Title
Consider recommending that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Directors approve Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement for Services with Balance Hydrologics for the Carmel River Flooding Impacts Study, to increase the amount of the contract by $50,000 for a total agreement amount of $192,300; and authorize the General Manager to execute Amendment No. 1. (Staff Presenting: Amy Woodrow)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Finance Committee:
Recommend that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Directors approve Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement for Services with Balance Hydrologics for the Carmel River Flooding Impacts Study, to increase the amount of the contract by $50,000 for a total agreement amount of $192,300: and authorize the General Manager to execute Amendment No. 1.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On March 1, 2025, the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (“Agency”) entered into an Agreement for Services with Balance Hydrologics in the amount of $142,300 for hydraulic modeling services as part of the Carmel River Flooding Impacts Study (“Study”) (“Agreement”, Attachment 1). The scope of work includes updating a hydraulic model of the study reach of the Carmel River surrounding the Paso Hondo area in Carmel Valley, CA, and developing and analyzing project alternatives to minimize flooding impacts.
The purpose of the Study is to model and analyze the hydrodynamics of flood flows in a distinct portion of the Carmel River to identify flood protection and management measures that could mitigate historically recurring flooding in the area. To date, Balance Hydrologics has successfully updated the hydraulic model and developed and analyzed five project alternatives. Following a meeting with interested parties on November 17, 2025, a sixth alternative was requested for evaluation, along with expanded community outreach. A technical report documenting work completed during the Study will also be prepared by Balance Hydrologics.
The proposed Amendment No. 1 will add $50,000 to the Agreement for a total not-to-exceed amount of $192,300 (Attachment 2). This Amendment is covered within the amount of the original grant funds, within the Planning and Design category of the approved grant budget.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The California Department of Water Resources is providing funding to the Study through Agreement Number 4600015952.
FINANCING:
Funding to complete the Study was provided in full from the California State Budget Act of 2023 and through an agreement with the State Department of Water Resources (“DWR”). Amendment No. 1 is financed fully with the secured grant funding from DWR, which is in Agency Fund 111. The total amount needed for the Agreement in FY 2025-26 is estimated at $179,000. The FY2025-26 Adopted Budget includes allocations for the Agreement and Fund 111 has sufficient appropriations to pay for the Agreement and Amendment No. 1.
Prepared by: Amy Woodrow, Senior Hydrologist, (831) 755-4860
Approved by: _________________________________________________
Ara Azhderian, General Manager, (831) 755-4860
Attachments:
1. Agreement for Services - Balance Hydrologics
2. Amendment No. 1 - Balance Hydrologics