Resolution No.
STOCKTON CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION APPROVING FINDINGS AND AUTHORIZING CONTRACT AMENDMENT NO. 1 WITH AQUA-SCIENCE LLC FOR AQUATIC TOXICITY TESTING The Municipal Utilities Department (MUD) operates the Regional Wastewater Control Facility (RWCF) where wastewater is treated and discharged into the San Joaquin river. Quarterly chronic toxicity testing of biological samples is required as part of the City’s National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) wastewater discharge permit; and Chronic toxicity tests are very sensitive and results can vary depending on small changes in a specific laboratory’s test control water. Toxicity testing relies on laboratories consistent application of testing requirements and standards to maintain comparable results; and In 2016 the City entered a Toxicity Reduction Evaluation (TRE), as required by the State, to determine the cause of failed chronic toxicity tests; and The MUD contracted with Aqua-Science LLC (Aqua-Science) as an independent laboratory to complete TRE testing since 2016; and State requirements for the TRE continue until the RWCF Modifications Project is completed and for at least one year following the activation of the new outfall; and Because of the sensitive nature of chronic toxicity testing, it is recommended to continue use of Aqua-Science for TRE testing to maintain consistent and dependable data comparisons; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF STOCKTON, AS FOLLOWS:
The following findings are approved pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070, which support and justify an exception to the competitive bidding process:
Chronic Toxicity testing of biological samples are extremely sensitive to ambient test conditions, including control water, and test results on the same sample cannot be reproduced in different labs. Aqua-Science is the current lab performing chronic toxicity testing for MUD.
Nearly eight years of data has been collected from Aqua-Science on the source of failed chronic toxicity tests required by the State.
The CVRWQCB accepted the City’s proposed plan to exit the TRE, which includes continued chronic toxicity testing through completion of the RWCF Modifications Project and for four additional quarters once the new outfall is accepted and in service.
It is cost effective for the City to continue to use Aqua-Science to provide ongoing chronic toxicity testing until the TRE ends in 2026.
Amendment No. 1 with Aqua-Science, LLC. extending the contract term and accepting the price adjustments is hereby approved, and the City Manager is authorized and directed to execute same, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 1 and incorporated by this reference.
By this action, the total not-to-exceed contract amount remains at $331,820.
The City Manager or designee is hereby authorized to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED December 3, 2024 .
KEVIN J. LINCOLN II
Mayor of the City of Stockton
ATTEST:
KATHERINE ROLAND, CMC, CPMC
City Clerk of the City of Stockton