RFP_Catfish Crekk Watershed Managment PlanMasterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: RFP for Catfish Creek Watershed Management Plan
DATE: February 26, 2013
Dubuque
kital
All- America City
II 111!
2012
Planning Services Manager Laura Carstens recommends City Council approval of the
Request for Proposals (RFP) for consulting services to prepare the Catfish Creek
Watershed Management Plan.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
duat4A., krt., italy,
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
SUBJECT: RFP for Catfish Creek Watershed Management Plan
DATE: February 26, 2013
Dubuque
* * * **
All- AmencaCity
1111!
2007
INTRODUCTION
This memo transmits for City Council approval, the request for proposals (RFP) for
consulting services to prepare the Catfish Creek Watershed Management Plan.
BACKGROUND
In June of 2011, the City of Dubuque entered into a 28E agreement with the Dubuque
Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and Dubuque County for the purpose of
preparing and implementing a Catfish Creek Watershed Management Plan. Formation
of a Watershed Management Authority was determined to be advantageous for
securing grant funding to develop this plan.
In June of 2012, the Cities of Dubuque, Asbury, Peosta, and Centralia, Dubuque
County, and the SWCD entered into a 28E agreement to create the Catfish Creek
Watershed Management Authority (CCWMA) and establish a Board of Directors. The
City received a $24,500 Phase 1 grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority
to create the CCWMA.
DISCUSSION
The City of Dubuque, in partnership with the CCWMA Board, successfully competed for
a Phase 2 grant of $187,330 for Catfish Creek Watershed Planning. Development of a
watershed management plan is a critical step in securing future funding for
improvements throughout the watershed.
The $187,330 Phase 2 grant will cover most of the costs to prepare the watershed
management plan. In kind funds provided by the City of $60,000 would be used for
facility / administration and other monitoring duties. The matching funds are already
budgeted by the SWCD and the Engineering Department for the NPDES program. No
cash match is needed.
The City's RFP and contract approval processes will be followed as we are the grantee.
Once the RFP is approved, the Consultant Selection Committee will solicit, review and
RFP for Catfish Creek Watershed Management Plan
evaluate proposals; interview a short list of consultants, if needed; and then recommend
a consultant to the City Manager.
The proposed Consultant Selection Committee for this project is:
• City of Dubuque Planning - Laura Carstens *, David Johnson
• City of Dubuque Engineering — Dean Mattoon*, Denise Ihrig
• City of Dubuque Finance — Ken Tekippe
• Dubuque SWCD — Eric Schmechel*
• Dubuque County — Wayne Demmer *, Bret Wilkinson
• City of Asbury — Curt Kiessling*
* CCWMA Board or staff
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend that the City Council approve the enclosed RFP for the Catfish Creek
Watershed Management Plan.
Enclosures
cc: Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Denise Ihrig, Environmental Engineer
Dean Mattoon, Engineering Assistant
Eric Schmechel, Urban Conservationist, SWCD
F:\USERS \LCARSTEN \WP1Watershed Committee WMA\Memo CCW Mgmt Plan RFP.doc
2
Engineering Department
City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001 -4864
(563) 589 -4207 phone
(563) 589 -4205 fax
(563) 690 -6678 TDD
engineer@cityofdubuque.org
Dubuque
All -Medea City
'�II�►
2012
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
March 5, 2013
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
CATFISH CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN
INTRODUCTION AND PROJECT SCOPE
The City of Dubuque, Iowa is requesting proposals from qualified consultants to produce a
Watershed Management Plan for the Catfish Creek Watershed. The City desires to create a plan
that fully encompasses ecological, environmental, and feasibility spectrums that play a role in the
Catfish Creek Watershed.
In addition to the environmental requirements, the successful consultant shall be responsible for
presenting a Watershed Management Plan in line with and complementary to regional plans,
policies and ordinances, such as the City of Dubuque's Fringe Area Development Policy,
Annexation Study, Comprehensive Plan, Unified Development Code, and Stormwater Management
Ordinance; as well as Dubuque County's Regional Smart Plan, Erosion & Sediment Control
Ordinance, and Stormwater Management Manual. The consultant will be provided with a complete
list of contacts for existing plans, policies, ordinances and other development — related documents.
The Watershed Management Plan's success will be reliant upon its applicability to incorporate and
coordinate its actions into all City and partner activities. The plan is to provide the principal system of
management that connects improvement projects, plans, and codes throughout the watershed.
The plan will address both the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) nine elements of a
watershed plan (IDNR Guidebook) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) available
resources. Working with the newly established Catfish Creek Watershed Management Authority
Board, the City has created a detailed plan of work for the development and implementation of this
plan. The budget for this project is up to $100,000.
