..
Item 13 Page 48 of 70
RAFTELIS 32
Participation (IAP2). Gina is currently a member of the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO), Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), and the Municipal Management Association of Southern California (MMASC).
KEY PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Orange County (CA): Infrastructure Outreach and Communications For Water Reuse Project; Groundwater Contamination Outreach; Water Education and Outreach Program Development; Strategic Media Relations for Groundwater Replenishment System
..
Item 13 Page 49 of 70
RAFTELIS 33
Matt Wittern APR, PMP
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT SME
Manager
PROFILE
Matt has a 25+ year public relations career
serving clients and customers in the local
government, public utility, engineering, and
construction sectors. He excels at designing and
implementing strategic communications
campaigns that incorporate stakeholder input to
inform, advocate and achieve behavior change.
His specialty is successfully translating complex
subjects and concepts into messages that are
easily understood by target audiences. At Raftelis
he manages strategic communications planning
and implementation, as well as stakeholder
engagement initiatives. Prior to joining Raftelis,
Matt managed a variety of public affairs efforts at
Denver Water, which included designing the
public engagement and public information
strategies for nearly a billion dollars’ worth of
infrastructure projects, spearheading the public
process for the utility’s policy decision regarding
Community Water Fluoridation, and led
development of processes to gain stakeholder
support for preventative maintenance on critical
infrastructure. He earned a B.A. in journalism, is
Accredited in Public Relations (APR) from the
Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and
achieved status as a Project Management
Professional (PMP) from the Project Management
Institute. Matt has presented at national
conferences including the American Water Works
Association’s ACE and the City-County
Communications and Marketing Association’s
(3CMA) Annual Conference. Matt’s work has
earned prestigious Gold Pick Awards from the
Colorado Chapter of PRSA and SAVVY Awards
from 3CMA.
Professional History • Raftelis: Manager (2023
-
present); Senior Consultant
(2019-2022)
• Denver Water: Senior
Community Relations
Specialist/Communications
Manager (2015-2019)
• Communication Infrastructure
Group: Counselor (2006-2015)
• CollegeInvest: Marketing
Communications Manager
(2005-2006)
• Transportation Expansion (T-
REX) Project: Community
Relations Manager (2002-2005)
• LawsComm: Client Service
Coordinator (1998-2002)
Education • Bachelor of Arts in Technical
Journalism (Public Relations) -
Colorado State University (1999)
Professional Memberships • Public Relations Society of
America: Accredited in Public
Relations (APR)
• Project Management Institute -
Project Management
Professional (PMP)
• International Association of
Public Participation (IAP2) -
Certified in Public Participation
• WEF • AWWA
..
Item 13 Page 50 of 70
RAFTELIS 34
KEY PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Madera County (CA): Solid Waste Management Study Stakeholder Engagement and Communications
Matt served as lead strategist and facilitator for this solid waste management study in 2023.
There were significant challenges, as a highly vocal and organized group in the east part of Madera County had sued the government about past solid waste management practices. Using stakeholder engagement techniques, Matt and the team at Raftelis brought all stakeholders to the table for discussions on what the best solution would be for them – providing value for the dollar, while also conforming to new more stringent state regulations. The study also benefitted from strong key messaging and use of myriad county-owned publications and earned media coverage. In the end, Raftelis was able to show where input from stakeholders greatly influenced the recommendations of the study, which was adopted by the County Board of Supervisors.
..
Item 13 Page 51 of 70
RAFTELIS 35
Jonathan Ingram
OPERATIONS SME
Vice President
PROFILE
Jonathan has 20 years of experience in management
consulting and local government management, most
recently as budget manager in the City of
Cincinnati, Ohio, budget office. Before that,
Jonathan served as a management consultant and
worked in the city manager's office for the City of
Highland Park, Illinois.
Jonathan is a skilled financial analyst in the areas of budget and revenue analysis and has led our work
with fiscally distressed communities, supporting
their efforts to restore operational and financial
sustainability. Additionally, he has extensive
experience as a management and operations
consultant to local governments in the United States
and abroad.
As a consultant, Jonathan has completed operations
reviews for over 200 local governments and has
helped to improve service delivery for a broad range
of departments – from police to public works. He
has developed staffing and deployment plans for
city operating departments, analyzed and facilitated
intergovernmental consolidations, helped local
governments develop custom performance
management systems, and facilitated the
development of long-term strategic plans and
financial models.
Jonathan's areas of expertise are in local
government budgeting and finance, operations
analysis, project management, public safety staffing
analysis, process improvement, and performance
measurement. He is adept at quickly assessing
strengths and opportunities within a municipality,
analyzing and developing actionable
recommendations for improvement, and
Specialties • Staffing and operations
assessment
• Public safety staffing and
operations
• Financial management and
planning
• Process improvement
Professional History • Raftelis: Vice President (2024
-
present); Senior Manager
(2021-2023); Manager (2020-
2021); Senior Associate, The
Novak Consulting Group
(2012-2020)
• City of Cincinnati, Ohio: Budget
Manager (2010-2012)
• Management Partners: Senior
Management Advisor (2005-
2010)
Education • Master of Public Administration - Northern Illinois University (2005)
• Bachelor of Arts in Political
Science - Aurora University
(2003)
Professional Memberships • International City/County
Management Association
(ICMA)
• Ohio City/County Management
Association (OCMA)
..
Item 13 Page 52 of 70
RAFTELIS 36
communicating findings and next steps to a wide variety of audiences, including staff, elected officials, and the public.
During his tenure with the City of Cincinnati, Jonathan managed the development and administration of a $1 billion operating budget. He also conducted special analysis projects, served on the City's collective bargaining team, and co-managed the implementation of an enterprise budget system.
Jonathan earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Aurora University and a master's degree in public administration from Northern Illinois University. He is a member of the International City/County Management Association and the Ohio City/County Management Association.
..
