Attachment 4 - Watearth Proposal for Richmond Feasibility Study Wastewater and Stormwater.pdf

Pro
posal for
Feasibility Study on the Options to Deliver
Wastewater and Stormwater Services in the
City of Richmond
City of Richmond, Public Works
Attn: Jeff Barich, PE
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804-1630
Con
tact Watearth Principal
Jennifer J. Walker PE, DWRE, ENV SP, CFM, QSD, LEED AP BD+C 1151 Harbor Bay Parkway Suite 208H,
Alameda, CA 94502
510.529.5552
[email protected]
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Table of Contents
Wastewater and Stormwater Delivery Study
© Watearth, Inc. 2024. Do Not Copy.

Table of Contents
Tab 1. A. Vendor Cover Letter (✓ 3 pages maximum) 03
Tab 2. B. Background and Project Summary Section 06
Tab 3. C. Methodology Section 08
Tab 4. D. Staffing 26
Tab 5. E. Qualifications 47
Tab 6. F. Cost Information 55
T
his section was mailed in an envelope to City of Richmond.

Tab 7. G. Value Added Services 56
Tab 8. H. Contractor Assignment of Sub-Contract 57
Tab 9. I. Previous Contracts with City of Richmond 58
Tab 10. J. Exceptions to this Request for Proposals 59
Tab 11. K. Statement of Impartiality and Disclosure 60
This proposal adheres to the following formatting requirements:
✓ 20 doub
le-sided pages (40 digital pages)
✓ inclusive of graphics, forms, pictures, photographs, dividers, etcetera ✓ not inclusive of cost proposal, resumes, required forms, certifications, front and back covers, or letters of commitment from sub-consultants ✓ Page size of 8.5 inches x 11 inches
✓ Font size for body text is 12 points
✓ Minimum left and right margins of 1.0 inch, and top and bottom margins of 0.7 inches
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Hello, Jeff Barich.

I’m Jennifer J., from .

This is a proposal that we wrote for you and the City of Richmond, CA.

You are about to experience something interesting: engineers with personality.

We're a weird mix of engineers and environmental professionals. Everyone here is an incredible communicator, equally capable of leading and supporting projects. In this respect, we are a team-run company. I want you to know about this, because it means that everyone assigned to work on this potentially risk-prone systemwide service analysis for you will be not only technically equipped to succeed, but also socially and professionally excellent at providing a degree of collaborative recommendation and
decision making that will lessen the City team’s
burden. How?
That’s what we do.

Every day.

Yes, we provide progress reports. Yes, we track
earned value to get you the best and most timely
results – but don’t all the good professional firms do
this? Don’t let staffing and workloads at the City be a cause for stress on this project: select Watearth for a risk- managed approach to helping the City make decisions
that the constituency can support, and that will be responsive to budgetary and schedule constraints, including consideration of the regulatory environment.

Although Watearth primarily focuses on the needs of municipal clients and water providers, we do not have existing working relationships with either the City or the service operators, or the regional water districts – our impartiality is a guarantee of this proposal. Our recommendations will be grounded in
engineering and economics expertise.

Watearth is an engineering and environmental planning
consulting firm specialized in addressing the exact type of process analysis and long-range planning that you
need. The current operator providing wasterwater
and stormwater services within the City, Veolia, has
held a contract for two decades. Any change to

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A. Vendor Cover Letter
Wastewater and Stormwater Delivery Study
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this implementation has the potential to
be highly disruptive, which is why a
feasibility study is a logical next step.

Watearth has provided water and
wastewater planning to dozens of
clients, including Cal Poly San Luis Obispo as part of the forward-thinking 2035 Master Plan Environmental Impact Report, which involved a unique analysis of the existing discharge permit with the City. Other projects have included a watershed sanitary survey for California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), water supply assessments for clients like City of Pleasanton, internal process analysis for clients like Texas Water Development Board, industrial water and wastewater treatment processes and permitting for a private client working throughout California, and wastewater, stormwater, and water planning review for the City of Santa Rosa.

Watearth’s stormwater expertise is oceans deep: our company was founded with the development of a stormwater management policy for the City of Houston, and quickly went on to address all manner of stormwater planning, modeling, design, and construction observation needs, including support for an Alameda County Drainage Criteria Manual, development of large-scale stormdrain modeling for the Los Angeles County Public Works Rubio Wash system, civil hydraulic designs on the Adventure Park Stormwater Capture and Diversion project and Caltrans ALA61 in Alameda project, inspections during construction for San Gabriel Valley Water Company and for Caltrans in San Benito County, stormwater operations and maintenance planning for Santa Monica, Sacramento-area development hydromodification and water quality modeling and design, and hundreds more.

More than this, we understand project owner advocacy and have been asked to make recommendations to City Councils before. Watearth is a known quantity in these spaces.

Let us show you how easy this can be.

Watearth’s TRUSTED Signature Project Delivery™ process is designed to address sensitive projects demanding collaborative project management in seven steps that focus on client
satisfaction (achieving a 95% client satisfaction rating!) and that reflect Watearth’s 15 years of being the best in the business.

This team brings an energy and enthusiasm to projects that I have never seen before in decades of working with other consultants.

I look forward to working with you.

I always ask myself: “What would
Jennifer [Walker] do?”
Dahlia Fadl
City of Rancho Cordova

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A. Vendor Cover Letter
Wastewater and Stormwater Delivery Study
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Affirmations:

1. Watearth reviewed and understood all elements of the RFP as part of producing this proposal.

2. Watearth intends to perform the services as outlined within the RFP and this proposal.

3. Watearth is willing to enter into an agreement under the terms and conditions prescribed by the RFP, insurance requirements (Attachment A of the RFP) and in the sample Service Agreement (Attachment B of the RFP).

4. Watearth has 12 fulltime and 2 parttime staff members. Our client base is substantially municipal, with clients like City of Santa Rosa, County of Napa, City of Oakland, and others similar.

5. Our office nearest to City of Richmond is located at 1151 Harbor Bay Parkway Suite 208H, Alameda, CA 94502. The phone number is 510.529.5552. The project will be managed from this address.

6. The proposal terms, including cost, will be valid for a period of at least 180 days following submission.

7. The single person for contact during the RFP review process will be Operations and Marketing Manager Adam (Susskind) Wolven ([email protected], 213.293.5964)

8. This cover letter is signed by Jennifer J. Walker, the CEO of Watearth, an authorized official of the company.

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B. Background and Summary
Wastewater and Stormwater Delivery Study
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Our Understanding of the Project
Watearth understands the City of Richmond’s initiative to assess and enhance its wastewater and stormwater service delivery. Richmond, a diverse and dynamic community, relies on a multi-modal transit hub and various municipal services, including stormwater and wastewater systems.

Currently, most of these services are provided through a long-standing agreement with Veolia Water West Operating Services Inc. The City’s Department of Public Works oversees this agreement, managing industrial dischargers, sewer lateral repairs, stormwater rate updates, and select capital improvement projects. Additionally, the City must comply with regulatory requirements, such as the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, adding stress and urgency to City operations.

The City’s infrastructure includes wastewater and stormwater systems comprised of numerous sewer lines, stormwater main lines, catch basins, ditches, and lift stations. With the wastewater system serving approximately 88,500 residents and the stormwater system covering the entire city (population: 114,301 and about 34 square miles of land), Richmond faces significant operational, maintenance, and compliance challenges. Management of these large-scale systems has been outsourced to Veolia for the last twenty years, any recommendation to bring these operations back in-house will need to consider the impact to City employees who are already overwhelmed with tasks resulting in project management and responsiveness challenges.

The key considerations here are: risk management, health and wellbeing, public safety, and economic considerations/return on investment.

Richmond's contract with Veolia, initially established in 2002 and subsequently amended multiple times, underscores the complexity and evolving nature of the city's service needs. The amendments addressed various operational enhancements, infrastructure repairs, and compliance measures, including those necessitated by a settlement agreement with environmental advocacy groups. Recommendations resulting from Watearth’s feasibility study will need to consider the City’s commitment to providing vital infrastructure and environmental protection, such as flood control and clean water, which are essential for community well-being. A balance of cost-savings and service effectiveness will need to be discussed.

This project concerns a detailed analysis of the wastewater systems, storm drain systems, and city planning for large infrastructure. It requires

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B. Background and Summary
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navigating internal city processes and addressing political risks: the risk to the City is substantial both from a cost perspective and from a public-trust perspective, which is why Principal Jennifer J. Walker (a respected engineer
and orator with experience in litigation, expert witness depositions, presentations to council and other decision making authorities, and stakeholder communication) will be tasked with providing guidance when beginning negotiations. One of the primary objectives of this project will need to be establishing either that the status quo is the best fit alternative, or that some other delivery method will provide equally or more reliable service to the constituency.

Given these complexities and risks, Watearth’s study will document the existing service delivery system, identify and evaluate alternative service delivery models, engage the community, and ultimately recommend an optimal service delivery option. The scope of work involves:

1. Documenting Existing Services

2. Identifying Service Delivery Options

3. Evaluating Options

4. Community Engagement

5. Selecting the Optimal Service Delivery Option

6. Preparing Implementation Documents
Watearth brings a fresh perspective to this project, as we do not have existing relationships with any of the entities involved, including Veolia Water West Operating Services Inc., West County Wastewater District, Stege Sanitary District, or East Bay Municipal Utility District. This lack of prior relationships means our approach remains unbiased and focused solely on the best interests of the City of Richmond. However, Watearth has the benefit of having worked with similar agencies, and understands their essential strengths and weaknesses. We have collaborated with Metroplitan Water District of Southern California, City of Houston, San Luis Obispo, Pleasanton, Water Boards, state agencies, and private water utilities like Suburban Water and American Water.

Throughout the project, Watearth will address the critical need for a communicative and integrated consultant to avoid project delays and contribute to smooth progress. Financial limitations impacting availability of City staff to conduct this feasibility in-house means that Watearth needs to integrate with the City team – our recommendations, your decisions, and clear communication throughout. The City will be part of the process, but Watearth will mitigate City headaches by assuming responsibility for project execution.

That is fast. Thanks
for letting me know.

Liuzong Zhou
San Gabriel Valley

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Before We Talk About Watearth’s Work Plan…
Let’s discuss the “elephant in the room”: innovative solutions. How innovative is too innovative to be reliable and dependable? In 2024 and 2025, that question is likely to drive project professionals to discussions of Artificial Intelligence (or AI).

These tools are in their nascent stages. They are advanced “predictive text” generators that provide statistically relevant combinations of words based on user prompts – but these models are only capable of a simulacrum of human cognition. They are not capable of actual thought.

Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI tools like OpenAI's GPT-4, Google's Gemini, and Microsoft's Azure OpenAI Service have become increasingly valuable in analyzing large datasets – including those like City of Richmond’s dataset, which is composed of written contract documents and City master plans concerning wastewater and stormwater implementation. These tools have some strengths and some weaknesses, and the right consultant is going to save City of Richmond money by using them appropriately but will not become overly reliant on them where they are inadequately sophisticated to understand risks involved in this project.

Strengths:

1. Efficiency and Speed: AI tools can process and analyze vast amounts of data much faster than humans. For instance, GPT-4 can quickly parse through hundreds of pages of contracts and master plans, identifying key themes, clauses, and data points. This efficiency saves significant time, allowing for faster decision-making and project advancement.

2. Consistency: AI tools provide consistent results without fatigue, a common issue in human analysis. This consistency ensures that all documents are reviewed with the same level of scrutiny, reducing the likelihood of oversight.

3. Natural Language Processing (NLP): Tools like GPT-4 and Bard excel in NLP, enabling them to understand and interpret complex language within documents. They can extract relevant information, summarize content, and even detect discrepancies or unusual clauses in contracts.

Weaknesses:

1. Contextual Understanding: While AI can process and analyze data, it often lacks deep contextual understanding. Nuances in Richmond’s contract language or city planning details may be missed or misinterpreted without human oversight.

2. Quality of Output: The accuracy of AI output can vary based on the quality of the input data and the sophistication of the model. Human

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experts are needed to validate the AI's findings, ensuring that critical details are correctly understood and acted upon. A quality control plan tailored to AI output is essential.

3. Ethical and Legal Considerations: AI tools might inadvertently overlook legal and ethical considerations present in contract documents and master plans. Human intervention is necessary to ensure compliance with all relevant laws and ethical standards.

