City of Gonzales
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: September 15, 2025
FROM: Taven Kinison Brown, Community Development Director THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 2025–70 Agreement with EMC Planning Group for Puente Del Monte Specific Plan EIR
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2025-70, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales authorizing the City Manager to sign a Consultant Services Agreement between the City of Gonzales and EMC Planning Group for the Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Puente Del Monte Specific Plan.
BACKGROUND
In 2020, EMC Planning Group was awarded a contract to prepare a Supplemental EIR to the General Plan for the Puente Del Monte Annexation. In February of 2021, the project was halted for various reasons.
In May of 2025, the project was restarted after a four-year hiatus. EMC is proposing a new programmatic EIR, as existing setting conditions and regulatory settings have changed, the project description has changed, and technical reports need to be updated. In addition, portions of the Vista Lucia Project EIR may be sufficient for use in the current Puente Del Monte Specific Plan EIR. The original scope of work was for $348,975.00
After discussions with the Applicant and EMC, it was agreed to remove $93,500 from the scope of work for traffic operations analysis. While necessary for the project, it is not required for the purposes of completing an EIR. The resulting contract amount is $255,475.
AGENDA
ITEM
18 REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
Consultant Services Agreement.
The Consultant Services Agreement format is standard for the City for projects where City development review services need to be supplemented on a project-specific or task-specific endeavor. In this case, consultant services are deemed necessary for processing the Environmental Impact Report for the Puente Del Monte Specific Plan. The project is funded through applicant contributions to a project-specific account.
The Consulting Services Agreement and its Scope of Work and Budget exhibits are attached to the resolution accompanying this report.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA)
Because entering into a consulting services agreement has no potential to have an effect on the environment, staff has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CCR, Title 14, Chapter 3 (“CEQA Guidelines), Article 20, Section 15378).
Explain 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.
Explain: While ministerial in nature, consulting services agreements support the Vision because they allow the City the breadth to process important development projects that can bring the housing, jobs and economic development necessary to further the Vision.
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.
Explain: Please see the Vision above. Staff has previously secured funding through a signed reimbursement agreement with the Puente Del Monte proprietor /Jackson Family Investments to offset these consultant expenses in a revenue neutral manner to the city budget.
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.
Explain: Please see the Vision above. Staff has previously secured funding through a signed reimbursement agreement with the Puente Del Monte proprietor /Jackson Family Investments to offset these consultant expenses in a revenue neutral manner to the city budget.
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 Yes No X N/A
• Education Yes No X N/A
Explain: Please see the Vision above.
ALTERNATIVES
The Council could opt not to approve the Consulting Services Agreement or request additional information prior to approving the agreement. This is not recommended as the EIR is needed to advance the project.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no budget impact associated with approving the Consulting Services Agreement with EMC Planning Group as expenses will be recovered through an applicant paid reimbursement account, thereby avoiding impact to the city budget.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2025-70, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales authorizing the City Manager to sign a Consultant Services Agreement between the City of Gonzales and EMC Planning Group for the Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Puente Del Monte Specific Plan.
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 2025-70 with Exhibits