Item 13 Page 53 of 70
RAFTELIS 37
J. Scott Parker
OPERATIONS SME
Vice President
PROFILE
Scott has over 20 years of experience in local
government, utility management, and private
consulting. Prior to joining Raftelis, he served as
the Asset Manager for KC Water in Kansas City,
Missouri. Before KC Water, he served as the
Assistant Director for Public Works in both
Olathe and Lenexa, Kansas, where he led the
finance, data management, solid waste, field
operations (streets, utilities, traffic), and
communications divisions, and managed multiple
Police, Parks, and Fire Department capital
projects. He also has private consultant
experience providing capital planning, financial
analysis, data system, asset management, and
interim-executive services to Ft. Smith, Arkansas;
Jackson, Mississippi; and Kansas City, Kansas, all
of whom had signed Federal Consent Decrees
with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Scott’s wide range of experience has given him
extensive leadership and technical expertise in the
fields of asset management, information
technology, general management, and operations
in multiple domains. This has allowed him to
design, develop, and implement asset
management programs in three (3) communities
based on capital optimization strategies and asset
management best practices as defined in ISO
55000 and 55001 and ISO 31000 standards and
other industry criteria. As an Asset Management
practitioner, Scott has used his understanding of
the field to design teams that combine the best
theoretical concepts of asset management with the
opportunities and cultural circumstances specific
to the organizations for which he has worked. He
Professional History • Raftelis: Vice President (2025
-
present); Senior Manager (2022-
2024)
• KC Water: Utility Officer – Asset
Manager (2018-2022)
• Burns and McDonnell:
Engineering Manager (2015-
2018)
• City of Olathe, KS: Assistant
Director of Public Works (2011-
2015)
• City of Lenexa, KS: Assistant
Director of Public
Works/Assistant to the City
Manager (2006-2011)
• City of Kansas City, MO: Budget
and Finance Analyst (2003-
2006); L.P. Cookingham
Management Fellow (2002)
Education • Master of Public Administration
–
University of Missouri (2004)
• Master of Arts, History –
University of Arkansas-
Fayetteville (2000)
• Bachelor of Arts in History -
Graceland University (1997)
Professional Memberships • Institute of Asset Management • Water Environment Federation • American Water Works Association
• Water Research Foundation
..
Item 13 Page 54 of 70
RAFTELIS 38
has demonstrable experience working with multiple data technologies and systems in the asset management and utility space, including multiple Computer Maintenance Management System (CMMS) platforms; ESRI Geospatial Products; Autodesk GeoBIM; Innovyze hydraulic modeling and asset management software; and various Closed Circuit Television technologies utilized for Sanitary and Stormwater Assessments which utilize NASSCO Pipeline Assessment Certification Program (PACP) standards. In Kansas City, he developed the organization’s first data management strategic plan as well as its Business Case Evaluation criteria for information technology purchases, which led to both optimization of existing systems and reductions in the cost for new tools utilized in the department.
Scott has developed business risk exposure (Consequence and Likelihood of Failure) models utilized for investment decisions across multiple asset classes, including streets, water, sewer, and stormwater. In Kansas City, he helped reconceptualize and reformulate the criteria for the utility’s Annual Sewer Rehabilitation and Water Main Replacement Programs (total value $65m/year) to a truly risk-based model from a break and fix model. He also led multiple cross- functional teams in the development of software applications and dashboards, including one that integrated as-built project information from city staff, consultants, and contractors working on the Consent Decree (40+ projects; 80+ discrete users; 35,000 work orders; projects valued over $100 million) at no extra cost to the utility.
Scott has led the development of multi-billion-dollar capital improvement plans in communities throughout the country as both an employee and consultant. He has extensive experience with all elements of utility capital planning, financing, and project delivery, particularly all fiduciary components related to enterprise funds (Water, Wastewater, Stormwater, Solid Waste); rate structure analysis and recommendations to governing bodies; bond sales and refinancing; long- term debt outlooks; and allocations of revenue and expense. At KC Water, he developed an alternative capital plan that was utilized for the Consent Decree renegotiations with the EPA and reduced the city’s commitment by $1.3 billion over the original program, while assuring more time to meet the tenants of the decree. He also created the Business Case Evaluation model for capital improvement projects, which has been recognized by the WEF Water Intrapreneurs for Successful Enterprises (WISE) program of industry leaders. He managed the successful selection (valued at $100 million) of State Revolving Funds (SRF) for the $160 million Blue River Treatment Plant Solids Handling project.
PUBLICATIONS • “The Power of Business Process Modeling: Planning and Delivering Capital Improvements in Missouri” by Scott Parker and Daniel Ott, Water Environment and Technology (WE&T), September 2022. https://www.waterenvironmenttechnology- digital.com/waterenvironmenttechnology/august_2022?folio=46 • “Asset Management Opens the Door to Wastewater Treatment Improvement,” by Scott Parker and Brent Herring, September 2019. https://waste-water-
..
Item 13 Page 55 of 70
RAFTELIS 39
management.utilitiestechoutlook.com/cxoinsight/asset-management-opens-the-door-to- wastewater-treatment-improvement-nwid-441.html
• Reinventing Water Management,” North America Outlook, Issue 1 (December 2020): 12-17. https://www.northamericaoutlookmag.com/magazine/issues/2-north-america-outlook-issue- 01-december-20
NATIONAL AND REGIONAL PRESENTATIONS • 2022 WEF Collections Systems Conference, Presenter • 2022 AWWA/WEF Utility Manager’s Conference, Presenter • 2020 AWWA/WEF Utility Managers Conference, Presenter • 2020 Kansas Asset Management User Group (KAMUG) Conference, Presenter • 2019 Mid-America Regional Council Urban Stormwater Conference, Presenter • 2015 American Water Works Association Utility Management Conference, Presenter • 2015 Transforming Local Government (TLG) Conference, Presenter • 2013 American Water Works Association 2013 Sustainable Water Management Conference, Presenter
..
Item 13 Page 56 of 70
RAFTELIS 40
Susan Healy Keene AICP
LOCAL GOVERNMENT SME
Senior Advisor
ROLE
Susan will advise on program development and
leverage her past infrastructure expertise.
PROFILE
Susan Healy Keene has over 30 years of experience
in local government. She served as Director of
Community Development in the cities of Beverly
Hills and West Hollywood, California. She also
served in various planning positions for the City of
Santa Monica.
As a consultant, Susan has assisted public agencies
in the creation of strategic plans, organizational
assessments, and development process
improvements. She has successfully facilitated
workshops for board retreats and city council
priority setting sessions to build consensus and
achieve results. Susan helps government leaders
increase organizational effectiveness by planning
and establishing clear and actionable goals.
