City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: Public Works
Meeting Date: December 4, 2023
Report #:2307-1806
TITLE
Approval of Amendment No. 2 to Contract No. C20175305A With AECOM Technical Services, Inc. to Extend the Contract three and half years through June 30, 2027 for Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan Development; CEQA – Addendum to the Comprehensive Plan EIR, approved June 5, 2023.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council approve and authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute Amendment No. 2 to Contract No. C20175305A between the City of Palo Alto and AECOM Technical Services, Inc. for Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan Development, to extend the term by three and half years through June 30, 2027.
BACKGROUND
The City entered into an agreement with AECOM Technical Services Inc. on June 22, 20201 for technical assistance in the development of a Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment and Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan.
Staff completed the City of Palo Alto Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment2 in 2022. The Assessment analyzes hazards and risks from Sea Level Rise inundation and related changes to shallow groundwater conditions using several increments of sea level rise that are predicted to occur through the end of this century.
1 City Council, June 22, 2020; Agenda Item #3; SR# 10278, https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/agendas-minutes-reports/reports/city-manager-reports- cmrs/year-archive/2020/id-10278.pdf
2City of Palo Alto Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment, https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/public-works/environmental-compliance/sea-level-rise/palo- alto-sea-level-rise-vulnerability-assessment-june-2022-062822-linked-final.pdf
ANALYSIS
In late 2022, staff paused development of the Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan pending the outcome of a United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) feasibility study, which could alter the scope of work for the Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan. The USACE study assesses federal interest in funding shoreline levee improvements that would protect Palo Alto from future sea level rise inundation. The USACE study outcome is anticipated to be finalized in late 2023. In addition, new legislation– SB272: Sea Level Rise Planning and Adaptation3–requires a Bay Area regional sea level rise adaptation plan and harmonized subregional plans. The details of these new requirements are anticipated from the Bay Conservation and Development Commission by the end of 2024.
In spring 2023, the City administratively executed Amendment No. 14 to extend the AECOM contract term by six months, through December 21, 2023. During the Fiscal Year 2024 budget discussions, staff was directed to include additional funding needed to support Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan development in the 2024 mid-year budget review. To allow AECOM to continue to support the City’s sea level rise planning efforts, the AECOM contract term must be extended again before the current contract expires on December 21, 2023. Staff recommends approval of Amendment No. 2 (Attachment A) to extend the contract through June 30, 2027.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
The contract term extension recommended in this report would have no financial impact. Staff plans to return in 2024 to request Council approval for a third contract amendment which would include a revised scope of work, and a mid-year budget request to add funds for Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan development.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Stakeholder engagement to date has included updates about Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment Development via Sustainability and Climate Action Plan webinars, a community meeting held in partnership with Valley Water, a Utilities Advisory Commission Meeting, public newsletters, and other smaller community meetings where inquiries have been made about regional and local sea level rise planning efforts.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
On June 5, 2023, the Council adopted Resolution No. 10112 approving an Addendum to the Comprehensive Plan Environmental Impact Report and Adopting the Sustainability and Climate 3 SB272: Sea Level Rise Planning and Adaptation, 2023; https://legiscan.com/CA/text/SB272/id/2841138 4Amendment 2: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/2/public-works/environmental- services/aecom-amendment-no-2-to-contract-no-c20175305a.pdf Action Plan. Council action on this item furthers the sea level rise key action identified in the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Amendment No. 2 to Contract No. C20175305A Between the City of Palo Alto and AECOM Technical Services, Inc.
APPROVED BY:
Brad Eggleston, Director Public Works/City Engineer