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Department of Utilities
Reference: Renewal of Professional Services Agreement for the Provision of Water Rights Engineering with Leonard Rice Engineers, Inc.
To: Mayor Richard N. McLean and Members of City Council
Through: Manuel Esquibel, City Manager
Prepared By: Curtis Bauers, Utilities Director
Date Prepared: January 28, 2015
PURPOSE
Consider a resolution authorizing the renewal of a Professional Services Agreement with Leonard Rice Engineers, Inc. (Leonard Rice) for a term ending December 31, 2015 to provide water rights engineering and expert witness services concerning water related matters, particularly as they relate to groundwater matters.
BACKGROUND
1. The Utilities Department works with Leonard Rice on water rights procurement and protection matters primarily as they relate to groundwater modeling and planning. They have represented Brighton as the City's expert witnesses in large water court cases that have required extensive groundwater modeling and continue to work with opposers in ongoing related matters.
2. Leonard Rice Engineers, Inc. has been working with the City since 1982. They have an extensive knowledge of our groundwater systems and associated agreements with neighbors.
3. The scope of work for 2015 includes participation in master planning discussions, water model peer review related to requirements from 03CW320, possible groundwater analysis and review, preliminary non-potable groundwater planning participation, and surface water support.
4. Staff has reviewed the contract and has no additional comments.
CRITERIA BY WHICH COUNCIL MUST CONSIDER THE ITEM
FINANCIAL IMPACT
1. Water engineering services are covered in the 2015 operating budget approved by Council in late 2014. No additional funds are requested at this time.
2. The budget provided is a not to exceed price. Leonard Rice is retained on an as-needed basis only and must have direction from City staff before moving forward with any work.
3. The not to exceed price for this contract is $167,000. Staff will only be encumbering funds up to $85,000 at this time based on budget availability and an expectation that portions of the contract may not be required. Additional Council action may be needed if circumstances require the entire contract be completed.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff finds the terms of the agreement acceptable and also considers an engineering team whose tenure is seamless and continuous will strengthen the City's ability to protect its water resources through what are very strenuous court cases. Utilities staff recommends the approval to Renew Professional Services with Leonard Rice Engineers, Inc. for a term of ending December 31, 2015
OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
Council may take the following actions:
1. Approve the Resolution
2. Reject the Resolution
3. Postpone consideration of the Resolution for the purpose of negotiating item(s) in the Agreement
ATTACHMENTS
ยท Resolution