COMMUNITY BACKGROUND
The city of Dubuque is located on the Mississippi River in northeastern Iowa, adjacent to Illinois and
Wisconsin. As Iowa's oldest city, Dubuque is a community well known for its historic and
architectural beauty. The city is over 30 square miles in area, with a population of nearly 60,000
persons. The community has a stable and diversified manufacturing base and a growing service
sector. Dubuque is the major retail, medical, education and employment center forthetri -state area.
Tourism continues to be a major economic force in the community.
The City of Dubuque is governed by an elected Mayor and City Council and managed by a City
Manager. The City funds a full range of municipal services. City government works in collaboration
with the private and non - profit sectors to promote economic development and sustainability.
Sustainability and downtown, neighborhood, and riverfront planning and revitalization are long-
standing priorities of the City Council. The City's web site is www.citvofdubuque.orq.
CATFISH CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN
CATFISH CREEK WATERSHED AUTHORITY
The Catfish Creek Watershed Management Authority (CCWMA) Board was formed in June of 2012.
Currently, the Board consists of the representatives of the cities of Dubuque, Asbury, Peosta,
Centralia, the Dubuque Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), and Dubuque County. A 28E
intergovernmental agreement has been signed and recorded between the organizations listed
above, which allows this Board to collaboratively work on watershed related issues throughout the
Catfish Creek Watershed. Each political organization on the Board is excited to consider the new
opportunities, challenges, and collaborations that lie ahead in the Catfish Creek Watershed and
beyond. The CCWMA Board will be involved and assist with the development and implementation
of the watershed management plan. The CCWMA website is www.catfishcreekwatershed.orq.
URBAN CONSERVATION PROGRAM
The City of Dubuque, Dubuque County, and the Dubuque SWCD have established a successful
urban conservation program, which is now in its second year, and continue to partner with
landowners and other municipalities to implement sustainable watershed principles, investigate
flooding problems, and monitor water quality throughout the Catfish Creek Watershed. A 28E
intergovernmental agreement is in place between the City of Dubuque, Dubuque County, and the
Dubuque SWCD to fund a full time Urban Conservationist. The Urban Conservationist assists with
many watershed related activities and also serves as an administrator for the CCWMA Board. The
successful addition of the CCWMA Board creates an important dynamic that will only strengthen
watershed policies, regulations, education, outreach and management planning efforts. The
CCWMA Board recognizes the needs and benefits of working within watershed limits as opposed to
corporate or political boundaries, and strongly believes the next step is developing a complete
watershed management plan for Catfish Creek. The Dubuque SWCD website is
http: / /www.dubuqueswcd.orq.
DUBUQUE COUNTY SMART PLAN
Adopted in January 2013, the Dubuque County Regional Smart Plan was developed by a
consortium that guided the two -year Smart Planning Process. The Smart Planning Consortium
consists of Dubuque County, the cities of Asbury, Cascade, Dubuque, Dyersville, Epworth, Farley
and Peosta, and the Dubuque SWCD.
Community engagement formed the foundation of the planning process. The Smart Planning
Consortium engaged community leaders, private sector stakeholders, and citizens in the planning
process. The Consortium used information provided by these groups to identify community needs
and develop strategies to address these needs in the future. The Consortium, with staff support
from East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA), utilized the Sustainable Dubuque plan and
the Iowa Smart Planning legislation's recommended format for comprehensive plans to create the
Dubuque County Regional Smart Plan as a model for other local governments.
The Consortium developed a set of regional comprehensive planning goals and objectives based on
the regional vision. Project goals are the desired outcomes of the project, and the objectives are the
steps that need to be taken to achieve those goals. Working with the Dubuque SWCD, the
Consortium began setting goals and objectives for a watershed chapter. Having a watershed
chapter in the region's Smart Plan has initiated and laid the groundwork for watershed policies that
will implement the regional vision, goals, and objectives and guide future development within the
Catfish Creek Watershed. The watershed management plan will be closely tied with the Regional
Smart Plan, and will allow community leaders, landowners, and citizens to begin implementing the
goals and objectives found in both the Smart Plan and the future watershed management plan. The
Dubuque County Regional Smart Plan website is http : / /www.dubuquesmartplan.orq.
2
CATFISH CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN
BACKGROUND ON CATFISH CREEK WATERSHED
The Catfish Creek Watershed is a 46,300 acre
(USGS HUC 10 - #0706000501) watershed that
includes industrial centers, residential
neighborhoods, rolling cropland, steep bluffs and
rock outcrops, and dense forests. About half of
the city of Dubuque lies in the watershed as well
as parts of the cities of Asbury, Peosta and
Centralia. The majority of the watershed is
dominated by agriculture as seen in Table 1.
