Eve
rything flows in the right direction.
Proposal for
On-Call Professional Services
Attention: Chiara Hanna
City of San Pablo
1000 Gateway Avenue
San Pablo, CA 94806
Conta
ct Watearth Principal
Jennifer J. Walker PE, DWRE, ENV SP, CFM, QSD
1151 Harbor Bay Parkway Suite 208H,
Alameda, CA 94502
510.529.5552
[email protected]
1 Table of Contents
San Pablo Professional Services
We understand civil and environmental solutions; we’ll make decisions easy for San Pablo. © Watearth, Inc. 2023. Do Not Copy.
02 03
05 08
12 16
26 28
30 Table of Contents
Table of Contents
1. Letter of Interest / Cover Letter
Page limit applies: 1 page
2. Firm Statement of Qualifications
Page limit applies: 2 pages
3. Staff Statement of Qualifications
Page limit applies: 3 pages
4. References
Page limit applies, 1 per discipline, 3 total limit: 3 pages
5. Project Approach
Page limit applies, 5 per discipline, 15 total limit: 9 pages
6. Approach to Schedule of Work (Representative/Example Schedule) Page limit applies: 1 page
7. Rate Schedule
Page limit applies: 1 page
Appendix: Resume
Page Limits
As per the RFP, this proposal has a base page limit of 10 pages, plus an additional 5 pages per additional category of submission, for a total of 20 pages.
Watearth has used 20 of the 20 page limit.
Our proposal adheres to all limits (20 pages for the full document, and individual section pages limits as detailed above).
Cover, Table of Contents, and Section Dividers have not been counted in the page limits, as per the RFP.
The appendix resume has not been counted in the page limit as per Addendum #2. 2 We understand civil and environmental solutions; we’ll make decisions easy for San Pablo. © Watearth, Inc. 2023. Do Not Copy.
Item 1:
Letter of Interest / Cover Letter
3 Letter of Interest/Cover Letter
San Pablo Professional Services
We understand civil and environmental solutions; we’ll make decisions easy for San Pablo. © Watearth, Inc. 2023. Do Not Copy.
March 29, 2023
Chiara Hanna
City of San Pablo Department of Public Works Engineering Division 1000 Gateway Avenue
San Pablo, CA 94806
Subject: Proposal for On-Call Professional Services
Dear Mx. Hanna,
Watearth, Inc. is pleased to submit this proposal in response to the aforementioned solicitation.
We are located at 1151 Harbor Bay Parkway Suite 208H, Alameda, CA 94502. I, Jennifer J.
Walker, the president of Watearth (510.529.5552, [email protected]) will serve as the contact person authorized to negotiate for the proposal team. The sample Professional Services Agreement is acceptable as-is. Watearth’s proposal focuses on the following categories:
#1 Civil, #3 Civil Plan Review, and #4 Environmental.
If selected, Watearth will develop engineering construction documents, including necessary utility coordination. We provide both engineering and environmental in house, and thus will be able to provide a single resource for addressing project needs from start to finish, whether the task is CEQA documentation, site remediation, land development and construction permitting, or PS&E. We are interested in helping the City to navigate decisions about how best to complete design and permitting projects, and our spirit of owner advocacy and our familiarity with multibenefit design solutions makes us uniquely easy to work with.
Watearth is the go-to small business DBE partner for large engineering firms in the Bay Area, and for several notable clients, like the San Francisco Estuary Institute, and like Los Angeles County, who has recently selected Watearth for five multi-year contracts that focus on a wide variety of design, project management, and environmental disciplines. We are currently in high demand as and have elected to pursue only this single San Pablo proposal in Mid-March of 2023. We selected this pursuit instead of other RFPs in the region because we believe strongly that it will result in the greatest contribution to the region’s infrastructure and environmental health.
Our proposed team includes only in-house Watearth staff members, but Watearth has strong relationships with many teaming partners, including both the largest and the most specialized in our industry; these resources can be brought to bear for the City as needed. Watearth’s team will be led by myself, Principal Engineer/Environmental Scientist Jennifer J. Walker PE with support from Senior Engineers Jeff Brizendine PE, Mark A. Locke PE, and Sinem Gokgoz Kilic PhD, plus Project Engineer Carlos Quispe MS and Jeremiah H. Sunwoo EIT, Senior Designer Brian Meade, and Environmental Scientists and Planners Jeremy Liby and Alyssa R. Wilson. Qualifications are detailed within this proposal.
Please contact me directly with any questions. I look forward to working with you.
Watearth acknowledges Addendum 1 (3/3), Addendum 2 (3/16), and Addendum 3 (3/22).
Sincerely,
Jennifer J. Walker PE, D.WRE, ENV SP, CFM, QSD
President, Watearth, 510-529-5552
4 We understand civil and environmental solutions; we’ll make decisions easy for San Pablo. © Watearth, Inc. 2023. Do Not Copy.
Item 2:
Firm Statement of Qualifications
5 Firm and Staff Qualifications
San Pablo Professional Services
We understand civil and environmental solutions; we’ll make decisions easy for San Pablo. © Watearth, Inc. 2023. Do Not Copy.
Firm Statement of Qualifications
Founded in 2008 by Principal Engineer Jennifer J. Walker, PE, DWRE, ENV SP, CFM, QSD, Watearth is an engineering and
environmental firm with green infrastructure planning and infrastructure underpinnings. The Watearth team of award-winning in-house personnel and subconsultants provide a broad array of quality water resources and civil engineering services, including those identified in the RFP.
Watearth maintains an office in Alameda, is an SBE in Contra Costa County, and is DBE-certified.
Watearth is adept at working on projects ranging in scale from site-specific to watershed to regional. We bring broad and advanced expertise in both green and gray infrastructure and will leverage our program management successes on previous projects for cities of similar size to meet San Pablo’s goals.
Reasons to Select Watearth
1. We work on both engineering and environmental infrastructure and are adept at projects that straddle the line between the two. This means we will provide design solutions that balance regulatory and environmental impacts and design alternatives. Our team works together on each other’s projects daily – this means routine familiarity with the diverse disciplines required to comprehensively address project needs in California.
2. Other medium-sized cities and public agencies like Oakland, Citrus Heights, Buena Park, Fontana, South San Francisco, and Nuview (among others) have selected Watearth when expertise in pavement, utilities, stormwater, or environmental management was key.
3. Watearth’s assigned Project Manager carries the Diplomate, Water Resources Engineer certification, and was one of the first ever to carry it. This denotes the highest degree of water resources civil engineering expertise in the industry. Two staff carry the Envision certificate.
4. We work on challenging and nuanced permitting. We have recent California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) Lake and Streambed Alternation (LSA) permitting experience, which has included detailed construction and post-construction fish passage protocol development. Watearth also pioneered permitting for a new water- based cremation process, with the first permits in the County and some of the first in CA.
5. Watearth’s Senior Engineer Mark Locke is a retired Director at USACE and brings the owner’s perspective, with a significant focus on Operations & Maintenance and cost estimating to keep long-term/life-cycle costs on projects lower.
6. Large clients like San Francisco Estuary Institute, Alameda County, samTrans, and Los Angeles County, and City of Austin (among many others) have also been repeat clients when a fusion of permitting, modeling, and design was needed.
7. Watearth provides most services listed, including survey, in-house, but has strong relationships with other firms in our industry to supplement as needed.
You’re very technically savvy.
Jim Biery likes working with
you. I like working with you.
Francisco Gutierrez
City of Buena Park
Thank you for consistently
following up.
Dirk Medema PE, CFM
City of Citrus Heights
6 Firm and Staff Qualifications
San Pablo Professional Services
We understand civil and environmental solutions; we’ll make decisions easy for San Pablo. © Watearth, Inc. 2023. Do Not Copy.
