HomeMy WebLinkAboutRaftelis 2026-05-19COU No. 2526-219
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AGREEMENT FOR
PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING SERVICES
This Agreement, made and entered into this 19th day of May, 2026 (“Effective Date”), by
and between CITY OF UKIAH, CALIFORNIA, hereinafter referred to as "City" and Raftelis
Financial 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 Solid Waste System Five-Year Review
Consulting Services.
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-Work and Work Schedule attached hereto
as Attachment "A", describing contract provisions for the project and setting forth the
completion dates for the various services to be provided pursuant to this Agreement.
TERMS OF AGREEMENT
1.0 DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
1.1 The Project is described in detail in the attached Scope-of-Work (Attachment "A").
2.0 SCOPE OF SERVICES
2.1 As set forth in 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
by the Scope-of-Work upon receipt of a Notice to Proceed from City and shall complete
such services within twenty (20) weeks from receipt of the Notice to Proceed.
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.
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 guaranteed maximum dollar amount of $39,490. Labor charges shall be
based upon hourly billing rates for the various classifications of personnel employed by
Consultant to perform the Scope of Work as set forth in the attached Attachment A,
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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 Attachment A. Consultant shall complete the Scope of Work for the not-to-
exceed guaranteed maximum, even if actual time and expenses exceed that amount.
4.2 Changes. Should changes in compensation be required because of changes to the
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 Attachment "A" 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 guaranteed 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.
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.
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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,
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.
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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; respect to liability
arising out of from 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 in each
case, in the performance of this Agreement, 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.
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.
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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-
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 and defend the City for any claim, cost or
liability that arises out of, or pertains , to or relates to the extent caused by 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
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from the sole negligence, willful misconduct or defects in design by the City, or arising
from the active negligence of the City. City agrees not to provide Consultant with
information it knows to be inaccurate of untrue or for which it lacks reasonable cause to
believe is true and accurate. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that Consultant
does not guarantee any outcomes or result. Consultant shall have no obligation to
indemnify City against liability for claims by a third party that the City has failed to comply
with its obligations under Article XIII D of the California Constitution (Proposition 218).
“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 and intended
or contractually agreed by Consultant to be deliverables hereunder (collectively, the
“Deliverables”) 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 are identified in the Scope-of-Work,
Attachment "A". All documents Deliverables 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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein
shall be deemed or construed as a waiver, release, transfer, assignment or divestiture
by Consultant of any of its intellectual property , know-how or trade secrets not
contained in Deliverables.
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.
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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
Deliverables 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 RAFTELIS FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS, INC.
DEPT. OF FINANCE 1 NORTH CALLE CESAR CHAVEZ
300 SEMINARY AVENUE SUITE 102
UKIAH, CALIFORNIA 95482-5400 SANTA BARBARA, CA 93103
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. 2526-219
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CITY OF UKIAH
BY: ____________________
Date
CITY MANAGER
ATTEST
____________________
CITY CLERK Date
05/29/2026
06/02/2026
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INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSULTANTS
Consultant(s) shall procure and maintain for the duration of the contract insurance against insurable claims
for injuries to persons or damages to property caused or alleged to have been caused by the performance
of the work hereunder by the Consultant(s), his agents, representatives, or employees.
I. Minimum Scope of Insurance
Coverage shall be at least as broad as:
A. Insurance Services Office Commercial General Liability coverage (Form No. CG 20 10 10 01 and
Commercial General Liability – Completed Operations Form No. CG 20 37 10 01).
B. Insurance Services Office form number CA 0001 (Ed. 1/87) covering Automobile Liability, code 1
(any auto).
C. Workers’ Compensation insurance as required by the State of California and Employer’s Liability
Insurance.
D. Errors and Omissions liability insurance appropriate to the consultant’s profession. Architects’ and
engineers’ coverage is to be endorsed to include contractual liability.
