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CC - CONSENT ITEM: Approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Sapphos Environmental, Inc. for Environmental and Permitting Services for Syd Kronenthal Park Stormwater Project in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $129,030.
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Meeting Date: July 10, 2023
Contact Person/Dept: Sean Singletary/Public Works - EPO
Phone Number: 310-253-6457
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [ ] General Fund: Yes [ ] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [ ] No [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [ ] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas (07/06/2023)
Department Approval: Yanni Demitri, Public Works Director/City Engineer (06/28/2023)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve a professional services agreement with Sapphos Environmental, Inc. for environmental and permitting Services for Syd Kronenthal Park Stormwater Project, in an amount not-to-exceed $129,030.
BACKGROUND
The City of Culver City’s stormwater pollution efforts are driven by the Los Angeles County Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Permit (MS4 Permit), which became effective on December 28, 2012, in accordance with the Clean Water Act. The City addresses compliance through minimum control measures such as enhanced street sweeping, catch basin cleaning, business inspections, outreach events, as well as capital projects such the Culver Boulevard Stormwater Project. Syd Kronenthal Park was identified as a top priority capital project location in the City’s Stormwater Quality Master Plan due to its siting along Ballona Creek and environmental features. The Syd Kronenthal Park Stormwater Project was added to the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) in FY 2022, and the City applied for and received regional Measure W funding for a feasibility study for the project, overseen by the County of Los Angeles.
The project will begin design in late FY 2024 and will consist of a large subsurface stormwater storage gallery beneath the existing ballfields at the Park. Diversions from three local storm drains will be captured to feed into the chamber, controlled by gravity and outfitted with a pretreatment unit (a hydrodynamic separator or similar device) to screen trash and remove grease, solids, and sediment-associated pollutants. Additionally, there is an opportunity to capture drainage from Adams Channel, to address partial wet-weather drainage from an additional 6,785 acres.
Ballona Creek is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, and the project will require several specialized permits that can take over a year to obtain from US Army Corps, California Department of Fish & Wildlife, the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, and Los Angeles County Flood Control District. Because of this, staff is beginning the process of preparing environmental documentation and permit applications prior to awarding a design contract, in order to expedite the environmental review process, prepare for grant opportunities, and anticipate any permitting challenges early in the project development.
DISCUSSION
On March 16, 2023, the City released a Request for Proposals (RFP) in search of a firm to provide environmental and permitting services for the proposed Syd Kronenthal Park Stormwater Project. A total of four proposals were received by the April 20, 2023 submission deadline. The proposers are listed below in alphabetical order:
• GHD Inc.
• Michael Baker International
• Sapphos Environmental, Inc.
• Terracon
The proposals were evaluated based on the qualifications and experience of the firm and proposed team; questions/responses to the scope of services; and total project costs. Staff determined Sapphos Environmental, Inc. to be the best qualified.
Sapphos Environmental, Inc. is a full-service environmental consulting firm with 30 years of experience providing environmental compliance services. Sapphos Environmental, Inc. has completed many environmental consulting projects in the past five years, including preparation of environmental documentation and permitting application packages in support of drainage and stormwater improvement projects and associated permitting under the Clean Water Act sections 401, 404, and 408 (for projects such as Burbank Water and Power Campus Storm Water Improvement Project and City of Los Angeles’ Exposition Park Master Plan).
Staff recommends the City Council approve the professional services agreement with Sapphos Environmental, Inc. for $129,030 to provide environmental and permitting services for the Syd Kronenthal Park Stormwater Project.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The agreement with Sapphos Environmental, Inc. will be for an amount not-to-exceed $129,030. The Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 includes sufficient funding for these services in Account #43480000.730100.PW004 (CIP Syd Kronenthal Park Stormwater Quality Improvement Project).
ATTACHMENTS
None.
MOTIONS
1. Approve a professional services agreement with Sapphos Environmental, Inc. for Environmental and Permitting Services for Syd Kronenthal Park Stormwater Project, in an amount not-to-exceed $129,030; and
2. Authorize the City Attorney to review/prepare the necessary documents; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of the City.