To: Board of Supervisors
From: Brian M. Balbas, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Report Title: Approve a Contract with Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. for the San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund BIL grant.
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Chief Engineer, Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, or designee, to execute, on behalf of the Contra Costa Clean Water Program, a contract with Geosyntec Consultants, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $887,947 for Countywide stormwater quality services necessary to comply with federal and state stormwater permit requirements issued under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit, for the period October 23, 2023 through September 30, 2026, Countywide.
FISCAL IMPACT:
All costs associated with this contract will not exceed $887,947 and will be funded 100% by San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund BIL
BACKGROUND:
The Contra Costa Clean Water Program (the “CCCWP”) consists of Contra Costa County, its 19 incorporated cities/towns and the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (hereinafter referred to collectively as “Permittees”). The CCCWP was established in
1991 through a Program Agreement in response to the 1987 amendments to the federal Clean Water Act (the “CWA”), which established a framework for regulating municipal stormwater discharges under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (“NPDES”) Permit
Program. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (the “USEPA”) published final rules implementing the 1987 CWA amendments in November 1990. The rules mandate that Permittees obtain and implement stormwater permits designed to reduce and eliminate the discharge of pollutants into and from Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (the “MS4s”) they own and operate. Through the CCCWP, Permittees conduct many of the mandated activities collectively (referred to as “Group Activities”), such as water quality monitoring, special studies, and public education. The roles and responsibilities of the CCCWP and Permittees are outlined in the Contra Costa Clean Water Program Agreement, which was last updated and adopted by all Permittees in June 2010. The current San Francisco Bay Region Municipal Regional Stormwater NPDES Permit No. CAS612008, Order R2-2015-0049 (“Permit”), was issued in November of 2015.
The CCCWP Permittees request to retain Geosyntec Consultants, Inc., to plan, coordinate and administer the Clean Watersheds For All Project. The Project aims to focus on countywide implementation (i.e., funding and delivery) of green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) and other water quality improvement projects, especially in underserved communities. The Project will generate a comprehensive stormwater treatment plan and project delivery roadmap for underserved communities in Contra Costa County. The Project will develop a list of proposed water quality improvement projects in underserved communities, prioritized based on the potential to reduce pollutants of concern and provide other community-supported multiple benefits, and include designs for a select number of projects. In addition, the Project will advance the financial and internal plans and systems needed to allow CCCWP municipalities to collaborate and fund the construction and ongoing operation and maintenance of prioritized projects. The Project will include active outreach throughout the tasks to engage with and garner support from the affected communities.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Without the approval of the Board of Supervisors, the CCCWP, 19 Cities and Towns, Contra Costa County, and the Flood Control District will be unable to carry out the requirements of the Clean Watersheds For All project asset forth by the San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund BIL grant.