4. Adaptability: AI tools may struggle with unique or highly specialized documents that deviate from the patterns they were trained on. Human experts can adapt to these unique cases more flexibly and intuitively.

AI tools like GPT-4, Gemini, and Azure OpenAI Service enhance the efficiency and consistency of analyzing large datasets, they cannot entirely replace human expertise. Human intervention remains crucial for ensuring contextual accuracy, ethical compliance, and adaptability to unique scenarios. The optimal approach for City of Richmond’s project will involve a hybrid model where AI handles the bulk of data processing and analysis, while human experts provide oversight, validation, and nuanced understanding. This collaboration maximizes efficiency while maintaining the high standards necessary for complex document analysis tasks.

Project Approach
Task 1: Document Existing Service Delivery System
Dat
a collection, review, and documentation play a pivotal role in accurately evaluating service delivery systems in the City of Richmond (City), a critical aspect of water resource management. Watearth will perform rigorous data collection and review processes; collecting all available data for review is essential to produce reliable documentation that will serve the Feasibility Study to Deliver Wastewater and Stormwater Services project (referred to as “project”). Following collection and review of provided data and publicly available data, Watearth will create a list of outstanding data needs and reach out to the City to coordinate.

The process begins with reviewing the existing arrangements with Veolia Water West Operating Services, Inc. and other service providers within City boundaries

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including West County Wastewater District, the Stege Sanitary District, and the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) and documenting the process.

Documentation will include information such as service areas, customers, services, service level indicators, performance outcomes, costs, source of funding, relevant agreements, regulations, legal requirements (e.g., Baykeeper Settlement), and the input from existing service providers and City officials.

When reviewing existing contracts and arrangements, Watearth will follow a work plan outlined in Table 1 below.

Watearth has experience acting as a
project owner advocate – for Los
Angeles County on a water rights
dispute, for City of Killeen regarding
stormwater permit compliance, and for
several private clients as an expert
witness during litigation. City of Richmond needs a high degree of attention to detail combined with tactful communication to contribute to project success rather than create new headaches for your team. This is where Watearth shines.

Table 1: Documentation Work Plan
Document Title Data Reviewed and Extracted
Veolia Contract Documents • Company obligations/City obligations • Repair and replacement
• Service fees
• Cost savings
• Site suitability and familiarity
• Zoning
• Satisfaction of conditions and failure of conditions
• Requirements
• Replacement
• Term of Agreement
• Relationship of parties
• Additional services
Storm Drain Master Plans • Background information
• Land use and categories
• Watershed and system characteristics
• Hydrologic analysis
• Storm drain analysis
• Drainage zones
• Model results
• Permitting requirements
Force Main System Condition
Assessment Reports
• Access information
• Visual assessments
• Sulfide test information
• Concrete test results
Weekly progress reports are valuable to
City staff for project tracking and are
much appreciated!
Jeremiah Sunwoo
City of Rancho Palos Verdes

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Watearth has executed large data collection and evaluation projects such as Evaluation of the Texas Water Development’s (TWDB) environmental Review Process, City of Hemet Water Distributions project, the City of Houston Raw Document Title Data Reviewed and Extracted
• Other information
Wastewater Treatment
Master Plan
• Condition of existing facilities and performance
• Flow data information
• Capacity assessments
• Discharge requirements including future planning
• Secondary treatment information
• Recommended improvements/capital improvement
projects (CIP)
• Regulatory requirements
• Sustainable design elements/innovation options
San Francisco Baykeeper vs.

City of Richmond Settlement
Agreement
• Review settlement details and relevant details on
resolutions
• Provisions
• Funding and payments
• Compliance
• Breach of agreement
Wastewater Collection
System Master Plans
• Existing system description
• Lift station conditions/inspections/costs
• Lift station capacity information
• Force main conditions/inspections
• System flows and capacity
• Pipeline repair information
• Improvement recommendations/CIPs
• Permitting requirements
• Land use information
• Conceptual costs
Water Resource Recovery
Documents
• CIPs and fiscal year information
• City budgets
• Key City officials
Wastewater Treatment Plant
Facility Plan
• Existing facilities
• Recycled water demands and projections
• Flow and load data including
domestic/commercial/industrial specifics
• Capacity information
• Water quality
• Liquid and solid treatment information
• Emissions
• Conditions assessments
• Planned improvements/CIPs
• Permitting requirements

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Water GIS evaluation, and many others. Richmond’s stormwater system spans the entire City, and the wastewater system serves approximately 88,500 of the City’s 110,600 residents. These large systems impact a large area, and coordinating system improvements with the City and with the approval of City stakeholders will be a large undertaking to maintain quality service to the affected population.

Watearth will also review geographic information systems (GIS) data of the stormwater and wastewater systems as well as other relevant City GIS information to document key system connection points, water treatment plant locations, lift station locations, stormwater outfalls, and high-level capacity information that can be used to help determine alternative flow patterns if system changes are recommended in later tasks of the project. Watearth has reviewed large water and wastewater systems for cities of a similar scale including the City of Hemet and the City of Chino. The GIS data and specific service providers service areas will be reviewed to determine whether different stormwater and wastewater providers have the capacity to take on a larger service to the City. Additionally, identifying key variables influencing the City, such as population center demographics, climatic conditions, and water use patterns across different sectors including residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural, will provide context for how service delivery systems can be altered to best serve the City.

Within Task 1, the Watearth team will perform an economic, commercial and financial review of the terms and conditions (T&Cs) of the existing arrangements in delivering wastewater and storm water services that the City has.

The City expects the assessment of the above-mentioned arrangements to include among others:

1. Service: service areas, customers and services, service level indicators, performance outcomes, applicable regulations, legal requirements (e.g. Baykeeper Settlement)

2. Costs and sources of funding, relevant contracts, and the input of existing service providers and City officials.

For services provided by:
(i) Veolia Water West Operating Services, Inc. (Veolia), under certain contracts,
(ii) other public agencies within the City’s boundaries, like the West County Wastewater District, the Stege Sanitary District, and the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) or self-performed, and (iii) self- performed services.

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We will assess based on City provided documentation and/or interviews with the City of Richmond, the economic, commercial and financial T&C’s, including any cost or out of pockets expenses associated with those services.

Watearth will use our TRUSTED™ Signature
Project Delivery Process to make the
City’s job easier. Watearth will coordinate
team meetings to discuss data available,
any outstanding data needs, and gather
City official feedback regarding
expectations for not only the project but key concerns they may have with the current stormwater and wastewater systems. Waterth will provide meeting agendas and meetings minutes for all meetings as well as weekly progress reports to ensure the team is informed of all project decisions. The City’s assessment of service quality, cost, innovation potential of service providers, meeting regulatory requirements, service provider best management practices, and environmental consciousness will be valuable documentation to include with previous documentation listed above. The documentation will be included in a summary email deliverable accompanied by one deliverable review meeting with the City of Richmond to provide comments and feedback. All Watearth deliverables undergo a QA/QC process that involves peer review, project manager review, technical editing, and principal approval to ensure quality deliverables. Watearth will coordinate the scoped meeting with the City providing meeting agendas and meeting minutes with actions items.

Challenges Solutions Qualifications
Gathering relevant project
data including documents.

Researching the correct data
sources for GIS and other
data and filling in data gaps.

Watearth has 5 inhouse
scientists who excel in data
management, among them,
Jeremy Liby and Alyssa Wilson
are assigned to this proposal.

Managing
miscommunication or
misunderstanding of project
details from different project
stakeholders or service
providers involved in project
considerations.

Regular project reporting
following our TRUSTED™
Signature Project Delivery
process and QA/QC process
– weekly status reports, and
internal and external kickoff
meetings.

Watearth has several well-
qualified project managers
who have completed
projects throughout California
and other regions and
achieved 95% client
satisfaction.

Managing large quantities of
data from many different
service providers.

Collecting and organizing
data systematically in file
management software and
task management software.

Watearth has the file and task
management software to
handle large datasets and
has worked on large water
system projects upwards of
500K connections.

Your emails summarizing what has been
worked on and what is needed is really
helpful and keeps us focused to make
sure we remain responsive.

Enrique Baul
Los Angeles County Public Works

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Task 2: Identify Options
Figure 1: Process Flow Chart

Based on data collection, review, and documentation of existing stormwater and wastewater service information, Watearth will identify feasible options for delivery of services. Potential feasible options include the following:

1. Status quo (existing delivery of services),

2. Private sector service providers,

3. Public sector service providers,

4. In-house services (City), or

5. Combination of private sector, public sector, and in-house services.

Watearth will compile key information such as quality of service, cost, meeting regulations, and other factors related to the existing conditions. This information will be considered the baseline to compare all other feasible options for stormwater and wastewater delivery services.

Watearth will coordinate with the City to gather a list of reputable private sector and public sector service providers. This list of providers will be researched along with the existing service providers. With the permission of City staff, Watearth will contact and screen each potential provider to determine if they have the capacity to serve the City of Richmond or a percentage, to be determined in collaboration with the City, of the City that provides economic value. If service capacity is feasible, City operated service connection points will be evaluated to determine if service providers can adequately tie into existing connections to limit additional infrastructure development.

Additional installation and maintenance of stormwater and wastewater infrastructure like stormwater lift stations, wastewater lift stations, stormwater outfall development, additional pipeline infrastructure, and treatment facilities Compilation
•Existing
Service
Provided to
City as
baseline
and status
quo option
Alternatives
•Gather a list
of reputable
service
providers
with City
coordinatio
n.

Determination
•Determine
whether
selected
service
providers
have the
capacity to
serve the
City.

Additional
Considerations
•Review
installation
of additional
facilities,
improvemen
ts needed to
current
systems, and
maintenanc
e needs.

Reporting
•Report all
options in an
easily
digestable
format to
present to
the City
(summary
email and
review
meeting).

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Watearth will provide high-level order of magnitude cost estimating for proposed infrastructure, and cost will be considered for short-term and long- term planning purposes valuable for later phases of the project.

In addition to capacity and
infrastructure improvements, cost
of services to City customers, water
quality considerations, meeting
regulatory requirements will all be
factored when determining
whether various service providers
can contribute to the City’s
stormwater and wastewater
services. Gathering data on potential service providers will be similar to the work plan outlined in Table 1 above. Once service providers are screened, Watearth will compile a list of up to six stormwater and wastewater service options that are feasible to serve the City. Watearth will provide a summary email deliverable accompanied by one deliverable review meeting with the City of Richmond to provide comments and feedback. All Watearth deliverables undergo a QA/QC process that involves peer review, project manager review, technical editing, and principal approval to ensure quality deliverables. Watearth will coordinate the scoped meeting with the City providing meeting agendas and meeting minutes with actions items.

The Watearth Team RECOMMENDS a Risk Workshop to identify Project risks and desired allocations.

While not an RFP scoped task, based on the Watearth team’s experience, it is a critical exercise that will help the City of Richmond understand project’s risks and risk transfer.

Bringing private sector partners into a project can help to deliver projects effectively and efficiently, assuming there is an adequate assignment of each one of the projects risks between the private and public sector parties to the one best able to manage them. To determine the Project’s main risks, in addition to the review performed in Task 1, the Watearth team proposes a 2-4 hour workshop with the City to:
• identify the Project’s objectives: this entails articulating overarching goals of the services provided; and
• identify the Project’s risks during the different phases (design, construction, operations) and desired risk allocation.

The report was a really good one. Very thorough.

The Country Club really liked it and are excited
to work on the recommendations. The City also
like it – good and comprehensive. Project
management and communication was really
good regarding status, technical memos, and
keeping us in the loop.

Goutam Dobey
City of Redlands

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In our experience the knowledge obtained from the Project’s internal stakeholders during the workshop is a superior source of information that either confirms or revisits the risk allocation.

Challenges Solutions Qualifications
Compiling large quantities of
data accurately and
identifying key information.

Watearth compiles easily
understood deliverables,
including feasibility studies
that clearly point to project
solutions.

Watearth follows a written
data and file management
process processes to ensure
all data received has been
checked for accuracy and
filed appropriately.

Receiving complete and
accurate data from potential
service providers.

Detailing appropriate
contingencies, cost
estimating, and what final
service options will entail.

Recent feasibility studies, like
Sorenson Park, have helped
out clients to secure $20M+ in
grant funding.

