For City Council Meeting March 12, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: David N. Carmany, City Manager
AUTHOR: Brian Park, Fire Chief
Title
Consideration of a Contract Change Order Request for an existing On Call Professional Services Agreement with GEI Consultants Inc. in the amount of $355,655 for Fire Station 203 Environmental Investigation and Reporting.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff requests that the City Council:
1. Authorize a Contract Change Order Request in the amount of $355,655 to GEI Consultants Inc. pursuant to their On-Call Agreement for Environmental Services for Fire Station 203 PFAS Investigation and Reporting.
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all related documents.
(ACTION)
Body
BACKGROUND:
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances - known as PFAS - are widely used, long lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time. Because of their widespread use and their persistence in the environment, many PFAS are found in the blood of people and animals all over the world and are present at low levels in a variety of food products and in the environment. PFAS are found in water, air, fish, and soil at locations across the nation and the globe. Scientific studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals. There are thousands of PFAS chemicals, and they are found in many different consumer, commercial, and industrial products. This makes it challenging to study and assess the potential human health and environmental risks.
PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals used in a variety of industrial and consumer products, including firefighting foams. These chemicals are known for their persistence in the environment and bio accumulative properties, leading to potential health risks for humans and wildlife. Without proper remediation, PFAS compounds can leach into groundwater, migrate through soil, and impact nearby water bodies, posing long-term risks to ecosystems and public health.
The presence of PFAS in the environment, particularly at locations such as fire stations where aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) has been used, can pose significant environmental and health risks. Fire Station 203 has been identified as a potential site of PFAS soil contamination.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
GEI Consultants Inc. (GEI) submitted a proposal to the City for PFAS investigation, reporting, and remediation recommendations. The proposed project will consist of the development of a work plan to be submitted to the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board), subsurface sample collection for laboratory analysis, reporting, and recommendations for potential remediation in anticipation of a fire training tower. GEI provided a fee proposal in the amount of $355,665 for investigation and reporting. A copy of their proposal is included in Attachment 1, and a copy of GEI’s Disclosure Statement is included in Attachment 2.
The Fire Department has traditionally used Fire Station 203 (FS203) for training purposes. A new training location at Fire Station 205 (FS205) was initially recommended as part of its construction plans in 2019. However, subsequent developments have led to amendments in the plans for both FS205 and FS203. Given these changes, the fire department recommends maintaining FS203 as the location for a designated training facility, following the completion of the PFAS investigation and remediation efforts. This approach ensures continuity in training operations while addressing the site's environmental concerns.
Following the PFAS assessment and remediation plan, staff is seeking city council support to engage in the development of a master plan for the FS203 site. This plan would integrate the remediation efforts and include the development of a new training facility. Upon completion, this master plan will be brought back to the City Council for consideration, ensuring that the Fire Department's training needs are met while also addressing environmental concerns.
The need to conduct a PFAS analysis for potential remediation in anticipation of the installation of a new fire training tower is critical to ensure the safety of the site, protect public health, and comply with environmental regulations. By identifying and mitigating PFAS contamination through comprehensive analysis and remediation efforts, a sustainable and secure environment may be established for the construction and operation of the fire training facility.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
Section 21084 of the California Public Resources Code requires Guidelines for the Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Guidelines are required to include a list of classes of projects that have been determined not to have a significant effect on the environment and are exempt from the provisions of CEQA. In response to that mandate, the Secretary for Resources identified classes of projects that do not have a significant effect on the environment and are declared to be categorically exempt from the requirement for the preparation of environmental documents. In accordance with Section 15306 “Information Collection,” Class 6 projects consist of basis data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. These may be strictly for information gathering purposes, or as part of a study leading to an action which a public agency has not yet approved, adopted, or funded; therefore, the FS 203 PFAs Investigation and Reporting Project is considered categorically exempt from CEQA, and Notice of Exemptions will be prepared and filed with the San Bernardino County Clerk.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY:
This action is consistent with the Guiding Principles in the General Plan:
Policy 5-3.1: Provide for fire personnel, equipment, and fire stations to have adequate and appropriate resources to meet the needs and serve all areas of Rialto.
Goal 5-7: Maintain a high level of emergency response capability.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the agreement and approved it as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Operating Budget Impact:
Sufficient funding is budgeted and available in the Fire Department Contract Services account 10105150-52011.
Licensing
Prior to the execution of the Professional Service Agreement, the vendor shall submit a business license application and pay a Business License tax at the rate of $254, as well as Administration and State fees.