City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: February 17, 2026
From: Freddie Agyin, Director of Health and Environmental Control Department: Health and Environmental Control
Submitted by: Dulce Gonzalez, Management Analyst
Subject
Service Agreement with Sespe Consulting Inc., a Trinity Consultants Company (Sespe), for Environmental Compliance and Remediation Technical Consulting Services Recommendation
Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Sespe, in substantially the same form as submitted, for Environmental Compliance and Remediation Technical Consulting Services for an amount not-to-exceed $500,000 for a three (3) year term.
Background
The Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) serves as the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) for the City of Vernon. In this role, DHEC provides oversight of designated contaminated sites to facilitate the timely completion of site cleanup projects. This oversight program is supplemental to the regulatory programs administered by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB).
To carry out these oversight responsibilities, DHEC requires the services of a qualified firm specialized in in-depth review and analysis of technical environmental data by certified professionals holding appropriate licenses or certifications.
Pursuant to Vernon Municipal Code (VMC) Section 3.32.080, professional service contracts exceeding $50,000 are subject to a formal competitive selection process. Accordingly, and in anticipation of the current contract expiring in December 2025, on November 13, 2025, the DHEC publicized a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Environmental Compliance and Remediation Technical Consulting Services. The DHEC received two (2) proposals from qualified firms which were evaluated on their experience, overall cost, feedback from references, and responsiveness to the RFP. After thorough consideration, Sespe was determined to be the best suited firm to meet the needs of the Department based on the collective rating calculated by staff. Therefore, the DHEC recommends that Council award the contract to Sespe for environmental compliance and remediation technical consulting services for a three (3) year term beginning December 6, 2025. The retroactive date is to allow for continuity of services between agreements. Pursuant to VMC Section 3.32.030, the contract requires Council approval as the total value over the lifetime of the contract exceeds $100,000.
The proposed agreement has been reviewed and approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal impact is estimated at $500,000. Sufficient funds are available in General Fund, Health Department, Professional Services Technical Account No. 011-020-200-529225 for the current fiscal year and will be budgeted in subsequent fiscal years.
Attachments
1. Sespe Services Agreement