As Director of Community Development in the City
of Beverly Hills, Susan led a full-service
department with 70 FTEs and a $22.5M budget. The
department included planning, building and safety,
code enforcement, transportation, traffic
engineering, rent stabilization, special events, and
filming. She guided development review and
completion of major construction projects including
iconic retail stores on Rodeo Drive, a five-star hotel, and luxury single-family homes. Through
implementation of the Department Strategic Plan,
Susan provided optimum delivery of services that
included engagement with residents and the
business community.
Professional History • Raftelis: Senior Advisor (2024
-
present)
• Management Partners: Special
Advisor: Baker Tilly, through
acquisition of Management
Partners (2022-2024); Special
Advisor (2021-2022)
• City of Beverly Hills, California:
Director of Community
Development (2009-2021)
• City of West Hollywood,
California: Director of
Community Development
(2005-2009), Planning
Manager (2001-2005)
• City of Santa Monica,
California: Senior Planner
(1998-2001), Associate
Planner (1995-1998), Assistant
Planner (1992-1995)
Education • Master of Arts degree in
Organizational Leadership -
Woodbury University (2013)
• Bachelor of Arts degree in
Urban Planning and Design -
University of Cincinnati (1976)
Certifications • American Institute of Certified
Planners (AICP) (1995)
Professional Memberships • American Planning Association
..
Item 13 Page 57 of 70
RAFTELIS 41
Susan has held leadership positions in professional associations including the League of California Cities as Past President of the Planning and Community Development Department and as co-chair for the American Planning Association State conference and committee chair for the National APA conference. In 2013, the California Chapter of the APA Planner Emeritus Network (PEN) awarded Susan recognition for her contributions to the planning profession.
Susan values public service and works to encourage planning for the future with collaborative problem solving and good governance.
PRESENTATIONS • “Work It Out: Empowering Front
-Line Innovators to Revolutionize Process Improvement:
A Case Study in Process Improvement,” Municipal Management Association of Southern California (MMASC), 2023
• “Women Planning Directors,” National American Planning Association Conference, (APA), 2012
..
Item 13 Page 58 of 70
RAFTELIS 42
Mahdi Aluzri
LOCAL GOVERNMENT SME
Senior Advisor
PROFILE
Mahdi Aluzri has 35 years of direct public service
experience, most recently as City Manager for Beverly
Hills, California. After retiring and prior to joining Raftelis, he joined Baker Tilly (formerly Management Partners) as a Special Advisor consulting for a variety of municipal
projects in California and throughout the country. Projects included executive coaching, development process
evaluation, transportation agencies assessment and other municipal agencies process assessment engagements.
Mahdi served as City Manager in Beverly Hills for four
years and prior to that was the Assistant City Manager for close to six years, capping an almost 30-year career in the City. As City Manager, he was responsible for developing policies to present to the City Council, developing the annual budget of over $450 million, and overseeing nine City operating departments with over 1,000 employees.
Mahdi also served for two years as Deputy City Manager
for the City of Rancho Cucamonga, California, where he
was in charge of Community Development functions which
include public works, engineering, utilities, planning, building and safety and code enforcement.
As a public service professional, Mahdi has a proven record of effective leadership with a strategic approach to problem solving and strong management expertise and a consensus building approach. He has extensive project management
and development skills focusing on outcome and results.
Mahdi has a strong work ethic with exceptional customer service orientation.
Mahdi earned a master’s degree in Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from the University of Southern California. He is a licensed professional engineer in the State of California and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). He is also a long-standing member of the Education • MBA, Loyola
Marymount University,
Los Angeles, CA (2005)
• MS. Structural
Engineering, University
of Southern California,
Los Angeles, CA (1982)
• BS. Engineering,
University of Southern
California, Los Angeles,
CA (1980)
Certifications • Licensed Professional
Engineer, California
• AICP Certification
Professional
Memberships • American Planning
Association
• International
City/County
Management
Association
..
Item 13 Page 59 of 70
RAFTELIS 43
International City/County Management Association (ICMA), and served on many policy committees for the League of California Cities (LCC).
KEY PROJECT EXPERIENCE
City of Cleveland (OH) Development: Dev Review Process Assessment Mahdi served as a member of the Baker Tilly team evaluating the city’s development review process to determine how projects are reviewed through the different city departments from time of submittal to issuing the permits and inspection follow up. (June 2023). The team identified problem issues, gaps and areas of improvements and provided recommendations to facilitate the process and provide improved service to the customer base.
City of Novato (CA): Community Development Project Review Process Served as a member of the Baker Till team evaluating the development review process and providing recommendation for improvements along with process mapping and changes to facilitate the review process (September 2023).
City of Pasadena (CA): Assessment of impact of Rent Control Initiative As a member of the Baker Tilly Team (April 2022), Mahdi conducted an assessment of a ballot initiative that set regulations and established a rent control programs that applies to all multi housing units in the city (excluded more recent development). The evaluation included review of the initiative terms and how it applies, establishing fiscal impact including recommendations for development of an organizational structure, staffing, and expected budget to support the initiative implementation.
Charlotte Area Transit System (NC): Organizational Assessment Served as a member of the Management Partners team to assess the organizational structure of the agency including its senior management in the different divisions especially their bus service group. The project (August 2022) included review of their capital and operating budgets, staffing requirements and service delivery in light of proposed system expansion and possible tax initiative for funding sources.
PROJECT LIST • City of Cleveland (OH): Development Review Process Assessment (2023) • City of Novato (CA): Permit Review process Assessment (2023) • City of Charlotte (NC): CATS Organizational Assessment (2022) • City of Pasadena (CA): Assessment of Impact of Rent Control Initiative (2022) • City of Pasadena (CA): Building Permit Process Review (2021) • City of Pasadena (CA): Building Inspection Division Assessment (2022) • City of South Miami (FL): Public Works Department Performance Audit (2021) • City of Sunbury (PA): Strategic Management Plan Development (2020)
..
Item 13 Page 60 of 70
RAFTELIS 44
Dan Marks AICP
LOCAL GOVERNMENT SME
Senior Advisor
PROFILE
Dan has more than 30 years of experience as a local
government land use planner, including 16 years as a
Community Development Director and Planning
Director. He has served in several California
jurisdictions including Berkeley (Director, 2003-2012
and Zoning Officer, 1995-97), Fremont (Planning
Director, 1997-2003, Associate Planner, 1988-90),
Napa (Principal Planner, 1990-95). After retiring from
full time public service in 2012, he has been a local
government management consultant. His consulting
work has including interim assignments as Community
Development Director for the cities of Vallejo, CA
(2012-14) and Benicia, CA (2014-15), and as principal
analyst for improving the land use and building permit
processing functions for over 25 California
jurisdictions, including Alameda County and the cities
of Pleasant Hill, Santa Cruz, Lafayette, San Leandro,
and Santa Rosa.