Projects History
Due to page constraints, more detailed projects with client contact information is included in section 4 of this proposal: “References”. Due to page constraints, key personnel are not listed on each project, but key personnel project experience can be found on the following page.
Project Name
Year
Civil Eng.
Design
Road/Trl.
Pvmnt.
Utilities
Land
Dev/Plan
Checks
Permitting
CEQA
Other
Env.
Adventure Park Civil Design and Environmental 2022 • • • • • • • Cottage Grove LID Green Street Pilot Project 2016 • • • • Broadway and Manchester Green Streets 2023 • • •
Sorensen Park Civil/Environmental Feasibility Study 2023 • • • • • • Jones Park Concept Civil Stormwater Low Impact Development Design 2021 • • • • Harbor Park Civil/Environmental Feasibility Study 2023 • • • • • • City of Downey Space Shuttle Exhibit CEQA Technical Studies 2022 • • • City of Oakland Mosswood Park Community Center CEQA Reporting 2021 • • • • Utility Company Manufactured Gas Plant Site Remediation, HazMat 2019 • • • San Rafael Site Design and Environmental Services 2022 • • • • • • • Port of Oakland International Green Infrastructure Stormwater Treatment 2022 • • • • • • City of Oakland Fire Station No 1 LID Design 2014 • • • City of Buena Park Roadway Redesign to Solve Flooding 2017 • • • • • Alameda County Zone 12 Drainage Master Plan 2021 • • •
Riverside LID Demonstration and Educational Walking Trail 2014 • • • Norwalk - La Mirada CEQA Initial Study 2021 • • •
Fontana Pavement Design and Construction 2018 • • • • • Citrus Heights Sylvan Community Center Pavement Demonstration 2013 • • • City of Citrus Heights Youth Community Center Pavement Demonstration 2013 • • • Caltrans ALA61 Roadway Project 2023 • • •
samTrans Parking Lot and Building Sinking Investigation 2023 • • • City of Citrus Heights Parking Pavement Demonstration 2015 • • • Venice Auxiliary Pumping Plant EIR and Utility Coordination 2016 • • • San Francisco Estuary Institute Bay Area Regional LID Tool 2017 • • • • LA Zoo Master Plan and Zoo Vision Plan EIR CEQA Technical Studies 2020 • • • Utility Company Manufactured Gas Plant ESCP, 3 Sites 2019 • • • • • Opterra Energy Services Irrigation Design and SWPPP, Plomosa Park 2017 • • • MRCA Confluence Park Phase 2 LID and Bikeway Tie In 2019 • • • • • Newcomb Roadway Green Infrastructure 2015 • • • • • •
Utility Company Manufactured Gas Plant Stormwater Management 2018 • • • • • Stonestown Galleria Green Infrastructure Civil Design Feasibility Study 2015 • • • • • MacArthur Boulevard Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) 2012 • • • • Nuview Union School District 100% Stormwater Infiltration Pavement 2014 • • • • • • Citywide Sidewalk Repair Program CEQA EIR Technical Studies 2017 • • • • …and many more!
7 We understand civil and environmental solutions; we’ll make decisions easy for San Pablo. © Watearth, Inc. 2023. Do Not Copy.
Item 3:
Staff Statement of Qualifications
8 Firm and Staff Qualifications
San Pablo Professional Services
We understand civil and environmental solutions; we’ll make decisions easy for San Pablo. © Watearth, Inc. 2023. Do Not Copy.
Staff Statement of Qualifications
Contract & Project Manager/Main Coordinator
Watearth's President and Principal Engineer, Jennifer J. Walker PE, DWRE, ENV SP, CFM, QSD, is the designated Contract and Project Manager and main coordinator for this contract with City of San Pablo. Walker will be responsible for delivering services for all projects assigned by the City, including monitoring of timelines, review and evaluation of work products for quality, and assistance or guidance for project meetings. Dedicated Task Order Managers will be selected based on availability and expertise.
Walker has more than 30 years of experience providing professional design services, is familiar with design standards and parameters when performing project design services for public projects and has experience with preparation of plans, reports, and plan checks for highway/bridge, pavement, traffic, water resources, and waterworks design services.
Additionally, Walker is a certified Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) and an accredited environmental scientist and has built Watearth with the goal of joining engineering and environmental science in the state of California, where that marriage of expertise is most necessary. Walker’s decades in the field have included land development planning, floodplain and floodway mapping, FEMA submittals, and environmental documentation including CEQA, regulatory permitting, and hazardous materials sampling and remediation.
Walker has practiced in California and the Bay Area for 15 years as president of Watearth.
Walker has a BS in Civil Engineering with a concentration in environmental solutions to water resources and a Master's in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in Water Resources. In addition, Walker is a Certified Floodplain Manager and one of the first Diplomate, Water Resources Engineers certificate holders; accreditations are evidence of Walker's history of setting the standard for planning and designing resilient infrastructure.
Key Personnel
Staff Member
Years of
Experience
Availability
Licenses
Highest
Degree
Engineer or
Designer
Environ.
Planner or
Scientist
Jennifer J. Walker PE, DWRE, ENV SP, CFM, QSD
Principal and Project Manager
• City of Buena Park Roadway Design for Flooding
• Fontana Pavement Civil Design
• City of Citrus Heights Permeable Pavement
• LA Metro Permeable Pavement
• Nuview P avement Design
• City of Oakland F ire Station No 1 Civil Design
• Oakland Mosswood Park CEQA
• LA Sidewalks Programmatic CEQA EIR
• SFEI Bay Area Green Infrastructure Planning Tool Development • Alameda County Drainage Master Plan
• Antelope Valley Line CEQA EIR Technical Studies
30+ 85% PE MS YES YES
Jeremiah Sunwoo MS, EIT
Deputy Project Manager, Water Resources Engineer
Sunwoo is an engineer and environmental scientist with a passion for water-related issues in the modern world. Sunwoo excels at data management on projects requiring regulatory compliance. Previous work experience includes civil design, land development, and environmental compliance. Sunwoo has experience with CA state codes. 9 Firm and Staff Qualifications
San Pablo Professional Services
We understand civil and environmental solutions; we’ll make decisions easy for San Pablo. © Watearth, Inc. 2023. Do Not Copy.
Staff Member
Years of
Experience
Availability
Licenses
Highest
Degree
Engineer or
Designer
Environ.
Planner or
Scientist
• Adventure Park Civil Design and Environmental
• Broadway and Manchester Green Street Design
• Caltrans ALA61 - Davis St. and Encinal Ave.
• Utility Client LEED Certification for Building
• Cogswell Dam Emergency Biological Monitoring
~10 95% EIT MS YES YES
Jeff Brizendine PE, CFM, PMP, ENV SP, Associate DBIA
Senior Civil Engineer
With Professional Engineer licenses in five states and a Project Management Professional’s certificate, Brizendine’s credentials are undeniably suited to engineering and construction leadership. Brizendine leverages strong experience leading large, complex, and high-profile projects in the civil and utility space and is adept at providing QA/QC for simultaneous projects of varying complexity.
• San Rafael Site Design and Environmental
• Norwalk La Mirada CEQA Initial Study
• 30-inch Water Main Utility Design
• 2nd Street Bridge over Marine Stadium Rehab
• Lavinia Lane Stream Stabilization
30+ 85% PE BS YES
Mark Alan Locke PE
Senior Civil 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 Dam Safety Program Manager, a Deputy Director and Chief, and a Director at the Southwestern Division. • Utility Client Phase 1 ESA for Redevelopment
• USACE Channel Improvements Value Engineering
• Zoo Vision Plan CEQA Technical Studies
• USACE Covered Horse Paddock Civil Design-Build
• Caltrans ALA61 - Davis St. and Encinal Ave.