Task 3: Evaluate Options
Watearth will coordinate with City staff to determine the best options for stormwater and wastewater service to the City. Once a focused list of options is developed, Watearth will evaluate each option based on relevant factors including:

1. Quality of service,

2. Cost (annual costs and life-cycle costs),

3. Regulatory requirements,

4. Innovative technologies,

5. Best practices, and

6. Environmental considerations.

To strengthen the evaluation of the above-listed elements, the Watearth team will develop a criteria-based evaluation of the service delivery options from an economic, commercial, and financial perspective and will develop a cash flow analysis of the preferred service delivery options (this could be combination of public/private service providers or other) and compared it against the status quo. The cash flow analysis will consider the capital investments and operations of the services provided over a 20–30-year time frame, timeline to be determined by the City based on collaboration. This assumes that CapEx and OpEx assumptions/projections will be provided by the City and that financing assumptions to be provided by or in collaboration with the City of Richmond.

Watearth will implement our TRUSTED Project Delivery Process to prepare progress reports with highlights from service evaluation and provide to the City for feedback. With input from City staff, Watearth will weight each factor above appropriately with City goals and preferences. Additionally, Watearth has

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experience with the Rubio Wash Drainage Study project and City of Hemet Water Distributions project where large stormwater systems and wastewater systems were evaluated to determine deficiencies and provide recommendations for improvements. Feasible stormwater and wastewater service providers will need to be well aligned with City goals and future planning for stormwater and wastewater.

For example, stormwater services may include options like innovative multi- benefit stormwater capture facilities that can divert stormwater for flood mitigation, treatment of stormwater, and repurposing of stormwater for future use. Watearth is experienced in developing feasible stormwater recommendations as we have completed multiple stormwater capture projects including the $41M Adventure Park Multi-Benefit Stormwater Capture project.

These experiences allow Watearth to evaluate potential service providers and their abilities to provide innovative
services. The City of Richmond is a
location where multi-benefit
stormwater capture projects can
benefit both wetter winter conditions
and the warmer dry conditions in the
summer. This type of solution may be
more economical than other major
stormwater infrastructure
improvement projects. The City can
facilitate projects like these and
reduce long-term costs as well as
helping with other environmental
and socioeconomic concerns such as water quality, water supply, recreational improvements for the City, and equity.

Similarly, innovative wastewater practices including but not limited to nutrient removal, energy conservation in treatment plants, and public programs to upgrade residential and commercial water fixtures help with water quality, producing less wastewater that needs treatment, and helps the environment in not using as much non-renewable energy sources and energy sources damaging to the environment. Watearth has managed two LEED Feasibility analyses for SoCalGas Facilities that implemented innovative technologies related to stormwater and wastewater as well as a Water and Wastewater 2035 Master Plan for Cal Poly.

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O
nce all factors are weighted and all feasible stormwater and wastewater service provider options have been evaluated, Watearth will rank each option in order of preference. The rankings will be provided in a summary email deliverable accompanied by one deliverable review meeting with the City of Richmond to provide comments and feedback. All Watearth deliverables undergo a QA/QC process that involves peer review, project manager review, technical editing, and principal approval to ensure quality deliverables.

Watearth will coordinate the scoped meeting with the City providing meeting agendas and meeting minutes with actions items.

Task 4: Community Engagement
Wa
tearth and the City will lead a joint effort for community engagement. The City of Richmond is largely comprised of residential communities, parks and open space, and industrial/port activities with lesser areas of commercial and other land uses (City of Richmond, 2024). To match the predominant land uses in the City, Watearth, with City coordination, will develop a list of key stakeholders that are relevant to the project like residential community members, industrial providers, and City officials. Presenting to the key stakeholders of the City will Challenges Solutions Qualifications
Identify service provider
benefits spanning many
different key factors.

Evaluate the factors for
each service provider
and prioritize the City’s
needs and
preferences.

Watearth has completed several
Decision Support Systems/Matrices
throughout California and will use the
same skills to make sure the needs and
priorities of the City are considered.

Developing decision
matrix documenting each
step to determine the best
options for stormwater
and wastewater service.

Coordination with the
City and project
stakeholders.

Watearth implements design matrices
many projects as we have for the Port
of Corpus Christi BMP Analysis project,
TWDB Sediment BMPs project, and the
South Santa Rosa Infrastructure Plan
project.

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allow the appropriate representative population to learn about the best stormwater and wastewater service options.

Watearth will assist in coordinating up to three community meetings and will prepare meeting agendas. Agendas will focus on public messaging regarding system service option recommendations ranked in order of preference and providing an opportunity for a Questions & Answers (Q&A) sessions at the end of the community meetings. In addition, Watearth will develop up to three additional means of supporting community engagement collateral including presentation slides that summarize each stormwater and wastewater service option with pros and cons for each option and graphics that provide informative visualization for each option.

Additional community
engagement collateral that
Watearth will provide for non-
meeting events may include
brochures, posters, blog posts, or
social media posts. Public website
links or mailing addresses will be
provided on outreach materials
for the community to provide
project feedback. Watearth will
provide all community
engagement collateral to City staff for review prior to community meetings or other events. All Watearth deliverables undergo a QA/QC process that involves peer review, project manager review, technical editing, and principal approval to ensure quality deliverables.

Watearth has provided successful collateral and meeting facilitation on projects for Los Angeles County, Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (award winning!), and more.

Wat
earth has experience working with
many stakeholders that vary from
governmental agencies, private entities,
and all the way to community groups.

Watearth has experience working with
We’re glad to have your expertise on the
project. It’s really helping our case.

James A. Martinez
Law Offices of James A. Martinez

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stakeholders while working on Multi-Benefit Stormwater Capture projects and the development of the LA Metro Equity Toolkit. Watearth will consider the individual stakeholders and consider their views on various climate, economic, and other relevant issues Watearth will only present factual data. Watearth will help determine ways to effectively communicate detailed information through visualization in presentations or assisting in Q&A sessions. Watearth’s marketing and outreach collateral is award winning!
Challenges Solutions Qualifications
Scheduling
meetings with
several
stakeholders.

Early communication with City
staff and stakeholders to
schedule meetings in order to
meet the City’s project
schedule.

Watearth staff have conducted
hundreds of presentations and
hosted meetings with key project
stakeholders (City staff, industrial,
residential communities, etc) as we
did on the TWDB process evaluation
project, the LA Metro Equity Toolkit
development project, and the
SoCalGas LEED consulting projects.

Presenting to
stakeholders that
have different
beliefs.

Compiling conflicting views from
stakeholders and pulling out
non-factual information in order
to capture valuable information
that is common across groups.

Watearth has experienced
technical experts for evaluating
specific sector solutions as well as
business operation managers
experienced with working across
business sectors.

Task 5: Selection of Service Delivery Option
Watearth will compile all feedback from
City officials and community engagement
meetings and present a recommendation
for the optimal stormwater and
wastewater service delivery option. Based
on community and City feedback from
community meetings, Watearth will revisit
the ranking of service options presented in the previous “evaluate options” task and determine if there is a change in ranking order. Watearth is experienced in facilitating community outreach and weighing different opinions similar to what we have done in the TWDB Environmental Review Process Evaluation project.

Watearth gathered agency feedback and balanced TWDB employee opinions and recommendations in order to recommend feasible updates to their review process. This type of coordination is similar to what is needed on this project. City preferences and community feedback will shape feasible solutions for stormwater and wastewater delivery services.

Thank you Jennifer and Jeremy. You all
were very responsive and helpful with all
of my questions, and it was a pleasure
working with you and your team.

Andrew Kim, P.E.

Los Angeles County Public Works

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Watearth will provide a summary email deliverable with a recommended service plan and details about key factors as discussed previously in this proposal. The email deliverable will be accompanied by one deliverable review meeting with the City of Richmond to provide comments and feedback. All Watearth deliverables undergo a QA/QC process that involves peer review, project manager review, technical editing, and principal approval to ensure quality deliverables. Watearth will
coordinate the scoped meeting with
the City providing meeting agendas
and meeting minutes with actions
items.

Challenges Solutions Qualifications
Balancing conflicting
opinions of City officials
and community
members in relation to
making a final decision
of service delivery.

Considering factual data
gathered from research
and engagement
meetings to prepare a
solution meeting City
needs and preferences.

Watearth has project managers with
decades of experience providing
unbiased consulting to private and
public agencies on politically
sensitive projects to determine the
optimal solutions.

Task 6: Prepare Implementing Documents
The preparation of implementing
documentation will be contingent on
selecting an optimal stormwater and
wastewater service plan for the City of
Richmond. Once the City has approved
the recommendation of a service plan,
all previous documentation on the
selected service providers which
potential include private sector, public
sector, and the City will be compiled. All
relevant quality of service, cost,
regulatory requirements, innovative
technology implementation, best
practices, and environmental factors
will be compiled from previous tasks.

Additionally, other factors such as new
infrastructure installation will be included as well. These items will be input into an implementation plan technical memorandum for later execution.

The plan will include service provider information, service areas served by specific providers with high-level capacity information, new infrastructure Thank you for a great presentation! I learned
a lot and imagine our members did as well.

Lauri Shahar
San Fernando Valley Bar Association

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development and improvements to make the service plan feasible, order of magnitude cost estimating to carry out the plan short-term and long-term, maintenance procedures, and a list of additional benefits. The plan will also outline potential unresolved items that may need negotiation or further coordination such as pricing of stormwater and wastewater services, and additional funding sources. Watearth is experienced in identifying appropriate funding sources: we have worked on more than 20 grant-funded projects, including a stormwater design project with a $15M grant from Caltrans, on Prop 84 grant project looking at low impact development and stormwater best management practices within the entirety of the Bay Area, and more for city- level clients like Citrus Heights and Nuview, where Watearth was instrumental in not just completing funding applications, but also identifying potential sources and achieving funding success. A potential list of funding sources may include but is not limited to the following:

1. State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF),

2. California Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Grant Program,

3. Storm Water Grant Program (SWGP), and

4. California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Water-Energy Grant Program.

Depending on the outcome of the selection of service delivery option in Task 5, Watearth may provide services including the following:

1. Recommending status quo service delivery with supporting documentation;

2. Providing an implementation plan that includes a mix of private sectors, public sectors, and/or the City providing service. Additional services may include:
a. Providing evaluation criteria for project bidders such as cost evaluation, quality of service, and expertise of systems; b. Developing a scope of work; and
c. Budget estimating.

A contingency budget is included as optional for the City of Richmond’s consideration. This optional budget is intended to address deliverables stemming from the selected alternative in Task 5 that may not be apparent at this time. This could include facilitation of negotiation meetings and preparation of collateral, training for in-house City staff, or other – all of which will benefit

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from additional definition as the Richmond/Watearth team approaches the completion of Task 5.

All implementation documentation will
comprise of information from previous tasks and
will be submitted as a summary technical
memorandum accompanied by one
deliverable review meeting with the City of
Richmond to provide comments and
feedback. All Watearth deliverables undergo a QA/QC process that involves peer review, project manager review, technical editing, and principal approval to ensure quality deliverables. Watearth will coordinate the scoped meeting with the City providing meeting agendas and meeting minutes with actions items.

Deliverable Output

1. Task 1
a. Kickoff Meeting with City+Watearth
b. Up to 2 collaborative City+Watearth workshops regarding Literature Review and Data Gathering
i. Agenda and Minutes
ii. Summary Email at end of task + one round of City
comments

2. Task 2
a. Up to 4 collaborative City+Watearth workshops regarding Identified Options
i. Agenda and Minutes
ii. Summary Email + one round of City comments
Challenges Solutions Qualifications
Identifying a
comprehensive
list of action items
to incorporate
into an
implementation
plan for delivery
of service.

Watearth will manage data collected
with a file management and task
management software and add to
the implementation plan throughout
the project. Don’t let your selected
consultant create headaches for you
here. Watearth knows how to keep
track of the details.

Watearth has developed design
decision matrices used on
design projects and tracking
construction submittals and RFIs
for the Adventure Park and
Water Board Environmental
Review Process Evaluation
projects.

You did a great job of distilling
very complex guidance into
something approachable.