As Director of Planning and Development for the City
of Berkeley, Dan instituted numerous procedural
improvements to allow for a more certain and timely
development review process. He also won awards for a
groundbreaking Climate Action Plan and a Downtown
Plan which resulted in transforming Berkeley’s
downtown. In virtually all of the cities where Dan has
been a manager, he has taken divisions and departments
in crisis and created stable and strong teams,
streamlined development processes, and significantly
improved the relationship of the department to the
community and to building and design professionals.
Dan specializes in streamlining permit processing for
both land use entitlements and building permits,
improving community development department
functional alignment and structure, identifying methods Professional History • Management Partners:
Principal Analyst (2003-
2012); Interim Community
Development Director,
Vallejo, California (2012-
2014); Interim Community
Development Director.
Benicia (2014-15)
• City of Berkeley, California:
Director (2003-2012);
Zoning Officer (1995-1997)
• City of Fremont, California:
Planning Director (1997-
2003); Associate Planner
(1988-1990)
• City of Napa, California:
Principal Planner, (1990-
1995)
Education • Master of City Planning
-
University of California,
Berkeley (1980)
Certifications • American Institute of
Certified Planners (AICP),
American Planning
Association
Professional Memberships • American Planning
Association
• Planner Emeritus Network
..
Item 13 Page 61 of 70
RAFTELIS 45
for ensuring appropriate community engagement, assessing the use of technology in permit processing, and facilitating improved communication between permit reviewing agencies. He has expertise in zoning tools, historic preservation, Housing Elements, Climate Action Plans, and the California Environmental Quality Act.
Dan has Master of City Planning (MCP) degree from the University of California, Berkeley (1980) and has been a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) since 1984. He has taught in UC Berkeley’s Department of City and Regional Planning and is a member of the Planner Emeritus Network. Until recently, Dan was on the Board of the Greenbelt Alliance, a Bay Area regional planning organization, and he has previously been on the Board of the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR), a planning-advocacy organization.
PUBLICATIONS • “Plan Bay Area, What Has it Accomplished, What Needs to be Done,” 2020 • “Local Government Planning in a Post-Covid World,” 2020 • “Whither Bay Area Planning?”, 2015 • “Solar Access,” Planners Advisory Service, 2009 • “Centerville Specific Plan,” Fremont, 2002 • “Big Ranch Specific Plan” Napa,” 1994 • “Fremont General Plan,” 1992 • “Bay Meadows Specific Plan EIR,” 1987 • “Room Enough, Housing and Open Space in the Bay Area,” 1984 • “South of Market, A Plan for San Francisco’s Last Frontier,” 1980 PRESENTATIONS • “Navigating Conflict and Achieving Successful Planning Outcomes,” Bay Area Planning Directors Association, 2014
• “So You Want to Be A Community Development Director?”, California Chapter, American Planning Association, 2013
• “Planning the People’s Republic,” Bay Area Planning Directors Association, 2012 • “How Local Governments Address Climate Change and Sustainability,” Bay Area Planning Directors Association, 2007
• “Budgeting in Hard Times,” APA sponsored seminar, 2003
..
Item 13 Page 62 of 70
RAFTELIS 46
Harold Mitchell PMP,
ACP, PMI-PBA
SOLID WASTE STAFF
CONSULTANT
Senior Consultant
PROFILE
Harold specializes in stormwater financial
assessments, supporting project decision-
making and prioritization with detailed
analyses. Previously, he optimized business
applications and led IT projects at
International Paper and managed SaaS and
IT infrastructure projects for the City of
Memphis. As a Lead Database Analyst for
Memphis' Solid Waste Division, he
enhanced fleet and route services with data
visualizations and automated reporting. He
led the integration of Rubicon’s SaaS with
Oracle’s CRM database and ensured the
fleet’s 360+ vehicles were equipped for
improved route tracking and maintenance.
Harold holds an MBA with a focus on
Project Management and Data Analytics and
professional certifications, including PMP,
PMI-ACP, and PMI-PBA. He is proficient
in Power BI, SQL, and financial modeling.
RELEVANT PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Montgomery County (OH): Solid Waste
Billing Software & Call Center
Montgomery County is engaged with
Raftelis to support Annual Property Charge
(APC) solid waste billing using the billing
software designed by Raftelis for this
purpose. Additionally, Raftelis staffed a call
center to intake customer questions and
disputes regarding the fee. Harold assisted in
the development of standard operating
procedures and training materials. Harold
also managed the call center staff, ensuring
Professional History • Raftelis: Senior Consultant (2023 -
Current)
• International Paper: Business Analyst
(2022-2023)
• City of Memphis: Project Manager
(2021-2022); Lead Database Analyst
(2019-2021)
Education • Master of Business Administration in
Project Management & Data Analytics - University of Memphis (2022) • Bachelor of Science in Sociology &
Public Administration - University of
Memphis (2017)
Certifications • PMI-PMP (Project Management
Professional)
• PMI-PBA (Professional Business
Analyst)
• PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Practitioner)
• Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS
Expert)
Professional Memberships • Project Management Institute – PMI
Memphis Chapter Member
• PMI Netherlands Chapter Member • PMI Memphis Board Member, VP of Technology
• SWANA - Young Professional
• Leadership Memphis Alumni Member
..
Item 13 Page 63 of 70
RAFTELIS 47
appropriate coverage of representatives and that proper tracking procedures were utilized.
Additionally, he compiled and provided reports of activities and open inquiries to County staff on a weekly basis, ensuring inquiries were progressing through the appropriate channels before being closed out. He will continue in this role for the upcoming call center period in January 2025.
City of Memphis (TN): Solid Waste Division Financial Modeling Conducting analysis of various service delivery scenarios for future fiscal years, to determine the revenue requirements for each. The results of this analysis will be a proposal for a new per- customer rate surrounding the new service delivery model proposed.
Port St. Lucie (FL): Solid Waste In-House Study
Conducting analysis pertaining to sourcing staffing, facility, and fleet needs in-house, regarding city solid waste services, for both residential and commercial customers within the servicing area. The result of this analysis will be a per customer, per service type cost, that will be provided as a high-level comparison to the current contracted service, per customer, cost.
