CC 2021-09-14_08g Agreement with GSI for NCMA Report_2021-2023MEMORANDUM
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BILL ROBESON, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER/DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC
WORKS
BY: SHANE TAYLOR, UTILITIES MANAGER
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF AN AGREEMENT WITH GSI
WATER SOLUTIONS, INC. FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE
NORTHERN CITIES MANAGEMENT AREA ANNUAL REPORT AND
MONITORING PROGRAM FOR THE YEARS 2021-2023
D ATE: SEPTEMBER 14, 2021
SUMMARY OF ACTION:
Approve an agreement for consultant services with GSI Water Solutions, Inc. to prepare
the 2021, 2022, and 2023 Northern Cities Management Area (NCMA) Annual Report.
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
The City’s share for the Agreement is $62,000 per year or 31% of the total cost which is
split between the NCMA agencies based on groundwater entitlement. The $62,000 per
year is included in the FY’s 2021/22 and 2022/23 budget. City staff spends an estimated
250 hours a year on NCMA activities.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the City Council approve and authorize the Mayor to execute an
Agreement for Consultant Services with GSI Water Solutions, Inc. for the preparation of
the 2021, 2022, and 2023 NCMA Annual Report and Monitoring Program.
B AC KGROUND:
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 30, 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.
Item 8.g. - Page 1
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF AN AGREEMENT WITH GSI WATER
SOLUTIONS, INC. FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE NCMA ANNUAL REPORT
AND MONITORING PROGRAM FOR THE YEARS 2021-2023
SEPTEMBER 14, 2021
PAGE 2
The City has continued to participate with neighboring jurisdictions in the preparation of
required reports and studies concerning management of the Santa Maria Groundwater
Basin. Water sampling and preparation of the Annual Report is required by the 2008
Judgment in the Santa Maria Groundwater 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 represents the following agencies with their
respective groundwater pumping entitlements:
The Annual Report is prepared by a mutually secured technical consultant firm that is
funded proportionally by all of the participating NCMA agencies. The 2020 NCMA Annual
Report was prepared by GSI Water Solutions, Inc. On July 27, 2021, Council approved a
consultant service agreement with WSC. Inc to provide staff extension services for the
NCMA Technical Advisory Committee. The Annual Report and Monitoring Program is a
separate effort requiring a specialized consultant to complete required work.
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
On July 27, 2021, a Request for Proposals (RFP) for preparation of the 2021-2023 Annual
Reports was distributed to four (4) engineering firms, advertised on each NCMA agency
website, and added to the e-bid board. Only one (1) proposal was received by August
18, 2021. There were two (2) firms who responded by e-mail stating they were not going
to propose for various reasons.
The proposal from GSI Water Solutions, Inc. was reviewed by our staff extension
consultant, WSC Inc., and all other agencies and found to be acceptable. GSI prepared
the NCMA Annual Reports for 2017 – 2020, and staff has been satisfied with the quality
of their work. Therefore, staff recommends awarding the contract for the 2021, 2022, and
2023 Annual Reports to GSI Water Solutions, Inc. Costs are split between all NCMA
agencies in accordance with the percentage of each agency’s groundwater entitlement.
The cost for the reports include a 9% contingency amount to cover anticipated enhanced
monitoring and testing needs resulting from declining groundwater levels. All NCMA
agencies are required by the Court action to participate in the preparation of the Annual
Report.
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
Item 8.g. - Page 2
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF AN AGREEMENT WITH GSI WATER
SOLUTIONS, INC. FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE NCMA ANNUAL REPORT
AND MONITORING PROGRAM FOR THE YEARS 2021-2023
SEPTEMBER 14, 2021
PAGE 3
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve the Consultant Services Agreement with GSI Water Solutions, Inc. in
the not to exceed amount of $62,000, which includes a 9% contingency, for
preparation of the 2021, 2022, and 2023 NCMA Annual Reports;
2. Do not approve the agreement; or
3. Provide other direction to staff.
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 condition
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, 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 2021, 2022, and 2023 Annual Groundwater
Monitoring Report.
DISADVANTAGES:
None.
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.
Attachment:
1. Proposed Consultant Services Agreement
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Attachment 1
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed
the day and year first above written.
CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE
By: __________ _ Caren Ray Russom, Mayor
Attest:
Jessica Matson, City Clerk
Approved As To Form:
Timothy J. Carmel, City Attorney
CONSULTANT
By: ___________ _
Its: ------------{Ti tie)
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