40+ 90% PE BS YES
Brian Meade
Senior Designer and Senior Surveyor
Meade is a seasoned designer who supports all Watearth mapping projects. Meade has experience spanning the disciplines of survey and engineering design. As a survey technician and manager, Meade developed an acute understanding of the art of topographic survey and has built this wisdom into work output as a civil engineering designer. Meade’s ability to coordinate a team and pull together nuanced, detailed CAD drawings is essential to Watearth’s core values of streamlined processes and quality deliverables.
• Adventure Park Civil Design and Environmental
• Bethlehem New Municipal Utility System Design
• Crawford New Highway Garage Civil Design
• Downey Space Shuttle Exhibit CEQA Studies
• Utility Client LEED Certification for Building
30+ 95% AS YE S
Sinem G. Kilic PhD
Senior Modeling Engineer
Dr. Kilic has a strong understanding of the application of mathematical and scientific principles in computational models and can quickly learn new models and apply them to a project. Dr. Kilic worked 13 years as a modeler for the Reservoir Management Department, one of the biggest Utility Companies in the United States (Southern Company). • Sidewalk Plan for Gulfton and Kashmere Gardens
• samTrans Building Hydrological/Flood Analysis
• Harris Reservoir Expansion Advanced H&H
• Caltrans Stormwater Program Efficacy Review
• Norwalk La Mirada CEQA Initial Study
~30 95% PhD YES
10 Firm and Staff Qualifications
San Pablo Professional Services
We understand civil and environmental solutions; we’ll make decisions easy for San Pablo. © Watearth, Inc. 2023. Do Not Copy.
Staff Member
Years of
Experience
Availability
Licenses
Highest
Degree
Engineer or
Designer
Environ.
Planner or
Scientist
Carlos Quispe MS
Design Engineer
Quispe is a talented Hydraulic Engineer and has experience in hydrology, hydraulics, GIS, data collection and analysis, and QA/QC. Quispe has been a member of the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) since 2016. Quispe has developed, maintained, and updated GIS systems and used them to develop hydraulic and hydrologic analysis modeling and has field experience, including gathering data from GPS and other survey devices. In addition, Quispe updated GIS pipeline network data by importing from hydraulic models and updating databases to ensure maps are up to date in reports. • LA Metro Rail Line Expansion CEQA Studies
• Analyses of Foothill-Sunset-Ophir Water Utilities
• Los Angeles Standards/Guidelines Plan Checks
• Sacramento Analysis of New Transmission Main
• samTrans Building Hydrological/Flood Analysis
~20 95% MS YES
Farhana Akhter MS
Civil Engineer
Akhter is a talented water resources engineer with experience in analytical and experimental research in water resources planning, urban stormwater runoff management, hydrologic monitoring, and Low Impact Development (LID). Akhter supports Watearth projects by interpreting complex field data and translating it into clear and descriptive exhibits that follow Watearth’s documentation process and core values of producing quality deliverables with reliable service to our clients, using tools such as ArcGIS and AutoCAD.
• Adventure Park Civil Design and Environmental
• Port of Oakland International Green Infrastructure Stormwater Treatment • Broadway and Manchester Green Street Design
• Jones Park Concept Civil Stormwater Low Impact Development Design • Pleasanton Technical Study on Water Supply for CEQA EIR ~12 95% EIT MS YES
Jeremy Liby
Senior Environmental Scientist/GIS
Liby is a talented environmental scientist and GIS specialist with experience in data collection and analysis, GIS, and producing technical graphics using a variety of tools such as ArcGIS and CAD. In the field, Liby’s experiences include conducting hazardous materials investigations, soil sampling, wetland delineations, and field crew/subcontractor project management.
• Adventure Park Civil Design and Environmental
• Parkway Subdivision Environmental Services (Wetlands, Biology) • City of Redlands Country Club Drainage Study incl. Roadways • Broadway and Manchester Green Street Design
• Shield Park Environmental Site Assessment for Hazardous Materials ~10+ 95% BS YES
Alyssa R. Wilson
Environmental Planner/GIS
Wilson is a talented Environmental Planner with experience in GIS, ecology, 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, interpreting field data for reporting purposes, and conducting site inspections for future development.
• San Rafael Site Design and Environmental Services
• Port of Oakland International Airport Green Infrastructure Stormwater • USACE Covered Horse Paddock Civil Design-Build
• Caltrans ALA61 - Davis St. and Encinal Ave.
• Utility Client Manufactured Gas Plant ESCP, Site #3
~5 95% BS YES
11 We understand civil and environmental solutions; we’ll make decisions easy for San Pablo. © Watearth, Inc. 2023. Do Not Copy.
Item 4:
References
12 References
San Pablo Professional Services
We understand civil and environmental solutions; we’ll make decisions easy for San Pablo. © Watearth, Inc. 2023. Do Not Copy.
Discipline 1: Civil
San Rafael Site Design and Environmental Services
Palm Springs, CA
Reference Belinda Montenegro; Ashes to Ashes Corporation; 323.644.3323 Type of Project/Work Watearth provided civil design including utility coordination and grading plan, from 60% to 100%. Provided value engineering, parking analysis, permitting related to discharge and air quality, site design, and Phase I ESA. Watearth worked to permit pioneering technology with regulatory agencies. Provided construction management and inspection.
Client Type Private Client, Commercial Cremation
Size and Scale One commercial lot
Current Status Watearth kept the overall project team on track by serving as owner's representative through the process. Construction phase issues were anticipated and avoided through thorough design and consideration of multiple impacts prior to construction.
Port of Oakland International Airport GI Assessment
Oakland, CA
Reference Brendan Carroll; RS&H; 360‑820‑1076
Type of Project/Work "This Port of Oakland project focused on determination of optimal green infrastructure siting to assist the Port with meeting its MS4 permit requirements. Watearth performed a quantitative planning-level evaluation of common green infrastructure stormwater capture methods (SCMs) at three sites and developed a qualitative method to extrapolate results of the initial analysis to 66 additional sites to determine their stormwater treatment capabilities.
Client Type Bay Area Port Agency, Prime consultant was RS&H Size and Scale Airport
Current Status Recommendations were provided to client on budget and on schedule.
Nuview Union School District Porous Pavement
Nuevo, CA
Reference Steve Ramirez; ENGIE Energy (formerly Opterra); 415-735-9125 Type of Project/Work This project included redevelopment of an existing school site to solve structural flooding and included solar parking structures and 100% infiltration/evaporation of stormwater from the porous asphalt parking lot.
Client Type School District (serving approx. ~7K); Prime consultant was ENGIE Energy Size and Scale School parking lot.
Current Status Per
formed value engineering and redesigned elements of project to adhere to client’s available budget once bids were received. 13 References
San Pablo Professional Services
We understand civil and environmental solutions; we’ll make decisions easy for San Pablo. © Watearth, Inc. 2023. Do Not Copy.
Discipline 2: Civil Plan Review
City of Oakland Fire Station No 1 Plan Review
Los Angeles, CA
Reference Kristin Hathaway; City of Oakland; 510.238.7571 Type of Project/Work Provided plan check review for landscape and civil designs. Developed O&M Plan for LID facilities at redeveloped Fire Station. Included maintenance requirements, checklists, and monthly tasks for Stormwater Planters and Porous Pavement.
Client Type City (pop. ~450K)
Size and Scale Public facility parking lot.
Current Status Project complete and constructed.
California American Water LA Standards and
Guidelines Plan Check Services
Los Angeles, CA
Reference Andrew Yoshimura; Pride Resource Partners; 858-430-6630 Type of Project/Work Provided plan check QA/QC review on an as- needed/requested basis.
Client Type Utility Water Provider, Prime consultant was Pride Resource Partners.
Size and Scale Accelerated schedule plan review.
Current Status Plan review completed to the satisfaction of the prime consultant, who commented that “Watearth is the only firm that we have worked with that holds themselves to the same standards we do.”
