City of Gonzales
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: March 18, 2024
FROM: Taven Kinison Brown, Community Development Director THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Vista Lucia Specific Plan EIR – Amendment #4
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of, and the City Manager be authorized, to execute Amendment #4 to the Consulting Services Agreement between the City of Gonzales and EMC Planning Group for Preparation of the Vista Lucia Specific Plan EIR – Final Push to Final Environmental Impact Review and Public Hearings. This amendment addresses the remaining scope of work, the remaining account balance and expenses to come, and an extension of the time frame to include a few more months ending on December 31, 2024.
BACKGROUND
Amendment #3 to the scope of work (City Council action on October 16, 2024) acknowledged that existing funds tasked to the FEIR preparation and for Public Hearings by EMC would be used to prepare a formalized re-draft and update of the Draft Environmental Impact Review (DEIR) to reduce errors or the need for corrections as two-years had passed since the first draft DEIR was made public. This was a sound practice, but now the EIR scope of work needs to updated for the coming FEIR preparation and for Public Hearings by EMC Planning Group. EMC estimates that the original amounts for two these tasks as described in the original contract and continued through Amendments #1, and #2 will be sufficient to complete their responsibilities.
• Response to Comments (FEIR) $ 16,830.00
• Public Hearing participation x 2 Meetings $ 7,155.00
AGENDA
ITEM
11 Extension of Time
The present end of the contract falls on June 31, 2024 (set in Amendment #2). As we anticipate getting through City Council in the Summer and Fall of this year and then moving to LAFCo, it seems prudent to add a few months to the contract term. This Amendment #4 will extend the term of EMC’s contract to December 31, 2024.
REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
Glenn Pace, Manager of Pembrook Group on behalf of the Cielo Grande Ranch LLC. has acknowledged and agreed to the scope of work of Amendment 4, actual and expected expenses and the extended timeline. The additional scope of work (Amendment #4) and the willingness to pay from the applicant are attached, as well as the original contract and Amendments #1 and #2.
Explain the Recommendation and How it Supports the Vision Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small-town charm.
Explanation: Staff and the environmental consultant are working collaboratively to have a strong and defensible Environmental Impact Report for the Vista Lucia Specific Plan Project.
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Mission The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment, and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community.
Explanation: Please see the Vision above.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful, and friendly manner to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents and the promotion of business, recreational, housing and employment opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Explanation: Amendment #4 to the Consulting Services Agreement between the City of Gonzales and EMC Planning Group for preparation of the Vista Lucia Specific Plan EIR is cost-effective without burden to the City in that the developer interest has agreed to pay for these environmental services in furtherance of their development proposal, subject to the provisions of the existing Reimbursement Agreement with the City.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety Yes No X N/A
• Housing X Yes No N/A
• Recreation Yes No X N/A
• Environment X Yes No N/A
• Education Yes No X N/A
Explanation: Please see the Vision above.
ALTERNATIVES
The City Council could opt not to approve Amendment #4, effectively stopping the EIR processing of responses to comments and moving to public hearings.
BUGET IMPACT
There is no budget impact associated with Amendment #4. A Reimbursement Agreement is already in place with the specific plan interests who have demonstrated a willingness to pay for the new scope of work.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends approval of, and the City Manager be authorized, to execute Amendment #4 to the Consulting Services Agreement between the City of Gonzales and EMC Planning Group for Preparation of the Vista Lucia Specific Plan EIR - Final Push to Final Environmental Impact Review and Public Hearings.
Attachments:
1. Authorization for VLSP EIR Amendment #4. Scope & Developer's acknowledgment
2. VL Complete CA #3 VMT Update-1
3. Amendment #2 for VLSP EIR
4. Fully Executed Contract Amendment #1
5. Resolution 20-06 Contract with EMC Planning Group