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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRincon Consultants 2025-02-20COU No. 2425-199 PAGE 1 OF 7 AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING SERVICES This Agreement, made and entered into this 20th day of February, 2025 (“Effective Date”), by and between CITY OF UKIAH, CALIFORNIA, hereinafter referred to as "City" and Rincon Consultants, Inc., a Corporation organized and in good standing under the laws of the state of California, hereinafter referred to as "Consultant". RECITALS This Agreement is predicated on the following facts: a. City requires consulting services related to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) environmental analysis, studies, and/or determinations pertaining to the City’s 2025 Annexation Application. b. Consultant represents that it has the qualifications, skills, experience and properly licensed to provide these services, and is willing to provide them according to the terms of this Agreement. c. City and Consultant agree upon the Scope of Services set forth in this Agreement. TERMS OF AGREEMENT 1.0 DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT 1.1 The Project will be described in detail when the final Scope-of-Work is complete and available. Rincon will provide environmental analysis services under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pertaining to the City’s application for annexation of areas within the City’s 2022 Sphere of Influence. 2.0 SCOPE OF SERVICES 2.1 Staff envisions Rincon working alongside the City's planning team and special CEQA Legal Counsel (Pioneer Law Group) to develop CEQA environmental documents and studies. As preparation of the application is at the initial stages, it is not known at this time what level of CEQA review will be necessary. Therefore, Council has authorized the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract in the amount not to exceed $75,000, and Rincon will bill for time and materials according to their most recent Fee Schedule (Attachment A). 2.2. Additional Services. Additional services, if any, shall only proceed upon written agreement between City and Consultant. The written Agreement shall be in the form of an Amendment to this Agreement. 3.0 CONDUCT OF WORK 3.1 Time of Completion. Consultant shall commence performance of services as required upon receipt of a Notice to Proceed from City and shall complete such services within a reasonable time frame, as determined through coordination with the City. Consultant shall complete the work to the City's reasonable satisfaction, even if contract disputes arise or Consultant contends it is entitled to further compensation. COU No. 2425-199 PAGE 2 OF 7 4.0 COMPENSATION FOR SERVICES 4.1 Basis for Compensation. For the performance of the professional services of this Agreement, Consultant shall be compensated on a time and expense basis not to exceed a maximum dollar amount of $75,000. Labor charges shall be based upon hourly billing rates for the various classifications of personnel employed by Consultant to perform the work as described in Section 2.1 of this Agreement, which shall include all indirect costs and expenses of every kind or nature, except direct expenses. The direct expenses and the fees to be charged for same shall be as set forth in the Fee Schedule in Attachment A. 4.2 Changes. Should changes in compensation be required because of changes to the work described in Section 2.1 and the pending Scope-of-Work of this Agreement, the parties shall agree in writing to any changes in compensation. "Changes to the Scope- of-Work" means different activities than those described in the pending Scope-of-Work and not additional time to complete those activities than the parties anticipated on the date they entered this Agreement. 4.3 Sub-contractor Payment. The use of sub-consultants or other services to perform a portion of the work of this Agreement shall be approved by City prior to commencement of work. The cost of sub-consultants shall be included within not-to-exceed amount set forth in Section 4.1. 4.4 Terms of Payment. Payment to Consultant for services rendered in accordance with this contract shall be based upon submission of monthly invoices for the work satisfactorily performed prior to the date of the invoice less any amount already paid to Consultant, which amounts shall be due and payable thirty (30) days after receipt by City. The invoices shall provide a description of each item of work performed, the time expended to perform each task, the fees charged for that task, and the direct expenses incurred and billed for. Invoices shall be accompanied by documentation sufficient to enable City to determine progress made and to support the expenses claimed. 