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Department of Utilities
Reference: Renewal of Professional Services Agreement for the Provision of Water Rights Engineering with White Sands Water 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 White Sands Water Engineers, Inc. (White Sands) 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 surface water matters and representation as water experts in water court proceedings.
BACKGROUND
1. The Utilities Department works with White Sands on water rights procurement and protection as they relate to surface water supplies and representing Brighton as water experts in water court proceedings.
2. Lead staff at White Sands have been an integral part of Brighton's major water court cases and have provided reliable and effective expertise in procuring and protecting Brighton's water supplies.
3. Many of the City's obligations, in Water Court in particular, may not be completed by City staff. A third party must be employed to complete these tasks.
4. The scope of work for 2015 includes participation in master planning discussions, continued follow-up work on 03CW320 and related cases, participation in agreement negotiations, water accounting updates and management, participation in ongoing opposition cases, and participation in Brighton's new and ongoing diligence cases.
5. Staff has reviewed the attached agreement 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. White Sands 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 $270,750. City Staff will only be encumbering funds of $155,000 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 competitive. Utilities staff recommends the approval of the Professional Services Agreement for Engineering Services with White Sands Water Engineers, Inc.
OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
The Council may take any of the following actions:
1. Approve the proposed resolution
2. Reject the proposed resolution
3. Postpone consideration of the proposed resolution to negotiate item(s) in the Agreement
ATTACHMENTS
ยท Resolution