TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Nader Heydari, Public Works Director
DATE:June 10, 2025
SUBJECT: Instream Bioassessment Monitoring Agreement
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Award General Services Agreement to Aquatic Bioassay and Consulting Laboratories, Inc. (ABC) (Ventura, CA) for instream bioassessment monitoring in the amount not to exceed $107,641 for a five-year term through June 30, 2030.
2. Authorize expenditures in the amount of $19,480 for FY 2025-26 and $20,454 for FY 2026-27 from A/C #621-8250-682-5632 [Wastewater Fund - Contracted Services (Private)/Lab Services].
3. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
LEVINE ACT ITEM: Yes
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. $39,934 is included in the Proposed FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27 Wastewater Fund Budget and additional funds will be requested during the future biennial budget processes.
BACKGROUND:
The Hill Canyon Treatment Plant (HCTP) operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing tertiary-level wastewater treatment for the Thousand Oaks community. On average, the facility treats eight million gallons of wastewater daily through a comprehensive process that includes screening, grit removal, primary and secondary clarification, aeration with nutrient removal, multi-media filtration, and disinfection. The resulting high-quality effluent is then beneficially reused for agricultural irrigation and landscape watering.
Instream Bioassessment Monitoring
June 10, 2025
1 2
8 1
To ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements and to support the health of the Calleguas Creek Watershed, HCTP conducts annual instream bioassessment monitoring at two receiving water sites in the North Fork Arroyo Conejo Creek, one upstream and one downstream of the plant’s discharge point.
This monitoring evaluates biological and ecological conditions in the creek, including the collection and analysis of aquatic macroinvertebrates, algal assemblages, chlorophyll concentrations, and physical habitat characteristics.
The monitoring program requires a qualified laboratory to perform field sampling, laboratory analysis, and reporting in accordance with established protocols such as the California Stream Bioassessment Procedure (CSBP) or the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). All work must be completed by certified personnel and laboratories accredited through recognized environmental laboratory accreditation programs. The results of this monitoring provide critical data for assessing compliance with regulatory requirements and contribute to the broader efforts of watershed management and environmental stewardship.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
On March 21, 2025, staff issued a formal Request for Proposals/Qualifications (RFP/Q) entitled, Instream Bioassessment Monitoring. The RFP/Q closed on April 18, 2025, with only one proposal being received from ABC.
In accordance with Government Code section 4526 and Thousand Oaks Municipal Code section 3-10.401, contracts for professional, management, general, or special services should only be awarded to firms or persons who have demonstrated an adequate level of experience, competence, training, credentials, resources, staffing, and other professional qualifications necessary for satisfactory performance of the services solicited. The award of an RFP/Q is based upon a variety of factors that demonstrate best value to the agency for the solicited scope of service. The cost of the service may be considered as one of those factors; however, the lowest cost is not the sole factor in deciding who will be awarded the contract.
ABC’s proposal met the City’s specifications and requirements for a qualified laboratory to perform instream bioassessment monitoring for HCTP. ABC has provided satisfactory laboratory service at HCTP for approximately 25 years. Staff recommends award of a five-year agreement (Attachment #1) in the amount not to exceed $107,641.
This action is not a project as defined under the CEQA because this action will not result in a direct or foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment [14 CCR 15060(c)].
Instream Bioassessment Monitoring
June 10, 2025
1 2
8 1
LEVINE ACT (California Government Code § 84308):
This item is subject to the Levine Act. City Councilmembers who have received a campaign contribution of more than $500 (aggregated) within the preceding 12 months from a party or their agent/representative, or a financially-interested participant involved in this proceeding may do either of the following: (1) disclose the contribution on the record and recuse themselves from this proceeding; or if applicable (2) return the portion of the contribution that exceeds $500 within 30 days from the time the official knew or should have known about the contribution, and participate in the proceeding.
All parties and their agents/representatives must disclose on the record of this proceeding any aggregated contribution of more than $500 made to any Councilmember within the preceding 12 months. Councilmembers are prohibited from accepting, soliciting, or directing a campaign contribution of more than $500 (aggregated) from a party, their agent/representative, or a financially-interested participant during a proceeding and for 12 months following the date a final decision is made. In addition, a party, their agent/representative, or a financially- interested participant is prohibited from contributing more than $500 (aggregated) to a Councilmember during a proceeding and for 12 months following the date a final decision is made. The Levine Act disclosure form for ABC has been completed and is included as an Exhibit to the Agreement (Attachment #1).
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
C. Operate City government in a fiscally and managerially responsible and prudent manner to ensure that the City of Thousand Oaks remains one of California's most desirable places to live, work, visit, recreate, and raise a family.
F. Provide and enhance essential infrastructure to ensure that the goals and policies of the Thousand Oaks General Plan are carried out and the City retains its role and reputation as a leader in protecting the environment and preserving limited natural resources.
PREPARED BY: Santos Marquez, Laboratory Supervisor
Kim Sherman, Sr. Purchasing Specialist
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – ABC Agreement
DPW:290-10\ev\Council\2025\061025\Instream Bioassessment staff report.docx