City of Citrus Heights LID Demonstration Projects
Citrus Heights, CA
Reference Regina Cave, Citrus Heights, (916) 727-4736
Type of Project/Work Performed LID/porous pavement modeling in SWMM. Prepared O&M Plan. Developed details/specs & interpretative signage. Performed peer review of civil design. Included low-water/native vegetation. Provided grant assistance. Performed peer review of landscape and irrigation design and input on specifications. Performed hydrologic and hydraulic (Innovyze XPSWMM) analysis of projects from Master Plan. Optimized storm drain sizing for cost-effective drainage solutions.
Client Type City (pop. ~87K)
Size and Scale Three project sites.
Current Status Wat
earth has provided ongoing training and support in the years since original modeling and recommendations were completed.
You have a great team and
are running great operations.
Andrew Yoshimura
Pride Resource Partners
14 References
San Pablo Professional Services
We understand civil and environmental solutions; we’ll make decisions easy for San Pablo. © Watearth, Inc. 2023. Do Not Copy.
Discipline 3: Environmental
Adventure Park Complex Permitting
Los Angeles, CA
Reference Louis Romero; Los Angeles County Public Works; (626) 300-3221 Type of Project/Work This regional stormwater quality project included an underground stormwater capture facility. Watearth managed the project and performed civil site and hardscape/pavement design and permitting.
Permits included CA DFW, USACE Section 401 and Section 404, RWQCB, LACSD, and EPIC LA LACFD and Regional Planning Diversion. Included structural plan checks of underground infrastructure and controls building.
Client Type County (pop. ~10M)
Size and Scale Watershed study and site improvements.
Current Status Project design completed and construction underway.
Manufactured Gas Plant Site Remediation
Vallejo, CA
Reference Matt Derby; Terra Pacific Group; 925-951-6000 x324 Type of Project/Work Performed stormwater management on 24-acre site involving Remedial Action Plan and NEPA/CEQA Initial Study (IS) and includes risk level evaluation and BMPs and Phasing evaluations adjacent to Caltrans ROW.
This remediation project focused on soil and groundwater remediation and monitoring, as well as air quality monitoring and construction within a tented system. This included materials management and hazardous materials management and accounting.
Client Type Utility Client (Confidential), Prime consultant was Terra Pacific Group Size and Scale 24-acres
Current Status Remediation design completed on schedule and on budget.
City of Oakland Mosswood Park CEQA
Oakland, CA
Reference Karen Emery-Tonkovich; Fugro USA Land, Inc; (925) 212-9441
Type of Project/Work Mosswood Park is a 12-acre green oasis within Oakland’s urban landscape. Watearth produced a CEQA Initial Study (IS) Negative Declaration (ND). This study consisted of reporting CEQA threshold parameters, including Hazardous Materials; Land Use; and more.
Client Type City (pop. ~450K), Prime consultant was Fugro USA Land Size and Scale City Park
Current Status The Mosswood Park Master Plan was evaluated under the CEQA Initial Study (IS) and a Negative Declaration (ND) was determined.
This is the fastest I’ve seen things
distributed. It went very well,
and this was a good week.
Louis Romero
Los Angeles County DPW
Your promptness to address the
City requests/questions has been
greatly appreciated.
Karen A. Emery-Tonkovich, P.G.
Fugro
15 We understand civil and environmental solutions; we’ll make decisions easy for San Pablo. © Watearth, Inc. 2023. Do Not Copy.
Item 5:
Project Approach
16 Project Approach
San Pablo Professional Services
We understand civil and environmental solutions; we’ll make decisions easy for San Pablo. © Watearth, Inc. 2023. Do Not Copy.
Responding Quickly and Long-Term
Watearth is adept at managing task orders on on-call contracts, whether there is demand for emergency responsiveness for environmental monitoring (as was the case on our Cogswell Dam Emergency Cleanout project) or for long-term project development with multiple scope changes resulting from
growing project goals on our Adventure Park design and
construction project. Clear tracking of shifting scope and funding is necessary on complex projects, and we excel in this regard.
All task orders pass through the Contract Manager and a team of internal experts and external resources is assembled as needed, with prioritization given to quick mobilization and the expertise necessary to navigate the project disciplines:
Civil
Civil Engineering and Design
Watearth will partner with the City of San Pablo on the various types of anticipated projects and perform as an extension of the City’s staff. Based on a preferred project concept, Watearth will collaborate with the City to produce a finalized and City-accepted set of plans, specifications, and cost estimates (PS&E). In order to produce this final set of PS&E documents which will then be used to bid, contract, and construct the project, Watearth will follow a proven plan that will gather the necessary information, determine the impacts of the present conditions, produce a design that is cost-effective and constructable, and considers the necessary regulatory requirements.
Watearth will begin the project by collecting relevant and pertinent information about the existing conditions of the project site. This information will include, but not be limited to, topography; rights of way, easements, and property ownership; utilities (underground and overhead); existing facility plans; hydrology, hydrogeology, and hydraulics; testing/monitoring well logs; water quality; Phase 1 site assessment reports; and other studies and reports that will aid in characterizing the existing conditions in which the project will be constructed. If preliminary studies or site evaluations are needed for baseline characterization, Watearth biologists and other resource specialists would conduct field surveys at this time. Existing resources will be recorded in the field and provide data for base maps and a tool for assessing project impacts. GIS will be used to quickly assemble and analyze the collected data and make rapid initial assessments regarding the current status of the project as well as cursory estimates of project impacts. Based on those initial estimates Watearth will prepare exhibits and mapping for floodplain, wetlands, soils, topography, etc. to assist with the development of both permitting applications and any environmental documentation.
Watearth will also acquire all readily available and pertinent geotechnical reports such as soil reports, geological reports, etc. to aid in characterizing the project site and add to the GIS data set. Watearth’s team will evaluate the site geologic conditions, the proposed project’s impact on the geologic environment, and the potential geologic and seismic hazards that may affect the project. We will review the geotechnical background materials such as topographic maps, geologic maps, published geotechnical literature, seismic data, groundwater data, and geologic site reconnaissance and evaluate for potential impacts that the project components may have on existing geologic and seismic environment. Watearth provides limited Thank you for consistently
following up.
Dirk Medema PE, CFM
City of Citrus Heights
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
LAC Public Works
17 Project Approach
San Pablo Professional Services
We understand civil and environmental solutions; we’ll make decisions easy for San Pablo. © Watearth, Inc. 2023. Do Not Copy.
geotechnical engineering in-house and has excellent long-term relationships with reliable geotechnical-focused firms whom we can partner with on short notice when needed.
Based on the initial data collection and the preferred project concept a design survey(s) will be completed as necessary. The design survey will be conducted and converted into the correct reference datum (NAD 83 State Plane Coordinate System) so that the design survey can be coordinated and tied into existing City record information and/or as directed by the City’s Project Manager. All project survey information will be obtained and recorded in accordance with The City' Survey/Mapping & Property Management Division's procedures.
After obtaining the necessary project survey data Watearth will then produce the PS&E information required to construct the project. Watearth will prepare the PS&E for all project components as specified by the City. Watearth’s will follow the City’s design standards, guidelines, and manuals, including, but not limited to those for sustainable design, for all deliverables associated with the PS&E document. Watearth will prepare all documentation in the format requested and to the City’s standards, including the Computer-Aided Drafting and Design standards. Where applicable, documents will be prepared in ArcGIS format, NAD 83 State Plane Coordinate System.
Initially, Watearth will work with the City to conduct a feasibility study of a predetermined and agreed upon number of project concepts. These concepts will explore elements such as final project needs/outcomes, cost/benefit ratios, permitting issues, constructability, life cycle costs, maintenance and operations, and other elements in order to give the City a big picture view of the project, its benefits, and true, overall cost to the City. These feasibility studies will contain up to 15% design plans to show conceptual implementation and/or operability, grade 5 cost estimates (order of magnitude), and other attributes that can be used by San Pablo to determine the most likely avenue for success for the project and those alternative(s) that will advance to the next step of development. The Watearth team will also assist the City in evaluation of the various alternatives; either through qualitative analyses, scoring, or other quantitative determination, as well as other ancillary impacts. Upon agreement by the City, Watearth will move forward with the preferred project concept.
