Report Prepared by: Joseph D. Angulo, Environmental Project Manager, Engineering
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of Third Amendments to Two Separate Agreements with Provost and Pritchard Engineering Group, Incorporated for Environmental Remediation Services Including Groundwater Cleanup and Reporting for a Combined Total of $284,700
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving third amendment to two amendments to agreements for professional services with Provost and Pritchard Engineering Group, Incorporated for a combined amount not to exceed $284,700.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving the third amendment to agreement for professional services (cleanup contract) with Provost and Pritchard Engineering Group, Incorporated, in the amount of $224,400 for groundwater cleanup; and,
B. Approving the third amendment to agreement for professional services (reporting contract) with Provost and Pritchard Engineering Group, Incorporated, in the amount of $60,300 for report drafting; and,
C. Authorizing the City Manager or the Assistant City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, 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.
Services with an estimated value greater than $31,000.00 are made by written contract in accordance with Merced Municipal Code, Title 3 - Revenue and Finance, Chapter 3.04.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2019-20 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
PCE Groundwater Cleanup - History and Past Actions
On September 22, 2008, the City Council approved a settlement and cleanup agreement with the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (Board) for the City’s PCE (tetrachloroethylene) groundwater project. Under the agreement, the City agreed to commit $250,000 annually to fund work specified in a mutually approved Action Plan. The Action Plan includes provisions for an annual work plan that generally includes tasks to be completed at the subject seven PCE sites by the City for each following fiscal year.
The Council approved an Agreement for Professional Services with Provost and Pritchard Engineering Group, Inc., at its July 5, 2016, meeting, and a first contract amendment on July 5, 2017 meeting, and second contract amendment on July 2, 2018.
Current Site Status
• One Hour Martinizing, 2828 G Street- The Board issued closure for the site on April 22, 2015. The site’s wells have been destroyed and the treatment system trailer transferred to the Sunshine site. This is the first of the seven sites to receive complete closure for the groundwater cleanup.
Status of the remaining PCE Sites (6):
• Former Sunshine Cleaners, 1227 W. Main Street- The treatment system trailer formerly located at the above G Street site was transferred to the Sunshine site to initiate soil vapor extraction to remove PCE vapors. The system continues to operate.
• Former Parkway Cleaners, 1530 Yosemite Parkway- A groundwater cleanup system is in operation. The system consists of air injection into groundwater with soil vapor extraction to remove PCE vapors. Although groundwater cleanup is occurring, it is progressing slowly.
• One Hour Martinizing, 1818 R Street- Staff requested closure for PCE impacts to soils at the site and the Board agreed in 2015. Groundwater monitoring only is occurring, and further action is deferred in accordance with the Settlement Agreement priority list.
• Former Simpson’s Dry Cleaners, 618 W. Main Street- The Board granted closure for PCE in soils at this parcel and concurred that the property may be developed. The Board has not issued closure for PCE in groundwater. Groundwater monitoring only is occurring and further action is deferred in accordance with the Settlement Agreement priority list.
• Former Bel Air Cleaners, 950 W. Main Street- Groundwater monitoring only is occurring, further action is deferred in accordance with the Settlement Agreement priority list.
• Merced Laundry, 160 W. Main Street- Groundwater monitoring only is occurring, further action is deferred in accordance with the Settlement Agreement.
The new Provost and Pritchard Engineering Group, Inc., $224,400 contract amendment under consideration includes the following major tasks for fiscal year 2019 - 2020:
Former Parkway Cleaners
• Operation and maintenance costs of the treatment system;
• Carbon filter media replacement;
• System evaluation reporting.
Former Sunshine Cleaners
• Operation and maintenance costs of the treatment system;
• Carbon filter media replacement;
• Modifying the system to include additional vapor extraction wells;
• System evaluation reporting.
The groundwater cleanup at the two above sites is progressing slowly due to the persistent nature of the chemical PCE. A dual phase extraction pilot test was performed at the Parkway and Sunshine sites in December 2018. Dual phase extraction involves applying a vacuum on a groundwater well to simultaneously extract PCE impacted soil vapor and groundwater. As the water is removed more of the soil column is exposed to vacuum to remove the PCE. The soil vapors are captured utilizing carbon absorption and the extracted water is containerized for off-site disposal.
The results of the 2018 dual phase extraction pilot test indicated that it was not a viable option for the two sites. The technology was deemed not effective primarily due to the high cost associated with the extracted water disposal. Soil vapor extraction remains the primary technology in use at the two sites.
The balance of the annual $250,000 PCE cleanup funding commitment will be used to pay Board oversight fees for fiscal year 2019-2020.
PCE Reporting - History and Past Actions
This Agreement for Professional Services is for consultant services to prepare quarterly monitoring reports on the status of PCE in groundwater in the City. The reports are necessary to demonstrate that the City is completing its obligations under agreements with the Board. The quarterly reporting task changes over time with added complexity as the PCE groundwater cleanup project advances.
The Council approved an Agreement for Professional Services for report drafting with Provost and Pritchard Engineering Group, Inc., at its July 5, 2016, meeting, a first contract amendment on July 5, 2017, and a second contract amendment on July 2, 2018. This third contract amendment is for Quarterly Monitoring Reports for the last two quarters of 2019 and the first two quarters of 2020 (fiscal year 2019/2020) at a cost of $60,300. Provost and Pritchard Engineering Group, Inc., has provided satisfactory service for the PCE project.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
PCE Cleanup Contract
On December 18, 2006, the City Council approved water service rates that include an amount of $250,000 annually to provide for source water protection and remediation costs at the seven PCE sites. Funds are available in the fiscal year 2019/2020 budget in PCE CIP Enterprise Fund 463 to cover the cost of the clean-up contract.
PCE Reporting Contract
There are sufficient funds in the Fiscal Year 2019-20 budget in Fund 557-Water Operations to cover the amount of the contract.
ATTACHMENTS
1. PCE Cleanup Contract
2. PCE Reporting Contract