..
Item 13 Page 64 of 70
RAFTELIS 48
Sarah Neely
FINANCE STAFF CONSULTANT
Senior Consultant
PROFILE
Sarah brings a client-centric approach with a desire to provide value in all her engagements. She has contributed to projects involving water, wastewater, solid waste, and stormwater enterprise systems. She specializes in the
performance of solid waste cost of service and financial planning evaluations with the following areas of
concentrations: • Solid waste collection cost of service and rate studies
• Disposal cost of service and rate studies • Long-Range Financial Modeling / Master Plans planning support
• Financial/economic evaluations of solid waste
system operations
• Review of contractual arrangements (e.g.,
evaluation of collection hauler bids/contracts)
• Assistance in feasibility studies in the issuance of
debt (i.e., Bond Feasibility studies) and assistance
in development of Bond Resolution / Trust
Indenture agreements
KEY PROJECT EXPERIENCE
City of Oxnard (CA): Solid Waste Impact Fee and Cost-
of-service Study
Sarah assisted in the analysis and development of solid waste impact fees for the City of Oxnard (City). The fees developed included solid waste container, truck, and facility fees. Sarah supported the development of an impact fee model assessing the City’s solid waste costs in terms of the appropriate units of service capacity per the fee type and the application of the cost per unit of service capacity to the customer’s level of service requirements for fee design. The evaluation required review of the City’s solid waste related fixed asset records and functional allocation of the assets (e.g., MRF and transfer station equipment, etc.). Most recently, Sarah assisted in a cost-of-service analysis for the City evaluating their collection and disposal rate structure for residential, commercial, and industrial customers. With the City having not conducted a cost-of-service analysis in over ten years, while subject to local, state, and federal mandates regarding solid waste handling (e.g., S.B. 1383), and rising costs, they were faced with Professional History • Raftelis: Senior
Consultant (2025-
present); Consultant
(2023-2024); Associate
Consultant (2021-2022)
Education • Master of Business
Administration, Finance - Rollins College (2021)
• Bachelor of Arts,
International Business –
Rollins College (2020)
Professional
Memberships • Solid Waste Association
of North America
(SWANA)
• Water Environment
Federation (WEF)
..
Item 13 Page 65 of 70
RAFTELIS 49
funding deficiencies.A financial plan was developed to ensure adequate reserves over the five- year planning period and developed equitable rates for the City’s customers.
CALIFORNIA PROJECT LIST • City of Lincoln (CA) – Solid waste cost -of-service rate study
• City of Long Beach, (CA) – Solid waste waste-to-energy and SB1383 procurement support services
• Calaveras County (CA) – Solid waste cost-of-service rate study • Madera County (CA) – Solid waste cost-of-service rate study and solid waste management system evaluation
..
Item 13 Page 66 of 70
RAFTELIS 50
Claire Pritchard
OPERATIONS STAFF CONSULTANT
Senior Consultant
PROFILE
Claire has more than ten years of experience in
management consulting and local government
management. She began her consulting career
following five years of service with Dakota County,
Minnesota, where, most recently, she held the position
of assistant to the county manager. While with Dakota
County, Claire coordinated the County’s legislative
agenda, assisted in the development of the annual
budget, and conducted financial impact analyses and
process improvement efforts for a variety of County
functions. Claire also coordinated the County’s
transition to a new form of government in 2013.
As a consultant, Claire has worked on organizational
and staffing analyses for communities around the
country, such as the Town of Nantucket, Massachusetts,
the City of Allentown, Pennsylvania, and the City of
Bloomington, Indiana, as well as several utilities,
including Fairfax Water, Virginia, Pinellas County
Utilities, Florida, the San Diego Public Utilities
Department, California, and Tampa Bay Water, Florida.
Claire has assisted in developing financial models to
analyze revenue and expenditure trends, as well as
conducted detailed staffing and workload analysis to
determine optimal organizational structures. She has
developed and analyzed an array of employee and
community-based surveys. Claire has conducted several
best practice and benchmarking research projects and
has assisted in the creation of strategic planning and
implementation deliverables.
As a student at the University of Chicago, Claire served as a policy intern with the National Association of
Regional Councils, where she developed an educational
program on the work of regional councils. She was also
Professional History • Raftelis: Senior Consultant
(2023-present); Consultant
(2021-2022); Associate
Consultant (2020-2021);
Associate Consultant, The
Novak Consulting Group
(2018-2020)
• Dakota County, Minnesota:
Assistant to the County
Manager (2013-2017)
• National Association of
Regional Councils: Policy
Intern (2012)
• Congressional Research
Service (2010-2011)
Education • Master of Public Policy
-
University of Chicago (2013)
• Bachelor of Arts in Political
Science- University of
Chicago (2009)
Professional Memberships • International City/County
Management Association
(ICMA)
• Engaging Local
Government Leaders
(ELGL)
• International Facility
Management Association
(IMFA)
..
Item 13 Page 67 of 70
RAFTELIS 51
the associate editor for international development for the Chicago Policy Review.
Claire earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Chicago and a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy.
She is a member of the International City/County Management Association and is a former ICMA Local Government Management Fellow.
..
Item 13 Page 68 of 70
EXHIBIT
B
SCHEDULE
..
Item 13 Page 69 of 70
EXHIBIT
C
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
PRACTICES PROVISIONS
A. Contractor certifies and represents that, during the performance of this Agreement, the contractor and each subcontractor shall adhere to equal opportunity employment practices to assure that applicants and employees are treated equally and are not discriminated against because of their race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, handicap, sex, or age. Contractor further certifies that it will not maintain any segregated facilities.
B. Contractor agrees that it shall, in all solicitations or advertisements for applicants for employment placed by or on behalf of Contractor, state that it is an "Equal Opportunity Employer" or that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, handicap, sex or age.
C. Contractor agrees that it shall, if requested to do so by the City, certify that it has not, in the performance of this Agreement, discriminated against applicants or employees because of their membership in a protected class.
D. Contractor agrees to provide the City with access to, and, if requested to do so by City, through its awarding authority, provide copies of all of its records pertaining or relating to its employment practices, except to the extent such records or portions of such records are confidential or privileged under state or federal law.
E. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed in any manner as to require or permit any act which is prohibited by law.
..