II. Minimum Limits of Insurance
Consultant shall maintain limits no less than:
A. General Liability: $1,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury, personal injury and property damage
including operations, products and completed operations, as applicable. If Commercial General
Liability Insurance or other form with a general aggregate limit is used, either the general aggregate limit
shall apply separately to this project/location or the general aggregate limit shall be twice the required
occurrence limit. Insurance must be written on an occurrence basis.
B. Automobile Liability: $1,000,000 per accident for bodily injury and property damage. Insurance must
be written on an occurrence basis.
C. Workman’s Compensation Employer’s Liability: $1,000,000 per accident for bodily injury or disease.
D. Errors and Omissions liability: $1,000,000 per occurrence. If written on a claims-made basis,
insurance coverage must cover claims filed within 3 years after contract work completed.
III. Deductibles and Self-Insured Retentions
Any deductibles or self-insured retentions must be declared to and approved by the City. The City may
require the insurer to reduce or eliminate such deductibles or self-insured retentions with respect to the
City, its officers, officials, employees and volunteers; or the Consultant to provide a financial guarantee
satisfactory to the City guaranteeing payment of losses and related investigations, claim administration and
defense expenses; or to approve the deductible without a guarantee.
IV. REQUIRED Insurance Provisions
Proof of general liability and automobile liability policies are to contain, or be endorsed to
contain, the following provisions:
A. The City, its officers, officials, employees, and volunteers are to be covered as ADDITIONAL
INSURED with respect to liability caused or alleged to have been caused by automobiles owned,
leased, hired or borrowed by or on behalf of the Consultant or otherwise asserted against the City as
a result of an accident involving such automobiles; and with respect to liability caused or alleged to
have been caused by work or operations performed by or on behalf of the Consultant including
materials, parts or equipment, furnished in connection with such work or operations. General liability
coverage can be provided in the form of an endorsement to the Consultant’s insurance, or as a
separate owner’s policy.
B. The workers’ compensation policy is to be endorsed with a waiver of subrogation. The
insurance company, in its endorsement, agrees to waive all rights of subrogation against the City, its
officers, officials, employees and volunteers for losses paid under the terms of this policy which
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arises from the work performed by the named insured for the City. NOTE: You cannot be added as
an additional insured on a workers’ compensation policy.
C. For any claims related to this project, the Consultant’s insurance coverage shall be primary
insurance with respect 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.
D. Each insurance policy required by this clause shall be endorsed to state that coverage shall not
be canceled by either party, except after thirty (30) days’ prior written notice by certified mail, return
receipt requested, has been given to the City.
V. RATING - Acceptability of Insurers
Insurance is to be placed with admitted California insurers with a current 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.
VI. Verification of Coverage
Consultant shall furnish the City with original certificates and amendatory endorsements effecting coverage
required by this clause. The endorsements should be on forms provided by the City. If endorsements
are on forms other than the City’s forms, those endorsements must provide coverage that is equivalent to or
better than the forms requested by the City. All certificates and endorsements are to be received and
approved by the City before work commences. The City reserves the right to require complete, certified
copies of all required insurance policies, including endorsements affecting the coverage required by these
specifications at any time.
If you have questions regarding our insurance requirements contact:
Risk Manager
(707) 463-6287 or FAX (707) 463-6204
Revised: 11/20/08
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B.PROJECT UNDERSTANDING AND PROPOSED APPROACH
Project Understanding
The City of Ukiah, nestled in the heart of Mendocino County's inland valley, serves a community of approximately
16,300 residents and functions as the economic and civic hub of the region. The City has long demonstrated a
commitment to environmental stewardship, from its pesticide-free parks and renewable energy portfolio to its active
investment in sustainable land use planning, and its approach to solid waste management reflects that same
forward-thinking orientation. The City is seeking an independent five-year review of its solid waste system to
evaluate contractor financial performance, assess the effectiveness of rate adjustment mechanisms, and confirm that
residents and businesses are receiving quality services at fair and reasonable rates.