Jayson Hudson
USACE

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3. Task 3
a. Up to 3 collaborative City+Watearth workshops regarding Evaluated Options
i. Agenda and Minutes
ii. Summary Email + one round of City comments

4. Task 4
a. Up to 3 Community Meetings
i. Agenda
ii. Presentations
iii. Summary of Community Questions (and Answers from
Technical Expert)
iv. Marketing Collateral (up to 3: brochure, flier, or similar up to 200 words) – one round of comments by City on each
b. Up to 2 collaborative City+Watearth workshops regarding outcomes of community meetings.
i. Agenda and Minutes

5. Task 5
a. Up to 2 collaborative City+Watearth workshops regarding Selection of an Option
i. Agenda and Minutes
ii. Summary Email + one round of City comments

6. Task 6
a. Final Implementation Plan (Technical Memorandum)
i. Includes one City+Watearth review meeting with Agenda and Minutes
ii. Includes a Draft and Final Implementation Plan which incorporates one round of City comments.
b. Contingency (Time & Materials). Optional task with optional deliverables. May include:
i. Scope of Work and Budget for RFP
ii. Assistance in selecting a bidder
iii. Or others to be determined during Task 5.

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Schedule
The a
bove schedule implies the following dates, as per the RFP, but is abstracted to allow for variations in City notice to proceed or City Council input.

Date Activity
October 2024 Begin Project
April 2025 City Council – Progress report
May 2025 Begin Task 4
August 2025 City Council – Input on options
September 2025 Begin Task 5
November 2025 City Council – Direction
December 2025 Begin Task 6
March 2026 Complete Project
Division of Responsibility & City Tasks
Watearth will provide the execution of evaluations (operational, technical (engineering and environmental), and financial) as well as the project management necessary to lessen the burden placed on the City Staff spearheading this feasibility study.

Watearth will request the following from the City representative(s):

1. Responsiveness to data requests, assuming new reference documents are identified that were not flagged in the original RFP.

2. Responsiveness to requests for meetings or interviews of value.

3. Facilitation of introductions to internal or external stakeholders already known to the City.

4. Participation in a collaborative decision-making environment lead and organized by Watearth. This will keep City objectives in focus. 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Task 6: Prepare Implementing Documents
Task 5: Selection of Service Delivery Option
Task 4: Community Engagement
Task 3: Evaluate Options
Task 2: Identify Options
Task 1: Document Existing Service Delivery System
Estimated Project Schedule, Weeks
Draft Development Comment Period and Revised Draft(s) Final Development

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Staffing Resource Plan
The Watearth team is composed of five key staff members expected to deliver the greatest value and best degree of client coordination and efficiency.

Additional resources are available on an as-needed basis.

Watearth, an Alameda-based firm, will act as the prime consultant on this project by providing the engineering and environmental technical expertise associated with wastewater and stormwater planning, with support in the field of economics analysis from Arup, with whom we have worked before. Watearth was also recently a guest at the Climate Adaptation International Conference (January 2024) with Arup.

Staff responsibilities and commitment to the project are illustrated in the organizational chart below.

Principal Environmental Engineer
Jennifer J. Walker PE, D.WRE, ENV SP, CFM, QSD
City council recommendations. Quality assurance. 40% on project.

Project Manager
Jeremy Liby
Project Management. Client Coordination. Technical Oversight. 90% on project.

Watearth © 2024
Senior Water Resources Engineer
Mark Alan Locke PE
Operations analysis. 80% on project.

Environmental Planner
Alyssa Wilson
GIS Analysis, data management. 90% on project.

Environmental Engineer
Jacob Guise
Data analysis, operations, project coordination. 90% on project.

Senior Economist
Abigail Rolon
Economic feasibility, reporting, workshop. 20% on project.

Wastewater and Stormwater Economics
Additional support staff are available within Watearth and Arup as needed.

Senior Economist
Alfonso Mendez Lossada
Economics feasibility analysis, quality control. 10% on project.

Aru
p joins the Watearth team to contribute economics expertise. Their commitment is evidenced by the letter on the following page:

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The team assembled for the City of Richmond's wastewater and stormwater service delivery RFP consists of professionals with backgrounds in environmental engineering, planning, project management, and economics.

Principal Environmental Engineer Jennifer J. Walker, PE, DWRE, ENV SP, CFM, QSD, LEED AP BD+C is the driving force behind Watearth Inc., bringing over 30 years of experience in
sustainable and resilient solutions. Expertise spans stormwater, wastewater, water quality, flood control, and green
infrastructure. Walker's strategic vision, combined with detailed technical knowledge, means both high-level planning and nuanced project details are understood. Previous projects, such as the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Water Resources Master Plan, various projects for the Texas Water Development Board, South Santa Rosa Area Specific Plan for Wastewater and Stormwater, and the SFEI Bay Area Stormwater Best Management Practices tool development showcase the ability to deliver comprehensive environmental documentation and master plans, making Walker an asset for the Richmond project.

Jeremy Liby, Project Manager, has over 12 years of experience in environmental science and planning and project
management, specializing in data collection, geology, GIS, and coordination with municipal clients. Recent projects, including the California Department of Veterans' Affairs Watershed Sanitary Survey and the Texas Water Development Board’s Internal Environmental Review Process project, highlight the ability to manage complex projects effectively and to achieve client satisfaction. Liby’s strong project management skills, combined with the ability to interpret and present complex data clearly, make Liby a key player in ensuring the Richmond project meets its goals efficiently. Note this commentary from one of Jeremy’s satisfied clients, for whom Watearth provided operational analysis.

We sincerely appreciate the professionalism of you and your staff as we worked through the review process. This comprehensive report will serve as the instrument to continue to evaluate our processes, identify areas of improvement and implement necessary improvements along the way.

Les Davis
Texas Water Development Board

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Mark Alan Locke, PE, our Senior Water Resources Engineer, brings to the table a career spanning over four decades focused on operations and maintenance of large-scale infrastructure.

Leadership roles at federal agencies like the USDA and USACE equips Locke with a deep understanding of regulatory compliance and risk management. Experience in quality control of hydrologic and hydraulic models, as demonstrated in projects like the Caltrans Alameda ALA61 hydraulic design, Alameda County Flood Control District Zone 12 Drainage Master Plan and the Los Angeles County Public Works Adventure Park Regional Stormwater Management project will lend to the necessary technical and managerial expertise for Richmond's wastewater and stormwater systems.

Environmental Engineer Jacob Guise is a dedicated
environmental engineer with a multidisciplinary approach to water and environmental projects. Expertise in water quality modeling, GIS, and environmental report writing is crucial for planning and master planning applications. Work on projects such as the South Santa Rosa Specific Plan Area Wastewater and Stormwater evaluations and the City of San Pablo ESA Phase 1 and 2 demonstrates the ability to manage technical assessments and compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines, making Guise a valuable asset.

Alyssa R. Wilson, our proposed Environmental Planner brings specialized skills in GIS and sustainability, supporting environmental planning projects by facilitating project permitting and data interpretation. Experience in presenting GIS data and creating cohesive project exhibits ensures that the Richmond project will have clear and actionable visual data
representations. Work on projects like the Port of Corpus Christi Drainage Master Plan and the Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering Zoo Master Plan demonstrates the ability to handle large-scale planning and environmental impact assessments effectively.

Abigail Rolon, one of our Senior Economists, leads Arup’s economics offering in the Americas. She helps clients assess the social, economic, and environmental impacts of their
infrastructure projects, develops funding and financing plans for their execution and operation, and evaluates alternative delivery methods. Her clients include public sector agencies, non-governmental organizations, and infrastructure investment funds.

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Alfonso Mendez-Lossada, Senior Economist, has over 33 years of experience structuring financial transactions and leads Arup’s Transaction Advice Infrastructure Advisory offering, advising public sector clients on P3 project procurement, financial structuring, Value for Money and strategic P3 policy. He has led and structured a large number of project finance transactions for public and private sector clients (both brownfield and greenfield) with more than 60 projects requiring over $25bn in debt.

Team Synergy
The combination of Walker’s strategic leadership, Locke’s extensive regulatory and operational expertise, Liby’s project management acumen, Guise’s technical proficiency, Wilson’s GIS and data presentation skills, and Rolon and Mendez-Lossada’s public infrastructure program economics analysis expertise forms a well-rounded team capable of addressing the complex needs of Richmond’s wastewater and stormwater services. Their collective experience in managing significant projects with multiple stakeholders, ensuring regulatory compliance, and delivering sustainable solutions will be instrumental in conducting a thorough feasibility study and providing collaborative and actionable recommendations for the City of Richmond.

Watearth and Arup are partnered on several contracts for stormwater engineering and climate adaptation and financial planning for municipal agencies for clients like City of Oakland, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and City of Los Angeles.

Watearth was also recently a guest at the Climate Adaptation International Conference (January 2024) with Arup.

Resumes follow on subsequent pages.

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Jennifer J. Walker PE, DWRE, ENV SP, CFM, QSD, LEED AP BD+C Principal Environmental Engineer
Walker is the embodiment and driving spirit behind Watearth’s commitment to delivering the TRUSTED™ Signature Project Delivery experience to clients like City of Richmond.

Walker, President of Watearth, Inc., has an earned reputation for bringing unique insights to projects and has delivered to municipal clients the sort of owner advocacy, impartiality, technical expertise, and risk management that City of Richmond needs to evaluate two decades of precedent service delivery. As a water resources engineer chiefly concerned with developing sustainable and resilient solutions, over 30 years of practice producing foundational environmental documentation and master plans, nuanced and complex hydraulic and hydrologic models, and civil designs grounded in solid science and reality have prepared Walker to
consult authoritatively and collaboratively with
the City. Walker is an expert in stormwater,
wastewater, water quality, flood control, green
infrastructure, hydrology and hydraulics, water
resources, and complex projects with multiple
stakeholders. For the sensitive matters of
litigation, Walker has been called upon time and time again as an expert witness.

From CIPs to extensive regional planning studies, Walker adopts an appropriate level of detail on projects, and will adapt Watearth’s efforts on this planning study to respond to Richmond’s objectives by working in tandem with the assigned Watearth project manager to establish a Project Management Plan that sets appropriate standards for the necessary degree of communication. By understanding projects at both ends of the spectrum, Walker has routinely proven an asset to project teams needing a nuanced approach that addresses upstream and downstream project concerns. In addition, Walker's presence on the project ensures critical questions can be answered with confidence.

Walker's resume includes highlight projects across our nation's geography.

Walker has consulted at a principal level for over a dozen years, with projects for major municipal clients in California and Texas carrying fees and construction costs over $22M. Walker navigates grant funding and regulatory policy deftly and will provide your project with the same on-budget and on-schedule success provided to clients like Los Angeles County, Texas Water Development Board, San Francisco Estuary Institute, Alameda County, and Caltrans.

Walker brings an exceptional
ability to present the 30,000-foot
view while staying attuned to the
detailed nuances of the project.

Mayor Parker
City of Houston
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Walker is looking to the future and developing solutions accordingly. As a result, Walker is ahead of the curve integrating climate change adaptation into projects and assessing cost-benefit.

Key Takeaway
Walker has 30 years of experience and is a rock-solid asset to municipal clients on politically and technically complex projects – both as an individual expert and as Watearth’s executive leader.

Education
• MCE. Civil Engineering c. Water Resources. University of Houston. • BS. Civil Engineering c. Environmental and Water. Kansas State University. • Management Development for Entrepreneurs. UCLA Anderson School of Management.
• Building a High-Performing Business. Tuck Executive Education at Dartmouth.

Licenses & Certifications
• PE. State of California. #C77079.
• PE. Multiple other states.
• QSP/QSD. California Stormwater Quality Association. #21187. • ENV SP. Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure.
• DWRE. American Academy of Water Resource Engineers.
• CFM. Association of State Floodplain Managers (Texas Floodplain Management Association). #0848-05N.
• LEED AP BD+C. US Green Building Council. #11511130
• Permaculture Designer's Certificate. Sustainable Development and Water.

Permaculture Research Institute.

Representative Projects
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Water Resources Master Plan (San Luis Obispo, CA):

Conducted technical studies for EIR, including Water Supply Assessment, Wastewater Feasibility, and Reclaimed Water Facility impacts. Evaluated treatment options. Analyzed water supply and demand, modeled distribution systems with conservation BMPs, and assessed wastewater flows. Evaluated 2035 development impacts on city infrastructure and facilitated stakeholder involvement.

San Rafael Site Design and Environmental Services for First-of-its-Kind Discharge Permit: Provided urban planning, parking analysis, and permitting for sanitary sewer discharge and treatment design for industrial client operating statewide in California. Conducted site design, including topographic surveying, landscape Overall Page 32
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design, and civil design coordination. Assisted with architecture, structural, and MEP peer reviews, and created marketing materials.

