HomeMy WebLinkAbout0494.093o
September 16. 1993
THE HONORABLE CITY CDL~CIL
Palo Alto. California
Attention: Finance Committee
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Metals Source Reduction Engineer~Services -Determination of
Committee Involvement tn the Consultant Selection
Member of the Council:
Report in Brief
This report requests that the Finance Committee reconsider its
decision to review the selection of a consultant to perform
engineering services to support the Regional Water Quality Control
Plant [RWQCP) metals discharge source reduction program.
Compliance with a Cease and Desist Order. issued recently to the
RWQCP by the Regional Water Quality Control Board (Board). requires
that engineering studies be injtiated as soon as possible. In July
1990, the Finance Committee agreed to allow expedited processing of
environmentally-related consultant contracts that were operating
under a state or federal deadline. Staff, therefore. is requesting
permiSSion to suh~it this project directly to Council.
Background
A proj ect~ entitled "Waste Minimization Review for Industrial
Facilities and Institutions-(Waste Minimization), was included on
the July 1993 list of projl'!cts forwarded to the City standing
committees for consideration of consultant selection review. The
Finance Committee determined that it 'Would review the consulta.nt
selection for the Waste Minimization Project.
CMR;4 94: 93 -1-
Discussion
On July 21, 1993, the Regional Water Quality Control Board issued
a Cea~e and Desist Order to the RWQCP in relation to discharges of
metals that exceed permitted effluent limits. The Cease and Desist
Order requires tha.t a series of technical st.udies be conducted and
specifies due dates for each study. It is antici9ate::i that follow··
up analysis will be needed dt six manufacturing facilities, where
waste minimizat ion work .... as previously conducted; that ne· .... facili ty
revie .... s will be needed and that related Best Management Practices
and reT~latory requirements will have to be developed. The RWQCP
staff will need engineering support to complete these studies,
which will have important implications fQr the status of the
RWQCP's permit and for the continued operations of industry in the
RWQCP service area.
L'€sist Order will req-.;ire the
soon as possible-. Substantial
compliance with the Cease and
engineering work to begin as
preparatory work wi)l be needed
support and preparation time
in 1993. Insufficient engineering
could have the following adverse
consequences:
• Response submittal (9) to the Board'S Cease
technical requirements may be late
unacceptable.
and Desist order
or technically
• Inadegtlate time available for technical development and public
and business input for the development of Best Management
Practices for metal finishing and pri!".ted ci rcuit board
manufacturers. The resultir,g Best Management Pra(;tices must
be adopted by Council on or before Septe~~er 30, 1994.
Although the Finance COT!"lmittee indicated in July its desire to
revie .... the consul tant selection for the Waste Minimization pr-:;,ject,
staff is requesting that the Committee reevaluate its decision.
In July 1990, the Finance Committee approved a policy allowing
staff to submit projects directly to the Council for approval if
the projects are:
"unplan..'"1ed, Uiandated studies required during t.he year
(often with a tight implementation deadline} .... include
environmental compliance 6tudies waste
mini~tlization. '"
CMR:494:.93 -2-
•
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Compliance with the Board's Cease and Desist Ordoer requires
engineering studies to be initiat.e.j as soon as possible. Proposals
from prospective consultants "1111 be received on S.::ptemner 14. A
preliminary selection could be made on or abQ1..lt September 21, after
staff review of submi t ted proposals and consultant interviews.
Taking the consultant. selection through the Finance Committee
process and final Council action would delay the start time for the
selected consultant until sometime in December. Staff, therefore,
is requesting permission to submit this project directly to
Council.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Finance Committee rescind ita decision to
review the selection of a consultant for performing metals source
redUction engineering services at the Regional Water Quality
Control Plant and direct at-aff to forward a consultant agreement
dL:e:ctly to cQuncil fer approv-al.
Respectfully sub~ittedr
PHILIP BOBEL
Manager, Environm~ntal Compliance Division
fi-1.:gr
GLENN S. ROBERTS
Director of Public Works
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