HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.g. Amend agmt. w/Federal Advocates to lobby for federal fundingCentral Contra Costa Sanitary District
' BOARD OF DIRECTORS 3.5.
POSITION PAPER
Board Meeting Date: May 5, 2011
Subject: AUTHORIZE THE GENERAL MANAGER TO AMEND AN EXISTING
AGREEMENT WITH FEDERAL ADVOCATES TO LOBBY FOR FEDERAL FUNDING
FOR THE CONTRA COSTA COUNTY REFINERY RECYCLED WATER PROJECT
Submitted By: Initiating Dept. /Div.:
Don Berger, Associate Engineer Engineering /Environmental Services
REVIEWED AND RECOMMENDS FOR BOARD ACTION:
Ber r C. Swanson A. Farrell ames M. Kelly
General Manager
ISSUE: Board of Directors' authorization is required for the General Manager to amend
an existing professional services agreement in an amount greater than $50,000.
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the General Manager to execute an amendment to
increase the cost ceiling of an existing Professional Services Agreement with Federal
Advocates in the amount of $60,000 from $33,000 to $93,000 for the Contra Costa
County Refinery Recycled Water Project.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS: The additive cost of this amendment is $60,000.
ALTERNATIVES /CONSIDERATIONS: An alternative would be to conduct this work
with in -house staff. However, this work requires specialized expertise, which is not
available at the District. Another alternative would be to not continue with lobbying
efforts, but this would reduce the chances for obtaining federal funding assistance and
is not recommended.
BACKGROUND: The Shell and Tesoro refineries provide an excellent opportunity to
use large amounts of recycled water on a year -round basis. The proposed Contra
Costa County Refinery Recycled Water Project would provide up to 20 million gallons
per day of recycled water to the refineries for use in cooling towers and as boiler
feedwater. The estimated cost of this project is $100M, and the District needs outside
funding assistance to make the project cost- effective.
The federal Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) provides a mechanism to
obtain up to 75% of project costs ($75M) and is the best potential funding opportunity
that has been identified. To obtain WRDA funding, Congress must first pass a bill to
authorize a project to provide the legal authority to later appropriate funds for that
project. A separate appropriations bill must later be passed to actually provide the
funds.
WENVRSEMPosition Papers\Berger\201 1 \Amend Agreement with Federal Advocates 5- 5- 11.doc
POSITION PAPER
Board Meeting Date: May 5, 2011
subject: AUTHORIZE THE GENERAL MANAGER TO AMEND AN EXISTING
AGREEMENT WITH FEDERAL ADVOCATES TO LOBBY FOR FEDERAL FUNDING
FOR THE CONTRA COSTA COUNTY REFINERY RECYCLED WATER PROJECT
At the November 3, 2010, Board Recycled Water Committee meeting, the Committee
concurred with staff's recommendation to pursue federal funding assistance through
WRDA and retain the lobbying firm of Federal Advocates to assist with these efforts.
On December 1, 2010, the District entered into a six month agreement with Federal
Advocates to represent the District in efforts to have the refinery project included in an
omnibus WRDA reauthorization bill that could be enacted later this year. The amount of
this agreement was within staff authority.
Federal Advocates has been successful in helping the District navigate the legislative
process and obtain the interest of our federal legislators to potentially authorize the
project for funding. At the April 5, 2011, Board Recycled Water Committee meeting, the
Committee recommended that the Board approve a 12 month extension of the lobbying
agreement with Federal Advocates at a cost of $5,000 per month for a total amendment
of $60,000. At the April 7, 2011, Board Meeting, this matter was discussed and it was
agreed that staff should continue pursuing WRDA funding. Federal Advocates will
initially focus on obtaining an authorization, and once that is obtained, lobbying efforts
will focus on securing appropriations.
RECOMMENDED BOARD ACTION: Authorize the General Manager to execute an
amendment to increase the cost ceiling of an existing Professional Services Agreement
with Federal Advocates in the amount of $60,000 from $33,000 to $93,000 for the
Contra Costa County Refinery Recycled Water Project.
WENVRSEC \Position Papers\Berger\201 1 \Amend Agreement with Federal Advocates 5- 5- 11.doc