1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: November 7, 2023
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Patrick Prescott, Community Development Director Via: Fred Ramirez, Assistant Community Development Director By: Daniel Villa, Principal Planner
SUBJECT: Approval of a Seventh Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. for the Golden State Specific Plan
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the Seventh Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. (Attachment 1) for the completion of the Golden State Specific Plan.
BACKGROUND
The City entered into a PSA with AECOM Technical Services Inc. on August 10, 2016 to help the City develop the Golden State Specific Plan (GSSP) and conduct the associated environmental review (Attachment 2). The Burbank2035 General Plan Realization Plan Program LU-3 (Specific Plans) in the Burbank2035 General Plan provides for an update to the City’s existing specific plans as well as the creation of the Golden State Specific Plan. The original cost of service was $1,189,000.
A First and Second Amendment to this PSA were made on August 23, 2018, and March 1, 2020, respectively to extend the term of the agreement. A Third Amendment was made on May 1, 2020, to extend the term to December 31, 2021, and increase the project budget by $31,000 to a total of $1,220,000. A Fourth Amendment was made on September 28, 2021, to increase the project budget by $111,000, to $1,331,000, and a Fifth Amendment was made to extend the term of the agreement to December 30, 2022. A Sixth Amendment was made to extend the term to December 3 0, 2023, and increase the project budget by $130,000 to a total of $1,461,000. Attachments 3 – 8 include copies of these amendments.
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
2 DISCUSSION
Staff is requesting that the City Council approve a Seventh Amendment to the PSA with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. to extend the term of the PSA to December 30 , 2024, and to further supplement the project budget to account for additional work necessary for the completion of the GSSP document and the associated environmental analysis. This Amendment would increase the project budget by $229,000 for a total of $1,690,000The additional time and funds would be used to complete the following tasks:
• Additional Outreach: The community outreach strategies included as part of the initial scope of work in 2016 are not as robust as those currently being undertaken for other city projects. Pursuant to the Burbank2035 General Plan, Plan Realization Program LU-5: Public Participation, p ublic involvement is critical to the planning process and the additional funds would allow for more engagement opportunities such as community walking tours, pop-up events, additional public workshops, and technical support, as the City conducts stakeholder meetings and presents before the citywide Boards and Commissions.
• Focused Market Assessment: A focused market assessment that is reflective of 2023 conditions in the specific plan area will be conducted to be used in the preparation of the fiscal impact analysis for the GSSP. This will assist in ensuring that visionary plan goals, objectives, and policies are in alignment with the economic conditions that can affect the implementation of the specific plan during its 15-to-20-year planning period.
• Additional environmental analysis: The a dditional funds would also be used to undertake a comprehensive environmental assessment of an Increased Development Alternative (IDA). This would allow the City to account and preparate for future projects that may propose to develop beyond the city allowed densities and intensities through state mandates (SB 35, AB 2011, Density Bonus Law, etc.). An environmental assessment of the IDA is a needed “stress test” of our city infrastructure and will help ensure that the City is prepared for the demand additional development may place on city services, including the utilit y and transportation networks.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Approval of the amendment has no potential for resulting in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change to the environment and falls outside the definition of a “project” under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and is therefore not subject to CEQA pursuant to Section 15378 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations. However, the Specific Plan Project is subject to CEQA. To fulfil the requirements of CEQA, a Progr am EIR is being prepared that will include a comprehensive study of all required environmental topical areas, including utility 3 infrastructure that serves the Specific Plan Area, to ensure that (1) decision makers are informed of any potentially significan t environmental impacts that may result from the project, and (2) appropriate policy and planning strategies are established so that the anticipated future growth within the Specific Plan Area is adequately served by critical utility services.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund for the Golden State Specific Plan. There are funds available in the current Fiscal Year 2023 -24 Budget for $229 ,000 in account number 001.CD31A.62085.0000.22489 (General Fund, Community Development – Planning Division, Other Professional Services, Golden State Specific Plan).
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends City Council approve the Seventh Amendment to the PSA with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. for the completion of the Golden State Specific Plan.
Approval of the A mendment will ensure that this long-range planning project is on track for completion in Summer 2024 . Approval of the amendment is also consistent with the adopted 2021-2029 Housing Element, as well as the Realization Plan Program s LU-5 (Public Participation) and LU -3 (Specific Plans) in the Burbank2035 General Plan, that provides for an update to the City’s existing specific plans as well as a creation of the Golden State Specific Plan.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – Seventh Amendment
Attachment 2 – Original Professional Services Agreement Attachment 3 – First Amendment
Attachment 4 – Second Amendment
Attachment 5 – Third Amendment
Attachment 6 – Fourth Amendment
Attachment 7 – Fifth Amendment
Attachment 8 – Sixth Amendment