California Department of Veterans' Affairs (CalVet) Watershed Sanitary Survey Services/Rector Reservoir (Napa Valley, CA): Updated Rector Reservoir watershed sanitary survey with recent water quality data. Achieved client satisfaction and received no comments from reviewing agency.

City of Pleasanton Water Supply Assessment for EIR (Pleasanton, CA): Developed SB610 Water Supply Assessment for CEQA compliance in support of the Housing Element Update.

Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) Assessment of the Board’s Environmental Review Process and Procedures: Provided expertise in federal and state environmental regulations, process improvement, and records management for TWDB’s review process.

Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) Municipal Water Conservation Planning Tool: Led Beta Testing phase, coordinated stakeholders, and provided recommendations for TX-specific water conservation strategies and model development.

Killeen MS4 City Council Permit Recommendations: Guided city staff and council on stormwater quality codes meeting federal and state requirements.

Developed MS4 permit stormwater criteria and served as stormwater quality expert.

Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering (LABOE) Zoo Master Plan and Zoo Vision Plan EIR Hydrology and Water Quality Technical Studies (Los Angeles, CA): Prepared water resources sections for Los Angeles Zoo Master Plan, including stormwater, recycled water, and wastewater treatment evaluations. Conducted hydrology modeling and assessed water quality impacts to Los Angeles River.

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Water Conservation and Sustainability (Los Angeles, CA): Evaluated stormwater capture, bus/rail wash water treatment, and conservation strategies. Identified potential savings in water consumption and developed water conservation BMPs.

Alameda County Flood Control District (ACFCD) Zone 12 Drainage Master Plan Site Study (Oakland, CA): Provided hydrologic, hydraulic, and water quality services for Oakland’s drainage system. Analyzed urban drainage, recommended water quality projects, and developed engineering and costs.

California Statewide Phase II MS4/NPDES Tool: Developed statewide toolkit for evaluating stormwater permit compliance. Grant funded project.

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San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) Bay Area Regional Green Infrastructure Tool and Green Plan-It Master Plan (Bay Area, CA): Provided technical support for GIS-based Green Infrastructure tool in Bay Area. Updated GI feasibility matrix and performed watershed-wide water quality modeling.

City of Santa Monica BMPs O&M Manual (Santa Monica, CA). Performed NPDES and MS4 Permitting for TMDL compliance. Developed O&M Plan for City BMPs ranging from permeable pavement and LID BMPs to manufactured BMPs.

Performed site reconnaissance of BMPs. Evaluated manufactured treatment systems and custom designed wet and dry weather stormwater treatment at SMURF facility, including filtering, ultraviolet disinfection, and other measures.

Included customized O&M fact sheets and inspection sheets for all BMPs maintained by the City of Santa Monica. Watearth's manual was ultimately the criteria used by the City to hire a maintenance contractor.

City of Kingwood Water and Wastewater Masterplan.

Greater Houston Partnership Wastewater Capacity Feasibility Study.

Brownsville Public Utilities Board Wastewater Sludge Disposal Feasibility Study.

Los Angeles Sanitation Haynes Park.

LABOE Venice Auxiliary Wastewater Pumping Plan Hydrology and Hydraulics Analysis.

University of Houston Conservation and LID/Landscape Master Plan: Developed landscape-based water conservation and stormwater BMP Master Plan for campus. Integrated Green Infrastructure, greywater, and alternative water sources for irrigation.

Springwoods Village 1,200-Acre Master Plan Water Resources Design Guidelines:

Recommended water, wastewater, and water conservation guidelines for a 1,200-acre community. Developed criteria for sustainable water management practices.

Monterey Bay Charter School Alternative Water Supply Evaluation and Design (Pacific Grove, CA): Evaluated and designed greywater, rainwater, and condensate systems. Conducted water balance modeling, prepared technical reports, and assisted with permitting and construction services.

Greywater System Sizing and Design: Estimated interior water demands and greywater generation from sinks, showers, and laundry. Designed irrigation systems for various plant types and efficiency levels across California. Prioritized water conservation through fixtures, efficient irrigation, and greywater reuse.

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Water Distribution System Modeling and Master Plan for The Woodlands:

Developed water and wastewater Master Plan. Conducted ongoing water distribution system modeling based on land use and population projections.

Created GIS database and modeled demand and fire flow. Sized system components including wells, pumps, and storage tanks.

Cinco Ranch Water Distribution and Wastewater System Modeling and Master Plan: Developed and maintained water distribution system modeling. Analyzed water demands and conducted fire flow modeling. Optimized system layout and sized components including wells, pumps, and storage tanks. Included interconnections with neighboring systems.

City of Buena Park Orangethorpe Intersection Storm Drain CIP/LID to Solve Flooding (Buena Park, CA). The purpose of the project was to perform alternatives analysis, design, and construction-phase services to alleviate flooding near the Orangethorpe and Stanton intersection. The work plan for the project was to address street flooding, design cost-effective storm drain improvements, and provide project alternatives. Modeled existing and proposed hydrologic conditions using 2D Innovyze XPSWMM. The second phase was to design the stormwater drainage system, including using Low Impact Development (LID). Included Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP), Operations and Maintenance Plan (O&M) and an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (ESCP). Prepared 75% drawings for new storm drain and LID features.

City of Houston Water Conservation Plan and Raw Water GIS and Model Development. Compiled and analyzed raw water customer data for municipal systems as large as 500K accounts and residential populations of 3M. Developed GIS database for raw water customers, raw water canals, pump stations, and key water supply facilities. Determined available water allocation. Performed field verification of raw water delivery points. Developed modeling information for hydraulic model of raw water system. Developed Water Conservation Plan.

Analyzed existing utility data. Evaluated conservation BMPs for implementation cost-benefit. Included green-house gas components. Developed water conservation model. Worked with focus group convened by Mayor. Developed Drought Response Plan.

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Jeremy Liby
Pr
oject Manager
Liby is a talented environmental
planner and project manager with
over 12 years of experience in data
collection and analysis, Geographic
Information Systems, and
coordination with municipal clients.

Over the last 4 years, Liby has
become one of Watearth’s star
project managers, with an acute understanding of our project management process which results in high marks for client satisfaction on metrics that matter, including consistency and desire to work with Jeremy again.

Liby supports Watearth projects by interpreting complex datasets and translating it into clear and descriptive reports and exhibits that follow Watearth’s reader-friendlydocumentation process. Utilizing hands-on field experiences combined with an extensive spatial analysis and data collection background makes Liby a key team member and support resource for Watearth projects.

Key Takeaway
As a project manager, Liby is among Watearth’s strongest contenders. Liby is fully committed to creating an integrated and collaborative environment to facilitate decision making on this sensitive project for the City of Richmond.

Education
• BS. Geology. University of Colorado.

Licenses & Certifications
• GIS Certificate. University of Denver.

Representative Projects
City of Pleasanton Water Supply Assessment for EIR (Pleasanton, CA): Developed SB610 Water Supply Assessment for CEQA compliance in support of the Housing Element Update.

Caltrans District 4 Caltrans Task Order 19, ALA61 Between Davis Street and Encinal Avenue (Alameda, CA): Conducted GIS-intensive hydrologic and hydraulic assessment for State Route 61 improvement project. Developed drainage plans for project phases.

I have really enjoyed the great diversity in
projects this career provides. It feels good
knowing I am making a positive difference in the
world. Whether it is pointing out environmentally
significant items or improving a drainage system
for a town, the impact is important for society.

Jeremy Liby
Watearth
Overall Page 36

D. Staffing
Wastewater and Stormwater Delivery Study

California Department of Veterans' Affairs (CalVet) Watershed Sanitary Survey Services/Rector Reservoir (Napa Valley, CA): Conducted watershed sanitary survey and updated report with recent water quality data. Achieved client satisfaction and no comments from reviewing agency.

Napa 5-Way Intersection Improvements Project: Provided drainage analysis, Caltrans Initial Site Assessment, water quality technical study, and Short Form Stormwater Data Report.

City of Hemet Water Distribution System Analysis (Hemet, CA): Conducted analysis of water distribution system. Evaluated existing systems, performed flow testing, and developed GIS maps.

City of Redlands Country Club Drainage Study (Redlands, CA). Provided an analysis of the Redlands Country Club Golf Course and contributing watershed for flood risk and identifying potential mitigation measures. Used aerial imagery and topographic data to accurately delineate drainage areas within the contributing watershed. These drainage areas were input into HEC-HMS modeling software along with calculated hydrologic parameters to determine peak flows and flow volume within each drainage area. The flow determined in modeling is the flow that travels from each drainage area into the golf course at several discharge points. Flood mitigation measures were developed to reduce peak flows and flow volume at each discharge point with the goal of reducing flooding and erosion/sedimentation within the golf course. Provided expertise in hydrology and hydraulics, spatial analysis, modeling, and design to successfully execute this project.

Los Angeles County Public Works (LACPW) Rubio Wash Hydrology and 1D/2D Hydraulics Drainage Study for Stormwater Infrastructure Improvement Master Plan (Los Angeles, CA): Conducted hydrology and hydraulics study for Rubio Wash drainage improvement. Included GIS inventory and MODRAT hydrology.

Los Angeles County Public Works (LACPW) Adventure Park Runoff and Stormwater Capture Regional Water Quality Project (Los Angeles County, CA):

Managed Caltrans-funded stormwater quality project. Designed civil features, conducted environmental assessments, and managed permits. Included LID design and stakeholder outreach.

Overall Page 37
D. Staffing
Wastewater and Stormwater Delivery Study
© Watearth, Inc. 2024. Do Not Copy.

Mark Alan Locke PE
Senior Water Resources Engineer
Locke is a senior engineer with a
career spanning more than four
decades. The bulk of Locke’s career
has been working with and for
federal agencies, such as USDA and
USACE. From 2012 to 2019, Locke
was engaged with the Army Corps
as a Safety Program Manager, a
Deputy Director and Chief, and a
Director at the Southwestern Division.

Locke provides seasoned oversight of Operations & Maintenance (O&M), focusing on large scale infrastructure.

Watearth proposes Locke to City of Richmond as an operations manager with an acute understanding of cost estimating and the risks that occur when operational responsibilities transition from one team to another. Locke is expert in identifying potentials for communication and process breakdowns that result in infrastructure setbacks.

Locke approaches projects as an engineer and a professional considering all needs and workable solutions. Locke has worked on various projects, from exceedingly small farms projects to large government projects. Experience working on such a range of projects has allowed Locke to recognize there is not only one solution for a project and has helped Locke develop the skills to make meaningful recommendations to municipal clients.

Key Takeaway
Locke’s four decades of experience includes work on all phases of projects, resulting in a collaborative approach to risk management.

Education
• BS. Agricultural Engineering. Kansas State University. • Graduate Course. Structure and Slope Stability. Kansas State University.

Licenses & Certifications
• PE. State of Kansas. #9758.

Representative Experience
Alameda County Flood Control District (ACFCD) Zone 12 Drainage Master Plan Site Study (Oakland, CA): Provided hydrologic, hydraulic, and environmental I saw engineering as an opportunity to take my
individual skills to use for the betterment of
individuals, the environment, and society as a
whole. There is nothing better than helping to
solve an individual’s problem, saving a
community from flooding, or creating a solution
to help sustain the environment.

Mark Alan Locke PE
Watearth
Overall Page 38
D. Staffing
Wastewater and Stormwater Delivery Study
© Watearth, Inc. 2024. Do Not Copy.
services for Oakland’s Zone 12 Drainage Master Plan, encompassing Lake Merritt. Analyzed urban drainage systems, identified water quality projects, and recommended alternatives, including cost estimates and preliminary designs.

Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering (LABOE) Zoo Vision Plan EIR Hydrology and Water Quality Technical Studies (Los Angeles, CA): Prepared water resources and sustainability sections for the Zoo’s Vision Plan EIR, addressing steep slopes, landslides, and water quality impacts on the Los Angeles River. Conducted SWMM modeling and evaluated treatment options for animal exhibits.

Los Angeles County Public Works (LACPW) Rubio Wash Hydrology and 1D/2D Hydraulics Drainage Study (Los Angeles, CA): Provided hydrology and hydraulics for Rubio Wash drainage study, crucial for LA’s flood control system.

Utilized GIS for storm drain inventory and XPSWMM for modeling at various storm levels.

