To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ANDREW WINJE, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
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APPROVE THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH FISCHER COMPLIANCE, LLC FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO UPDATE THE SEWER SYSTEM MANAGEMENT PLAN (SSMP), INCREASING THE CONTRACT AMOUNT BY $85,000, FOR A REVISED NOT TO EXCEED TOTAL OF $110,000, AND EXTENDING THE TERM THROUGH JULY 15, 2029
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On May 2, 2023, the City Council approved a professional services agreement with Fischer Compliance, LLC (FCL) to support the City in updating specific components of the Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP) and the Spill Emergency Response Plan (SERP), to comply with the State Water Resources Control Board’s updated regulatory framework under Order No. 2022-0103-DWQ (“2022 Order”). The initial effort focused on assessing the City’s SSMP and SERP, identifying regulatory gaps, and meeting compliance deadlines established under the new mandates.
The First Amendment to the agreement expands the scope of services to include technical and regulatory interpretive assistance for preparation of the request for proposals needed to hire a consultant to complete the City’s comprehensive 2025-26 SSMP update, in accordance with the six-year update cycle now required by the State. The amendment also includes finalizing the SSMP audit, with documented findings and recommendations, enhancing the City’s condition assessment program to meet the standards outlined in Attachment D of the 2022 Order, and delivering comprehensive training to City staff.
BACKGROUND
In order to establish a statewide regulatory framework to address Sanitary Sewer Overflows, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopted Water Quality Order No. 2006-0003 on May 2, 2006. This order requires agencies operating sewer systems over one mile in length to prepare and maintain a Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP).
In response, the City of Redondo Beach developed an SSMP, which was approved by the City Council in 2009. The plan established core programs focused on capacity evaluation, system rehabilitation, and ongoing maintenance. Since then, the SSMP has been updated to include a revised Emergency Response Plan and improvements to the Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) program. The City Council recertified the SSMP on August 2, 2022, reaffirming the City’s continued implementation of recommended actions.
On December 6, 2022, the California State Water Resources Control Board adopted new statewide sanitary sewer system waste discharge (2022 Order) regulations, which became effective on June 4, 2023. The 2022 Order serves as the new regulatory framework for the operation and maintenance of those systems, superseding the previous 2006 Order.
Pursuant to the 2022 Order, sewer agencies such as the City of Redondo Beach are required to maintain a SERP that complies with the new requirements to ensure prompt detection and response to SSOs. While the City’s existing SERP complies with the 2006 Order, it needs to be updated to comply with the new requirements of the 2022 Order.
To support the City’s mandate to meet these evolving requirements, the City Council approved a professional services agreement with Fischer Compliance, LLC (FCL) on May 2, 2023. The initial contract authorized FCL to assist with reviewing sections of the City’s SSMP and SERP, identifying regulatory gaps, and ensuring the City was aligned with regulatory deadlines and compliance requirements.
The First Amendment to the agreement expands the consultant’s scope of services to ensure continued compliance with the 2022 Order. This includes technical assistance with preparing a Request for Proposals for consulting services to complete the City’s 2025/2026 SSMP comprehensive update following the six-year regulatory cycle, finalizing the SSMP audit with documented findings and recommendations, enhancing the condition assessment program, and providing comprehensive online and on-site training to City staff. These efforts will help ensure that the City’s wastewater collection system remains fully compliant with the State’s regulatory framework while incorporating industry best practices for long-term operational resilience. The updated SSMP also outlines the Solid Waste Services Division’s M&O expenditure and capital repair needs and serves as the basis for future fee adjustments to ensure the City is able to fund a safe and reliable sanitary sewer system.
COORDINATION
The City Attorney’s Office approved the amendment as to form
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the amendment is available in the City’s Wastewater Fund.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Fischer Compliance First Amendment
• Certificate of Liability Insurance