Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Short Term Agreement with the East Bay Municipal Utility District to Provide Services for the City of Alameda’s Potable Water System at Alameda Point. (Public Works 818003)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jill Keimach, City Manager
Re: Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Short Term Agreement with the East Bay Municipal Utility District to Provide Services for the City of Alameda’s Potable Water System at Alameda Point
BACKGROUND
On May 2, 1997, the City of Alameda (City) entered into a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JPA) with the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) for the operation and maintenance of the water distribution facilities at Alameda Point. This agreement was amended five times, most recently in 2010, and expired March 31, 2017 (Exhibit 1). This short term agreement (Exhibit 2) is for EBMUD to provide continued services for up to six months while the City and EBMUD continue to negotiate the terms of an agreement that addresses the phasing of new incremental development in the adaptive reuse area at Alameda Point, and explore the possibility of the City transitioning from EBMUD to an outside contractor for operations and maintenance services of existing water infrastructure, if possible and if authorized by the State Water Board Resources Control Board Division of Drinking of Water. City staff is conducting due diligence on multiple fronts on the water quality and public safety implications of changing from EBMUD to a private contractor and is not currently recommending this approach.
DISCUSSION
The City does not have in-house expertise to operate and maintain the water distribution facilities at Alameda Point. Since 1997, EBMUD has performed this work on behalf of the City through a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA). The City compensates EBMUD for all associated costs, but requires that EBMUD obtain prior City approval for any routine operations, maintenance, or emergency work that exceeds a specified capped dollar amount. This short term agreement increases the prior capped dollar amount for routine operations and maintenance work from $7,000 per month to $10,000 per month and, otherwise, extends the provision of existing services by EBMUD for an additional six months, excluding the installation of new service and an ongoing backflow prevention program, which will now be managed cooperatively between the Base Reuse and Public Works Departments.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The City will compensate EBMUD for its actual costs to perform operations and maintenance activity, and related services. This work is funded through Alameda Base Reuse Fund (Program 818003). There is no impact to the General Fund as a result of this action.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action does not affect the Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation to authorize the City Manager to execute a short term agreement with the East Bay Municipal Utility District to provide services for the City of Alameda’s potable water system at Alameda Point.
Respectfully submitted,
Liam Garland, Acting Public Works Director
By,
Erin Smith, Acting Deputy Public Works Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Fifth Amended JPA with EBMUD
2. Short Term Agreement