Los Angeles County Public Works (LACPW) Adventure Park Runoff and Stormwater Capture Regional Water Quality Project (Los Angeles County, CA):

Managed Caltrans-funded stormwater quality project, diverting San Gabriel River watershed flows to underground capture. Designed LID features, secured permits, and developed WQMP and O&M Plans.

Caltrans District 4 Caltrans Task Order 19, ALA61 (Alameda, CA): Conducted GIS-intensive drainage assessment for SR 61 improvements in Alameda County.

Assessed existing drainage compliance and developed preliminary plans for CAPM project phases.

Big Beau (Tropico) Solar Water Supply Assessment and Water Rights for CEQA (Kern County, CA): Assessed water supply and quality for solar project, recommended drainage and mitigation measures. Researched water rights and secured preliminary environmental permits.

City of Citrus Heights O&M Updates and Staff Training (Citrus Heights, CA):

Provided city staff O&M training, updated documents, and developed educational materials.

USACE Civil and Stream Restoration/Channel Improvements Planning (Los Angeles, CA): Participated in Santiago Creek flood control channel VE workshop, proposing cost-saving ideas and improvements for flood risk reduction.

USDA-NRCS National Design Engineer: Led design and review of agency's largest structures. Developed policies, coordinated A&E contracts, and managed ARRA implementation. Served on national dam safety boards and updated NRCSID.

Jacob Guise
Environmental Engineer
Guise is a dedicated and talented Environmental Engineer with experience in water quality modeling, geographic information systems, and environmental report writing. Guise brings a multidisciplinary approach to water and environmental projects, having watershed and water resource modeling and technical expertise for planning and master planning applications. As a staff engineer, Guise has assessed compliance for chemical and thermal discharges from changes in water quality standards while following local, state, and federal guidelines.

Key Takeaway
Guise is a water resources engineer with experience in water resources management and municipal project planning.

Education
• BS. Environmental Engineering c. Biological and Chemical Processes.

University of Delaware.

Representative Projects
Napa 5-Way Intersection Improvements Project: Provided drainage analysis, Caltrans Initial Site Assessment, water quality technical study, and Short Form Stormwater Data Report.

City of Santa Rosa South Santa Rosa Specific Plan Infrastructure Plan (Santa Rosa, CA). Evaluation of existing and proposed water and wastewater systems. Site reconnaissance, technical memorandums, watershed maps, hydrology calculations, stormwater management, flood mitigation, and conceptual improvements for future growth.

City of San Pablo Phase 1 and 2 ESA (San Pablo, CA). Developed Phase 1 and 2 ESA, evaluating contaminated sites and historical data. Created health and safety plan, performed site reconnaissance, and produced GIS exhibits. Utilized EDR report for historical data and completed draft and final ESAs.

Oil Spill and Drill Cuttings Deposition Modeling. Supported global oil spill and drill cuttings deposition projects. Created control files, executed model runs, analyzed results, and wrote environmental impact assessments for over 30 projects worldwide, including locations in Africa, Montenegro, Southeast Asia, and the Gulf of Mexico.

Chemical and Thermal Discharge Modeling. Assessed compliance of chemical and thermal discharges with local, state, and federal guidelines.

Alyssa R. Wilson
Environmental Planner
Wilson is a talented Environmental
Planner with experience in GIS and
sustainability. Wilson has assisted
on many of Watearth’s
environmental planning projects
and is a crucial support asset on
project teams. Wilson supports
many Watearth projects by
facilitating project permitting and interpreting data for reporting purposes. As a specialist in GIS, Wilson produces straightforward, descriptive exhibits that follow Watearth’s documentation process. These exhibits introduce a level of cohesion and communication within our team, facilitating our efforts to meet or beat accelerated schedules.

Wilson focuses on presenting GIS maps as a tool for practical, big-picture thinking. Wilson is exceptionally skilled in presenting fieldwork data in GIS maps creating helpful graphics and maps to help build understanding about an area.

While at Watearth, Wilson has created GIS graphics for proposals and projects presenting various data, ranging from hydrology and general data to calculating hydrological parameters and delineating drainage areas.

Additionally, Wilson has experience organizing GIS data in Excel spreadsheets and converting attribute table data in GIS shapefiles to spreadsheets.

Key Takeaway
Wilson is a specialist in GIS and data management with experience facilitating project permitting and large-scale planning.

Education
• BS. Energy and Environmental Policy (m. Geography/GIS, m. Wildlife Ecology and Conservation). University of Delaware.
• Study Abroad. The GREEN Program Short Term Study Abroad in Sustainability and Renewable Energy. Reykjavik University.

Representative Projects
San Rafael Site Design and Environmental Services for First-of-its-Kind Discharge Permit: Provided urban planning, parking analysis, and permitting for sanitary sewer discharge and treatment design for industrial client operating statewide in California. Conducted site design, including topographic surveying, landscape I like making a difference in local communities
and having clean water and an available water
source is a crucial issue. In addition, I have
always enjoyed geography and the water, so it
has been great to combine my interests into a
rewarding career.

Alyssa R. Wilson
Watearth
Overall Page 41

D. Staffing
Wastewater and Stormwater Delivery Study

© Watearth, Inc. 2024. Do not Copy.
design, and civil design coordination. Assisted with architecture, structural, and MEP peer reviews, and created marketing materials.

California Department of Veterans' Affairs (CalVet) Watershed Sanitary Survey Services/Rector Reservoir (Napa Valley, CA). Updated watershed sanitary survey for Rector Reservoir, Napa County. Reported recent water quality data and field observations. Achieved client satisfaction and received no comments from reviewing agency.

Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) Assessment of Environmental Review Process. Expertise in federal and state environmental regulations, TWDB’s environmental review process, Root Cause analysis, and records management.

Improved process efficiency and compliance.

Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering (LABOE) Zoo Master Plan and Zoo Vision Plan EIR Hydrology and Water Quality Technical Studies (Los Angeles, CA). Prepared water resources and sustainability sections of Master Plan and EIR for Los Angeles Zoo, addressing steep slope and erosion issues. Designed treatment filtering exhibits and assessed water demands and conservation measures, including recycled water use. Evaluated water quality impacts and treatment options for animal exhibit and wastewater systems.

Port of Corpus Christi Authority (PCCA) Drainage Master Plan. Developed Stormwater Master Plan for Inner Harbor and Rincon areas, integrating Green Infrastructure with gray infrastructure. Provided technical input and peer review for GIS-based Green Infrastructure tool. Recommended Bioretention, Vegetated Swales, and Stormwater Wetlands to enhance water quality. Conducted geotechnical sampling and PCSWMM modeling for hydrology, hydraulics, and water quality.

Los Angeles County Public Works (LACPW) Rubio Wash Hydrology and 1D/2D Hydraulics Drainage Study for Stormwater Infrastructure Improvement Master Plan (Los Angeles, CA). Conducted hydrology and 1D/2D hydraulics study for Rubio Wash subwatershed. Addressed flood control deficiencies with GIS inventory and modeling. Designed stormwater management solutions for watershed and channel.

City of Hemet Water Distribution System Analysis (Hemet, CA). Conducted water distribution analysis, flow testing, and deficiency correction. Developed GIS maps and technical reports for system improvements.

Overall Page 42
Abigail Rolon
Abigail brings 18 years of international experience in
economic and financial evaluations of infrastructure projects in multiple sectors.

Abigail Rolon leads the economics offering in the Americas. She helps clients assess the social, economic, and environmental impacts of their infrastructure projects, develops funding and financing plans for their execution and operation, and evaluates alternative delivery methods. Her clients include public sector agencies, non-governmental organizations, and infrastructure investment funds.

Project experience
Biosolids P3 Feasibility Study, San Jose, CA
Arup was engaged by the City of San José (City) to assess the viability of a P3 procurement for a facility that processes biosolids into a commercial product, such as a fertilizer, at the San Jose-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (RWF). Arup’s analytical framework for the study consisted of conducting workshops with City staff to determine the City’s project and procurement objectives, the City’s project technical requirements, and the City’s desired project risk transfer. Subsequently, Arup performed a market sounding through a Request for Information and one-on-one meetings with potential project participants to understand the market’s interest in delivering the project as envisioned by the City. Based on the market findings and Arup’s own knowledge of and experience with P3 projects, Arup developed a financial analysis to assess the potential commercial feasibility and costs to the City using proxy P3 facilities. Finally, Arup provided recommendations on the potential procurement structure. Abigail was the Project Manager responsible for leading a multidisciplinary team.

BART Automated Parking System Feasibility Analysis- Dublin Pleasanton Station- P3 Feasibility Study, Dublin and Pleasanton, CA To minimize the footprint of parking and increase its supply at the BART Dublin Pleasanton Station, where for many years the demand has exceeded the supply, Arup developed a financial feasibility analysis of implementing a fully automated parking garage. Abigail was the project manager for the study, which included assessing different technologies and costs, revenue potential, parking fees, and different procurement methods.

Presidio Parkway (Doyle Drive), San Francisco, CA
Arup is the lead technical and financial advisor to the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA) assisting the client with the procurement of a private partner to design, build, finance, operate, and maintain a replacement facility for Doyle Drive. Abigail worked with the travel demand modelers and developed the methodology to assess the benefits related to the avoided negative consequences of having the Presidio Parkway unavailable plus other benefits achieved by enhancements on the new facility. Among the benefits quantified were increases in travel times of travelers crossing the Profession
Economics
Current position
Associate Principal
Joined Arup
2010
Years of experience

18.0 Qualifications
MS, Urban Planning, University
of California Los Angeles
(UCLA), 2005
Bachelors in Economics Centre of
Economic Research (CIDE),
Mexico City, Mexico, 1998
Certificate in Public-Private
Partnerships, Institute for Public-
Private Partnerships, Ongoing
Certificate in Benefit-Cost
Analysis, Center of Project
Evaluation and Special Studies
(CEPEP), Mexico City, Mexico,
2002
Availability
20%
Overall Page 43

viaducts due to rerouting and increases in travel times of non-users of the viaducts affected by additional congestion, caused by rerouting former users of the viaducts.

Los Angeles Convention Center Expansion Delivery Options Analysis Abigail was the project manager for the Los Angeles Convention Center expansion feasibility analysis. The purpose of the study was to assess the viability to fund the expansion using alternative funding sources such as real estate, naming rights, tax increment, and an alternative procurement model such as a public-private – partnership. The analysis included a real estate market assessment of the vicinity of the project, identification of operational improvements to reduce the deficit, and a financial modelling exercise to assess the City’s annual payments of using alternative procurements.

Long Beach Courthouse P3, Lender’s Technical Due Diligence, Long Beach, CA, Project Manager for the lenders’ technical due diligence for the new Long Beach Courthouse to be delivered under a Design-build- finance- maintain- and operate (DBFOM) scheme ($400m Facility).

The work involved revision of the concession, design-builder, and facility manager contracts, preparation of the technical and financial analysis of the courthouse, and management of a diverse team of technical experts to produce the Due Diligence Report. Abigail was key in negotiating the security package on behalf of the Lenders.

San Francisco Climate Action Plan Funding and Financing Strategies, San Francisco, CA Led the identification and assessment of funding and financing mechanism for the short- and medium- term implementation of the City’s CAP. The San Francisco Climate Action Plan (CAP) calls for goals, strategies, and actions across six sectors to reach zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To achieve this, funding sources need to be secured in a timely manner. The study looked at a comprehensive list of funding mechanisms including federal and state grants, user fees, sales taxes, parking fees, property taxes, congestion pricing, and the creation of a carbon tax, among others..

Benefit Cost Analysis of California High Speed Rail, CA The State of California is planning to undertake a multibillion-dollar investment to connect by rail Southern and Northern California. Abigail worked closely with the travel demand modelers to identify and quantify the economic benefits of undertaking the California High Speed Rail. This task involved identifying and assessing benefits to both intercity and urban high-speed train passengers (net of fares paid); reduction of airside delay for air passengers; reduction in aircraft operating costs; reduction of highway delay for both intercity and urban auto trips; and reduction of accident and air pollution costs from intercity and urban auto trips.

Overall Page 44
Alfonso Mendez-Lossada
Alfonso has extensive experience advising clients on
structuring complex financial transactions for infrastructure and project financing, finding innovative solutions and leading collaborative, results-oriented and inter-disciplinary teams.

