City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL SUBJECT: SECOND AMENDMENT TO SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR BIOSOLIDS HAULING AND DISPOSAL/REUSE SERVICES FOR THE RIVERSIDE REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANT WITH SYNAGRO-WWT, INC., OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, EXTENDING THE TERM THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027, IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,323,810 FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT COMPENSATION AMOUNT OF $18,134,204 ISSUE:
Approve the Second Amendment to the Services Agreement for biosolids hauling and disposal/reuse services for the Riverside Regional Water Quality Control Plant with Synagro-WWT, Inc., of Baltimore, Maryland, extending the term through June 30, 2027, in the amount of $8,323,810 for a total contract compensation amount of $18,134,204.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Approve the Second Amendment to the Services Agreement with Synagro-WWT, Inc., of Baltimore, Maryland, extending the term through June 30, 2027, in the amount of $8,323,810 for a total contract compensation amount of $18,134,204; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Second Amendment to the Services Agreement, including making minor and non-substantive changes.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Riverside Public Works Department, Wastewater Division, is responsible for the collection, conveyance, and treatment of wastewater for over 93,000 customers within City limits. The facilities consist of over 800 miles of gravity sewers, 400 miles of City laterals, 20 wastewater lift stations, 16,000 sewer manholes, and the Riverside Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) which has the capacity to treat 46 million gallons per day. Additionally, under agreements with the City, the RWQCP provides wastewater treatment for the Edgemont, Jurupa, and Rubidoux Community Services Districts and the unincorporated community of Highgrove.
Through the wastewater treatment process, the RWQCP removes organic matter from the waste stream to meet water quality requirements prior to discharge to the Santa Ana River or reuse as recycled water. These biosolids (the removed organic matter) are hauled under contract to composting facilities in California and Arizona for reuse as a soil amendment. Before leaving the RWQCP, the biosolids are treated to comply with United States Environmental Protection Agency biosolids regulations. Each year approximately 45,000 tons of biosolids, requiring an estimated 1,800 truck trips for disposal, are produced by the RWQCP.
DISCUSSION:
On August 8, 2022, Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 2223 was issued seeking a qualified firm to provide long-term biosolids hauling and disposal/reuse services for the Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP). A total of five proposals were received with one proposal being deemed non-responsive. The four responsive proposals were evaluated based on the criteria outlined in the RFP. Following a thorough review of each vendor’s qualifications, experience, and proposed cost of services, Synagro-WWT, Inc. of Baltimore, Maryland, was selected as the most qualified to perform the scope of work.
On February 14, 2023, as per staff recommendation, City Council approved a six-month contract agreement with Synagro-WWT,Inc. to allow alignment of hauling services and the potential for future extensions.
Subsequently, on June 20, 2023, the City Council approved a two-year contract extension through June 30, 2025, with the option to extend the agreement for one (1) additional two-year term, for a total possible term of four (4) years.
Staff recommends approval of a Second Amendment to the agreement with Synagro-WWT, Inc., extending the contract agreement for an additional two years through June 30, 2027. The extension is necessary to ensure we maintain uninterrupted biosolids hauling and disposal services. Synagro has consistently met the performance standards and has demonstrated reliability in managing a critical operational need at the RWQCP. Approval of this amendment will ensure continued compliance with regulatory requirements and avoid service disruptions.
The total estimated cost for the proposed two-year extension is $8,323,810, which includes a 3% annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustment. Of this total, $4,060,395 will be allocated for FY 2025/26, and $4,263,415 will be allocated for FY 2026/27. These amounts will be encumbered through the City’s annual budget process, and corresponding purchase orders will be issued for each fiscal year.
Purchasing Resolution 24101 Section 1104 “Change Orders” States that “Modifications to a Purchase Order shall be made only by Change Order. Subject to the availability of funds, Change Orders may be utilized for purposes of…(2) modify unit prices, [or]…(5) modifying contract completion time or the term of a Contract, or (6) any other change approved by the Manager. Unless otherwise specifically authorized by the Awarding Entity, Change Orders which cumulatively exceed the following will require Awarding Entity approval: c) 10% of the original contract price for Contracts and/or Purchase Orders previously approved by the Awarding Entity and the total Change Order amount will not exceed $150,000.” The Purchasing Manager concurs that the recommended action to approve the change order complies with Purchasing Resolution 24101, Section 1104.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this action is $8,323,810. Sufficient funds in the amount of $4,060,395 are available in the Sewer Fund, Sewer Systems Treatment, Refuse/Disposal Fees account 4125200-422700. Appropriations for future fiscal years will be included in the Department’s Budget submissions for those fiscal years to be presented to the City Council for approval.
Prepared by: Victoria Villegas, Administrative Analyst
Approved by: Gilbert Hernandez, Public Works Director
Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer/ City Treasurer Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Rebecca McKee-Reimbold, Interim City Attorney Attachments:
Second Amendment Agreement
Presentation
Second Amendment - Biosolids Hauling Disposal/Reuse Services with Synagro-WWT, Inc. ● Page 2