5.0 ASSURANCES OF CONSULTANT 5.1 Independent Contractor. Consultant is an independent contractor and is solely responsible for its acts or omissions. Consultant (including its agents, servants, and employees) is not the City's agent, employee, or representative for any purpose. It is the express intention of the parties hereto that Consultant is an independent contractor and not an employee, joint venturer, or partner of City for any purpose whatsoever. City shall have no right to, and shall not control the manner or prescribe the method of accomplishing those services contracted to and performed by Consultant under this Agreement, and the general public and all governmental agencies regulating such activity shall be so informed. Those provisions of this Agreement that reserve ultimate authority in City have been inserted solely to achieve compliance with federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and interpretations thereof. No such provisions and no other provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted or construed as creating or establishing the relationship of employer and employee between Consultant and City. COU No. 2425-199 PAGE 3 OF 7 Consultant shall pay all estimated and actual federal and state income and self- employment taxes that are due the state and federal government and shall furnish and pay worker's compensation insurance, unemployment insurance and any other benefits required by law for himself and his employees, if any. Consultant agrees to indemnify and hold City and its officers, agents and employees harmless from and against any claims or demands by federal, state or local government agencies for any such taxes or benefits due but not paid by Consultant, including the legal costs associated with defending against any audit, claim, demand or law suit. Consultant warrants and represents that it is a properly licensed professional or professional organization with a substantial investment in its business and that it maintains its own offices and staff which it will use in performing under this Agreement. 5.2 Conflict of Interest. Consultant understands that its professional responsibility is solely to City. Consultant has no interest and will not acquire any direct or indirect interest that would conflict with its performance of the Agreement. Consultant shall not in the performance of this Agreement employ a person having such an interest. If the City Manager determines that the Consultant has a disclosure obligation under the City’s local conflict of interest code, the Consultant shall file the required disclosure form with the City Clerk within 10 days of being notified of the City Manager’s determination. 6.0 INDEMNIFICATION 6.1 Insurance Liability. Without limiting Consultant's obligations arising under Paragraph 6.2 Consultant shall not begin work under this Agreement until it procures and maintains for the full period of time allowed by law, surviving the termination of this Agreement insurance against claims for injuries to persons or damages to property, which may arise from or in connection with its performance under this Agreement. A. Minimum Scope of Insurance Coverage shall be at least as broad as: 1. Insurance Services Office ("ISO) Commercial General Liability Coverage Form No. CG 20 10 10 01 and Commercial General Liability Coverage – Completed Operations Form No. CG 20 37 10 01. 2. ISO Form No. CA 0001 (Ed. 1/87) covering Automobile Liability, Code 1 "any auto" or Code 8, 9 if no owned autos and endorsement CA 0025. 3. Worker's Compensation Insurance as required by the Labor Code of the State of California and Employers Liability Insurance. 4. Errors and Omissions liability insurance appropriate to the consultant’s profession. Architects’ and engineers’ coverage is to be endorsed to include contractual liability. B. Minimum Limits of Insurance Consultant shall maintain limits no less than: 1. General Liability: $1,000,000 combined single limit per occurrence for bodily injury, personal injury and property damage including operations, COU No. 2425-199 PAGE 4 OF 7 products and completed operations. If Commercial General Liability Insurance or other form with a general aggregate limit is used, the general aggregate limit shall apply separately to the work performed under this Agreement, or the aggregate limit shall be twice the prescribed per occurrence limit. 2. Automobile Liability: $1,000,000 combined single limit per accident for bodily injury and property damage. 3. Worker's Compensation and Employers Liability: Worker's compensation limits as required by the Labor Code of the State of California and Employers Liability limits of $1,000,000 per accident. 