The City maintains a franchise agreement with Ukiah Waste Solutions (UWS), a subsidiary of C&S Waste
Solutions, for the collection of solid waste, organic waste, and recyclables within the incorporated city limits. The
current agreement, which runs from October 2017 through December 2031, governs the terms of service delivery
and establishes the rate adjustment mechanisms that determine how collection rates change over time. The
agreement includes provisions for periodic review—precisely the type of independent evaluation contemplated by
this engagement. Since the agreement was executed, the solid waste landscape in California has changed markedly,
driven by the implementation of SB 1383, AB 1826, and AB 341, each of which has introduced new collection,
diversion, and reporting obligations that directly affect the cost of providing service and the way rates are structured.
Raftelis understands that this review is not simply a backward-looking financial audit. It is an opportunity for the
City to take stock of how the system has performed over the review period, to evaluate whether rate adjustments
have kept pace with, or exceeded, actual cost changes, and to identify any structural issues in the rate methodology
or contractual provisions that should be addressed before the agreement reaches its remaining term. The review
must account for the real-world cost pressures that have reshaped solid waste operations statewide, including
volatile commodity markets, rising disposal and transportation costs, and the significant investment required to
comply with California's evolving organics and recycling mandates.
Raftelis brings deep experience conducting independent solid waste system reviews, rate analyses, and franchise
evaluations for California municipalities. Our team understands the regulatory environment, the financial dynamics
of franchised collection systems, and the practical challenges cities face in balancing fiscal responsibility with service
quality and environmental compliance. We are prepared to deliver a thorough, transparent, and actionable review
that equips the City of Ukiah with the information it needs to make sound decisions about its solid waste system for
the years ahead.
Project Approach
Raftelis will conduct an independent five-year review of the City of Ukiah's solid waste system in accordance with
the scope of services outlined in the City's request for proposals. Our approach is organized into seven sequential
tasks, beginning with project initiation and work planning and concluding with a final report and presentation of
findings. Each task builds on the work of the prior phase, ensuring a thorough and well-documented analysis of the
contractual framework, contractor financial performance, rate adjustment mechanisms, and operational
considerations that collectively shape the City's solid waste system.
Attachment A
RAFTELIS 4
Raftelis will maintain consistent communication with City staff throughout the engagement through biweekly
check-in meetings. These meetings provide a regular forum for progress updates, discussion of interim findings,
issue resolution, and coordination between the project team and City staff. The biweekly cadence will begin during
Task 1 and continue through the completion of Task 7. Raftelis anticipates the project will span approximately four
to six months from notice to proceed, resulting in approximately eight to 12 biweekly check-in meetings in addition
to the task-specific meetings identified within each task below.
Task 1: Project Initiation and Work Planning
Objective: Establish a clear project framework, align expectations with City staff, and define the analytical
approach, communication protocols, and milestone schedule that will guide the engagement from start to finish.
Identify all data and documentation needed to perform the review and issue the request early to facilitate timely
data collection.
Action Items:
• Conduct a kickoff meeting with City staff to confirm the scope of work, project objectives, key contacts, and
communication protocols
• Discuss the City's priorities, areas of particular concern, and any known issues related to the solid waste system
or contractor performance
• Establish a biweekly check-in meeting cadence with City staff for the duration of the project to provide progress
updates, discuss interim findings, and address questions as they arise
• Develop and submit a written project work plan outlining the proposed analytical approach, key milestones,
deliverable schedule, and anticipated timeline for completion
• Prepare and submit a comprehensive data request list identifying contractor financial records, operational
reports, rate adjustment filings, and other documentation required to perform the review
• Coordinate with City staff to facilitate timely receipt of requested materials
MEETINGS:
• Project kickoff meeting with City staff (1)
• Biweekly check-in No. 1
DELIVERABLES:
• Project work plan (1 draft)
• Comprehensive data request list (1 draft)
Task 2: Document and Agreement Review
Objective: Build a comprehensive understanding of the contractual framework, historical context, and financial
reporting requirements that govern the City's solid waste system to inform the financial, rate adjustment, and
operational analyses that follow.