Alfonso Mendez has over 33 years of experience structuring financial transactions and leads Arup’s Transaction Advice Infrastructure Advisory offering, advising public sector clients on P3 project procurement, financial structuring, Value for Money and strategic P3 policy. He has led and structured a large number of project finance transactions for public and private sector clients (both brownfield and greenfield) with more than 60 projects requiring over $25bn in debt. He has closed numerous transactions including the creation of new assets class in the international financial markets. Alfonso’s extensive experience in project finance and structured finance is focused on infrastructure, P3s, and concessions for public and private sector clients. He specializes in the structuring, marketing, and execution of structured projects and financial transactions with economic, accounting, tax or regulatory emphasis. He leads teams in profitable business units focused in financial advisory and investment banking services. He specializes in deal advisory and financial analysis for public and private infrastructure procurement and development.

Project experience
Biosolids P3 Feasibility Study, San Jose, CA
Arup was engaged by The City of San José (City) to assess the viability of a P3 procurement for a facility that processes biosolids into a commercial product, such as a fertilizer, at the San Jose-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (RWF). Arup’s analytical framework for the study consisted of conducting workshops with City staff to determine the City’s project and procurement objectives, the City’s project technical requirements, and the City’s desired project risk transfer. Subsequently, Arup performed a market sounding through a Request for Information and one-on- one meetings with potential project participants to understand the market’s interest in delivering the project as envisioned by the City. Based on the market findings and Arup’s own knowledge of and experience with P3 projects, Arup developed a financial analysis to assess the potential commercial feasibility and costs to the City using proxy P3 facilities. Finally, Arup provided recommendations on the potential procurement structure.

Alfonso was the Project Director overseeing the quality of deliverables.

Potrero Bus Yard Modernization Project, San Francisco, CA Lead Financial Advisor, advising the City of San Francisco in the evaluation and procurement of the rebuild and expansion of the Potrero Yard project to serve the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Muni fleet as it transitions to battery electric vehicles. This project includes joint development with the inclusion of affordable housing. .Alfonso is currently the leading the Financial workstream, providing financial, commercial, and structuring advice.

Profession
Finance
Current position
Associate Principal
Joined Arup
2016
Years of experience
33 Qualifications
MBA, Finance, Instituto de
Estudios Superiores de
Administracion (IESA), Caracas,
Venezuela
BS, Electronic Engineering
(Hons), Universidad Simon
Bolivar (USB), Caracas,
Venezuela
Availability
10%
Overall Page 45

San Jose Airport Connector, San Jose, CA
Acting as Lead Procurement and Financial Advisor to City of San José Department of Transportation to develop a new approach to transit that can be designed and built faster, at a lower cost, and that offers a better rider experience than traditional transit systems. The first step is a proposed connector between Mineta San José International Airport and Diridon Station in the west end of San José’s Downtown. Arup is now involved in the first predevelopment phase, ultimately working towards a long-term revenue risk DBFOM agreement.

Long Beach Civic Center, Long Beach, CA
Lead Financial Advisor to the City of Long Beach for this social infrastructure P3 project. Arup was responsible for leading the client through the procurement of a private partner to develop, DBFOM a new city hall, main library, city park, and Port headquarters including a mixed-use real estate development that cross subsidized the project.

Los Angeles Convention Center, City of Los Angeles, CA
Lead Financial Advisor, assessed for the alternative P3 procurement for an expansion project for the City’s Convention Center, fostering a development impact on the downtown neighborhood. Arup was hired to evaluate financing and delivery options for a $750m project to modernize and expand the Los Angeles Convention Center. Built in 1971 and expanded in 1993, the Los Angeles Convention Center is one of the City’s largest capital investments and continued return on investment is critical for the city’s economic future. Arup provided financial modeling, financing alternatives assessment, commercial evaluation, economic impact analysis, and real estate analysis services.

Los Angeles Street Civic Building, Los Angeles, CA
Lead Financial Advisor, acting as the lead procurement and financial advisor to the Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering for this social infrastructure P3 project under a DBFOM structure. The project entails a high-rise office building of 753,730 gross square feet with up to 1,173 parking spaces in a subterranean garage with a maximum envelop height of 450 feet. The project will include office and commercial spaces, a museum, and a childcare facility.

Independent Advisor, San Francisco, CA
Investment & Corporate Banking / Strategic Business Planning Consultant performing financial advisory services and investment banking activities primarily for several private sector companies as well as for other financial institutions in Latin America. Advised two Brazilian construction companies in structuring, raising and closing financing for two large infrastructure projects in Peru.

Puerto Rico P3 Guidelines, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Lead Financial Advisor to the Puerto Rico Public-Private Partnerships Authority (PPPA) in the development of a set of guidelines and procedures to complete the current regulatory framework for the procurement of P3s. Arup provided advisory service to the PPPA and helped them draft guidelines of several items that shall optimize efficiency of the P3 procurement, including preliminary development agreements, unsolicited proposals, and preliminary feasibility studies. These policies will enable the Authority to attract significant private investment into Puerto Rico’s infrastructure projects.

P3 Procurement Policy Development, Lima, Peru
Lead Financial Advisor, advised the World Bank and the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Peru in the improvement of the P3 project evaluation processes and the development of a P3 procurement policy for Peru. Arup’s scope included reviewing recent P3 procurement processes and developing policy guidelines (a Green Book), such as project evaluation gateways, standard approach to risk allocation, financial structuring, and procurement guidelines for P3 projects in Peru.

Overall Page 46

E. Qualifications
Wastewater and Stormwater Delivery Study

Qualifications of the Firm and Staff
Watearth has been providing stormwater and wastewater consulting since 2008 to municipal and city government clients who have unique needs with respect to their organizational planning and stakeholders. Namely, unlike certain private sector clients, City government teams, City of Richmond included, are uniquely underfunded and understaffed, resulting in a heightened need for consultants who address project management and the associated communication as the central pillar of project execution. Further, City constituents (residents and businesses) demand a certain level of reliable service and are a distinct stakeholder group. As Watearth has done for dozens of City clients before, we will merge our team and our expertise with Richmond to develop integrated solutions that consider all of the risks associated to either maintaining the status quo service arrangement or selecting an alternative.

As an unaffiliated and independent firm, but experienced with municipal planning and specifically with water, wastewater, and stormwater projects, Watearth is uniquely positioned to help the City of Richmond provide for the wellbeing of constituents (and save City staff project management pains).

Watearth is joined by long-time partners at Arup. Their economists specialize in advising public entities regarding infrastructure programs. Arup is a global multidisciplinary firm of advisors, economists, planners, engineers, and designers offering a broad range of professional services that combine to make a real difference to our clients and their projects. A wholly independent, trust-owned company, Arup holds a reputation in the industry as a leader in sustainable and resilient infrastructure.

Water and Wastewater
The successful design, development, and maintenance of water infrastructure requires the integration of many disciplines. The Watearth team has wide- ranging skills spanning advisory and specialist technical services, including for the sensitive matter of litigation, deposition, and expert witness work, and also on projects that are politically sensitive projects involving water rights, regulatory overreach, and Mayor-appointed task forces. We apply this expertise on every kind of project, from flood risk management and water resource planning to water engineering, treatment, design, wastewater, and river engineering.

Experience delivering infrastructure projects from feasibility through construction and operations enables our team to draw from local, national, and international best practices. We use the best and brightest amongst a global network of experienced practitioners to deliver our projects, and water infrastructure advisory is no exception.

Page 28 of 40 ends

Economic Advisory and Client Advocacy
For clients of all sizes, developing a robust business case and establishing new models of funding and delivery makes the difference between hopeful ambitions and deliverable realities. Having strong supporting evidence and a clear purpose enables projects to maintain consensus and withstand political and economic change. We act as economic planning consultants to many clients worldwide, helping leaders to align deep planning insights to local needs and longer-term social and economic goals.

The Watearth team helps clients understand the economic potential or impact of proposals or policies, developing strategic responses, comprehensive solutions, and area plans across the infrastructure environment. Our economic planning team works in collaboration with client leadership, funders, and community leaders to develop a collective vision backed by practical, investable plans. We support clients to revitalize districts, develop innovation hubs, attract green finance, and protect and revitalize infrastructure.

Don’t let this project create problems for Richmond – any disruption to 20 years of precedent is going to be a challenge. Select the Watearth team, and we will take a long, hard look at the numbers, and tie them back to the costs of running a government that is concerned with planning, feasibility, design, construction, operations and maintenance, and environmental compliance. The Watearth team understands all these discipline areas because we operate in them daily.

Arup’s full suite of advisory services span the entire project lifecycle, from planning to feasibility and business case assessments, to procurement strategy development, procurement process, bid evaluation, financial close and beyond into operations. As a trusted advisor, Arup regularly advises in this capacity. 15 Years of Wastewater and Stormwater Excellence
An extremely abridged history of Watearth’s stormwater and wastewater expertise.

Three references a
re included on subsequent pages, as flagged in the chart. 2008
Houston
Stormwater
Master Plan
2013-2018
Water Board
Studies incl.

Conservation
2014
Killeen City
Council Recs.
2019
Cal Poly
W/WW
Master Plan
(Reference)
2023
CalVet
Watershed
Sanitary
Survey
(Reference)
2023
Water
Board
Review of
Operations
(Reference)
2024
San Rafael
W/WW
Treatment
2024
Santa Rosa
W/WW
Specific
Plan
Analysis

Page 29 of 40 ends

Overall Page 48

E. Qualifications
Wastewater and Stormwater Delivery Study

Projects
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Water Resources Study Enhances Master Plan! Technical Studies for EIR, Water Supply Assessment, Wastewater Feasibility, and Reclaimed Water Facility Impacts Evaluation
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
Watearth conducted comprehensive water supply and wastewater technical studies for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Our team prepared a Water Supply Assessment to support the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), performed detailed water supply and demand analyses, and developed water supply mitigation strategies. We modeled the water distribution system, integrating conservation Best Management Practices (BMPs) and alternative supply sources, and developed dry and wet weather wastewater flows. Additionally, we executed a mass balance study for the wastewater reclamation facility, evaluated the impacts of 2035 development on the city's wastewater collection system, water distribution system, and treatment capacity. Utilizing WaterCAD and SewerCAD modeling, we facilitated extensive stakeholder involvement, including Cal Poly departments, the City, and the public.

Reference: Dennis K. Elliot; Interim Associate
Vice President of Facilities Management and
Development; Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; 1
Grand Ave, Building 70 Room 117, San Luis
Obispo, CA 93407; 805-756-2090;
[email protected]
Contract Amount: $140K.

Dates: June 2018 to September 2019
Proposed staff involved and role: Jennifer J.

Walker PE (responsible for quality and
project management), Alyssa Wilson
(responsible for data inventory and analysis).

Last Five Years: Yes

Page 30 of 40 ends

Large-Scale Grant-Funded Stormwater Treatment Project, Primed by Watearth with Multiple Subconsultants
This Caltrans-funded project diverted
flows from the San Gabriel River
Watershed into a 19.5-acre-foot
underground stormwater capture
facility. Untreated discharges were
sent to the sanitary sewer, with
overflows treated on-site before
release into Sorensen Drain – a
capacity analysis was performed.

Watearth managed subconsultants,
provided planning engineering,
project management, civil design, and environmental documentation. Key activities included PS&E preparation, groundwater and water quality sampling, geotechnical studies, and developing groundwater treatment processes. We ensured compliance with local, state, and federal requirements, securing $15M in Caltrans and Safe Clean Water program grants. Our proactive efforts maintained project momentum and community benefits.

Reference: Louis Romero; Capital Projects Management Associate; Los Angeles County Public Works; 900 S. Fremont Avenue Alhambra, CA 91803; (626) 300-3221; [email protected]
Contract Amount: $4M.

Dates: March 2019 to Ongoing
Proposed staff involved and role: Jennifer J. Walker PE (responsible for quality and project management), Mark Locke PE (specifications and design), Alyssa Wilson (responsible for data inventory and analysis).

Innovative Urban Planning and Treatment Services in Palm Springs Location:

Palm Springs, CA
For the 340 W San Rafael industrial; project, Watearth
provided urban planning and environmental services.

Our team conducted a parking analysis, managed
permitting related to sanitary sewer discharge, and
executed site design and vertical integration. We
provided Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)
and site topographic surveying. Our civil design work
included utility coordination, grading plans from 60% to 100%, and peer review of architectural, structural, and

Page 31 of 40 ends

MEP disciplines. Additionally, we delivered landscape design with a curated plant palette and graphic design services for marketing materials.

