Nepotism in SCWA Contracts Drove Russian River Diversion Project
Sonoma County Water Agency’s Assistant GM was married to the Principal of Brelje & Race, the engineering firm selected amongst dozens of competitors to design the river diversion structure
As the Potter Valley Project moves forward, Sonoma County residents face a drastic water loss and negative multi-million dollar fiscal impact. While constituents remain bewildered by Sonoma County Water Agency’s (SCWA) push to decommission the Potter Valley Dams, the nepotism in public contracts raises alarming red flags.
Prior to retiring in November 2024, Ms. Pamela Jeane served as the Sonoma County Water Agency’s Deputy Chief Engineer Operations And Assistant General Manager For Water And Wastewater Operations.
According to Ms. Jeane’s annual statement of economic interest (SEI), her spouse was employed with Brelje & Race Consulting Engineers.
The firm’s clients included the following:
According to the firm’s website, Mr. M. Sean Jeane, P.E. is the Senior Principal for Brelje & Race.
It is not clear as to why the client list was altered drastically on Ms. Jeane’s annual SEI. The 2018 SEI included a multitude of builders, vineyards and private companies omitted for the following years.
On June 2, 2020, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted to approve the following:
Water Agency Preparation of Emergency Action Plans 2020-0420
A) Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute an agreement with Brelje & Race Consulting Engineers for preparation of Emergency Action Plans for dams within Flood Control Zone 1A and the Airport/Larkfield/Wikiup Sanitation Zone reclamation reservoirs and related services through June 30, 2021 in the not-to-exceed amount of $200,000.
B) Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager acting on behalf of Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District to execute an agreement with Brelje & Race Consulting Engineers for preparation of Emergency Action Plans for Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District’s reclamation reservoirs and related services through June 30, 2021 in the not-to-exceed amount of $100,000.
C) Adopt a resolution authorizing budgetary adjustments to the Board Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2019/2020 for the Sonoma County Water Agency in the amount of $200,000 and the Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District in the amount of $100,000.
Sonoma County Water Agency issued a Request for Statements of Qualifications to the 36 firms, but ultimately selected Brelje & Race Consulting Engineers.
On April 13, 2021, the Board of Supervisors approved of the following:
Occidental to Graton Wastewater Pipeline Feasibility Study 2021-0212
A) Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute an agreement with Brelje and Race Consulting Engineers for feasibility study services through December 31, 2022, in the not-to-exceed amount of $156,900.
B) Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency's General Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding between Occidental County Sanitation District and Graton Community Services District for the feasibility study. There is no cost to either Sonoma County Water Agency or Occidental County Sanitation District; term is December 31, 2022.
C) Adopt a Resolution Authorizing Adjustment to the Board Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2020- 2021 for the Sonoma Water General Fund and the Occidental County Sanitation District Operations Fund for $192,000 each for the Occidental to Graton Wastewater Pipeline Feasibility Study.
Brelje & Race was selected amongst 36 firms.
On June 13, 2022, the Board of Supervisors approved of the following:
Engineering and Design Services Related to the Monte Rio and Villa Grande 2022-0552 Wastewater Treatment Project
A) Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute an agreement with Brelje & Race Consulting Engineers, in a form approved by County Counsel, for engineering and design services related to the Monte Rio and Villa Grande Wastewater Treatment Project through June 30, 2024 in the not-to-exceed amount of $425,000.
B) In addition to the authorities granted under Resolution 20-0092, authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to amend the agreement to extend the term, make modifications to the scope of work, and increase costs provided amendments do not cumulatively increase the total cost to Sonoma County Water Agency by more than 10 percent.
Brelje & Race was selected amongst 50 firms.
On August 2, 2022, the Board of Supervisors approved of the following:
Engineering and Design of River Diversion Structure Modernization Project 2022-0730
A) Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute an agreement with Brelje & Race Engineering Consultants, in a form approved by County Counsel, for engineering and design services through August 30, 2027, in the not-to-exceed amount of $456,900.
B) Adopt a Resolution Authorizing an Adjustment to the Board Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 for the Common Facilities Fund in the amount of $90,190, for the Engineering and Design of River Diversion Structure Modernization Project.
Brelje & Race was selected amongst 41 firms.
On March 26, 2024, the Board of Supervisors approved of the following:
Engineering and Design of River Diversion Structure Modernization Project 2024-0230
Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute the First Amended and Restated Agreement for Engineering and Design of the River Diversion Structure Modernization Project with Brelje & Race Engineering Consultants, in a form approved by County Counsel. The amended agreement increases the amount by $378,210, expands the scope of work to include additional seismic structural design, geotechnical investigation, and engineering analysis for a new not-to-exceed agreement total of $835,110. There is no change to the term end date of August 30, 2027.
Mr. Brent Beazor, District Engineer of the Russian River County Water District, is a senior principal with Brelje & Race Consulting Engineers.
Most recently, Brelje & Race completed the site design for a new corporate campus centered around a 120,000 square foot office building, the 400 Aviation Corporate Campus.
Per the County’s website:
In 2024, the Board approved further analysis of leasing with an option to purchase 400 Aviation Blvd and buy two office buildings at Brickway Boulevard as well, both in the Airport Business Center northwest of Santa Rosa. The County began leasing 400 Aviation in the fall of 2024, when 250 employees from Public Infrastructure and Regional Parks moved into the building. Financial modeling confirmed that acquiring the Brickway Campus for $32 million, and 400 Aviation for $56 million, plus $25 million in building improvements, if added to the cost of constructing a smaller campus on the current site for $320 million would total $434 million – the least expensive option. This represents a savings of $249 to $288 million versus only constructing a new County Government Center to accommodate the same number of employees. In December 2024, the County hired ZGF Architects in collaboration with COAR Design Group as the Architect/Engineer for the County Government Center, and the team has begun designing the new center.
Why did the Sonoma County Water Agency and Board of Supervisors fail to recognize the conflict of interest presented regarding Brelje & Race in public contracts? From dozens of competitors, how was the firm selected virtually every single time? Did Ms. Jeane and her spouse influence contracts in any way?
