Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a One-Year Agreement with Terraphase Engineering for Environmental Consulting Services at Alameda Point in an Amount Not to Exceed $147,458 for the First Year, with the Option of Four One Year Extensions for a Total Five Year Agreement in an Amount Not to Exceed $517,909. (Community Development 29061822)
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To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Terraphase Engineering (Terraphase) has been serving as the City of Alameda’s (City) Alameda Point environmental consultant since 2018. It is important to have an experienced and sophisticated environmental consultant for Alameda Point, as Alameda Point is a federal “Superfund” (hazardous material contamination) site. Terraphase’s contract with the City expired on July 10, 2021. Staff recommends entering into a contract with Terraphase to continue providing environmental consulting services for Alameda Point.
BACKGROUND
Alameda Point was an active United States Navy (Navy) base from 1940 to 1997. It was selected for closure as part of the 1993 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC). Operational closure occurred in April 1997. Alameda Point is a federal Superfund site due to contamination in the soil and groundwater associated with the Navy’s past use of the property. It is comprised of 300 petroleum sites and 34 federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) installation restoration sites, many of which have been remediated and closed. The Navy is responsible for the clean-up of contamination associated with its former activities at Alameda Point, and has been actively investigating and remediating the property for the last 20+ years, during which time it has spent over $500 million on these efforts.
The City uses a professional environmental consultant to provide services regarding the Navy’s remediation of the former NAS Alameda, conveyance of land from the Navy to the City and new development, including tenant improvement work. The environmental consultant serves as a strategic advisor and must possess a comprehensive understanding of the history of Alameda Point to interact with the Navy, environmental regulators, City Council, community, developers, potential investors and staff on numerous and diverse hazardous material issues.
Terraphase has been serving as the City’s environmental consultant since 2018, and its contract with the City expired on July 10, 2021. City staff recommends entering into a contract with Terraphase to continue providing environmental consulting for Alameda Point.
DISCUSSION
Terraphase is a full-service engineering and consulting firm that provides highly effective client-focused solutions for regional and nationwide agencies and private entities. Terraphase is a California-Certified Small Business and a Federal Small Business with expertise in remedial investigations, soil and groundwater remediation, environmental due diligence and regulatory compliance. Terraphase has registered professionals in a variety of science and engineering disciplines and is a California “Class A” General Engineering Contractor; it also possesses a Hazardous Substances Removal Certification. Terraphase’s Oakland office has deep technical and local knowledge to support Alameda Point. Vice President/Principal Geologist, Andrew Romolo, will continue to serve as the strategic advisor, project manager and primary point of contact for all hazardous materials issues related to Alameda Point.
The scope of services that Mr. Romolo will perform include:
• Attendance at BRAC Base Cleanup Team meetings;
• Attendance at Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meetings as an observer;
• Attendance at meetings in furtherance of conveyance between the City, the Navy and other stakeholders;
• Attendance at meetings with Environmental Regulators and technical supplemental meetings;
• Review of technical documents, reports, work plans, regulator comments, and preparation of draft City comments;
• Participation in meetings in support of negotiations among City, developers, and other parties related to environmental matters;
• Preparation of Final Site Management Plan for Phase 3C transfer of property; and
• Additional consultation as requested and authorized by City staff.
Staff recommends awarding a contract to Terraphase in the amount of $147,458, including four one year extension options to be exercised in the discretion of the City Manager for a total contract amount not to exceed $517,909. If extended, the contract would be for the same terms and conditions as the then existing contract, except that the compensation would be as described above.
ALTERNATIVES
• Approve the execution of a contract with Terraphase for environmental consulting services, as described in this report.
• Do not approve the execution of a contract with Terraphase for environmental consulting services. In this instance, staff would seek a different environmental consulting firm.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The estimated contract expenses for Alameda Point have been included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22 and FY 2022-23 budgets approved by City Council on June 15, 2021. The funding for the annual extensions of the contract for up to four years, if approved, will be budgeted in the Alameda Point Fund for FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25, subject to City Council appropriations approval. The contract will not have a financial impact on the General Fund.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a project that has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378.
CLIMATE IMPACTS
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation to authorize the City Manager to execute a one-year agreement with Terraphase Engineering for environmental consulting services at Alameda Point in an amount not to exceed $147,458 in the first year, with the option of four one-year extensions for a total five-year agreement in a total amount not to exceed $517,909 (Base Reuse 819099)
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager concurs with the Community Development Department recommendation.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Maxwell, Community Development Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Annie To, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Service Provider Agreement
cc: Eric Levitt, City Manager
Gerry Beaudin, Assistant City Manager