be handled with sensitivity. While fairness and equity are important, they should be tempered with consideration of the local situation to ensure the proposed rates are acceptable and supported by the majority, and create the highest probability of a successful Proposition 218 process.
SELECTION PROCESS (subject to change)
Proposals due no later than 5:00 p.m. Xxxday, January 15, 2025 Evaluation of proposals - January 24, 2025
Recommend award of project to City Council – Monday,Feburary 3, 2025
REQUESTED INFORMATION
All proposals must provide specific and succinct answers to all questions and requests for information listed below. Indirect, imprecise or incomplete responses will not be accepted. Submission of resumes is encouraged, but alone may not be considered responsive to any specific questions contained herein.
Cover Letter: Provide a brief cover letter summarizing the key points of the proposal, including an understanding of the work to be performed and why the firm believes it is the best qualified to perform the services requested. The letter must be signed by an individual with authority to bind the proposer and should state that all conditions contained in the attached proposal are valid for a period of at least 90 days.
Agenda Item No. 12 Page 8 of 13 CC Agenda 12-02-2024
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City of Port Hueneme RFP for Comprehensive Utility Rate Study Company and Staff Information: Provide information about the firm, including such items as organization and ownership structure, history, experience and credentials to demonstrate the ability of the firm to provide the requested services, and the location of the principal office that will be responsible for the implementation of this contract. Provide the names, titles, experience, qualifications (including certifications) and resumes of the personnel who will be assigned to the City, including any subconsultants.
Work Plan: Identify the process by which the project will be completed, including:
methods for gathering public input as may be relevant to the project; gathering information from City staff; producing plans and recommendations; timeframe in which to complete the project, etc.
Additional Information: Please include any additional information you or your firm feels would be essential to the proper evaluation of your response to this Request for Proposals.
References: Provide a minimum of three (3) references who may be contacted to discuss their experience working with the firm on similar services. Please provide contact information including the organization, name, title, address, phone, email, services provided and dates.
Insurance: Prior to commencement of work, the City of Port Hueneme will require evidence of appropriate professional liability insurance, errors and omissions insurance, and workers' compensation insurance coverage.
NOTE: Such coverage must be provided by an insurance company(ies) licensed to do business in the state of California. Certificates must name the City of Port Hueneme as an Additional Insured and shall provide that contractor's policy is primary over any insurance carried by the City of Port Hueneme and that the policy will not be canceled or materially changed without thirty (30) days prior notice in writing to the City of Port Hueneme. The successful firm must agree, if awarded a contract as a result of its proposal, to indemnify and hold harmless the City of Port Hueneme, its officers, agents and employees from any and all claims and losses accruing or resulting to persons engaged in the work contemplated by its proposal, or to persons who may be injured or damaged by a firm or its agents in the performance of the work. Prior to the commencement of any work, a signed legal contract will be established for these and other provisions.
Compensation: Based on the described work plan, please include in your proposal the total cost of services in detail (including all incidentals).
GUIDELINES
General Information
Deadline for receipt of Proposals – All Proposals must be received by the City of Port Hueneme by 5:00 PM PDT on January 15, 2025. An original and three (3) hard Agenda Item No. 12 Page 9 of 13 CC Agenda 12-02-2024
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City of Port Hueneme RFP for Comprehensive Utility Rate Study copies plus one electronic copy (on USB flash drive) of the proposal shall be submitted in a sealed envelope and must have the following information on the outside:
City of Port Hueneme
Office of the City Clerk
250 N Ventura Rd
Port Hueneme, CA 93041
Request for Proposal – Comprehensive Utility Rate Study Attn: Lupe Acero, Finance Director
Proposer: (Name and Address)
DO NOT OPEN WITH REGULAR MAIL
Proposals must be in writing and must contain an original signature by an authorized officer of the proposing consulting company. All proposals must be received no later than 5:00 PM PDT on January 15, 2025 via U.S. mail, UPS/FedEx/etc., or in person.
Proposals cannot be modified or corrected after being opened. Late proposals will not be accepted for any reason and will be returned unopened, regardless of postmark.
Prospective proposers assume the risk of delay in the delivery of the mail by the U.S. Postal Service. FACSIMILE (FAXED) OR EMAILED PROPOSALS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AND SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR EVALUATION OR AWARD.
Proposals will not be valid until all information has been verified and proposing consulting company’s references checked. The completed proposal shall be without interlineations, alterations or erasures. Alternative proposals will not be considered unless requested.
The proposal may be withdrawn upon request by the proposing consulting company without prejudice up to, but not after, the time fixed for opening of proposals, provided that the request to withdraw the proposal is made in writing and is timely filed with the City. Proposals shall be submitted in accordance with the form prescribed by the City of Port Hueneme in the requirements and specifications section above. Failure to respond in this manner may render the proposal non-responsive.