4. Errors and Omissions liability: $1,000,000 per occurrence. C. Deductibles and Self-Insured Retentions Any deductibles or self-insured retentions must be declared to and approved by the City. At the option of the City, either the insurer shall reduce or eliminate such deductibles or self-insured retentions as respects to the City, its officers, officials, employees and volunteers; or the Consultant shall procure a bond guaranteeing payment of losses and related investigations, claim administration and defense expenses. D. Other Insurance Provisions The policies are to contain, or be endorsed to contain, the following provisions: 1. General Liability and Automobile Liability Coverages a. The City, it officers, officials, employees and volunteers are to be covered as additional insureds as respects; liability arising out of activities performed by or on behalf of the Consultant, products and completed operations of the Consultant, premises owned, occupied or used by the Consultant, or automobiles owned, hired or borrowed by the Consultant for the full period of time allowed by law, surviving the termination of this Agreement. The coverage shall contain no special limitations on the scope-of-protection afforded to the City, its officers, officials, employees or volunteers. b. The Consultant's insurance coverage shall be primary insurance as respects to the City, its officers, officials, employees and volunteers. Any insurance or self-insurance maintained by the City, its officers, officials, employees or volunteers shall be in excess of the Consultant's insurance and shall not contribute with it. c. Any failure to comply with reporting provisions of the policies shall not affect coverage provided to the City, its officers, officials, employees or volunteers. COU No. 2425-199 PAGE 5 OF 7 d. The Consultant's insurance shall apply separately to each insured against whom claim is made or suit is brought, except with respect to the limits of the insurer's liability. 2. Worker's Compensation and Employers Liability Coverage The insurer shall agree to waive all rights of subrogation against the City, its officers, officials, employees and volunteers for losses arising from Consultant's performance of the work, pursuant to this Agreement. 3. Professional Liability Coverage If written on a claims-made basis, the retroactivity date shall be the effective date of this Agreement. The policy period shall extend one (1) year from the date of final approved invoice. 4. All Coverages Each Insurance policy required by this clause shall be endorsed to state that coverage shall not be suspended, voided, canceled by either party, reduced in coverage or in limits except after thirty (30) days prior written notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, has been given to the City. E. Acceptability of Insurers Insurance is to be placed with admitted California insurers with an A.M. Best's rating of no less than A- for financial strength, AA for long-term credit rating and AMB-1 for short-term credit rating. F. Verification of Coverage Consultant shall furnish the City with Certificates of Insurance and with original Endorsements effecting coverage required by this Agreement. The Certificates and Endorsements for each insurance policy are to be signed by a person authorized by that insurer to bind coverage on its behalf. The Certificates and Endorsements are to be on forms provided or approved by the City. Where by statute, the City's Workers' Compensation - related forms cannot be used, equivalent forms approved by the Insurance Commissioner are to be substituted. All Certificates and Endorsements are to be received and approved by the City before Consultant begins the work of this Agreement. The City reserves the right to require complete, certified copies of all required insurance policies, at any time. If Consultant fails to provide the coverages required herein, the City shall have the right, but not the obligation, to purchase any or all of them. In that event, the cost of insurance becomes part of the compensation due the contractor after notice to Consultant that City has paid the premium. G. Subcontractors Consultant shall include all subcontractors or sub-consultants as insured under its policies or shall furnish separate certificates and endorsements for each sub- COU No. 2425-199 PAGE 6 OF 7 contractor or sub-consultant. All coverage for sub-contractors or sub-consultants shall be subject to all insurance requirements set forth in this Paragraph 6.1. 6.2 Indemnification. Notwithstanding the foregoing insurance requirements, and in addition thereto, Consultant agrees, for the full period of time allowed by law, surviving the termination of this Agreement, to indemnify the City for any claim, cost or liability that arises out of, or pertains to, or relates to any negligent act or omission or the willful misconduct of Consultant in the performance of services under this contract by Consultant, but this indemnity does not apply to liability for damages for death or bodily injury to persons, injury to property, or other loss, arising from the sole negligence, willful misconduct or defects in design by the City, or arising from the active negligence of the City. “Indemnify,” as used herein includes the expenses of defending against a claim and the payment of any settlement or judgment arising out of the claim. Defense costs include all costs associated with defending the claim, including, but not limited to, the fees of attorneys, investigators, consultants, experts and expert witnesses, and litigation expenses. References in this paragraph to City or Consultant, include their officers, employees, agents, and subcontractors. 