Title
Approving a professional services supplemental agreement with Halff Associates in the amount of $198,490 for professional engineering services associated with the Drainage Utility Implementation and Utility Rate Implementation Project, and authorizing the City Manager to execute the same.
Summary
This Professional Services Supplemental Agreement (PSSA) #3 is for Halff Associates and their subconsultants to perform program management and coordination and support for implementation of the Drainage Master Plan, to implement the drainage utility fee study, and to assist with grant funding strategy for an amount of $198,490. The two subconsultants, NewGen Strategies & Solutions and CD&P, will assist with utility billing implementation and extensive public outreach and engagement. The total amount of the original Professional Services Agreement and the following three PSSAs, including this one, totals $549,165.
The City Council amended the comprehensive Aspire plan to include the Drainage Master Plan in September 2023. Setting up a drainage utility allows the city to establish a user fee based on the impact properties place on the drainage system. A stormwater utility provides the means to fund and maintain the large stormwater capital improvements identified in the Drainage Master Plan and fund ongoing operation and maintenance operations related to drainage. NewGen Strategies & Solutions, a sub-consultant to Halff for the Drainage Master Plan, was tasked with conducting a feasibility study to implement a drainage utility for the City of Pflugerville. The report prepared by NewGen Strategies & Solutions entitled “Drainage Utility Fee Feasibility Study” serves as a companion report to the Drainage Master Plan. NewGen Strategies & Solutions also prepared a financial plan to determine the City’s cost of service associated with the provision of Stormwater service and to develop projected rates for the drainage utility fee specific to Fiscal Years (FY) 2023 through FY 2027.
The Drainage Utility Fee Feasibility Study outlined several benefits to a local government implementing a dedicated drainage utility fee:
▪ Revenue - A dedicated fee generates a stable source of revenue to fund stormwater projects.
▪ Structure - A distinct utility creates an organized entity to solve the problems regarding stormwater management including aging infrastructure, development, and legal challenges.
▪ Environment - Increased focus on stormwater issues such as erosion, flooding, preservation of source water and water quality can encourage environmental initiatives.
▪ Regulation - A dedicated drainage utility can focus on meeting the requirements of state permits and other regulatory mandates and provides the means of collecting the revenue required to construct and maintain large stormwater capital improvements needed to help protect City businesses and residents from the effects of flooding.
Prior City Council Action
City Council approved a Professional Services Agreement with Halff Associates, Inc. to perform planning services for the Drainage Master Plan and Drainage Utility Fee Study project in the amount of $247,215 on September 22, 2020.
A Professional Services Supplemental Agreement (PSSA #1) was approved by City Council on December 6, 2021 in the amount of $65,110 to add site visits, field survey, development of virtual meetings and additional effort to complete the drainage utility fee study and impervious cover development for the project. A PSSA #2 was approved administratively on February 9, 2022 for adding an evaluation a downtown regional detention evaluation.
For the Drainage Master Plan, the City Council approved the second reading on September 12, 2023 and the first reading on August 22, 2023 of an ordinance to amend the Aspire Pflugerville 2040 Comprehensive Plan to adopt the Drainage Master Plan dated August 2022. The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended the Drainage Master Plan August 7, 2023.
Deadline for City Council Action
Action is requested on February 13, 2024
Funding Expected: Revenue __ Expenditure _X_ N/A __
Budgeted Item: Yes _X_ No __ N/A __
Amount: _$198,490 __
1295 Form Required? Yes _X_ No __
Legal Review Required: N/A __ Required _X_ Date Completed: _02/06/2024__
Supporting documents attached:
Professional Services Supplemental Agreement - Comprehensive Drainage Master Plan and Drainage Utility Fee Study PSSA
Halff Associates Scope
NewGen Strategies & Solutions Scope
CD&P Scope
Drainage Utility Fee Feasibility Study
Recommended Action
City staff recommends approving a Professional Services Supplemental Agreement with Halff Associates in the amount of $198,490 for services associated with the Drainage Utility Implementation and Utility Rate Implementation Project, and authorizing the City Manager to execute the same.