Item 13 Page 70 of 70
City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: May 20, 2025
From: Todd Dusenberry, General Manager of Public Utilities Department: Public Utilities
Submitted by: Adriana Ramos, Senior Management Analyst
Subject
Water Rights Lease Agreements with Liberty Utilities Corporation, the City of Compton and South Montebello Irrigation District
Recommendation
A. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Water Rights License and Agreement with Liberty Utilities Corporation, in substantially the same form as submitted, for a lease of 2,000 acre-feet of the City’s Allowed Pumping Allocation for Fiscal Year 2024-25 and 1,000 acre-feet per year of the City’s Allowed Pumping Allocation for Fiscal Years 2025-26 and 2026-27, for a total revenue amount of $460,000;
B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Water Rights License and Agreement with the City of Compton, in substantially the same form as submitted, for a lease of 1,500 acre-feet per year of the City’s Allowed Pumping Allocation for Fiscal Year 2025-26, Fiscal Year 2026-27, and Fiscal Year 2027-28, for a total revenue amount of $720,000; and C. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Water Rights License and Agreement with South Montebello Irrigation District, in substantially the same form as submitted, for a lease of 500 acre-feet per year of the City’s Allowed Pumping Allocation for Fiscal Year 2026-27 and Fiscal Year 2027-28, for a total revenue amount of $130,000.
Background
The City of Vernon is situated above the Central Basin and is a participant in the Judgment issued on October 11, 1965, in Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 786656, titled “Central and West Basin Water Replenishment District v. Charles E. Adams, et al.” As a participant in this Judgment, the City has been granted an annual Allowed Pumping Allocation (APA) of 7,539 acrefeet, with these water rights being held in perpetuity.
The Judgment has undergone three amendments to date. The third amendment, enacted in 2013, introduced provisions for water storage and carryover. The revised Judgment appointed the Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD) as the Watermaster, responsible for managing and enforcing the Judgment’s terms. The carryover provisions allow the parties involved to transfer a portion of their unused water rights into the subsequent Fiscal Year (FY).
Furthermore, it is common practice for parties to lease, buy, sell, and trade any unused water rights.
On July 31, 2019, Assembly Bill 756 (AB756) received approval from the Governor. This legislation empowered the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) to mandate public water systems to monitor for perfloroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), identified as emerging contaminants. In response, the State Water Board issued a series of monitoring directives to public water systems. Consequently, many water systems in the region had to take wells offline until appropriate treatment solutions could be implemented. This situation resulted in an increase in imported water purchases and a decrease in the amount of water extracted from the basin. Additionally, the PFAS concerns complicated the leasing of water rights.
Due to the effects of PFAS and the loss of Farmer John, which accounted for twenty percent of ..
Item 14 Page 1 of 2
the total water demand, the Vernon Public Utilities (VPU) carryover account has reached its maximum capacity of 4,523 acre-feet. Currently, VPU’s water demand stands at approximately 4,700 acre-feet, which is 2,839 acre-feet below VPU’s annual APA. As a result, staff expects a continuous balance to accumulate in the carryover account. To address the potential revenue loss from unused rights, staff recommends approval of the following water rights leases:
Fiscal Year 2024-25:
- 2,000 acre-feet to Liberty Utilities Corporation at $100 per acre-foot, for a total revenue amount of $200,000.
Fiscal Year 2025-26:
- 1,500 acre-feet to the City of Compton at $160 per acre-foot, for a total revenue amount of $240,000.
- 1,000 acre-feet to Liberty Utilities Corporation at $130 per acre-foot, for a total revenue amount of $130,000.
Fiscal Year 2026-27:
- 1,500 acre-feet to the City of Compton at $160 per acre-foot, for a total revenue amount of $240,000.
- 500 acre-feet to South Montebello Irrigation District at $130 per acre-foot, for a total revenue amount of $65,000.
- 1,000 acre-feet to Liberty Utilities Corporation at $130 per acre-foot, for a total revenue amount of $130,000.
Fiscal Year 2027-28:
- 1,500 acre-feet to the City of Compton at $160 per acre-foot, for a total revenue of $240,000. - 500 acre-feet to South Montebello Irrigation District at $130 per acre-foot, for a total revenue amount of $65,000.
The proposed agreements have been reviewed and approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal impact from the total water revenue rights will not exceed $1,310,000 and will be credited to the Water Fund, Water Rights Lease Revenue, Account No. 058-430-700-450300 for the current fiscal year and subsequent fiscal years.
Attachments
1. Water Rights License and Agreement with Liberty Utilities Corporation for FY 2024-25
2. Water Rights License and Agreement with Liberty Utilities Corporation for FY 2025-26
3. Water Rights License and Agreement with Liberty Utilities Corporation for FY 2026-27
4. Water Rights License and Agreement with the City of Compton for FYs 2025-26 through FY 2027-28
5. Water Rights License and Agreement with South Montebello Irrigation District for FY 2026-27
6. Water Rights License and Agreement with South Montebello Irrigation District for FY 2027-28 ..
Item 14 Page 2 of 2
WATER RIGHT LICENSE AND AGREEMENT
(Central Basin)
For a valuable consideration, the City of Vernon (Licensor) hereby grants to Liberty Utilities Corporation (Licensee): a license to extract 2,000 acre-feet of Licensor’s Allowed Pumping Allocation allocated to Licensor (or predecessors in interest) under and pursuant to the Central Basin Third Amended Judgment dated December 23, 2013 and entered in Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 786656 entitled “Central and West Basin Water Replenishment District vs. Charles E. Adams, et al.” during the period commencing July 1, 2024 and continuing to and including June 30, 2025.
Said License is granted subject to the following conditions:
1. Licensee shall exercise said right and extract the same on behalf of Licensor during the period above specified and put the same to beneficial use and Licensee shall not by the exercise hereunder of said right acquire any right to extract water independent of the rights of Licensor.
2. Licensee shall pay assessments levied on the pumping of said ground waters by the Water Replenishment District (District).
3. Licensee shall notify the District that said pumping was done pursuant to this license and provide the District with a copy of this signed document.
4. Licensee shall note, in any recording of water production for the period of agreement that said pumping was done pursuant to this license.
5. Licensee’s Allowed Pumping Allocation shall (shall, with flex)(shall not, without flex) be increased by the amount hereby leased when computing carryover or allowable overextraction as provided by Part III, Subpart A and B in said Judgment.
6. Licensee shall pay licensor $100 per acre-foot for the 2,000 acre-feet following acceptance of this agreement by the Watermaster.