Catfish Creek flows southeast, beginning near the
City of Peosta, and enters the Mississippi River on
Dubuque's south side in the Mines of Spain state
park as seen in Figure 1. There are five sub -
watersheds (or HUC 12's) within the Catfish
Creek Watershed. These include: the North Fork,
Middle Fork, South Fork, Granger Creek, and
Catfish Creek (main stem). These sub -
watersheds can be seen in Figure 2.
, Catfish Creek ��/`;
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t l I
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Along with the urban and agricultural areas ' ‘ `. Figure 1 ,>
through which the stream flows, the creek "'
meanders through three significant parks and preserves within the watershed: Swiss Valley Park,
the Swiss Valley Nature Preserve, and the Mines of Spain state park. These areas are managed by
either the Dubuque County Conservation Board or the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
(IDNR), and attract over 380,000 users per year.
According to IDNR's 305(b) report, a portion of the creek within the Swiss Valley Park and Preserve
is classified as a Class B (CW) stream. This section of stream is cold -water and has naturally
reproducing trout (one of only 30 streams in Iowa with this capability). The recreational activities in
the Catfish Creek watershed from fishing and other water - oriented activities are abundant and vital
to the local economy. Forming the CCWMA will continue to allow public and private stakeholders
and policy leaders to effectively create sustainable watershed management policies and practices.
Table 1. Catfish Creek Watershed: Land Usage, 2011
Land Use
Number of Acres
Percentage of Watershed
Residential
12,500
26
Commercial
3,900
8
Agricultural
27,300
59
Industrial
1,200
2
Parks /Preserves
1,400
3
Total
46,300
100
UPPER CATFISH CREEK WATERSHED — EXAMPLE PROJECT
The Dubuque SWCD has completed a series of activities on the Upper Catfish Creek Watershed.
The project implemented several conservation practices, while it also raised awareness and levels
of interest in both the public and private sectors. The Upper Catfish Creek project's main focus was
the sub - watershed of the cold -water section of Catfish Creek, (or the headwaters of Catfish Creek),
which is approximately 9,300 acres. With information and education that was provided to the
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CATFISH CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN
community from this project, the City of Dubuque feels it is ready to begin working on a larger
watershed scale and believes public support for further work in the watershed exists. For more
information about the Upper Catfish Creek Watershed Project, visit the Dubuque SWCD website at
http:// www.dubuqueswcd.org /page4.html.
Figure 2. The Catfish Creek Sub - Watersheds
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DESIRED OUTCOME
The City of Dubuque and the CCWMA are seeking qualified consultants to complete a watershed
management plan that addresses both the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) nine
elements of a watershed plan (IDNR Guidebook) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
available resources to complete our plan. The CCWMA intends to work with the IDNR Section 319
staff, to ensure the completed watershed management plan will be accepted by the EPA.
Both the City of Dubuque and the CCWMA will be working closely with the Smart Planning
consortium members, making sure the Catfish Creek Watershed Management Plan and the
Dubuque County Smart Plan are integrated together. Currently, the City of Dubuque and its
partners have completed a preliminary assessment of the stream corridors, have a collective
network of monitoring locations and data, and have begun starting to categorize pollutant loads in
the watershed. Continuing to build upon successful relationships, the CCWMA is excited and ready
to characterize the watershed in detail, set goals and identify solutions, and begin designing an
implementation program for Catfish Creek.
4
CATFISH CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN
A considerable amount of relevant data pertaining to the Catfish Creek watershed has been
collected throughout the past few years. There are still substantial needs, including further data,
organization, monitoring, modeling, and documentation in order to complete a Watershed
Management Plan for the entire watershed and the CCWMA. Working the CCWMA, the City would
like to hire qualified consultants to work on relevant and missing elements to the Catfish Creek
Watershed Management Plan. Currently, some of the known parameters that need to be addressed
in the Watershed Management Plan are:
• Additional and continual water quality monitoring throughout the entire watershed
• Assessment of land use practices based upon regional plans, policies, and ordinances
• Assessment of water quantity flows, velocities, and rates
• Prioritization of sub - watersheds concerns and challenges
• Prioritization of implementation projects and programs which address pollutant loading
and flood prone areas
• Future modeling of additional infrastructure and impervious areas
The proposed watershed management plan will coordinate with the Dubuque County Smart Plan,
and will address the smart planning principles and obligations, as well as other regional plans,
policies, and ordinances. Each element in the Plan of Work (listed below) will be closely connected
to the Dubuque County Smart Plan, as well as other regional plans, policies, and ordinances,
allowing for successful collaborations.
