CC 2024-11-12_09d GSI Water Solutions Agreement_NCMAItem 9.d.
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council
FROM: Bill Robeson, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director
BY: Shane Taylor, Utilities Manager
SUBJECT: Agreement with GSI Water Solutions, Inc. for the Preparation of the
Northern Cities Management Area Annual Report and Monitoring
Program for the Years of 2024 through 2026
DATE: November 12, 2024
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve an agreement with GSI Water Solutions, Inc. for an amount not to exceed
$217,960, which includes a 9% contingency and authorize the City Manager or designee
to execute the Professional Services Agreement for the preparation of the 2024, 2025,
and 2026 NCMA Annual Report and Monitoring Program subject to any minor, technical,
or non-substantive changes as approved by the City Manager in consultation with the City
Attorney.
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
The City’s share for the 3-year agreement is $217,960. The first-year amount is $69,823
and is included in the current budget. The City’s share represents 31% of the total cost.
The additional funds will be included in the upcoming FY 2025 -26 and 2026-27 budget.
City staff spend an estimated 100 hours a year on NCMA activities.
BACKGROUND:
The collaborative approach to groundwater management was formalized in the 2002
Management Agreement between the Cities of Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, and Pismo
Beach, and the Oceano Community Services District (collectively the “Northern Cities”),
as well as identified landowners and other parties, and incorporated into the 2005
Settlement Stipulation for the Santa Maria Groundwater Basin Adjudication (Stipulation).
On June 20, 2005, the Stipulation was agreed upon by numerous parties, and, in 2008,
the Stipulation was incorporated into the Court’s final Judgment. The Judgment orders
the stipulating parties to comply with all terms of the Stipulation, including annual
groundwater monitoring and reporting.
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Item 9.d.
City Council
Agreement with GSI Water Solutions, Inc. for the Preparation of the Northern Cities
Management Area Annual Report and Monitoring Program for the Years of 2024
through 2026
November 12, 2024
Page 2
The City has continued to participate with neighbo ring jurisdictions in the preparation of
required reports and studies concerning management of the Santa Maria River
Groundwater Basin. Water sampling and preparation of the Annual Report is required by
the 2008 Judgment in the Santa Maria Groundwater Rive r Basin Adjudication. The City
has participated with representatives from neighboring jurisdictions to form the Northern
Cities Management Area Technical Group (NCMA TG) in order to coordinate these water
management activities. The NCMA TG represents the following agencies with their
respective groundwater pumping entitlements:
Urban Area Groundwater Allotment Ag Credit Total
City of Arroyo Grande 1,202 121 1,323
City of Grover Beach 1,198 209 1,405
City of Pismo Beach 700 0 700
Oceano Community Services District 900 0 900
The Annual Report is prepared by a mutually secure technical consultant firm that is
funded proportionally by all of the participating NCMA agencies. The 2023 NCMA Annual
Report was prepared by GSI Water Solutions, Inc.
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
On August 13, 2024, requests for proposals (RFP) was distributed to (7) engineering
firms, advertised on the e-bid board, and newspaper. Two (2) firms responded with
proposals.
The proposals from GSI Water Solutions, Inc. and Larry Wal ker Associates were
reviewed by staff, consultant, and all other agencies and was found to be acceptable.
Interviews with both firms were conducted and GSI was determined to be the top firm.
GSI prepared the NCMA Annual Reports for 2017-2023 and staff has been satisfied with
the quality of their water.
Therefore, staff recommends awarding the agreement for the 2024, 2025, and 2026
Annual Reports to GSI Water Solutions, Inc. All NCMA agencies are required by the Court
action to participate in the preparation of the Annual Report.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve the Professional Services Agreement with GSI Water Solutions, Inc. for an
amount not to exceed $217,960, which includes a 9% contingency, for preparation of
the 2024, 2025, and 2026 NCMA Annual Reports;
2. Do not approve the Agreement; or
3. Provide other direction to staff.
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Item 9.d.
City Council
Agreement with GSI Water Solutions, Inc. for the Preparation of the Northern Cities
Management Area Annual Report and Monitoring Program for the Years of 2024
through 2026
November 12, 2024
Page 3
ADVANTAGES:
Preparation of the Annual Report satisfies the Judgment ordering the parties to perform
annual groundwater monitoring and reporting. In addition, implementation of the
monitoring and reporting program, which identifies changes in water levels and quality,
enables the City and its partner jurisdictions to react quickly to any issue affecting the
water supply in the groundwater basin. The monitoring program has provided a
mechanism allowing all parties to be better informed with regard to the changing conditi on
of the basin, and consequently, has allowed for the opportunity for better collaboration
between the City and partner jurisdictions included in the Arroyo Grande Groundwater
Basin Management Agreement.
The GSI team includes staff with local experience and a track record of meeting reporting
requirements of adjudicated basins, extensive prior involvement with NCMA and is well
suited to lead the preparation of the 2024, 2025, and 2026 Annual Groundwater
Monitoring Report.
DISADVANTAGES:
No disadvantages have been identified.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
No environmental review is required for this item.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS:
The Agenda was posted at City Hall and on the City’s website in accordance with
Government Code Section 54954.2.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Proposed Professional Services Agreement
2. Exhibit A - Scope of Services
3. Exhibit B - Schedule of Services
4. Exhibit C - Compensation
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Attachment 1
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SIGNATURE PAGE TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AND
GSI WATER SOLUTIONS, INC.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has caused this Agreement to be executed
on the day and year first above written.
CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE
Approved By:
Matthew J. Downing, City Manager
Attested By:
Jessica Matson, City Clerk
BB&K (2023) -16-
GSI WATER SOLUTIONS, INC.
By: ---------------
Its: President
Printed Name: Susan Haupt
By,;_
Its: Chief Financial Officer
Printed Name: Liesl Deck ���-------
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
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Exhibit A
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Exhibit B
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Exhibit C
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