Action Items:
• Review applicable solid waste franchise and/or transfer agreements to understand the contractual provisions
governing rates, compensation structures, performance obligations, and financial reporting requirements
• Review prior five-year review reports and any other relevant background documentation provided by the City to
understand historical findings, prior recommendations, and how the system has evolved
• Identify and catalog the specific contractual provisions related to rate adjustment mechanisms, cost recovery,
and periodic review obligations
RAFTELIS 5
• Follow up on outstanding data request items and coordinate with City staff to obtain any supplemental
documentation as needed
MEETINGS:
• Biweekly check-in meetings (ongoing)
DELIVERABLES:
• Analysis is documented in the draft and final reports under Tasks 6 and 7)
Task 3: Financial Analysis
Objective: Conduct a detailed review of the contractor's financial performance over the review period by
examining financial statements, cost structures, revenue streams, and capital expenditures to determine whether the
costs of providing solid waste services are reasonable and consistent with the governing agreements.
Action Items:
• Review contractor financial statements, statements of operations, and related supporting documentation for
services provided under the agreements
• Evaluate reported revenues, operating costs, capital expenditures, and cost allocation methodologies associated
with the solid waste system
• Analyze commodity revenues, disposal costs, and other key financial drivers affecting overall system costs and
financial performance
• Assess the reasonableness of reported costs by examining trends, benchmarking against industry norms where
applicable, and identifying any anomalies or areas warranting further inquiry
• Coordinate with City staff and, as appropriate, the contractor to clarify financial data or obtain supplemental
documentation
MEETINGS:
• Biweekly check-in meetings (ongoing)
DELIVERABLES:
• Analysis is documented in the draft and final reports under Tasks 6 and 7
Task 4: Rate Adjustment Evaluation
Objective: Evaluate the effectiveness and accuracy of the rate adjustment mechanisms applied during the review
period to determine whether adjustments have appropriately reflected actual cost drivers and whether the contractor
has experienced over-recovery or under-recovery of costs.
Action Items:
• Review historical rate adjustments implemented under the agreements, including the indices, formulas, or
methodologies used to calculate each adjustment
• Evaluate whether rate adjustments appropriately reflected underlying cost drivers such as labor, fuel, disposal
fees, and regulatory compliance costs
• Analyze the cumulative effect of rate adjustments over the review period to determine whether the contractor
has experienced over-recovery or under-recovery of costs relative to reported expenses
• Assess the overall reasonableness of contractor compensation under the governing agreements, considering both
the rate adjustment mechanism and actual financial performance
RAFTELIS 6
• Identify any structural issues with the rate adjustment methodology that may warrant modification or
refinement
MEETINGS:
• Biweekly check-in meetings (ongoing)
DELIVERABLES:
• None (analysis is documented in the draft and final reports under Tasks 6 and 7)
Task 5: Operational Review
Objective: Evaluate operational metrics, performance indicators, and the assumptions underlying financial
reporting to identify operational factors that may materially influence system costs, revenues, or long-term financial
sustainability.
Action Items:
• Review operational metrics and performance indicators relevant to the solid waste system, including tonnage
data, diversion rates, route efficiency, and service level indicators
• Evaluate the reasonableness of assumptions used in the contractor's financial reporting, including cost escalation
factors, depreciation schedules, and allocation methods
• Identify operational trends or changes, such as shifts in waste composition, service territory growth, or
regulatory requirements, that may influence system costs, revenues, or long-term financial performance
• Assess whether operational practices align with the contractual expectations and whether any operational
factors should be accounted for in future rate adjustments
MEETINGS:
• Biweekly check-in meetings (ongoing)
DELIVERABLES:
• None (analysis is documented in the draft and final reports under Tasks 6 and 7)
Task 6: Draft Report
Objective: Synthesize the findings from the document and agreement review, financial analysis, rate adjustment
evaluation, and operational review into a well-organized draft report that clearly presents the methodology,
assumptions, analytical approach, and preliminary conclusions for City staff review.
