I. RECOMMENDATION:
Council Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement in an amount not to exceed $84,000.00 with SWCA Environmental Consultants to Provide Environmental Services Related to the Master Trails Project (Trail Segments 1,2,13,& 14).
II. BACKGROUND:
The city received federal (CMAQ) funding for the design and implementation of segments 1 (portion), 2 (portion), 13 (portion), and 14 (portion) of the Trails Master Plan. The funding included preparation of the necessary environmental documentation in accordance with State and Federal Law.
III. DISCUSSION:
The City of Coalinga solicited proposals from qualified consultants to provide the following services:
1. Prepare an Initial Study (IS) anticipating adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) consistent with CEQA Guidelines.
2. Prepare and obtain Caltrans approval of a Preliminary Environmental Study (PES) Form consistent with Caltrans guidance.
3. Prepare technical studies identified in the PES following Caltrans’ Standard Environmental Reference (SER) Guidelines to support a NEPA Categorical Exclusion and as support documentation for CEQA.
Proposals were due September 23rd and the City received 1 proposal from qualified firms. Staff reviewed the proposal and confirmed that the qualifications were met. Staff then sought a public interest finding from Cal Trans Local Assistance to be able to award the bid uncompetitively. This was granted.
IV. ALTERNATIVES:
Do not authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with SWCA Consultants. - this is not recommended by staff as this is a time sensitive project and subject to environmental, design and construction deadlines.
V. FISCAL IMPACT:
The contract amount will not exceed $84,000.00. This contract is funded by the grant with no impact to the general Fund. |