The following Plan of Work has been projected to complete the Watershed Management Plan.
PLAN OF WORK— GOALS AND OBJECTIVES (Information to be addressed in the Proposal)
A) Public Outreach and Input Sessions
Task 1. Project Meetings and Goal & Objectives Development
The CCWMA will host a kick -off meeting with the Technical Committee (appointed) to discuss
the project in its entirety and develop a realistic plan for efficiently completing the watershed plan
report on schedule. The CCWMA will meet throughout the planning process, and present
findings of the watershed inventory, recommended Management Measures, and final
presentation of findings at stakeholder meetings. Setting goals and objectives should be the
focus of the first stakeholder meeting. CCWMA will work with the Dubuque SWCD Urban
Conservationist and the City of Dubuque's Engineering Technician (designated as the CCWMA
"administrators ") to develop and finalize goals and objectives.
B) Review Existing Studies and Collect Data
Task 2. Data Gathering
Gather and analyze existing GIS data and other information relevant to Catfish Creek
Watershed. Data sharing agreements will be completed as part of this task, as necessary. We
understand there is a large amount of existing information to be gathered from the City of
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Comprehensive Plans, and County and municipal officials.
CCWMA will also consult with local experts, engineers and researchers who have worked within
the watershed to gather information.
5
CATFISH CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN
C) Watershed Resource Inventory
Task 3. Watershed Management Measure /Best Management Practice (BMP) Inventory
Conduct a windshield survey to accurately document various reaches of the watershed and to
verify land use and wetland mapping. Both the CCWMA administrators and the consultants will
spend on- the - ground time looking for potential Best Management Practices (BMPs) that
primarily address water quality but with secondary benefits for flood protection and natural
resource improvement. We will look specifically at projects such as stream /riparian corridor
projects, detention basin retrofits, and open space restoration/ acquisitions. "Critical Area"
projects, as defined under the USEPA 9 Elements, will also be identified during this process.
Project details will be noted on location maps and corresponding datasheets that will be
included in the Appendix of the Watershed- Based Plan. The CCWMA and the consultants will
also contact municipalities and other stakeholders requesting information about potential project
locations and to obtain needed data such as detention basin locations in the watershed. It is
important to note that this is not a complete inventory of all the stream reaches, detention
basins, etc. in the watershed but a means to identify potential projects that will be included in
the Action Plan section of the final Watershed -Based Plan.
Task 4. Summarize Introduction, Climate, Topography, Geology, Soils
The CCWMA and the consultants will summarize information relevant to the Introduction
Section of the plan including scope and project approach, USEPA Watershed Based Plan
requirements (9 Elements), planning process, and how to use the Watershed Plan.
The geologic history of Catfish Creek Watershed and climate of the study area will be described
and discussed and related back to the formation of the watershed. Available topographic data
(2 -foot LIDAR) will be used to create a Digital Elevation Model of the watershed and to delineate
watershed and sub - watershed boundaries.
Soils provide the key to the wetland restoration potential, water holding capacity, infiltration
capabilities and erosion potential of a site. Hydric soils are important because they indicate the
presence of existing or drained wetlands. The CCWMA will map and summarize available
Dubuque County Soil Survey data in the watershed related to hydric soils /wetland restorations
and hydrologic soil groups related to groundwater recharge. Soil types will also be evaluated and
used when determining pollutant reductions resulting from implementation of potential
Management Measures.
Task 5. Summarize Jurisdictions & Demographics
The CCWMA will map municipal, township, forest preserve, and park district boundaries (where
available in GIS) and discuss the roles of each in protecting the watershed. These results will be
used in the Action Plan section when discussing potential areas for inter - jurisdictional
cooperation /coordination to complete recommended BMPs.
The CCWMA will use the Dubuque County Smart Plan 2040 forecast data to assist in mapping
and summarizing the demographics data within the watershed. Maps will be created that show
population, households, and employment change projected to occur through 2040.
Task 6. Open Space (Green Infrastructure) and Natural Area Inventories
The CCWMA and the City of Dubuque will identify and map (via GIS) open and partially open
6
CATFISH CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN
space parcels (Open Space Inventory) in the watershed. An open parcel is one that is not
developed and is often set aside for conservation or recreation purposes while partially open
parcels include minimally developed land. The Open Space Inventory is the basis for developing
a Green Infrastructure Network for the Catfish Creek Watershed. The Open Space Inventory will
be completed early on in the project schedule as many other components of the plan are linked
to this data.