Plans created will follow City of San Pablo’s CADD standards. Layers, line weights, text/dimension styles, workspace setup, symbol libraries, and all other components that makeup the plan will follow the City’s requirements for the type of plan being created.
When producing the specifications for the project, Watearth will coordinate the specifications preparation, including agreed upon format, with the City. These two resources can be supplemented by special provisions which are tailored to each project as the design is finalized. Other standards that may need to be referenced will be discussed and approved by the City’s Project Manager prior to use on any Watearth assigned project. Throughout the life of the project and in order to foster collaboration and cooperation Watearth will conduct meetings with the City’s Project Manager and City staff to facilitate completion of the PS&E.
Watearth will prepare documentation of the outcomes of the meetings, including technical memoranda, meeting summaries, and lists of action items. Watearth will coordinate with the City’s Project Manager and City staff to establish for each project: the schedule for completing the PS&E; the criteria for the various percent complete PS&Es; and the turnaround times for document reviews and finalizations.
Watearth will prepare an appropriate class of cost estimate based on the percent complete plans (typically 15%, 30%, 60%, 90%, and 100%) and specifications that are being completed. The Watearth team is adept at completing all classes of costs estimates, from Class 5 at concept You did a great job of distilling very
complex guidance into something
approachable.
Jayson Hudson
USACE
18 Project Approach
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level plans (<15% complete) up to Class 1 at 100% complete plans. The cost estimate will have material cost quotes from suppliers that will include transportation cost to the site. The cost estimate will include unit prices, labor crews, labor rates, equipment ownership or rental costs, and scheduling costs. A bid schedule will then be prepared from the Class 5/100% design complete cost estimate with the City’s standard bid items breakdowns which will be sent out with the bid package to potential bidders for their review, risk analysis and submittal.
Based on the final PS&E Watearth will prepare construction cost estimates in the City’s standard format including detailed construction cost estimate with cost and bid item breakdowns to level of accuracy desired by the City. The City’s standard bid items will be used unless these items are nonstandard. Pricing may be based on standard industry cost estimating values and/or from the City’s cost-estimating data. Watearth will also be responsible for review of as-built drawings for accuracy and completeness once the project is complete.
Buy-in from the public will be another important
element Watearth will work to obtain. Watearth
will conduct and/or assist the City in community,
stakeholder, interagency, and other meetings
with outside entities as needed to engage their
input and facilitate completion of the PS&E.
During construction, Watearth will remain heavily
involved as partner in the project by offering construction support. Watearth will provide the necessary personnel to review and approve construction contractors’ submittals (including but not limited to shop drawings, dewatering plans, etc.), respond to requests for information (RFI), and provide revisions/changes to the PS&E as requested by the City during the construction stage.
Roadway, Path, and Parking
In the path and parking design arena, Watearth has experience using Low Impact Development (LID) concepts to minimize the environmental impacts during design. We understand urban design, LID, and drainage challenges, and we understand green streets development. Work on Cottage Grove, Broadway and Manchester, and Caltrans ALA 61 have all required that we develop street improvements that create safe places for multimodal transportation.
Watearth considers a number of factors when designing paths, whether in a park setting or as interconnects between destinations. Since the installation of a pathway can increase the impervious cover, Watearth works to mitigate the increase with infiltration of the generated run- off. This can be accomplished in several ways. Pathway material is the first consideration in our analysis. Watearth has successfully designed pathways using pervious materials such as mulch and gravel/rocks and pervious pavement/material for a smoother surface for ADA compliance.
This allows water to drain through the pathway cover material and soak into the underlying soil. If infiltration is an issue, an underdrain system can be installed that will collect the water and carry it to an area more conducive to infiltration or if necessary, some sort of other green stormwater infrastructure installation. If permeable/pervious materials are not desired or are impractical, Watearth will then design LID and green stormwater infrastructure installations to capture the run-off near the pathway and design elements to infiltrate the water back into the immediate and/or surrounding area. Along with sound design principles and compliance with the C.3 manual, Watearth will consult and reference the City of San Pablo’s 2017 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan so that any designs will complement the current master plan and other regional planning efforts as well as making projects eligible for regional funding sources.
Overall communication is good. Responses to
questions and comments are timely. The quality of
deliverables is excellent; they’re organized neatly and present all relevant information. Anything that requires urgent or immediate action is handled efficiently.
Eric Bonilla
LACPW
19 Project Approach
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LID for parking is similar but tends to focus more on permeable/pervious pavements. From a hydrologic standpoint, we evaluate pre- and post-project runoff quantities related to increased impervious cover along the proposed alignment(s) as well as associated parking areas and stations. Designing pervious coverings will allow for water passing through the covering into either the underlying soil or an underground drainage system. Where possible, underground storage can be built that will capture and store the water if infiltration rates are such that precipitation can be immediately infiltrated but can be over an extended period of time. Similar to the pathways, parking infiltration can also be captured and routed to other green stormwater infrastructure installations. If permeable/pervious materials are not practical, Watearth can design LID and green stormwater infrastructure elements to capture and the runoff and infiltrate into the immediate and/or surrounding area to aid compliance with the C.3 manual.
Pavement Management
We will start with a desktop and site reconnaissance to understand the age and characteristics of the pavement, prior repairs, and specific citizen complaints and issues. Upon completion of the site reconnaissance, we will rate or score the condition of the pavement and recommend spot repairs, rehabilitation, replacement, or full reconstruction. Depending on the specific assignment, we will prepare conceptual cost estimates for the various alternatives, which could include permeable pavement. Cost estimates may include construction cost, operations and maintenance, and life-cycle costs. Based on the condition of the pavement, type of roadway or parking area and input from City staff, we will recommend an alternative for public works to implement and/or to move to final design.
At Watearth, we have a wealth of expertise in implementing strategies to combat the urban heat island effect and reduce stormwater runoff. To this end, we have successfully employed "cool pavements" with high albedo and permeable pavements. Our team is well-versed in local standard details and ADA requirements for site furnishings.
We are prepared to address pavement rehabilitation projects requiring microsurfacing/slurry seal, conventional and ARHM overlays, cape seals, base repairs/dig outs, and full pavement reconstruction. We can also provide detailed pavement structural section calculations utilizing established design equations.
Work on large sidewalks projects for City of Los Angeles and City of Houston have required ADA compliance evaluations, as well as pavement condition assessment ratings to define CIP projects.
Utilities Design
Watearth professionals understand the importance of accurate existing utility locations in the project area. We have worked with many utility location services and have a complete understanding of their practices. Our team has many hours of experience reviewing record mapping to supplement field investigation to produce drawings which can prevent dangerous in-field accidents and utility disruptions.
A thorough investigation of existing underground utilities with geophysical locating procedures early in the design phase ensures a safer and more efficient process. Utility locating performed before the 30% design phase milestone can greatly reduce unnecessary potholing, last minute design changes, adjustments during construction, traffic control, permit processing, fees, and construction delays. With these goals in mind, the following procedural steps would be undertaken:
a. Research and select a viable alignment.
20 Project Approach
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b. Conduct records and maps research of indexes and databases for existing "as-built" information pertaining to utilities within the selected alignment to supplement and facilitate locating efforts.
c. Use these records, along with standard subsurface utility locating procedures, to have locators and engineers review all information, identify and mark out utilities as they exist in the field, make note of changes, inconsistencies or unverified data, paying particular attention to those areas that contain dense, poorly mapped or sensitive utilities. d. Conduct a survey and map the mark-out, which, when combined with the existing record data, will then give the City the most accurate and complete information on underground utilities potentially affected by the project.