Contract Amount: $123K
Dates: December 2020 to Ongoing
Proposed staff involved and role: Jennifer J. Walker PE (treatment process design, site design, permitting), Mark Alan Locke PE (quality review) Last Five Years: Yes
CalVet Watershed Sanitary Survey Yields Positive Results: “It has been painless.” Location: Napa Valley, CA
Watearth performed a watershed sanitary
survey for the Rector Reservoir in Napa
County, updating the previous report with
recent water quality measurements and
field observations. Our client expressed
high satisfaction with our services, and the
reviewing agency approved our work
with no comments.

Reference: Le’Juan Bean; Contract Analyst; CalVet Office of Procurement and Contracts; 1227 O Street, 1st Floor, Sacramento, CA. 95814; 916.651.3044; [email protected]
Contract Amount: $31K.

Dates: January 2023 to July 2023
Proposed staff involved and role: Jennifer J. Walker PE (quality review), Jeremy Liby (project manager and technical writing), Alyssa Wilson (geographic information systems)
Last Five Years: Yes
Infrastructure Plan for Santa Rosa Drives Future Water and Wastewater Growth A C
omprehensive Evaluation and Planning for Water and Wastewater Systems Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Watearth supported the City of Santa Rosa in developing a 1900-acre infrastructure plan. The project included site reconnaissance, technical evaluations of current water and wastewater systems, and development of watershed maps and hydrology calculations. The plan integrated a "One Water" approach, focusing on groundwater recharge, flood mitigation, and Congratulations on such a quick
response from State Water. That is rather
unusual. Thank you for your efforts on this
project. It has been painless on our end.

We appreciate your organization and
due diligence in completing this project.

Don Callison
CalVet

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Overall Page 51

E. Qualifications
Wastewater and Stormwater Delivery Study

© Watearth, Inc. 2024. Do Not Copy.
recreational benefits. Our recommendations are guiding future growth and infrastructure improvements.

Contract Amount: $150K
Dates: June 2024 to Ongoing
Proposed staff involved and role: Jennifer J. Walker PE (quality review), Jeremy Liby (project manager and technical writing), Alyssa Wilson (geographic information systems), Jacob Guise (water/wastewater project engineering)
Last Five Years: Yes

City Water Supply Assessment – The Art of Simplicity
Location: Pleasanton, CA
Watearth developed a Senate Bill 610 Water Supply Assessment (WSA) to support the City of Pleasanton's Housing Element Update in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This assessment was crucial in ensuring the city’s plans met state regulatory requirements.

Contract Amount: $30K
Dates: April 2021 to December 2022
Proposed staff involved and role: Jennifer J. Walker PE (quality review and water supply analysis)
Last Five Years: Yes

Water Board Operational Assessment: From Proposed Project Manager Jeremy Liby!
Watearth provided an in-depth assessment of the Texas Water Development Board’s (TWDB) environmental review process and procedures. Our expertise in federal and state environmental regulations, process mapping, process improvement, and records management helped TWDB enhance its review process through a comprehensive Root Cause analysis.

The team is incredibly impressed with the level of detail and thought put into the report. […] this review has already been the basis for me to initiate the internal review of the environmental process to streamline it and get us on a better, more efficient track. You have been incredibly patient and persistent, and I’m so grateful for the chance to work with you both! Les Davis
Texas Water Development Board

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Overall Page 52

E. Qualifications
Wastewater and Stormwater Delivery Study

Reference: Les Davis; Assistant Deputy Executive Administrator for Water Supply and Infrastructure; Texas Water Development Board; 1700 North Congress Avenue Austin, TX 78701; (512) 936-0829;
[email protected]
Contract Amount: $75K.

Dates: September 2022 to August 2023
Proposed staff involved and role: Jennifer J. Walker PE (quality review), Jeremy Liby (project manager and technical writing), Alyssa Wilson (geographic information systems)
Last Five Years: Yes

Water Board Municipal Water Conservation Planning Tool Refined with Comprehensive Testing
Watearth contributed significantly to the development of the TWDB's Municipal Water Conservation Planning Tool. Our team provided Texas-specific water information, assisted in creating the User Guide, and played a pivotal role in Alpha and Beta Testing. We coordinated with team members and TWDB staff to select Beta Testers, facilitated training, troubleshooting, and one-on-one assistance, and gathered feedback to provide recommendations for future model releases.

Contract Amount: $100K
Dates: August 2018 to November 2018
Proposed staff involved and role: Jennifer J. Walker PE (conservation and demands modeling, and stakeholder collaboration)
Last Five Years: No

Council Guidance on Stormwater Quality Codes for Compliance with Permit Watearth collaborated with a developer's committee to guide the City of Killeen staff and City Council on stormwater quality codes that met federal and state requirements. We developed stormwater criteria for MS4
permit compliance and served as stormwater quality
experts during presentations to the City Council. Our
contributions included providing input on code and policy related to stormwater quality in Killeen.

Contract Amount: $15K
Dates: January 2013 to January 2014

Page 34 of 40 ends

Proposed staff involved and role: J
ennifer J. Walker PE (permitting and City
Council communication)
Last Five Years: No
Projects
Expanded List
Stormwater
W/WW
Client
Advocacy
Operations
Analysis
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Water Resources Master Plan • • • • South Santa Rosa Specific Plan Infrastructure Plan • •
340 W San Rafael Site Industrial Permitting and Treatment • • • • CalVet Watershed Sanitary Survey • • •
City of Pleasanton Water Supply Assessment • •
TWDB Assessment of the Board’s Process and Procedures • • TWDB Municipal Water Conservation Planning Tool • • •
Killeen Stormwater Permit Assistance City Council Recommendations • • • LABOE Zoo Master Plan and Zoo Vision Plan EIR • • • •
LA Metro Water Conservation and Sustainability • • •
City of Oakland Mosswood Park Master Plan • •
Alameda County Zone 12 Drainage Master Plan • •
San Francisco Estuary Institute Bay Area Regional Green Infrastructure Tool and Green Plan-It Master Plan • •
University of Houston Conservation Master Plan • • • •
Springwoods Village 1,200-Acre Master Plan Water Resources Design Guidelines • • • •
City of Kingwood Water and Wastewater Masterplan. • • • Greater Houston Partnership Wastewater Capacity Feasibility Study. • • • Brownsville Public Utilities Board Wastewater Sludge Disposal Feasibility Study. • • •
Los Angeles Sanitation Haynes Park. • • • •
LABOE Venice Auxiliary Wastewater Pumping Plan Hydrology and Hydraulics Analysis.
• • • •
Los Angeles Sanitation Haynes Park. • • • •

Page 35 of 40 ends

F. C
ost Information
This section has been submitted in physical copy to:

City of Richmond, Public Works
Attn: Jeff Barich, PE
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804-1630
Per the RFP, the cost document is not included within this digital proposal.

Is the City of Richmond routinely hiring consultants who really listen? We want you to get the level of service you need, particularly given the sensitivities of this project, which may disrupt two decades of precedent.

Our TRUSTED™ Signature Project Delivery Process guides all of our projects with precision, clarity, and excellence. Here’s how we achieve outstanding results through each phase of our process:

1. Takeoff. We start strong by making sure our technical teams have all the information that was provided by the client during the procurement.

2. Results-Oriented Management. We prioritize timely project initiation. Key Steps: Internal and external project kick-off, quality assurance and control.

3. Understand and Communicate. Transparent communication and accurate progress tracking are the cornerstones.

4. Schedule and Budget Management. We navigate challenges and protect our clients by managing meticulously and addressing changes promptly.

5. Turn In Deliverables. Delivering high- quality, checked deliverables is our priority, coupled with communication as new information comes to light.

6. End Well. We address final comments and conclude projects neatly, expressing gratitude and reflecting on a job well done.

7. Drive Performance. Continuous improvement is our goal. We gather client feedback and prepare lessons learned for future collaborations.

Is this just marketing jargon?
No. Our TRUSTED™ Signature Project Delivery Process is the nexus of our internal project management efforts. It helps us achieve the following for Richmond:

1. Relief for Overworked City Staff: By providing a structured and efficient process, we help Richmond employees manage their workload more effectively, reducing stress and enhancing organization.

2. Commitment to Community Services: Our process underscores Richmond’s dedication to vital infrastructure projects, ensuring these essential services are delivered efficiently and effectively.

3. Navigation of Regulatory Compliance Challenges: We understand the urgency of meeting regulations. Our streamlined processes mean projects are completed on time, helping clients stay compliant.

4. Communication Between Consultant and City: Our process emphasizes clear and consistent communication, integrating seamlessly with client teams to prevent delays.

Page 36 of 40 ends

H. Contractor Assignment of
Subcontract
Watearth has selected Arup to perform the economics analysis portion of the scope for this project. Our selection process and quality control measures are designed to integrate our subconsultant with our internal team.

Selection Process for Subcontractor:

1. Long-Standing Partnership: We have a well-established teaming relationship with Arup, characterized by successful past collaborations.

2. Regular Communication: To maintain alignment and understanding of Arup's expertise, we engage in regular business development and proposal-specific calls. These interactions help us stay updated on their qualifications and mean they share our acute understanding of project requirements.

3. Qualification Review: Prior to final selection, Arup was required to submit their qualifications for a thorough review. This process included evaluating their technical expertise, experience in similar projects, and overall ability to meet the project’s demands.

Quality Control Measures:

1. Integrated Project Management: We will employ integrated project management practices to ensure Arup’s work aligns with our standards and the City of Richmond’s requirements. This includes regular coordination meetings and progress reviews.

2. Performance Monitoring: Continuous performance monitoring will be conducted to ensure Arup meets contractual obligations.

3. Compliance Assurance: Our quality control measures are designed to ensure that Arup complies with all provisions of our contract with the City of Richmond. This includes adherence to project schedules, budget constraints, and regulatory requirements.

4. Risk Management: We will proactively identify and mitigate any risks associated with the subcontracting arrangement. This includes establishing clear communication channels, defining roles and responsibilities, and implementing contingency plans as needed.

Page 37 of 40 ends

Overall Page 57
I. Previous Contracts with City
Wastewater and Stormwater Delivery Study
© Watearth, Inc. 2024. Do Not Copy.

July 31, 2024
City of Richmond, Public Works
Attn: Jeff Barich, PE
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804-1630
Subject: City of Richmond Feasibility Study on the Options to Deliver Wastewater and Stormwater Services in the City of Richmond – Previous Contracts with City
Dear Engineer Barich,
Watearth Inc. is has not been party to a contract with the City of Richmond in the last three years as either prime consultant or subconsultant. Further, we have no existing relationships with the parties mentioned in the RFP that would influence our recommendations to the City. We propose that our unbiased approach will favor exclusively the results that are most favorable to the City and its constituency.

Sincerely,
Jennifer J. Walker PE, D.WRE, ENV SP, CFM, QSD
, President, Watearth

Page 38 of 40 ends

Watearth understands that failure to make exceptions to the RFP or Standard Services Agreement within this proposal will be deemed a waiver of any objection, and that any exceptions would be considered during the proposal evaluation process.

S
incerely,
Jennifer J. Walker PE, D.WRE, ENV SP, CFM, QSD,
President, Watearth

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Overall Page 59
K. Statement of Impartiality
Wastewater and Stormwater Delivery Study
© Watearth, Inc. 2024. Do Not Copy.

July 31, 2024
City of Richmond, Public Works
Attn: Jeff Barich, PE
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804-1630
Subject: City of Richmond Feasibility Study on the Options to Deliver Wastewater and Stormwater Services in the City of Richmond – Statement of Impartiality and Disclosure
Dear Engineer Barich,
Watearth acknowledges that the nature of this Project requires an impartial unbiased approach on the part of our team. Watearth declares that we and subconsultants (Arup) are not currently, and will not, during the performance of these services, participate in any other similar work involving a third-party with interests currently in conflict or likely to be in conflict with City of Richmond’s interests. Additionally, Watearth is not subject to pending or active investigations or litigation that would affect our reputation or ability to carry out the Project.

Sincerely,
Jennifer J. Walker PE, D.WRE, ENV SP, CFM, QSD
, President, Watearth

Page 40 of 40 ends

Richmond City CouncilDecember 3, 2024

Richmond City Council
December 3, 2024