Open space is expected to include large tracts of remaining vacant agricultural land, riparian
greenways, corridor connections, wetlands, and public land including forest preserves, Dubuque
County Parks and IDNR parks. The mapping and /or data for this task can be done at many
levels depending on available time and budget. The parcel -based Open Space Inventory results
and associated parcel data will include:
• General Map (in GIS) showing the results of the parcel based Open Space Inventory;
• Maps On GIS) identifying private versus public and protected versus unprotected status of
open space parcels;
• Map (in GIS) identifying prioritized open space, potential greenway connections, and trails as
a Green Infrastructure Network.
As part of the open space identification process, we envision personalized GIS parcel
prioritization model specific to Catfish Creek Watershed that will assess current and potential
quality of open space parcels (identified above) for improving water quality with secondary
benefits to reduce flooding and enhance natural resources. This will be based on applying
values /points to each open space parcel based on how important each parcel is in meeting a set
of green infrastructure criteria.
Task 7. Existing and Future Land Use and Transportation Network Summary
Careful completion of this task is important as the resulting data is used in various other sections
of the watershed plan including the assessment of existing and future impervious cover impacts
on water quality and pollutant loading /reduction. The CCWMA envisions working with a
consultant to complete this task as described below:
a) Use approved land use maps to produce a current land use map /data for the watershed.
Uncertainties in current land use will be verified through the most recent aerial photography
available in Dubuque County or via field inspections. Municipal comprehensive plan
documents and stakeholder knowledge will also be used to refine land uses.
b) Collect future development plans from municipal comprehensive planning documents and
Dubuque County's Smart Plan 2040 and use projections to accurately map projected future
land use in the watershed and how it compares to existing land use.
c) Map the existing and any proposed transportation networks (roads, trails, etc.) in the
watershed. This information is useful to determine how the natural features of the watershed
are or may be fragmented and how existing trails can be connected to other existing or
planned trails.
d) Compute percent impervious coverage for existing and future land use conditions at the sub -
watershed scale using GIS data created in a and b above. The CCWMA proposes to
calculate imperviousness based on USDA's TR55 land use data and associated impervious
rates. The results of this analysis ultimately lead to the creation of a future land use
7
CATFISH CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN
vulnerability map revealing the location of Priority Protection Areas and other potential
Management Measures. In addition, discuss how increased impervious surfaces impacts
water quality, hydrology, flooding, and aquatic habitat.
Task 8. Streams, Ponds, Detention Basins, Wetlands Summary
Assess and map all streams, ponds, detention basins, and wetlands in the watershed using
existing data and data gathered under Task 3. The condition of these resources will be
characterized on maps and summarized. The results will lead to the identification of potential
stream and riparian corridor restoration projects, lake projects, and detention basin retrofit
projects. It is likely that additional stakeholder input will be required in order to obtain the best
information to complete this task.
The CCWMA will obtain the majority of wetland data from agencies and use it to summarize and
map the existing locations and conditions of wetlands. As part of this wetlands inventory, the
CCWMA and the consultants will also analyze Dubuque County soil surveys to estimate the
historical extent of wetlands and amount of wetlands that have been lost as a result of human
activities. We envision our consultant will then map potential wetland restoration and /or wetland
mitigation sites by using an overlay method in GIS. Each potential wetland restoration /mitigation
site will then be included in the Action Plan section of the report.
Task 9. Water Quality Inventory
The CCWMA administrators will obtain all water quality data available for the Catfish Creek
Watershed. The CCWMA administrators will assist in this task by meeting with individuals such
as municipal representatives, local universities, and IOWATER staff /volunteers to obtain
additional information. The CCWMA will then analyze and summarize all available water quality
data. Data is expected from local stakeholders, permit and discharge records, IDNR, Dubuque
County Conservation Board, the City of Dubuque, and EPA water quality & biological records.
The results of the water quality inventory and watershed characterization will be used to identify
potential causes and sources of problematic pollutants to water quality and impairments to
"Designated Uses" of aquatic resources such as Aquatic Life Support. "Critical Areas" for
application of Management Measures will be determined using the water quality analyses,
stakeholder input, and information gathered via the watershed inventory. Critical Areas will likely
include critical stream reaches, critical pollutant load sub - watersheds, critical drained wetlands,
critical detention basins, and critical priority protection areas. The Action Plan section of the
Watershed Based -Plan will include detailed information and specific locations where water
quality Management Measures would most likely benefit the watershed's water quality and
reduce pollutant loads to target values.
Task 10. Groundwater Summary
The CCWMA and the City of Dubuque understand that groundwater issues are not the primary
focus of this watershed plan but that groundwater recharge is becoming an important topic in
northeast Iowa, especially for areas that rely on groundwater for public use. The CCWMA will
gather and use existing data from agencies such as the Iowa State University, University of
Iowa, and Dubuque County to map and describe important recharge areas in the watershed.
