Report Prepared by: Joseph D. Angulo, Environmental Project Manager, Engineering
Title
SUBJECT: Agreement for Professional Services with Friedman and Bruya, Incorporated, for Laboratory Services in Support of the City’s Groundwater Investigation
REPORT IN BRIEF
Consider authorizing an Agreement for Professional Services with Friedman and Bruya, Incorporated, for specialized laboratory services in support of the City’s groundwater investigation.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion approving an Agreement for Professional Services with Friedman and Bruya, Inc., for a three-year term in the amount of $9,807 annually for each of the fiscal years FY 2016/17, FY 2017/18, and FY 2018/19, to provide laboratory analytical services; and authorizing the City Manager to execute necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve the Agreement for Professional Services, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to modifications as conditioned by City Council; or,
3. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
4. Deny.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200, et seq.
Procurements for specialized consultant services are made in accordance with Merced Municipal Code, Title 3 - Revenue and Finance, Chapter 3.04.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2016-17 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) requires the City to monitor its drinking water for various contaminants, including methyl tert butyl ether (MTBE), tert amyl methyl ether (TAME) and tert-butyl alcohol (TBA). MTBE and TAME are gasoline fuel additives, while TBA is a breakdown product of MTBE as it degrades in the environment. These chemicals have been detected in groundwater that the City utilizes as its sole drinking water source.
Sampling of City groundwater monitoring wells and municipal wells is conducted to ensure that water quality meets State standards for public drinking water supplies. Sampling was also conducted to support the City cost recovery litigation effort that was initiated in 2005 against the oil companies. Although the City prevailed in its lawsuit, the City still has a need to monitor the groundwater for these chemicals.
Friedman and Bruya, Inc., of Seattle, Washington, has been analyzing City water samples for litigation support. They utilize methods capable of detecting “trace” contaminants in groundwater that other in-state laboratories cannot perform. Most laboratories can detect chemicals in water at microgram per liter (ug/L) or “part-per-billion” levels. Friedman and Bruya, Inc. can detect chemicals at nanogram per liter (ng/L) or “part-per-trillion” levels.
The City previously retained Friedman and Bruya, Inc.’s services for an initial December 21, 2010 contract and continued with subsequent amendments. They have provided a written quote for their services for this new contracted period that will be from July 2016 - June 2019.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
The current Fiscal Year 2016/2017 budget includes an adequate balance in the Fund 557-Water System Enterprise Fund, Professional Services Account No. 557-1106-532.17-00, for the first year of the three-year contract. Future appropriations will be incorporated into the annual budget and no General Funds will be used for this project.
ATTACHMENT
1. Contract