Questions Regarding the Scope of Services
All inquiries regarding this Request for Proposals should be directed to Lupe Acero, Finance Director, in writing or via email at: [email protected]. No verbal responses will be given. A copy of the inquiry and the response from the City shall be forwarded to all firms receiving a copy of this Request for Proposals who registered with the City (per the requirements listed below).
Proposals Become the Property of the City
Proposals become the property of the City and information contained therein shall become public property subject to disclosure laws after Notice of Intent to Award. The City reserves the right to make use of any information or ideas contained in the proposal.
Confidential Material
All bids are public records, and may be subject to public review. Proposer must notify the City in advance of any proprietary or confidential material contained in the proposal Agenda Item No. 12 Page 10 of 13 CC Agenda 12-02-2024
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City of Port Hueneme RFP for Comprehensive Utility Rate Study and provide justification for not making such material public. The City shall have sole discretion to disclose or not disclose such material subject to any protective order which proposer may obtain.
Rejection of Proposals
The City may reject any or all proposals, and also may waive any immaterial deviation in a proposal. The City's waiver of an immaterial defect shall in no way modify the Request for Proposal (RFP) documents or excuse the proposer from full compliance with the specifications if he/she is awarded the contract. Proposals referring to terms and conditions other than the City’s terms and conditions may be rejected as being nonresponsive.
The City may conduct investigations as it deems necessary to determine the ability of the proposer to perform the work specified herein. The proposer shall furnish to the City any and all information requested by the City for this purpose. The City reserves the right to reject any proposal if the evidence submitted by, or investigation of, such proposer fails to satisfy the City that such proposer is properly qualified to carry out the obligations of the contract and to complete the work specified.
Conditions
1. Failure to meet all requirements will not disqualify a firm. However, the City will evaluate each proposal to determine its overall fit in the best interests of the City.
2. All third-party solutions proposed as part of a joint proposal are subject to the same requirements of this RFP, unless otherwise stated.
3. This RFP, its general provisions, and the terms and conditions identified shall be incorporated in any agreement resulting from this solicitation, and the RFP and its terms and conditions, shall control unless the Agreement expressly provides otherwise.
4. All proposals and any subsequent clarification or response to the City’s questions shall be valid for a minimum of 120 days.
City’s Rights Reserved
1. The City reserves the right to select the proposal which in its sole judgment best meets the needs of the City. The lowest proposed cost will not be the sole criterion for recommending the contract award.
2. The City reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive technicalities and informalities when such waiver is determined by the City to be in the City’s best interest.
3. The City may modify this RFP by issuance of one or more written addenda.
Addenda will be posted on http://www.ci.port-hueneme.ca.us and sent electronically to all proposers registered with the City. The City reserves the right to extend the proposal due date.
Agenda Item No. 12 Page 11 of 13 CC Agenda 12-02-2024
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City of Port Hueneme RFP for Comprehensive Utility Rate Study
4. The City reserves the right to meet with select proposers at any time to gather additional information.
5. The City shall not be liable for any pre-contractual expenses incurred by prospective consulting companies, including but not limited to costs incurred in the preparation or submission of proposals. The City shall be held harmless and free from any and all liability, claims, or expenses whatsoever incurred by, or on behalf of, any person or organization responding to this RFP.
Register as a Proposer
All firms interested in receiving further correspondence regarding this RFP are required to register by sending an email to Lupe Acero, Finance Director, at [email protected]hueneme.ca.us , and provide the following information:
• Company name;
• Name of contact person along with his or her title;
• Email address; and
• Phone number
Exceptions
Service providers shall certify that they take no exception to this RFP, if the service provider does take exception to any portion of the RFP, the specific portion of the RFP to which exception is taken shall be identified and fully explained. Sample Agreement text may be considered for modification through the contract negotiations phase of the RFP; however, in no event will modifications be considered to any provisions not identified by proposer as part of their response to this RFP.
Right to Cancel
This solicitation does not obligate the City to enter into an agreement with any pproposing firm. The City retains the right to cancel, in part or in its entirety, this RFP at any time.
No obligation, either expressed or implied, exists on the part of the City to make an award or to pay any cost incurred in the preparation or submission of a proposal. If City cancels or revises this RFP, City will notify all proposers in writing and post cancellation notice on the City website.
Additional Information
City reserves the right to request additional information and/or clarifications from any or all proposers to this RFP.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Qualifications will be evaluated against, but not be limited to, the following criteria:
• Understanding of the scope of work.
• Experience with preparing Comprehensive Utility Rate Studies and related documents.
Agenda Item No. 12 Page 12 of 13 CC Agenda 12-02-2024
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City of Port Hueneme RFP for Comprehensive Utility Rate Study • Professional qualifications of the staff to be assigned. • Cost of services.
• Timeline to complete project.
• References and other evidence submitted supportive of excellent past experience in providing similar services.
• Completeness of responses to the Request for Proposals.
Agenda Item No. 12 Page 13 of 13 CC Agenda 12-02-2024