The Action Plan section of the report will ultimately include recommendations aimed at
promoting the infiltration of stormwater such as open space protection and incorporating open
space into new development. The CCWMA administrators will also be asked to help gather
information related to groundwater issues.
8
CATFISH CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN
D) Pollutant Loading Analysis
Task 11. Pollutant Loading Model
Many different pollutant loading models are available to identify pollutant loading in watersheds.
Several different ecological consulting firms have experience with several pollutant loading
models from simple spreadsheet analyses to complex spatially- distributed models. The CCWMA
plans to work with the selected firm to address and implement pollutant loading models in the
watershed.
Task 12. Pollutant Reduction Needs/Targets
Developing pollutant load reduction needs and targets for the Catfish Creek Watershed will play
an important element in this plan. Reduction targets will be identified following an analysis of all
the data gathered for the watershed. Some pollutant problems will be identified after running the
Pollutant Loading Model (Task 11 above). Many other pollution problems will be discovered via
the analysis of water quality and other data obtained from various sources. The key to meeting
reduction targets is to identify the "Critical Areas" that are contributing to high pollutant loading.
"Critical Areas" will be identified under various other tasks. Additional information about "Critical
Areas" is discussed under Task 13 below.
Task 13. Selection of Management Measures (BMPs) to Reduce Pollutant Loading
A very important aspect will be to identify and select Management Measures (BMPs) from the
Action Plan section of the plan to reduce pollutant loading from "Critical Areas" and then
estimate the amount of pollutant reduction resulting from implementation of selected measures.
Our consultant will be responsible for identifying pollutant load "Critical Areas" via the pollutant
loading model, information provided by stakeholders, and information gathered during the
watershed inventory assessment. The CCWMA plans to evaluate pollutant load reduction based
on efficiency calculations developed for the USEPA's Region 7 Model. This model uses
"Pollutants Controlled Calculation and Documentation for Section 319 Watersheds Training
Manual" to provide estimates of sediment and nutrient load reductions from the implementation
of agricultural Management Measures. Estimate of sediment and nutrient load reduction from
implementation of urban Management Measures will be based on efficiency calculations.
E) Watershed Action Plan
This task involves identifying and describing the Management Measure recommendations for
the Catfish Creek Watershed. The CCWMA will work with the stakeholders to develop a user
friendly Action Plan that can later be used by stakeholders to identify projects and obtain grant
funding to implement these projects. The Action Plan will include a Programmatic Action Plan
and Site - Specific Action Plan. We are envisioning the hired consultants will use their knowledge
of the watershed and data collected during the planning process to outline programmatic and
site specific recommendations with tables and complementary GIS maps that show the specific
location of projects if applicable. At a minimum, the Action Plan will identify the costs and
funding sources associated with implementing recommendations, an implementation schedule;
units (number, feet, and acres) for projects, costs of implementation, estimated pollutant
reduction, priority, and responsible entity.
Task 14. Programmatic Action Plan
9
CATFISH CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN
Programmatic actions (remedial, preventative, & maintenance actions) applicable throughout
the watershed will be developed for each of the plan goals and objectives developed with input
from stakeholders. These actions will be listed in tables that include the primary goal /objective
addressed, priority (High, Medium, Low), lead and supporting entities, and technical assistance
needs.
Task 15. Site - Specific Action Plan
Site - specific Management Measures will be developed using information gathered during the
watershed inventory and other information provided by stakeholders. Recommended measures
will be summarized in tables and categorized by municipality and /or other stakeholder
jurisdiction. An example table is shown below. GIS maps that locate the site specific
recommendations will accompany the tables. Site specific measures will primarily address water
quality improvement but also address flooding and natural resource protection and
enhancement.
Site - specific Management Measures will likely include guidelines for stabilizing stream banks
and shorelines, riparian corridor /floodplain improvements, restoring wetlands, retrofitting existing
detention facilities, and Priority Protection Area recommendations. Other potential projects such
as rain gardens and habitat restorations will be identified during the watershed inventory and
included in the Action Plan.
F) Plan Implementation and Monitoring Success
Task 16. Water Quality Monitoring Plan & Evaluation Criteria
Develop a basic water quality monitoring plan using environmental (chemical, physical,
biological), social, and programmatic /administrative criteria to track plan progress and evaluate
how implemented Management Measures affect the overall condition of Catfish Creek's water
quality over time. These criteria will be expressed using measurable indicators and target values
that track progress made toward meeting project milestones and water quality standards
developed in other sections of the report. A map of recommended locations where water quality
sampling should occur in the watershed and discuss who could conduct the sampling and how
often it should be conducted should be included. This will be followed by descriptions of the
monitoring protocol used for collecting specific water quality indicator data.
