For City Council Meeting May 12, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: Nicole Hemmans, Senior Administrative Analyst
Title
Request City Council/Rialto Utility Authority Board to: (1) Adopt Resolution No. 8502 and RUA Resolution No. 26-05 to Amend the Utility Services Water and Wastewater Budgets; (2) Approve the Eighth Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Dopudja & Wells Consulting for Additional Interim and Technical Support Services in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $530,510; and (3) Authorize the City Manager/Executive Director or Their Designee to Execute all Related Documents.
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff Recommends that the City Council/Rialto Utility Authority Board:
1) Adopt Resolution and RUA Resolution to amend the Utility Services Water and Wastewater budgets;
2) Approve the Eighth Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Dopudja & Wells Consulting for additional interim and technical support services in an amount not-to-exceed $530,510; and
3) Authorize the City Manager/Executive Director or their designee to execute all related documents.
BACKGROUND
Since 2021, Dopudja & Wells Consulting has provided professional consulting services to the City/Rialto Utility Authority, developing a comprehensive understanding of the City’s utility systems, regulatory obligations, and the complexities of the Concession Agreement. Given the complexity and historical context of the work performed, maintaining their services ensures seamless continuity, preserves valuable institutional expertise, and supports the City’s ongoing efforts to optimize utility performance and compliance.
On November 25, 2025, the City Council/Rialto Utility Authority approved the Seventh Amendment to the Dopudja & Wells contract, authorizing support for ongoing operational needs, capital project coordination, and regulatory compliance efforts. As the Utilities Department continues to transition following recent organizational changes, Dopudja & Wells remains a key resource to ensure continuity of operations and technical expertise.
On April 30, 2026, the Water Subcommittee reviewed the Eighth Amendment proposal from Dopudja and Wells for as-needed and Interim support services during the organizational transition. The Water subcommittee’s feedback was to move the item forward to the City Council/Rialto Utility Authority for consideration.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The proposed Eighth Amendment would extend Dopudja & Wells Consulting’s professional services under the existing Professional Services Agreement to provide continued interim staffing support and project management services during the ongoing transition and reorganization of the Utilities Department.
The scope of work presented in the consultant’s April 24, 2026, proposal includes two primary tasks at a total not-to-exceed cost of $530,510:
Task 1 - Additional Interim Staffing Support Related to the Utility Department
Dopudja & Wells will provide continued interim staffing support through October 2026, with services gradually reduced as responsibilities transition to permanent City staff. Support will include consulting services from key personnel to assist with department operations, technical oversight, and increased development-related hydraulic modeling demands.
Task 2 - Project Management and Administration
Services include coordination with City staff, internal project management, budget monitoring, and invoice preparation to support ongoing utility-related projects and initiatives.
Fees for Services are included in Table 1:
The proposed Dopudja & Wells Consulting Eighth Amendment, prior agreements, and disclosures are included as Attachments 1 through 13.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
This is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
This action is consistent with the City of Rialto’s General Plan Guiding Principle 3: Rialto’s Economic Environment is Healthy and Diverse. “Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.”
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the agreement and approved it as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Operating Budget Impact
The proposed Dopudja and Wells amendment will increase the contract amount by $530,510, bringing the total not-to-exceed amount to $5,537,438.
Total funding of $530,510 will require a new appropriation in:
1) Wastewater Contract Services, Account No. 56807860-52011, for $318,306; and
2) Water Contract Services, Account No. 56807960-52011, for $212,204
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
There is no impact on the Capital Improvement Budget.
Licensing
Dopudja & Wells Consulting maintains a current City of Rialto business license.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
2. RUA Resolution
3. Dopudja & Wells Consulting - Proposed Eighth Amendment to PSA
4. Dopudja & Wells Consulting - Original Professional Services Agreement
5. Dopudja & Wells Consulting - First Amendment
6. Dopudja & Wells Consulting - Second Amendment
7. Dopudja & Wells Consulting - Third Amendment
8. Dopudja & Wells Consulting - Fourth Amendment
9. Dopudja & Wells Consulting - Fifth Amendment
10. Dopudja & Wells Consulting - Sixth Amendment
11. Dopudja & Wells Consulting - Seventh Amendment
12. Dopudja & Wells Consulting - Conflict of Interest Disclosure
13. Dopudja & Wells Consulting - Business License