TO: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANGER
FROM: BRAD JOHNSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
DATE: MARCH 11, 2025
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
AUTHORIZATION TO AMEND AGREEMENT WITH COLBERT ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP FOR NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM AND MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM COMPLIANCE SERVICES (FUNDING SOURCE: GENERAL FUND & MEASURE W FUND)
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SUMMARY
The City of Claremont has utilized Colbert Environmental Group to provide National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) compliance consultant services to the City of Claremont for several years. These services include assisting the City in facilitating the preparation of the Watershed Management Plan (WMP) and the Coordinated Integrated Monitoring Plan (CIMP), as well as the review of developer-submitted Stormwater Management Plans and Low Impact Development (LID) documents. The services also include the provision of commercial and industrial inspections and general permit compliance activities, including updates to the City’s Municipal Code for Stormwater and Runoff Pollution Control when appropriate.
The current professional services agreement was entered into under the City Manager’s authority for $50,000 and has a term expiring June 30, 2025. To ensure that MS4 compliance services continue to be provided, staff recommends amending the current agreement with Colbert Environmental Group to increase compensation by $92,550, for a total agreement amount of $142,550. Additionally, staff recommends amending the agreement to include up to four additional one-year terms in an amount not to exceed $150,000 per year.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
A. Authorize the City Manager to amend the existing agreement with Colbert Environmental Group for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System permit compliance services, increasing compensation by $92,550, for a total agreement amount of $142,550, and including up to four additional one-year terms in an amount not to exceed $150,000 per year; and
B. Authorize the City Manager to execute up to four one-year term extensions not to exceed $150,000 per year.
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ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there is the following alternative:
• Request additional information from staff.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The current agreement with Colbert Environmental is for $50,000 and the proposed amendment is to increase compensation by $92,550. If approved, the total agreement amount will be $142,550. Funding for this agreement is included in the 2024-26 Budget.
The contract with Colbert Environmental Group represents a portion of the City’s financial obligation towards MS4 permit compliance activities. In addition to this agreement, the City, as part of the East San Gabriel Valley Watershed Management Group (ESGVWMG), continues to contract with the City of Pomona, as the lead city in the group, for the monitoring activities required by the CIMP, with an annual cost to the City not to exceed $150,000.
Additionally, the City is obligated to make annual payments of approximately $37,000 in State Water Resources Control Board fees and the Santa Ana River Watershed Permit fees.
The costs associated with the preparation of this report are estimated at $888 and are included in the operating budget of the Community Development Department.
ANALYSIS
To continue to comply with MS4 permit requirements, an agreement with Colbert Environmental was entered into under the City Manager’s Authority for $50,000. Staff recommends amending the current agreement with Colbert Environmental Group to increase compensation by $92,550 to ensure MS4 compliance services are provided through the end of the fiscal year. Staff also recommends the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute up to four additional one-year terms not to exceed $150,000 per year.
Colbert Environmental Group has been a valued asset in assisting the City with the required permit and compliance activities. In addition to the WMP and CIMP document revision oversight, the consultant has provided the following services:
1. Region-wide MS4 Permit and Middle Santa Ana River Indicator Bacteria Permit for the City of Claremont Technical Support
2. Ongoing technical environmental and stormwater support service and administration
3. Watershed Management Program and Coordinated Integrated Monitoring Program Updates
4. Middle Santa Ana River Bacteria TMDL Implementation and Monitoring Program
5. Attend Coordination Meetings with City Staff, Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, and MSAR Taskforce
6. Public Information and Participation Program Development and Support
7. Industrial and Commercial Facilities Program
8. Development Planning Program Implementation and Administration
9. Construction Program Implementation and Inspections
10. Public Agency Facility and Activities Program
11. Illicit Connection and Illegal Discharge Elimination Program
12. Annual NPDES Training
13. Preparation of the required Semi-Annual and Annual Reports
Staff continues to be pleased with the services provided by Colbert Environmental Group. The consultant has an in-depth knowledge of the MS4 Permit requirements and is very familiar with the Claremont watershed area.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds it relates to City Council Priorities, Sustainability Plan, General Plan, and the 2024-26 Budget.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Brad Johnson Vincent Ramos
Director of Community Development Associate Engineer
Reviewed by:
Maria B. Tipping P.E.
City Engineer