Action Items:
• Prepare a draft five-year review report with methodology, analysis, data reviewed, and preliminary findings
• Document the results of the contract and agreement review, including key contractual provisions governing
rates, compensation, performance obligations, and financial reporting requirements
• Clearly describe the assumptions used, analytical methods applied, and conclusions reached so that City staff
may evaluate the basis for each finding
• Organize the report to address the scope of services, contract and agreement review, financial performance, rate
adjustment effectiveness, and operational considerations, in a logical and accessible format
• Submit the draft report to City staff for review and comment; Conduct a draft report review meeting with City
staff to discuss findings and document requested revisions
RAFTELIS 7
MEETINGS:
• Draft report review meeting with City staff (1)
• Biweekly check-in meetings (ongoing)
DELIVERABLES:
• Draft five-year review report (1 draft)
Task 7: Final Report and Presentation
Objective: Incorporate City staff feedback into a polished final report and present the findings, conclusions, and
recommendations, including those related to the contract and agreement review, financial analysis, rate adjustment
evaluation, and operational review, to City staff and, if requested, the City Council or other governing body.
Action Items:
• Review and incorporate City staff comments and revisions into the final five-year review report
• Confirm that the final report comprehensively addresses the contract and agreement review, financial analysis,
rate adjustment evaluation, and operational review
• Clearly present conclusions and actionable recommendations in the final report, including any suggested
modifications to the rate adjustment methodology or contractual provisions
• Prepare presentation materials summarizing the findings, methodology, and recommendations of the review
• Present findings to City staff (or other governing body) in a review meeting
MEETINGS:
• Presentation to City staff (1) and presentation to City Council or other governing body, if requested (1)
• Final biweekly check-in meeting
DELIVERABLES:
• Final five-year review report (1 final); Presentation materials (1 draft)
RAFTELIS 8
Rate Model Dashboards
City of Watsonville, CA
Municipality of Anchorage, AK
Raftelis will develop a customized financial model that incorporates a dashboard to allow the City to easily run scenarios and
see the impacts in real time. Shown here is a sample dashboard that we developed for other projects.
WATSONVILLE SOLID WASTE FINANCIAL PLAN Dynamic years FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 FY 2030
SOLID WASTE DASHBOARD
Selection Options Adjustment Month Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul
Years Shown 7 Revenue Adjustment 0.0%0.0%7.5%7.5%7.5%5.0%5.0%
Account Growth Slight Increase
Temporary Service Growth No change Proposed Debt $0 $2,043,711 $0 $832,320 $4,138,711 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Grant Funding for CIP $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
CIP Reduction $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Total CIP $1,526,982 $3,705,991 $214,200 $3,594,582 $4,218,302 $81,182 $1,772,050 $985,392 $1,631,461 $1,025,202 $1,275,680
Note that there is no debt coverage requirement
(0.70)
0.62
0.0%
1.0%
2.0%
3.0%
4.0%
5.0%
6.0%
7.0%
8.0%
FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026
-1.00
-0.50
0.00
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
REVENUE ADJUSTMENTS & DEBT COVERAGE
Revenue Adjustment (Left)Projected Debt Coverage (Right)
Required Debt Coverage (Right)Alert Coverage (Right)
$1.5 M
$3.7 M
$0.2 M
$3.6 M
$4.2 M
$0.1 M
$1.8 M
$0.0
$0.5
$1.0
$1.5
$2.0
$2.5
$3.0
$3.5
$4.0
$4.5
FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026
Millions CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CIP)
Debt Funded Cash Funded
$8.8 M
$6.5 M $6.2 M
$3.7 M
$4.4 M
$5.5 M $5.2 M
$0.0
$1.0
$2.0
$3.0
$4.0
$5.0
$6.0
$7.0
$8.0
$9.0
$10.0
FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026
Millions TOTAL ENDING FUND BALANCE
CIP Expenditures Ending Balance Operating Reserve Target Total Reserve Target Alert Balance
-$5.0
$0.0
$5.0
$10.0
$15.0
$20.0
$25.0
FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026
Millions FINANCIAL PLAN
O&M: Personnel O&M Operations Debt Service Cash Funded CIP
Revenue to/from Reserves Proposed Revenue Current Revenues
RAFTELIS 39
E.FEE PROPOSAL
Fee Proposal
As requested in the RFP, we have provided the fee proposal separately.