Once identified, conflicts can be targeted for potholing by the design team. Only those conflicts need be potholed and planned for during design and construction resulting in a smoother process, saving both time and money throughout the project.
Once the above steps are complete, the Watearth design team will focus on creating a design that leaves the existing utilities in place. Rigorous work in the beginning phases of the design process allow us to implement design elements that can have minimal impacts on existing utilities. However, this desire to avoid utilities must be balanced against the cost avoidance, usually the purchase of additional space, i.e., easements and rights of way. If purchasing additional land rights is not desirable or is financially impractical, the Watearth team will work collaboratively with the impacted utilities to integrate their elements into the overall project and meet the required standards for design and construction.
Relative to utilities, we will provide drawings to agency owners at the appropriate phase submittal and will be proactive in identifying unavoidable conflicts and potential solutions. Our goal is to have all utilities coordinated with a relocation/design plan as necessary at the 90 percent submittal stage.
Civil Plan Review
Land Development
The Watearth team will act as an extension of the City’s review team on land development permit requests. Our team is well acquainted with the various types of permits required for land development (i.e., tentative and final maps, improvement plans, etc.) and will review all requests for compliance with current requirements and regulations. Working with permits on numerous successful past projects gives us the necessary eye for details that will be required when reviewing these permit requests.
Plan Check, Grading Permit, Encroachment Permit, C.3
The Watearth team will bring our extensive experience in plan approval, value engineering, and land design to the Plan Check function for the City. The Watearth team has successfully completed numerous projects involving preliminary and final grading plans. We are experienced at implementing these plans as well as producing the associated drainage plans. We will review the submitted grading permit application against City regulations and work with the applicant to correct any deficiencies so that a permit can be issued. As an extension of the City, we will always work to serve the best interests of the City and its citizens in our permit review work.
Watearth's process for receiving plan checks includes intaking the assignment from the City; our contract administrator will immediately assign to one of our designated reviewers depending on You have a great team and
are running great operations.
Andrew Yoshimura
Pride Resource Partners
21 Project Approach
San Pablo Professional Services
We understand civil and environmental solutions; we’ll make decisions easy for San Pablo. © Watearth, Inc. 2023. Do Not Copy.
availability, work load, and plan set content. Prior to receiving the first plan check assignment, we will coordinate with the City to understand review timeframes and protocols and any existing checklists or templates the City will need completed. We will provide plan check comments within the designated timeframe back to the City to provide to the applicant. In cases of complex issues, we are available to directly speak with the applicant to answer questions on specific comments, if the City desires.
Watearth is well positioned to review the stormwater control plans for projects in compliance with the Contra Costa Clean Water Program Stormwater C.3 Guidebook, 8th Edition. Given our expertise in stormwater design, we are well qualified to review stormwater control plans for proposed improvements in the City as well as offering expertise and guidance for permit requestors. Our staff are well acquainted with the principles presented in the Stormwater C.3 Guidebook, especially LID, bioretention/integrated management practices, and retrofitting green (stormwater) infrastructure. Work with the San Francisco Estuary Institute required that we evaluate LID efficacy across the entirety of the Bay Area.
The permitting process is an important part of guarding the City’s interests in public improvements and the Watearth team will always look out for the City’s best interests in any review.
Environmental
California Environmental Quality Act
Identification of the CEQA environmental documentation
needed for each project is key for project success and for keeping projects within a schedule and budget. Watearth staff will provide recommendations to San Pablo of what type of CEQA document would likely be required for each project.
Once a project understanding is reached, a project meeting will be held with all pertinent stakeholders. This meeting will identify project goals and challenges, and start the project description development process; appropriate tailoring of the description will require inclusion of all appropriate project elements, which will in turn minimize the need for mitigation later on. Communication with agencies early will be essential to avoid delays down the road.
Watearth will assist the City with all preparation of draft documents in accordance with CEQA including Categorical exemptions, Initial Studies (IS), Negative Declarations (ND), mitigated negative declarations, and Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) or Programmatic EIRs (PEIRs).
Watearth will assist with preparing notices with the Office of Planning and Research (Notice of Completion). When a project is approved under CEQA, a Notice of Determination will be filed under the State Clearinghouse.
To ensure CEQA documentation is relevant and useful, it will contain a detailed analysis of the proposed program or project and an identification and discussion of possible project activities.
At a programmatic level, a PEIR will mitigate the need for additional environmental documentation, either by reducing the need or eliminating it entirely. This means developing an initial study to determine significant impacts of proposed project activities combined with contextualization of existing regional influences, secondary effects, cumulative impacts, broad alternatives, and other factors at a programmatic level. As such, future EIRs can focus exclusively on new relevant effects rather than mandating an entirely comprehensive review, holding up project progress and creating room for discrepancies across EIRs written for the same system.
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
22 Project Approach
San Pablo Professional Services
We understand civil and environmental solutions; we’ll make decisions easy for San Pablo. © Watearth, Inc. 2023. Do Not Copy.
In cooperation with the City, Watearth will create a Notice of Preparation and support the exploration and analysis of project alternatives. We will collaborate closely with the City’s engineering and environmental planning team to establish evaluation criteria for assessing potential alternatives that incorporate environmentally favorable elements such as avoidance, minimization, and enhancement within the project. Our team will then generate a technical memorandum that documents the assessment process, outlines the conceptual alternatives, and present it to the City for feedback.
Watearth will work with the City Project Management team to refine the project description based on review and analysis during scoping to produce a draft detailed project description for use in the CEQA process. Generally, it is anticipated that two drafts that address the City comments will be prepared along with a final document.
Typically, CEQA documents will require technical studies from the CEQA Appendix G list of disciplines, which runs the gamut from hydrology and water quality to air quality, noise, Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), biology, and more. Watearth has prepared dozens of these across many disciplines and handles many entirely in house. For those we are not equipped to handle with accuracy, we rely on partners with whom we have close relationships.
For complex EIR-level environmental documents, Watearth will prepare an administrative draft, including Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program. Watearth will work closely with the City to develop and document the screening criteria, evaluate the retained alternatives, and identify the preferred alternative(s). Based on consolidated the City comments provided to Watearth, Watearth will revise the administrative draft. The resulting document will be the draft CEQA document, including the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program.
Next, Watearth will prepare information for the City website and filing with the State Clearinghouse. Watearth will provide the draft CEQA document and other materials, as appropriate, to fulfill public notice requirements for posting on the City’s website and with the State Clearinghouse.
Watearth will also prepare a Notice of Completion in coordination with the City Environmental Planner and will provide support for the City staff for the public meeting or hearing where the City directors consider the draft document for release. Support may include preparation of materials, response to technical questions at the meeting/hearing, and/or presentation of the environmental component of the project. Watearth will record public comments during this meeting/hearing.
After receipt of written public comments on the draft document, Watearth, in collaboration with the City project team, will prepare responses to public comments on the City for review by the City’s project team to ensure responses are consistent with the City policy. After responses to comments are completed, Watearth will prepare the administrative final document, incorporating the public comments and responses. Based on the City comments, Watearth will prepare the final CEQA submittal. the City shall review a screen check copy of the final CEQA submittal to ensure that the City comments have been incorporated.
Next, Watearth will prepare the CEQA Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations, as directed. Watearth will submit the Draft Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations to the City for comment and prepare the final version of these documents based on the City comments resulting from that review.
Watearth’s next task will be to prepare a Notice of Determination (NOD) in coordination with the City and assist the City staff with Public Hearings of the CEQA document where the City directors considers the CEQA document for approval. As with the previous meeting, this support can take many forms, including leading or simply providing technical input and materials. 23 Project Approach
San Pablo Professional Services
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Environmental Services and Permitting
Watearth's Biology and Natural Resources team members are renowned for their proficiency in assessing, managing, and restoring biological resources. Our team of scientists is skilled in generating inventories of biological resources, conducting constraint analyses, and assessing impacts. Our team has a wealth of experience in analyzing wetlands, evaluating special-status species, and obtaining environmental permits, and this experience has earned the respect of our clients and regulatory agencies such as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the Regional Water Quality Control Board
(RWQCB), the United States Army Corps of Engineers
(USACE), and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Additional experience as included pioneering
permits for a water-based cremation service in
California that was among the first in the entire state.