The City of Vernon warrants that it has 2,000 acre-feet of Allowed Pumping Allocation and that it has not pumped and will not pump or permit or license any other person to pump any part of said 2,000 acre-feet during the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
This lease may be signed by the parties by facsimile, electronic or digital signature, and such signature shall be deemed valid and binding on the party signing this lease in that manner. ..
Item 14 Page 1 of 2
Dated : ____________
Licensor: City of Vernon Licensee : Liberty Utilities Corporation Signed By: _________________________ Signed By : _______________________ Brian Saeki, City Administrator Name : _______________________ Title : _______________________
Approved as to form:
Signed By : _______________________
_________________________ Name : _______________________ Zaynah N. Moussa, City Attorney Title : _______________________ Attest:
_________________________
Yonnie Parker, Deputy City Clerk ..
Item 14 Page 2 of 2
WATER RIGHT LICENSE AND AGREEMENT
(Central Basin)
For a valuable consideration, the City of Vernon (Licensor) hereby grants to Liberty Utilities Corporation (Licensee): a license to extract 1,000 acre-feet of Licensor’s Allowed Pumping Allocation allocated to Licensor (or predecessors in interest) under and pursuant to the Central Basin Third Amended Judgment dated December 23, 2013 and entered in Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 786656 entitled “Central and West Basin Water Replenishment District vs. Charles E. Adams, et al.” during the period commencing July 1, 2025 and continuing to and including June 30, 2026.
Said License is granted subject to the following conditions:
1. Licensee shall exercise said right and extract the same on behalf of Licensor during the period above specified and put the same to beneficial use and Licensee shall not by the exercise hereunder of said right acquire any right to extract water independent of the rights of Licensor.
2. Licensee shall pay assessments levied on the pumping of said ground waters by the Water Replenishment District (District).
3. Licensee shall notify the District that said pumping was done pursuant to this license and provide the District with a copy of this signed document.
4. Licensee shall note, in any recording of water production for the period of agreement that said pumping was done pursuant to this license.
5. Licensee’s Allowed Pumping Allocation shall (shall, with flex)(shall not, without flex) be increased by the amount hereby leased when computing carryover or allowable overextraction as provided by Part III, Subpart A and B in said Judgment.
6. Licensee shall pay licensor $130 per acre-foot for the 1,000 acre-feet by January 31, 2026. Licensor will invoice Licensee at least 30 days in advance.
The City of Vernon warrants that it has 1,000 acre-feet of Allowed Pumping Allocation and that it has not pumped and will not pump or permit or license any other person to pump any part of said 1,000 acre-feet during the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
This lease may be signed by the parties by facsimile, electronic or digital signature, and such signature shall be deemed valid and binding on the party signing this lease in that manner. ..
Item 14 Page 1 of 2
Dated : ____________
Licensor: City of Vernon Licensee : Liberty Utilities Corporation Signed By: _________________________ Signed By : _______________________ Brian Saeki, City Administrator Name: _______________________ Title : _______________________
Approved as to form:
Signed By : _______________________
_______________________ Name : _______________________
Zaynah N. Moussa, City Attorney Title : _______________________ Attest:
_______________________
Yonnie Parker, Deputy City Clerk ..
Item 14 Page 2 of 2
WATER RIGHT LICENSE AND AGREEMENT
(Central Basin)
For a valuable consideration, the City of Vernon (Licensor) hereby grants to Liberty Utilities Corporation (Licensee): a license to extract 1,000 acre-feet of Licensor’s Allowed Pumping Allocation allocated to Licensor (or predecessors in interest) under and pursuant to the Central Basin Third Amended Judgment dated December 23, 2013 and entered in Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 786656 entitled “Central and West Basin Water Replenishment District vs. Charles E. Adams, et al.” during the period commencing July 1, 2026 and continuing to and including June 30, 2027.
Said License is granted subject to the following conditions:
1. Licensee shall exercise said right and extract the same on behalf of Licensor during the period above specified and put the same to beneficial use and Licensee shall not by the exercise hereunder of said right acquire any right to extract water independent of the rights of Licensor.
2. Licensee shall pay assessments levied on the pumping of said ground waters by the Water Replenishment District (District).
3. Licensee shall notify the District that said pumping was done pursuant to this license and provide the District with a copy of this signed document.
4. Licensee shall note, in any recording of water production for the period of agreement that said pumping was done pursuant to this license.
5. Licensee’s Allowed Pumping Allocation shall (shall, with flex)(shall not, without flex) be increased by the amount hereby leased when computing carryover or allowable overextraction as provided by Part III, Subpart A and B in said Judgment.
6. Licensee shall pay Licensor $130 per acre-foot for the 1,000 acre-feet by January 31, 2027.
Licensor will invoice Licensee at least 30 days in advance.
The City of Vernon warrants that it has 1,000 acre-feet of Allowed Pumping Allocation and that it has not pumped and will not pump or permit or license any other person to pump any part of said 1,000 acre-feet during the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
This lease may be signed by the parties by facsimile, electronic or digital signature, and such signature shall be deemed valid and binding on the party signing this lease in that manner. ..
Item 14 Page 1 of 2
Dated : ____________
Licensor: City of Vernon Licensee : Liberty Utilities Corporation Signed By: _________________________ Signed By : _______________________ Brian Saeki, City Administrator Name: _______________________ Title : _______________________
Approved as to form:
Signed By : _______________________
_______________________ Name : _______________________
Zaynah N. Moussa, City Attorney Title : _______________________ Attest:
_______________________
Yonnie Parker, Deputy City Clerk ..
Item 14 Page 2 of 2
..
Item 14 Page 1 of 4
..
Item 14 Page 2 of 4
..
Item 14 Page 3 of 4
..
Item 14 Page 4 of 4
WATER RIGHT LICENSE AND AGREEMENT
(Central Basin)
For a valuable consideration, City of Vernon (Licensor) hereby grants to South Montebello Irrigation District (Licensee): a license to extract 500 acre-feet of Licensor’s Allowed Pumping Allocation allocated to Licensor (or predecessors in interest) under and pursuant to the Central Basin Third Amended Judgment dated December 23, 2013 and entered in Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 786656 entitled “Central and West Basin Water Replenishment District vs. Charles E. Adams, et al.” during the period commencing July 1, 2026 and continuing to and including June 30, 2027.
