DATE:
December 19, 2023
TO:
Mayor and Council Members
FROM:
Rachel Molina, City Manager
BY:
Nathan R. Freeman, Director of Development Services
Ryan Leonard, Principal Planner
SUBJECT:
Award Professional Services Agreement for a Focused Update to the General Plan and General Plan Environmental Impact Report
RECOMMENDED ACTION
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with PlaceWorks, Inc. in the amount of $849,161, with a 10% reserve contingency of $84,916, for a total contract cost of $934,077 for a Focused update to the City’s General Plan and General Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
BACKGROUND
In September 2010, the City Council adopted a comprehensive General Plan update which was the first comprehensive update to the General Plan since it was originally adopted in 1991. The General Plan includes seven mandatory elements: Land Use, Circulation, Housing, Noise, Conservation, Open Space, and Safety. As regulations change, the General Plan is required to be updated to ensure consistency with new State law.
In addition, all cities in California are required, by State law, to update and certify their Housing Element every eight years. The City’s 6th Cycle Housing Element was approved by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on March 24, 2023, and was adopted by the City Council on May 2, 2023. Among other things, the 6th Cycle Housing Element requires the City to modify several zoning designations to increase the density within the General Plan from a maximum of 15 dwelling units per acre (du/ac) to 30 du/ac.
As a result of the zoning modifications outlined in the Housing Element, and to ensure the City is in compliance with State Law, updates to the General Plan’s Land Use, Safety, and Circulation Elements, as well as the creation of a new Environmental Justice Element, need to be completed.
ISSUES/ANALYSIS
On June 8, 2023, staff issued Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 2022-23-006, utilizing Public Purchase (the City’s online site), seeking a General Plan update and Environmental Assessment.
On July 20, 2023, a total of four (4) proposals were received and reviewed by a selection committee. The proposals received were evaluated based on experience, technical expertise, and approach to the scope of work. The firms were ranked by the selection committee as follows:
Firm Name
Total Score
PlaceWorks
274
CASC Engineering and Consulting
246
Michael Baker
219
4Leaf
205
The selection committee conducted interviews with the top 3 ranked firms. At the conclusion of the interviews, the selection committee unanimously identified PlaceWorks as the most qualified firm based on their experience and demonstrated ability to deliver the required updates. Upon selection of the most qualified and responsive proposal, Development Services staff opened negotiations with PlaceWorks and agreed to a final scope, schedule, and budget. The anticipated time to complete the update is 16 months. A brief synopsis of the scope of work is as follows:
Development of an extensive community outreach and engagement plan, to include multiple community workshops, stakeholder interviewers, and public engagement.
Development of new objective design standards, which will be formalized in the Municipal Code to provide applicants and developers with a clear understanding of the City’s expectations for mixed-use and high-density development projects.
Updating of the General Plan Land Use Map to reflect the zoning modifications required in the City’s adopted 6th Cycle Housing Element.
Updating of the Land Use Element to accommodate new growth projections based upon new land use densities. An updated buildout analysis will also be prepared.
Updating of the Safety Element, as required by Government Code Section 65302 upon the adoption of a Housing Element, to ensure it complies with State regulations.
Preparation and adoption of an Environmental Justice Element in compliance with SB-100. The Environmental Justice Element is a newly required element to the General Plan.
Updating of the Circulation Element to include the City’s updated truck routes as well as to accommodate new growth projections based on new land use densities. As a part of the update, the City’s existing roadway classifications will be analyzed and updated as appropriate.
An environmental analysis will be conducted in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). As part of the environmental analysis, the following technical studies will be prepared: air quality and greenhouse gas analysis, noise and vibration analysis, water supply evaluation, and updated traffic studies based on new General Plan buildout projections.
In addition, multiple workshops and public hearings will be held with the Planning Commission and City Council prior to adoption of the Focused General Plan Update.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost of the contract is $849,161, with a contingency of $84,916, for a total project cost of $934,077. Funding for this project will extend through two fiscal years and is shown below:
FY 2023-24
Contract Cost
$424,580
10% Contingency
$42,458
Total FY 2023-24
$467,038
FY 2024-25
Contract Cost
$424,581
10% Contingency
$42,458
Total FY 2024-25
$467,039
Total Contract Cost
$849,161
10% Contingency
$84,916
TOTAL
$934,077
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 Budget includes finding in the amount of $68,962 for the Safety Element Update and creation of Environmental Justice Element. If approved, the request to amend the FY 2023-24 Budget with the use of reserves, for the unbudgeted difference of $398,076 will be included in the FY 2023-24 Mid-Year Budget Review. Funding for year two of the agreement will be included in the FY 2025-25 Proposed Budget.
ALTERNATIVE(S)
1. Provide alternative direction to staff.
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. General Plan Update and Environmental Assessment proposal from PlaceWorks City of Hesperia STAFF REPORT City of Hesperia STAFF REPORT City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT
City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT
Staff Report to the City Council
Award Professional Services Agreement for a Focused Update to the General Plan and General Plan EIR December 19, 2023