Early coordination is key; submitting early in the design process and tying to the 60% design milestone means less “hurry up and wait” and less risk at the end of the design phase.
Watearth combines the use of modern data collection strategies and geographic information system (GIS) technologies to produce accurate and efficient work products that are easily accessible and useful to clients. Through advance planning and effective communication, the Watearth team will help the City select the most cost-effective approaches and avoid, minimize, and mitigate environmental impacts early in the project development phase. Watearth focuses on the City's needs, whether that means assessing the impacts of a project, developing feasible and cost-effective mitigation measures, or strategizing with project design teams to minimize impacts. We will negotiate for lesser permit stipulations where we collaboratively determine it is in the City's best interest.
Complex permitting is standard for infrastructure projects; on our Adventure Park stormwater capture project, we negotiated for water replenishment district approval and worked hand-in- hand with their legal counsel to obtain approvals by addressing downstream objections.
We also design habitat restoration plans and mitigation banks, implement and monitor revegetation programs, and facilitate successful completion of permitting assignments. Extensive use of GIS and Global Positioning System (GPS) technology is a regular part of our work. The firm’s expertise and tailored approach to project analysis has earned the Watearth team credibility and a reputation for professionalism with resource agencies, and that credibility enables us to efficiently navigate the permitting processes.
Clean Water, MRP Compliance
The Watearth staff brings a great deal of experience work with MS4 permits and is well qualified to assist the City in its compliance with the 2022 reissuance of the Municipal Regional Stormwater NPDES Permit (MRP). Our team has assisted numerous municipalities in compliance with their issued MS4 NPDES permits as well as private entities and businesses, giving us experience on both sides of the compliance program. We are well versed in the 6 minimum control measures and making sure compliance activities are occurring at intervals in compliance with the issued permit. We can assist the City with record keeping, inspections/site visits/reconnaissance, annual permit updates/filings, mitigation of compliance violations, public engagement, and other critical activities necessary for compliance with the regional stormwater permit. We are also well versed in construction compliance with MS4 permits and have accomplished inspectors on staff.
The Watearth team will also assist the City in its partnership with the Contra Costa Clean Water Program (CCCWP). We are well versed in public education and awareness campaigns and This is one of the more thorough
notifications that I've ever received, so I
don't anticipate there will be anything else.
Fritz Rieman
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
24 Project Approach
San Pablo Professional Services
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consistently work with innovative ways to manage stormwater such as green stormwater infrastructure and LID.
Hazardous Materials
We have performed numerous hazardous materials technical studies. An analysis of hazardous materials used on site, including the type of material, source, amount, use, and disposal, will be conducted based on provided data and
material inventory. The technical study will analyze the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials and review the likelihood of releasing hazardous materials into the environment. Additionally, the study will determine the potential for hazardous emissions within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school. If the site is a significant hazard to the public or environment, the project will require an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation and/or the review of significant risk of loss, injury, or death of individuals in proximity to the proposed project. The hazardous materials analysis will obtain the information necessary to evaluate the significance criteria prescribed in the CEQA Guidelines.
Hazardous material management may also necessitate Phase 1 and 2 Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) or more complete remediation plans. Watearth has prepared dozens of ESAs and has obtained hazardous materials permits for our San Rafael project, plus developed Best Management Practices on our Port of Corpus Christi Drainage and LID Master Plan project.
Fueling Systems/UST Removal
Fueling systems and Underground Storage Tank (UST) removal are important aspects of environmental management in industries that use petroleum products. Fueling systems are designed to efficiently and safely store, deliver, and dispense fuel, while USTs are used to store large quantities of fuel underground. USTs that are not properly maintained can leak into surrounding soil and groundwater, leading to soil and water pollution. Proper management of fueling systems and UST removal can help prevent costly environmental damage, potential liability, and damage to public relations.
Watearth will approach UST removal projects by first conducting a site assessment to determine the extent of contamination and the best approach for removal. We will review prior Phase I and II ESAs and monitoring and regulatory data on the sites. We will develop a remediation approach and required permits and will support the City through bid and contracting process with contractor.
During the removal process, Watearth will ensure that safety measures are in place to protect workers, the environment, and the community. We will also monitor air and soil quality to ensure that the removal process is not causing any additional contamination. Monitoring wells may be needed to assess groundwater contamination. Plume modeling is available as an in-house service.
Biohazard and Homeless Encampment Cleanup
Watearth, will manage biohazard and unhoused encampment cleanup by first conducting a site assessment to identify potential hazards and risks. Based on the assessment, a cleanup plan will be developed outlining the necessary cleanup activities and safety measures to be implemented. Watearth will work closely with local authorities and community stakeholders to ensure that a Health and Safety Plan guides the cleanup process. We will assess permits for proper disposal of any biohazard materials and waste during the cleanup process in accordance with all applicable regulations.
Every chance I get, I promote you
guys and how wonderful a job
you've done with us. We consider
you a key teaming partner.
May Reyhani
Terra Pacific Group
25 We understand civil and environmental solutions; we’ll make decisions easy for San Pablo. © Watearth, Inc. 2023. Do Not Copy.
Item 6:
Approach to Schedule of Work
Repres
entative/Example Schedule
26 Example Schedule
San Pablo Professional Services
We understand civil and environmental solutions; we’ll make decisions easy for San Pablo. © Watearth, Inc. 2023. Do Not Copy.
Representative/Example Schedule
As per Addendum 2 (2023-03-16), Question 17, the following schedule from our combined concept design and environmental project at Sorensen Park is provided for illustrative purposes only.
27 We understand civil and environmental solutions; we’ll make decisions easy for San Pablo. © Watearth, Inc. 2023. Do Not Copy.
Item 7:
Rate Schedule
28 Rates
San Pablo Professional Services
We understand civil and environmental solutions; we’ll make decisions easy for San Pablo. © Watearth, Inc. 2023. Do Not Copy.
Rates
Proposed Project Team Members
Rates
($/hr)
Jennifer J. Walker PE, DWRE, ENV SP […] $299.00
Jeremiah Sunwoo MS, EIT $140.00
Jeff Brizendine PE, CFM, PMP, ENV SP $245.00
Mark Alan Locke PE $235.00
Brian Meade $160.00
Sinem G. Kilic PhD $160.00
Carlos Quispe MS $140.00
Farhana Akhter MS $135.00
Jeremy Liby $140.00
Alyssa R. Wilson $135.00
Categories
Principal $299.00
Managing Engineer $255.00
Sr. Project Manager $220.00
Project Manager $155.00
Project Coordinator $125.00
Sr. Engineer $205.00
Engineer $140.00
Assistant Engineer $110.00
Sr. Environmental Planner $175.00
Environmental Planner $145.00
Sr. Environmental Scientist $180.00
Environmental Scientist $135.00
Assistant Environmentalist $100.00
Geologist $135.00
Sr. Hydrologist $155.00
Hydrologist $145.00
Sr. Landscape Architect or Designer $140.00
Landscape Architect or Designer $130.00
Sr. Designer $150.00
Designer $135.00
Sr. GIS Specialist $150.00
GIS Specialist $135.00
Sr. Surveyor $150.00
Surveyor $125.00
Sr. Inspector $150.00
Inspector $135.00
Outreach or Communications Specialist $165.00
Technical Editor $110.00
Graphic Designer $130.00
Project Controls $165.00
Administrative Assistant $95.00
ODCs
Classification
Rates
($/unit)
Mileage IRS rate
Pages, Printing, Black
and White $0.15pp
Pages, Printing, Color $0.50pp
Additional Expenses
Pending Project
Assignment
-
Subconsultants
Subconsultants will be billed at their
selected rates, plus a markup of 10%
to account for Watearth’s project
management responsibility and risk
as the lead consultant
Escalation
Watearth’s rates are valid through
July 1, 2024. They are subject to
escalation annually at a percentage
commensurate with increases in
salaries and company overhead
expenses. Alternatively, firm rates for
the duration of the contract (ending
July 1, 2028) can be provided at City
request.