Task 17. Goal Milestones & Progress Evaluation Report Cards
This task is an integral component needed to evaluate how and if the watershed plan and
recommendations are achieving goals and objectives over time. It is also required under the
USEPA 9 Elements. The CCWMA will develop a list of stakeholder implementation roles and
coordination responsibilities as well as milestones for each of the major plan goals developed by
the watershed stakeholders.
G) Education Component/Plan
Task 18. Information & Education Plan
The CCWMA Board, administrators, and stakeholders will develop an information / education
component to the Watershed -Based Plan. The education component will enhance public
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CATFISH CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN
understanding of the Catfish Creek Watershed and encourage the early and continued
participation in selecting, designing, and implementing non -point source pollution control
measures. The CCWMA will work with as many additional partners as possible in and outside of
the watershed to further increase awareness and education to all citizens in our communities.
The education component will include a brief summary of the educational and outreach
development process and a table that outlines the recommended education actions, primary
goal /objective addressed, recommended target audience, best package (vehicle) for distributing
the message, lead/ supporting agencies involved in assisting with education efforts, and desired
outcome /behavior change expected from the target audience.
H) Watershed -Based Plan Executive Summary and Report Preparation
Task 19. Prepare Draft & Final Executive Summary Document
The CCWMA and the consultants will compile major plan findings and other
information /recommendations into a brief Executive Summary document that will be used to
inform watershed stakeholders and local decision makers.
Task 20. Prepare Draft & Final Watershed Based Plan Report
Both the CCWMA administrators and the consultants will summarize all watershed data and
analyses in draft report form including tables, maps, and other graphics where appropriate.
Draft submissions shall be in electronic format. All sources for the reference section and
work for appendices shall also be submitted in electronic form. The final report will contain
appropriate photos, graphics, and maps in an aesthetically pleasing and user - friendly format
using a professional design layout.
RFP RESPONSE SUBMITTAL DETAILS
All proposals submitted shall be presented in 8'/z x 11 inch format in recyclable materials using Arial
font, minimum 11 point font, and in the same order as described below. No binders or bindings.
Add any specific additional information about the consultant that will benefit the CCWMA and the
City in the selection process; do not include marketing materials.
Proposals must be limited to 20 pages. The 20 -page limit does not include front and back
covers (optional, must be recyclable), transmittal letter, references, and fees and
compensation.
The original proposal will include original signatures, in ink, by authorized personnel, on all
documents that require an authorized signature. Please separate the proposed fees and
compensation from the other portion of the RFP submittal. Initial screening will be done without
knowing the consultant's proposed fee for services.
Failure to provide the required mandatory information may result in a consultant not being
considered. Submitted proposals will not be returned.
Proposal Requirements: To simplify the review process and obtain the maximum comparability,
the proposal must include the following information at a minimum and be organized in the following
manner.
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CATFISH CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN
Letter of Transmittal: Provide a one page letter of transmittal briefly stating the consultant's interest
in this project, outlining the consultant's understanding of the work, and the name, address,
telephone, cell and fax numbers, and email address of the project manager and signed by the
project manager.
Introduction Statement: Provide a one page introduction statement that explains the consultant's
expertise, previous experience, and unique qualifications for this project.
Profile of Firm: Provide general information about the consultant and its area of expertise as
regards this RFP, including the qualifications of the project manager and other key personnel to be
assigned to the project.
Background and Organization - Identify name, address, history and organization of the consultant,
including an overview of the services the consultant provides in -house and the number of years the
consultant has provided the requested services. Describe any other relevant professional services
offered by the consultant and how these services may be able to benefit the CCWMA and the City.
Teamwork - Describe the process recommended to create a team relationship among those
involved with the project, including the CCWMA, the City of Dubuque, elected officials, and owners,
the public, and other potential partners.
Experience - Describe recent professional experience with detailed but brief narrative descriptions of
representative projects, including project budgets, team members, and other applicable information,
including work with public sector clients, and a minimum of three (3) most recent watershed
management plans.
Team Members - Identify key team members that will be assigned to the project, including their
office location, specific roles and responsibilities, time commitment to the project, and individual
professional expertise /credentials, especially relating to experience with similar watershed
management plans.
• List project manager for the team.
• A listing of team personnel who will actually be assigned to perform the work on this
project, and a breakdown and description of tasks assigned per project team member.
Describe the hierarchy of project management.
• For consultants located outside the region, address how the consultant will remain
responsive to short notice requests and meetings.
• Identify similar projects that team members have worked on together.
Sub - consultant(s) personnel experience
• Names and addresses of any outside consultant(s) or associate(s) proposed to be
involved with this project.