7.0 CONTRACT PROVISIONS 7.1 Ownership of Work. All documents furnished to Consultant by City and all documents or reports and supportive data prepared by Consultant under this Agreement are owned and become the property of the City upon their creation and shall be given to City immediately upon demand and at the completion of Consultant's services at no additional cost to City. Deliverables will be identified in the pending Scope-of-Work and will consist of CEQA environmental documents and studies . All documents produced by Consultant shall be furnished to City in digital format and hardcopy. Consultant shall produce the digital format, using software and media approved by City. 7.2 Governing Law. Consultant shall comply with the laws and regulations of the United States, the State of California, and all local governments having jurisdiction over this Agreement. The interpretation and enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by California law and any action arising under or in connection with this Agreement must be filed in a Court of competent jurisdiction in Mendocino County. 7.3 Entire Agreement. This Agreement plus its Attachment(s) and executed Amendments set forth the entire understanding between the parties. 7.4 Severability. If any term of this Agreement is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in effect. 7.5 Modification. No modification of this Agreement is valid unless made with the agreement of both parties in writing. 7.6 Assignment. Consultant's services are considered unique and personal. Consultant shall not assign, transfer, or sub-contract its interest or obligation under all or any portion of this Agreement without City's prior written consent. COU No. 2425-199 PAGE 7 OF 7 7.7 Waiver. No waiver of a breach of any covenant, term, or condition of this Agreement shall be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach of the same or any other covenant, term or condition or a waiver of the covenant, term or condition itself. 7.8 Termination. This Agreement may only be terminated by either party: 1) for breach of the Agreement; 2) because funds are no longer available to pay Consultant for services provided under this Agreement; or 3) City has abandoned and does not wish to complete the project for which Consultant was retained. A party shall notify the other party of any alleged breach of the Agreement and of the action required to cure the breach. If the breaching party fails to cure the breach within the time specified in the notice, the contract shall be terminated as of that time. If terminated for lack of funds or abandonment of the project, the contract shall terminate on the date notice of termination is given to Consultant. City shall pay the Consultant only for services performed and expenses incurred as of the effective termination date. In such event, as a condition to payment, Consultant shall provide to City all finished or unfinished documents, data, studies, surveys, drawings, maps, models, photographs and reports prepared by the Consultant under this Agreement. Consultant shall be entitled to receive just and equitable compensation for any work satisfactorily completed hereunder, subject to off-set for any direct or consequential damages City may incur as a result of Consultant's breach of contract. 7.9 Execution of Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in duplicate originals, each bearing the original signature of the parties. Alternatively, this Agreement may be executed and delivered by facsimile or other electronic transmission, and in more than one counterpart, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. When executed using either alternative, the executed agreement shall be deemed an original admissible as evidence in any administrative or judicial proceeding to prove the terms and content of this Agreement. 