Agenda

Return

C. 74

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	John Kopchik, Director, Conservation & Development Department
Date:	July 14, 2020

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Agreement with Crowe, LLP for services related to solid waste and recycling collection franchises and rate setting

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 07/14/2020

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Deidra Dingman (925)674-7825

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: July 14, 2020
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Conservation and Development Director or designee to execute a contract, which includes modified indemnification language, with Crowe, LLP, in an amount not to exceed $195,000, to provide technical assistance services for the County's solid waste and recycling collection franchises, for the period July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no impact to the County General Fund. The cost for these retainer contract services will be paid for with solid waste and recycling franchise fee revenue.

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) is responsible for administering the County’s four existing solid waste and recycling collection franchise agreements, which involves detailed rate reviews and other periodic activities that require technical assistance from persons with specialized expertise.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

The County has entered into prior retainer contracts with Crowe, LLP (previously Crowe Horwath and NewPoint Group) in order to facilitate timely engagement of solid waste collection rate setting services as needed. For over 20 years, DCD has worked with the same Project Manager who has gained comprehensive County franchise specific knowledge and experience as a result of the rate setting assistance provided. The Project Manager's background and in-depth understanding of the County franchises offer substantial value that benefits both the County and our rate payers.

This retainer contract with Crowe, LLP (Crowe) will provide DCD staff with continued financial, technical and professional consulting services needed to conduct analysis and studies related to the County's collection franchise agreements. Under this contract, Crowe would be on retainer to provide specialized consulting services on an as-needed basis at the direction of the Department. The services to be provided would include, but not necessarily be limited to, rate reviews/studies, efficiency reviews, feasibility studies and service/rate related negotiations. Securing this consultant support effective July 1, 2020 ensures no interruption in retainer services which will help the County adhere to the time lines established for the review and approval of rate review applications submitted by franchise haulers.

The contract includes minor revisions to the indemnification provision of the General Conditions (paragraph 18), consistent with prior retainer contracts with Crowe, but the contractor will continue to be required to indemnify the County.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

The Department would not have access to the Crowe, LLP Project Manager's technical expertise needed to thoroughly review and analyze the solid waste collection rate applications and supporting financial documentation in order to determine the appropriate rate changes to be recommended to the Board. Additionally, the County would not have access to the assistance needed to conduct technical studies related to collection services and operations (e.g. efficiency) if needed, as provided for in the County's franchise agreements.