29 We understand civil and environmental solutions; we’ll make decisions easy for San Pablo. © Watearth, Inc. 2023. Do Not Copy.
Appendix: Resume
30 Appendix: Resume
San Pablo Professional Services
We understand civil and environmental solutions; we’ll make decisions easy for San Pablo. © Watearth, Inc. 2023. Do Not Copy.
As per Addendum 2 (2023-03-16), Question 16, this resume is included as an appendix to the main proposal and thus does not count against the page limit.
Jennifer J. Walker PE, DWRE, ENV SP, CFM, QSD
Principal and Contract/Project Manager
Walker, President of Watearth, Inc., has an earned reputation for bringing unique insights to projects, whether the focus is green infrastructure or gray. 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 work on a variety of project types. Walker is an expert in stormwater, water quality, flood control, green infrastructure, hydrology and hydraulics, water resources, and complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
Walker excels in environmental science and water resources primarily due to understanding the value of niche focus. Walker and the adept team at Watearth provide efficient project management, operating within their expertise at a capacity and level of elegance that suggests a larger firm.
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 $32M. 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, City of Houston, Caltrans, and City of Austin.
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 an expert in stormwater, water quality, flood control, green infrastructure, hydrology and hydraulics, water resources, and complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
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.
• 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.
• Permaculture Designer's Certificate. Sustainable Development and Water. Permaculture Research Institute.
31 Appendix: Resume
San Pablo Professional Services
We understand civil and environmental solutions; we’ll make decisions easy for San Pablo. © Watearth, Inc. 2023. Do Not Copy.
Representative Projects
City of Oakland Fire Station No 1 LID. Developed O&M Plan for LID facilities at redeveloped Fire Station. Included maintenance requirements, checklists, and monthly tasks for Stormwater Planters and Porous Pavement. Performed peer review of civil and landscape design.
Emphasized water conservation and efficiency and high-efficiency irrigation.
City of Buena Park Orangethorpe Intersection Design Solve Flooding. 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.
Fontana Unified School District Pavement Civil Design and Construction. Designed and oversaw construction of stormwater infiltration (LID) features throughout three campus sites. Included LID modeling, landscape design and plant palettes, irrigation design, civil design, O&M Plan, monitoring plan, cost estimates, and construction specifications.
City of Citrus Heights 3 Projects - Permeable Pavement. Prepared O&M Plan. Developed details/specs & interpretative signage. Performed peer review of civil design. Included low- water/native vegetation. Performed peer review of landscape and irrigation design and input on specifications.
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Division 4 Permeable Concrete Pavement (PCP) Outreach and Education. Produced interior and exterior interpretive signage, brochures, and in-person training for Division staff of all levels, specifically relating to porous pavement, water quality, water conservation, and landscape architecture.
Utility Company Manufactured Gas Plant Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan, 3 Sites. The purpose of this project was to prepare a Site-Specific Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan (S- ESCP) in accordance with client expectation for permitted construction stormwater management and non-permitted construction stormwater. This included development of the site-specific erosion control plan based on the proposed grading and excavation plans, developing inspection requirements, and site close out. Project involved project site restricted access and confidentiality management. Included QSP and construction inspection. Utilized CAD.
Nuview Union School District 100% Stormwater Infiltration. This project included the redevelopment of an existing school site to solve structural flooding and included solar parking structures and 100% infiltration/evaporation of stormwater from the porous asphalt parking lot.
The retrofit includes the following LID features: porous asphalt, infiltration trenches, vegetated buffers to block low-blowing dust from nearby open space, other dust blocking design features, and extreme event overflow elements into an existing infiltration basin and play field.
Utility Company Manufactured Gas Plant 24-Acre Site Remediation in Vallejo. Performed stormwater management on 24-acre site involving Remedial Action Plan and NEPA/CEQA Initial Study (IS) and includes risk level evaluation and BMPs and Phasing evaluations adjacent to Caltrans ROW.
Los Angeles County Public Works (LACPW) Adventure Park Runoff and Stormwater Capture Regional Water Quality Project. This Caltrans-funded regional stormwater quality project included civil design, permitting, Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, Maintenance (O&M) Plan for the Low Impact Development (LID), bioretention LID design 32 Appendix: Resume
San Pablo Professional Services
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(featuring native and low water use plants), Included structural plan checks of underground infrastructure and controls building.
San Francisco Estuary Institute Bay Area Regional Green Infrastructure Tool and Green Plan-It Master Plan. Provided technical input, support, and peer review for GIS-based Green Infrastructure sizing/site selection tool for the Bay area. Provided guidance and recommendations on depths to groundwater, depths to bedrock, slopes, liquefaction risk, soil type, land use, impervious cover, and buffers from contaminated sites related to applicability for Bioretention, Vegetated Swales, Porous Pavement, Stormwater Wetlands, and Wet Ponds.
Planting Justice Café Mira Vista Church Drainage Study. Mira Vista church was planning a church cafe and organic nursery (with Planting Justice) at 5166 Sobrante Ave, El Sobrante, CA.
Watearth provided a drainage study to determine if the existing culvert can drain the property.
City of Oakland Mosswood Park Master Plan Community Center CEQA Reporting. Watearth provided CEQA services for an approximately four-acre community center development project. Watearth evaluated the master plan and performed a CEQA Initial Study (IS) and a Negative Declaration (ND).
Port of Oakland International Airport Post-Construction Green Infrastructure Stormwater Treatment Assessment. Provided green infrastructure BMP planning through a site evaluation for design and treatment measures. This was a quantitative planning-level evaluation of common green infrastructure stormwater capture methods (SCMs) at three sites (selected as representative of the broader whole of the project).
Opterra Energy Services Irrigation Design and SWPPP, Plomosa Park. Prepared SWPPP civil engineering drawings. Reviewed design criteria for irrigation infrastructure; ensured proposed pipes, conduits, and valves would not interfere with nearby San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) pipelines. Performed research and surveyed existing pipeline location within SFPUC Right of Way (ROW).
Opterra Energy Services Amador County SWPPP. Prepared SWPPP and erosion control plans.
Performed construction site surveys to inspect for proper stormwater pollution prevention BMPs and performed SMARTS filing and construction phase inspections. Prepared civil engineering drawings and details to show location of required BMPs.
California American Water Los Angeles Standards and Guidelines Plan Check Services. Provided plan check QA/QC review on an as-needed/requested basis.
USACE Civil and Stream Restoration/Channel Improvements Planning and Preliminary Design for Value Engineering Workshop. Watearth participated on a Value Engineering Study Team that reviewed the USACE 35% design for Santiago Creek Flood Control channel. The team brainstormed 128 ideas, developed 9 quantitative value proposals with cost analysis, and developed 13 qualitative value engineering proposals.
340 W San Rafael Site Design and Environmental Services. Provided urban planning, parking analysis for space required, permitting related to discharge into the sanitary sewer, site design, and Phase I ESA. Provided site topographic surveying and landscape design, including plant palette. Civil design included utility coordination and grading plan, from 60% to 100%, as well as peer review of the architecture, structural, and MEP disciplines.
Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering Citywide Sidewalk Repair Program EIR Hydrology and Water Quality Technical Studies. Provided Water Resources chapter of the EIR including high-level, complex citywide analysis for water resources impacts to replacing sidewalks and driveways that are not compliant with American’s With Disabilities Act and air quality. 33