Said License is granted subject to the following conditions:
1. Licensee shall exercise said right and extract the same on behalf of Licensor during the period above specified and put the same to beneficial use and Licensee shall not by the exercise hereunder of said right acquire any right to extract water independent of the rights of Licensor.
2. Licensee shall pay assessments levied on the pumping of said ground waters by the Water Replenishment District (District).
3. Licensee shall notify the District that said pumping was done pursuant to this license and provide the District with a copy of this signed document.
4. Licensee shall note, in any recording of water production for the period of agreement that said pumping was done pursuant to this license.
5. Licensee’s Allowed Pumping Allocation shall not (shall, with flex)(shall not, without flex) be increased by the amount hereby leased when computing carryover or allowable overextraction as provided by Part III, Subpart A and B in said Judgment.
6. Licensee shall pay Licensor $130 per acre-foot for the 500 acre-feet by July 31, 2026. Licensor will invoice Licensee at least 30 days in advance.
City of Vernon warrants that it has 500 acre-feet of Allowed Pumping Allocation and that it has not pumped and will not pump or permit or license any other person to pump any part of said 500 acre-feet during the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
This lease may be signed by the parties by facsimile, electronic or digital signature, and such signature shall be deemed valid and binding on the party signing this lease in that manner. ..
Item 14 Page 1 of 2
Dated : ____________
Licensor : City of Vernon Licensee : South Montebello Irrigation District Signed By : _________________________ Signed By : _______________________ Name : _________________________ Name : _______________________ Title : _________________________ Title : _______________________ Approved as to form: Signed By : _______________________ Name : _______________________
_________________________ Title : _______________________ Zaynah N. Moussa, City Attorney
Attest:
_______________________
Yonnie Parker, Deputy City Clerk ..
Item 14 Page 2 of 2
WATER RIGHT LICENSE AND AGREEMENT
(Central Basin)
For a valuable consideration, City of Vernon (Licensor) hereby grants to South Montebello Irrigation District (Licensee): a license to extract 500 acre-feet of Licensor’s Allowed Pumping Allocation allocated to Licensor (or predecessors in interest) under and pursuant to the Central Basin Third Amended Judgment dated December 23, 2013 and entered in Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 786656 entitled “Central and West Basin Water Replenishment District vs. Charles E. Adams, et al.” during the period commencing July 1, 2027 and continuing to and including June 30, 2028.
Said License is granted subject to the following conditions:
1. Licensee shall exercise said right and extract the same on behalf of Licensor during the period above specified and put the same to beneficial use and Licensee shall not by the exercise hereunder of said right acquire any right to extract water independent of the rights of Licensor.
2. Licensee shall pay assessments levied on the pumping of said ground waters by the Water Replenishment District (District).
3. Licensee shall notify the District that said pumping was done pursuant to this license and provide the District with a copy of this signed document.
4. Licensee shall note, in any recording of water production for the period of agreement that said pumping was done pursuant to this license.
5. Licensee’s Allowed Pumping Allocation shall not (shall, with flex)(shall not, without flex) be increased by the amount hereby leased when computing carryover or allowable overextraction as provided by Part III, Subpart A and B in said Judgment.
6. Licensee shall pay Licensor $130 per acre-foot for the 500 acre-feet by July 31, 2027. Licensor will invoice Licensee at least 30 days in advance.
City of Vernon warrants that it has 500 acre-feet of Allowed Pumping Allocation and that it has not pumped and will not pump or permit or license any other person to pump any part of said 500 acre-feet during the period of July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2028.
This lease may be signed by the parties by facsimile, electronic or digital signature, and such signature shall be deemed valid and binding on the party signing this lease in that manner. ..
Item 14 Page 1 of 2
Dated : ____________
Licensor : City of Vernon Licensee : South Montebello Irrigation District Signed By : _________________________ Signed By : _______________________ Name : _________________________ Name : _______________________ Title : _________________________ Title : _______________________ Approved as to form: Signed By : _______________________ Name : _______________________
_________________________ Title : _______________________ Zaynah N. Moussa, City Attorney
Attest:
_______________________
Yonnie Parker, Deputy City Clerk ..
Item 14 Page 2 of 2
City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: May 20, 2025
From: Daniel S. Wall, P.E., Director of Public Works
Department: Public Works
Submitted by: Lissette Melendez, Project Engineer
Subject
Amendment No. 1 to Services Agreement with Architerra Design Group, Contract No. 20240265 Recommendation
Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute Amendment No. 1 to the Services Agreement with Architerra Design Group, in substantially the same form as submitted, for landscape architectural services provided for a total amount not-to-exceed $65,200 (increasing the total contract cost to $188,130).
Background
The City of Vernon hosts multiple community events throughout the year in the area in front of City Hall. As events have gained popularity, attendance has reached as many as 600 people.
Given the increased community participation in such events, the existing space configuration and landscaping could be improved to better accommodate large public gatherings.
To that end, following a Request for Proposals process, on February 20, 2024, the City Council awarded a Services Agreement to Architerra Design Group (Architerra) to design, produce preliminary plans, cost estimates and present a final conceptual design that addresses all of the City requirements for a welcoming, aesthetically pleasing, and functional Civic Plaza.
Architerra worked with a committee of City staff to develop a design that incorporates hardscape with low maintenance climate-appropriate landscape, an outdoor congregation area with a stage, lighting and sound systems to better accommodate community events and enhance the appearance of City Hall.
On March 18, 2025, Architerra presented the final design to City Council. Based on the final chosen design, this Amendment provides for additional services beyond the original scope of work.
Staff is requesting authority to enter into Amendment No. 1, which maintains all existing terms under the current Agreement and increases the not-to-exceed amount by $65,200, bringing the total contract amount to $188,130. Pursuant to Vernon Municipal Code Section 3.32.030(A), City Council approval is required for the proposed amendment as the total value of the contract exceeds $100,000.
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal impact is not-to-exceed $65,200. Sufficient funds are available in General Fund, Public Works Department, Facilities Maintenance, Capital Outlays Account No. 011-040-415-660000 for the current fiscal year.
Attachments
1. Amendment No. 1 – Architerra Design Group ..
Item 15 Page 1 of 1
..
Item 15 Page 1 of 6
..
Item 15 Page 2 of 6
..
Item 15 Page 3 of 6
..
Item 15 Page 4 of 6
..
Item 15 Page 5 of 6
..
Item 15 Page 6 of 6