• Include each proposed sub - consultant(s) experience and qualifications as described
above for firm's personnel.
• For sub- consultants located outside the region, address how they will remain responsive
to short notice requests and meetings.
• Identify similar projects that team members have worked on together with the sub -
consultants.
Scope of Services: Plan of Work — Goals and Objectives
Provide a detailed description of how the consultant proposes to approach this project. Describe the
means or strategy by which the consultant would satisfy the scope of services as outlined above in
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CATFISH CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN
the preceding Plan of Work — Goals and Objectives, and /or an alternative or hybrid strategy
recommended by the consultant. The proposed scope of services will fully address all tasks
described above under Plan of Work — Goals and Objectives. Include sufficient discussion of
proposed methodologies, techniques, and procedures for each work item.
Proposed Project Schedule
Provide a project schedule outlining the time period and estimated completion date of the proposed
scope of work. This should include a schedule for and description of all deliverable products
throughout the period. Products should be delivered in hardcopy and electronic formats compatible
with the City's computer software and hardware.
References
Provide at least three references of clients for whom the consultant has completed similar
watershed management plans within the past five years with full name, title, address, email, phone,
and fax numbers.
Certificate of Insurance
The selected consultant will be required to meet the City's insurance requirements for professional
services (see attached Insurance Schedule C).
Fees and Compensation
Provide a proposed cost plus expenses budget for completion of the proposed scope of services
with cost breakdowns by scope element. Quotation of fees and compensation shall remain firm for a
period of at least 90 days from the submission deadline. Please separate the proposed budget
from the other portion of the RFP submittal. Initial screening will be done without knowing the
consultant's proposed fee for services.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
A signed original plus seven (7) hard copies plus one (1) PDF copy on CD of the proposal clearly
labeled as CATFISH CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN must be received before 5:00
p.m. CST on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at the following address:
Dean Mattoon, Engineering Technician
Engineering Department
City of Dubuque
50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
Questions should be directed to Mr. Mattoon by telephone at (563) 543 -8460, or by email at
dmattoon(ccitvofdubuque.orq.
Each consultant assumes full responsibility for delivery and deposit of the completed proposal
package on or before the deadline. The City of Dubuque is not responsible for any loss or delay with
respect to delivery of the proposals. The City of Dubuque reserves the right to reject any and all
proposals and to negotiate changes with any consultant. The City of Dubuque is not liable for any
cost incurred by any consultant prior to the execution of an agreement or contract. Nor shall the City
of Dubuque be liable for any costs incurred by the consultant that are not specified in any contract.
The City of Dubuque is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
EVALUATION CRITERIA & PROCESS
Proposals will be screened to ensure that they meet the minimum requirements of the proposal
format. A selection committee will review qualifying proposals, and may develop a short list of firms.
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CATFISH CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN
Initial screening will be done without knowing the consultant's proposed fee for services to develop a
short list. The short list of consultants may be invited to an interview with the selection committee.
The objective is to select the consultant most qualified to provide the services outlined in this
request. Evaluations will be based on the criteria listed below.
Responsiveness Quality, and Completeness of Proposal
• Is everything included that was required by the RFP?
• How does it fit with the City and County Plans and regulations?
• The quality of written material and presentation, relevant experience, answers to
questions, and overall organization.
Experience /Qualifications /Creativity
• Experience completing watershed management plans.
• Experience working with municipalities and watershed management authorities.
• Experience working with multiple partners.
• Ability to successfully complete the scope of services on time and within budget.
• Ability to successfully work with CCWMA Board and City staff.
• References.
• Does the selected team have proven capability to deliver strong and innovative solutions
that respond to key issues (demonstrate capabilities in proposals)?
Qualifications of Key Individuals
• Project manager's expertise, experience, and unique qualifications.
• What other personnel will be committed to this project and what are their unique
qualifications?
Scope of Services
• Does the consultant understand what it will take to successfully achieve the goals and
objectives of the requested services?
• Did the consultant propose any revisions and /or changes to the scope of services that
would better serve the community?
Communication
• Consultant's ability to conduct public outreach meetings and solicit input.
• Consultant's ability to communicate ideas, reports, and vision(s) in a clear and concise
format
• Success of the project will rely on input from the community and from potential partners —
how is this feedback incorporated into the process and final product?
Proposed Fees and Compensation
• Do they seem reasonable for the scope of services proposed?
• Do they provide the CCWMA and the City good value?
Proposed schedule required to complete the project.
• Does the schedule seem reasonable for the scope of services proposed?
• Does the consultant have the ability to complete the project on schedule?
Additional Factors to be considered by the committee may include the following:
• Results of interview process.
• Information from references.
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