TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, City Manager
FROM:
Lisa Jenkins, Human Resources Director
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of a Resolution Approving Amendment No. 2 to the Professional Services Agreement with waterTALENT, LLC to Extend the Term Through June 30, 2027, and Provide Specialty Technical Temporary Staffing Services at a cost Not-To-Exceed $650,000 (No Budget Impact) (Human Resources Director Jenkins).
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-0027
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RECOMMENDATION:Body
Staff recommends that the City Council approve an amendment to the agreement with waterTALENT, LLC, increasing the compensation to a total not-to-exceed amount of $650,000 and extending the agreement term to June 30, 2027. This agreement is utilized for providing specialty technical staffing services to accommodate the Public Works Department with temporary and temporary-to-hire operators who are experienced in wastewater maintenance, storm drain, water treatment, and water distribution.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
While the proposed amendment increases the total contract amount by $337,200, the contract will be utilized as needed over the course of the approximately two years that will remain in the contract. The actual funds expended will depend upon the needs of the City for specialized technical staffing in the utilities section and will be funded by salary savings from vacant positions (currently Lead Sewer Maintenance Worker, Water System Operator I/II, Sewer Maintenance Worker, Maintenance Supervisor, etc.) and the Public Works contract services account. There are no additional fiscal implications at this time.
BACKGROUND:
On June 19, 2023, the City entered into an agreement with waterTALENT, LLC, a staffing agency that provides specialty technical staffing services to accommodate utilities and industries with temporary and temporary-to-hire operators who are experienced in wastewater treatment, water treatment, and water distribution. The agreement is fee-based depending on the level of services provided and was for an initial term through June 30, 2025.
The agreement was previously used to provide professional expertise and support during the vacancy for Utilities Manager, a specialized, hard-to-fill position that became vacant in June 2023. On September 5, 2023, the City Council approved an Amendment (No.1) to increase the maximum compensation of the agreement to $312,800 due to anticipated expenses during this vacancy, and so that the contract could be utilized for specialized support for future unanticipated needs.
The agreement is currently being utilized to support the Wastewater section, due to an employee leave and other vacancies, and may be used in the future to support other functions within the Utilities Division. When this contract was previously utilized to support the Utilities Division during the vacancy for Utilities Manger in Fiscal Year 2023-24, $121,635 was spent. To support the current need, $44,200 has been expended since March 10, 2025.
DISCUSSION:
The Public Works Department is essential in delivering vital services to the community. The Utilities Division is crucial for overseeing the operations and maintenance of the City’s water, wastewater, storm drain, and electrical systems. In February 2025, the Lead Sewer Maintenance Worker position became vacant following the employee's resignation, and another employee remains on a long-term leave. Both of these roles require a Class A driver’s license and a Collection System Maintenance Grade 3 Certificate.
Additionally, there is an open Water System Operator I/II position in the Utilities Division of the Public Works Department. The recruitment process to fill these positions permanently is currently underway. To maintain service quality during this transition, the City has entered into an agreement with waterTALENT to provide temporary staffing services until the positions are filled.
Under this agreement, the City will pay $6,800 per week to waterTALENT for temporary wastewater supervisory services, totaling approximately $88,400 through June 30, 2025. In order to continue to immediately address critical staffing needs while assessing long-term hiring options, staff is recommending extending the term of the agreement and increasing the maximum compensation by $337,200, resulting in a maximum contract authority of $650,000 from June 19, 2023 through June 30, 2027 (the recommended contract end date). The actual amount spent in subsequent years will depend on departmental needs and vacancies. This agreement may also serve as a resource for providing additional staffing to address future vacancies or additional support needs in the Public Works Department on an as-needed basis.
According to the Manhattan Beach Municipal Code (MBMC) Section 2.36.130, contracts for the services of specially trained and professional individuals are exempt from the bidding process. However, if the contract amount reaches or exceeds $75,000, it can only be approved by the City Council. This contract was previously approved by the City Council to exceed the $75,000, which resulted in the current contract maximum of $312,800.
At this time, staff recommends that the Council adopt a resolution to approve the second amendment (No. 2) to the agreement, increasing the maximum compensation to a new total not to exceed $650,000 and extending the term through June 30, 2027.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has approved the agreement as to form.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 25-0027
2. Amendment No. 2 - waterTALENT, LLC
3. Agreement and Amendment No. 1 - waterTALENT, LLC