8.0 NOTICES Any notice given under this Agreement shall be in writing and deemed given when personally delivered or deposited in the mail (certified or registered) addressed to the parties as follows: CITY OF UKIAH RINCON CONSULTANTS, INC. DEPT. OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 4825 J ST STE 200 300 SEMINARY AVENUE SACRAMENTO, CA 95819 UKIAH, CALIFORNIA 95482-5400 9.0 SIGNATURES IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement the Effective Date: CONSULTANT BY: __________________________ ____________________ Date PRINT NAME: _________________ __________________ IRS IDN Number COU No. 2425-199 PAGE 8 OF 7 CITY OF UKIAH BY: ____________________ Date CITY MANAGER ATTEST ____________________ CITY CLERK Date BY: __________________________ PRINT NAME: _________________ ____________________ Date Richard Daulton 3/3/2025 Type text here 03/24/2025 Kristine Lawler (Mar 24, 2025 13:33 PDT) Kristine Lawler 03/24/2025 Rincon Consultants, Inc. Effective January 1, 2025 Standard Fee Schedule for Environmental Sciences and Planning Services Professional, Technical and Support Personnel* January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025 Senior Principal $330 Principal $318 Director $318 Senior Supervisor II $302 Supervisor I $282 Senior Professional II $264 Senior Professional I $246 Professional IV $218 Professional III $203 Professional II $180 Professional I $160 Associate III $135 Associate II $121 Associate I $113 Field Technician $97 Technical Editor $152 Project Accountant $129 Billing Specialist $111 Publishing Specialist $124 Clerical $111 * Professional classifications include environmental scientists, urban planners, biologists, geologists, marine scientists, GHG verifiers, sustainability experts, cultural resources experts, data technology experts, and other professionals. Expert witness services consisting of depositions or in-court testimony are charged at the hourly rate of $400. Reimbursable Expenses Direct Cost Rates Photocopies – B/W $0.25 (single-sided), $0.45 (double-sided) Photocopies – Color $1.55 (single-sided), $3.10 (double-sided) Photocopies – 11” by 17” $0.55 (B/W), $3.40 (color) Oversized Maps $8.50/square foot Digital Production $15/CD, $20/flash drive Light-Duty and Passenger Vehicles* $90/day 4WD and Off-Road Vehicles* $150/day * Current IRS mileage rate for mileage over 50 and for all miles incurred in employee-owned vehicles. Direct Costs. Other direct costs associated with the execution of a project, that are not included in the hourly rates above, are billed at cost. These may include, but are not limited to, laboratory and drilling services, subcontractor services, authorized travel expenses, permit charges and filing fees, mailings and postage, performance bonds, sample handling and shipment, rental equipment, and vehicles other than covered by the above charges. Annual Escalation. Standard rates subject to 3.5% annual escalation, on January 1. Payment Terms. All fees will be billed to Client monthly and shall be due and payable upon receipt or as indicated in the contract provisions for the assignment. Invoices are delinquent if not paid within 10 days from receipt or per the contractually required payment terms. ATTACHMENT A Rincon Consultants, Inc. Effective January 1, 2025 Equipment Rate Environmental Site Assessment Soil Vapor Extraction Monitoring Equipment $160 Four Gas Monitor $137 Flame Ionization Detector $110 Photo Ionization Detector $82 Hand Auger Sampler $62 Water Level Indicator, DC Purge Pump $46 CAPDash $7,500 Natural Resources Field Equipment UAS Drone $300 Spotting or Fiberoptic Scope $170 Pettersson Bat Ultrasound Detector/Recording Equipment $170 Sound Level Metering Field Package (Anemometer, Tripod and Digital Camera) $113 GPS (Submeter Accuracy) $67 Infrared Sensor Digital Camera or Computer Field Equipment $57 Scent Station $23 Laser Rangefinder/Altitude $11 Pitfall Traps, Spotlights, Anemometer, GPS Units, Sterilized Sample Jar $9 Mammal Trap, Large/Small $1.55/$0.55 Water and Marine Resources Equipment Boat (20-foot Boston Whaler or Similar) $800 Multiparameter Sonde (Temperature, Conductivity, Turbidity, DO, pH) with GPS $170 Water Quality Equipment (DO, pH, Turbidity, Refractometer, Temperature) $62 Refractometer (Salinity) or Turbidity Meter $38 Large Block Nets $114 Minnow Trap $98 Net, Hand/Large Seine $57 Field Equipment Packages Standard Field Package (Digital Camera, GPS, Thermometer, Binoculars, Tablet, Safety Equipment, and Botanic Collecting Equipment) $114 Remote Field Package (Digital Camera, GPS, Thermometer, Binoculars, Tablet and Mifi, Delorme Satellite Beacon, 24‐Hour Safety Phone) $144 Amphibian/Vernal Pool Field Package (Digital Camera, GPS, Thermometer, Decon Chlorine, Waders, Float Tube, Hand Net, Field Microscope) $170 Fisheries Equipment Package (Waders, Wetsuits, Dip Nets, Seine Nets, Bubblers, Buckets) $57 Underwater and Marine Sampling Gear (Photo/Video Camera, Scuba Equipment [Tanks, BCD, Regulators, Wetsuits, etc.]) $57/diver Marine Field Package (Personal Flotation Devices, 100-foot Reel Tapes with Stainless Carabiners, Pelican Floats, Underwater Slates, Thermometer, Refractometer, Anemometer, Various Field Guides) $100 Insurance, Hazard, and Fees Historic Research Fees $55 L&H Dive Insurance $57/diver Level C Health and Safety $70/person