F.PROPOSED PROJECT SCHEDULE
Proposed Project Schedule
The following schedule assumes a project duration of approximately five months from notice to proceed (NTP).
Task durations reflect the sequential and, where appropriate, overlapping nature of the work. Actual dates will be
established during Task 1 based on the mutually agreed-upon project work plan. Biweekly check-in meetings will
occur throughout the engagement from Week 2 through Week 20. The schedule assumes timely receipt of requested
data and documentation from the City and the contractor.
Task Description Duration Deliverables
1 Project Initiation and Work
Planning Weeks 1–2 Project work plan (1 draft); Comprehensive data
request list (1 draft)
2 Document and Agreement
Review Weeks 3–6 None (findings documented in Tasks 6 and 7)
3 Financial Analysis Weeks 5–10 None (findings documented in Tasks 6 and 7)
4 Rate Adjustment Evaluation Weeks 7–12 None (findings documented in Tasks 6 and 7)
5 Operational Review Weeks 9–12 None (findings documented in Tasks 6 and 7)
6 Draft Report Weeks 13–16 Draft five-year review report (1 draft)
7 Final Report and Presentation Weeks 17–20 Final five-year review report (1 final); Presentation
materials (1 draft)
RAFTELIS 1
E. FEE PROPOSAL
Fee Proposal
The table on the following provides a breakdown of our proposed fee for this project. This table includes the
estimated level of effort required for completing each task inclusive of all costs.
Project team hours and expenses will be billed on the same invoice. Expenses related to travel will be billed at cost.
Additional services outside the agreed upon scope of work will be billed on a time and materials basis. Raftelis’
billing rates can be found below. These rates will be in effect for calendar year 2026 and will then increase annually
by 3% unless specified otherwise by contract.
POSITION HOURLY BILLING
RATE**
Chair/Chair Emeritus $500
Chief Executive Officer/President $475
Executive Vice President/Senior Principal $425
Senior Vice President $400
Vice President $375
Senior Manager $340
Principal Consultant $310
Manager $295
Senior Consultant $260
Consultant $230
Creative Director $230
Associate Consultant $195
Graphic Designer $170
Analyst $150
Administration $100
Technology Charge* $10
*Technology/Communications
Charge: This is an hourly fee
charged monthly for each hour
worked on the project to recover
telephone, facsimile, computer,
postage/overnight delivery,
conference calls, electronic/
computer webinars,
photocopies, etc.
RAFTELIS 2
City of Ukiah — Solid Waste System Five-Year Review
Not-To-Exceed Fee Proposal
Porter McCarthy Boveri Zoller Manwelyan/
Wittern
Mitchell/
Neely
Total
Hours Total Cost
Project
Director
Project
Manager Finance SME Communications
Lead
Funding SME
& Comms Analysts
Vice
President
Senior
Manager
Senior Vice
President
Senior
Manager Manager Senior
Consultant
Hourly Rate $375 $360 $400 $360 $295 $260
Task 1: Project Initiation and
Work Planning 2 3 1 0 0 5 11 $3,530
Task 2: Document and
Agreement Review 2 5 2 0 2 6 17 $5,500
Task 3: Financial Analysis 2 8 3 0 2 8 23 $7,500
Task 4: Rate Adjustment
Evaluation 2 6 3 0 4 8 23 $7,370
Task 5: Operational Review 2 2 0 6 2 4 16 $5,260
Task 6: Draft Report 2 6 1 2 4 5 20 $6,510
Task 7: Final Report and
Presentation 2 4 0 0 2 4 12 $3,820
Total Hours 14 34 10 8 16 40 122
Total Cost by Person $5,250 $12,240 $4,000 $2,880 $4,720 $10,400 $39,490