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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
DATE: MARCH 25, 2025
FROM: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
SUBJECT: CONSULTANT SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH DUDEK FOR
THE CITY OF ANAHEIM WILDFIRE EVACUATION PLAN
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 14
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: YES
RECOMMENDATION:
1. That the City Council, by Motion, approve the professional services agreement, in the not-to-exceed amount of $180,000, with Dudek, for consultant services for the City of Anaheim Wildfire Evacuation Plan, and authorize and direct the Public Works Director, or designee to execute the Agreement, and take any and all actions as are necessary, required or advisable to implement and administer the Agreement; and,
2. Increase the Public Works Department’s FY 2024/25 revenue and expenditure budgets in the Restricted Transportation Grant funds by $90,000.
BACKGROUND:
The easternmost part of the City of Anaheim, commonly referred to as Anaheim Hills, is an At-Risk community. CAL FIRE has designated a majority of this part of the City as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone within a Local Responsibility Area. The location of Anaheim Hills in the wildland-urban interface within the Santa Ana Mountain foothills makes wildfires a significant threat to the area.
Given the history of wildfires in the area, the future development of the region, and changes in State legislation around evacuation preparedness, the City is looking to create a comprehensive Wildfire Evacuation Plan for Anaheim Hills. The plan is consistent with recently approved State legislative bills for cities to identify and evaluate evacuation routes in very high fire hazard zones. Additionally, the plan will help the City comply with recent updates to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) when determining the impacts of projects in wildfire prone areas.
In March 2024, the City of Anaheim applied for a grant from the California Fire Safe Council (CSFC) USDA State Fire Capacity Grant Program to create a wildfire evacuation plan for the City of Anaheim. The grant is funded by the US Forest Service through the CSFC. In September 2024, the CSFC awarded a $90,000 grant for the City to develop a wildfire evacuation plan (Plan), with a $90,000 local match.
DISCUSSION:
Consultant Services Agreement with Dudek for the City of Anaheim Wildfire Evacuation Plan March 25, 2025
In October 2024, after awarding of the grant, staff developed and initiated a request for proposals (RFP) for consulting services to develop a Plan. Staff posted an RFP on PlanetBids on November 27, 2024, with a scope of work specifying the following desired objectives (see Attachment 1). Develop a comprehensive Wildfire Evacuation Plan for Anaheim Hills Review and update existing mapping of critical evacuation routes, evacuation centers, and single routes of access
Defining evacuation scenarios
Modeling and analysis of these scenarios
Education and outreach campaign for the development of the plan and distribution of evacuation preparedness information
Developing recommendations, including thresholds of significance, possible mitigation measures, and potential impact fee program.
At the conclusion of this effort, these findings will be used to inform future policy decisions and also support environmental scoping for future development projects.
Consultant proposals were due on December 23, 2024, and as of that date three proposals were received. In accordance with the qualification-based selection process, pursuant to City Council Policy No. 4.1, Public Works established a review board, reviewed proposals, and rated the proposals. The rated proposals are listed below in rank order.
Firm Ranking:
1. Dudek
2. Fehr & Peers Associates, Inc.
3. Bureau Veritas North America, Inc.
The evaluation criteria included the ability of the consultants to perform the specific tasks outlined in the RFP, qualifications of the specific individuals who will work on the project, amount of time and involvement of key personnel who will be involved in respective portions of the project, reasonableness of the fee requested to do the work, demonstrated record of success by the consultant on work previously performed, and the specific method and techniques to be employed by the consultant on the project.
The review board concluded that Dudek was the most qualified firm based on the evaluation criteria and is therefore recommended to provide professional services for the Plan.
Therefore, staff recommends that City Council approve the attached professional service agreement with Dudek in the not-to-exceed amount of $180,000, and authorize the Public Works Director to execute the agreement and take any and all actions that are necessary, required or advisable to implement and administer the Agreement.
Upon City Council approval of these recommendations, Public Works staff will work to immediately initiate this study effort. Dudek’s proposed schedule calls for a nine-month project duration.
Consultant Services Agreement with Dudek for the City of Anaheim Wildfire Evacuation Plan March 25, 2025
This item supports Anaheim’s Strategic Plan Goal E. – Support Public Safety, Strategy No. 5 – Assess the City’s Emergency Preparedness capabilities, resources, and tools, and implement changes as needed to ensure the City is properly positioned to respond to disasters.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
This action will increase the Department of Public Works Department’s revenue and expenditure budget in Restricted Transportation funds by $90,000 for FY 2024/25. The required match will be supported by the General Fund.
Respectfully submitted,
Rudy Emami
Director of Public Works
Attachments:
1. Agreement with Exhibit A (Proposal)
2. City Request for Proposals