TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Commerce, California, Approving the Second Amendment to the Professional Service Agreement between the City of Commerce and UltraSystems Environmental Incorporated MEETING DATE: August 23, 2022
RECOMMENDATION
Approved the Second Amendment to the Professional Service Agreement between the City of Commerce and UltraSystems Environmental Incorporated to conduct a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Analysis for a New Transportation Facility.
BACKGROUND
On October 20, 2020, via the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, the City awarded a professional service agreement with UltraSystems to conduct a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental analysis for a new facility designed to house Public Works and Transportation. The Analysis report received Federal Transit Administration (FTA) clearance and qualified as a categorical exclusion under 23 CFR part 771.118(d)(6), "Facility modernization through construction or replacement of existing components.
Due to the space restrictions on the Commerce Refuse Energy Authority (CREA) site, combined with the project being cost-prohibitive, the evaluation team (City Staff and Stantec Architecture and Design) concluded it would be advisable to explore identifying a new location for the public works portion of the project. Based on the space needs program calculations, the combined use for a transportation and public works facility would require approximately 439,743 square feet (10.10 acres), and the total area on the CREA site is 287,576 (6.51 acres).
On January 25, 2022, City Council adopted a Resolution authorizing separating the Transportation and Public Works Facility into separate projects and exploring identifying a new location for Public Works.
ANALYSIS
The City's current schematic conceptual design (transportation only) for the new facility is now at a 65% design level, and it is anticipated that no more substantial modifications will be required. Because changes have occurred to the original conceptual design plan, a CEQA Addendum is required and must accurately reflect the facility design (Reference: 14 CCR §15162 and §15124).
The purpose is to ensure that the project description captures the "whole of the action" required by the State CEQA Guidelines and provides an efficient environmental analysis within the topical area checklist. As such, part of the Second Amendment, UltraSystems will provide the following deliverables as part of their additional scope of work:
Kick-off Meeting and Project Meetings. One project kick-off meeting would be held with City staff to finalize the work program, identify, and collect materials in possession of the City (i.e., all plans affecting the project site) and relevant to the performance of this work assignment, verify the project schedule, and address any budgetary concerns, and discuss any other related matters. UltraSystems will be available throughout the term of our services to respond to any City requests for input concerning various aspects of the CEQA process.
Project Management and Coordination. This Task facilitates the undertaking of routine project management and communications functions of our Project Manager throughout the contract performance period with the City and our internal project team.
Project Description. Within 1 - 2 weeks from the written notice to proceed and receipt of project-related information, UltraSystems will prepare a draft Project Description for use in the Addendum. This section will contain all the information required under § 15124 of the CEQA Guidelines, including a description of the land use plan and timing for construction of all the necessary improvements. UltraSystems will revise the Project Description based on comments received from City staff.
Prepare Draft Addendum. The Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration will serve as the primary environmental clearance document. The Addendum will be structured as follows:
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Project Description
3.0 Environmental Evaluation
4.0 Environmental Determination
Prepare Final Addendum. Upon completion of the Draft Addendum, UltraSystems will submit it to the City for review and comment. Upon receipt of the City's comments, UltraSystems will modify the Addendum accordingly and provide the City with one (1) final proof check copy before the Public Hearings for the proposed project. Note that the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) from the Certified IS/MND will be incorporated as an Appendix to the Addendum.
The above tasks are required to complete the design phase of the construction project for the new transportation facility.
FISCAL IMPACT
Project Budget – Environmental Analysis Services $ 106,090 Contingencies (20%): $ 21,218
Sub-Total: $ 127,308
Amendment # 2 $ 22,630
Contingencies (20%) $ 4,526
Project Total $ 154,464
The cost of the project's environmental analysis services, including the Second Amendment, shall be covered 100% with Federal Grant Funds (5307 Funds) and have no impact on the City's operating budget. This project has been approved and is included as part of the regional Federal Transportation Improvement Plan (FTIP - Project ID: LAOG1295).
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC GOALS
This agenda item relates to the 2016 Strategic Plan - Goal #6: "Enhance Quality of Life Goal,"; as this project helps the City move one step closer to building affordable homes in the community, which improves the quality of life in Commerce.
ALTERNATIVES:
Approve staff's recommendation
Reject staff's recommendation
Provide staff with alternate or further direction
Prepared and recommended by: Claude McFerguson, Director of Transportation Approved by: Jose Jimenez: Director of Economic Development and Planning Fiscal impact reviewed by: Josh Brooks, Director of Finance Approved as to form: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
Respectfully submitted: Edgar P. Cisneros, City Manager Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement – Amendment #2
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
Item No.