CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: August 07, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION ___ -23 AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH
FIRST CARBON SOLUTIONS, INC., FOR ENVIRONMENTAL
COMPLIANCE MONITORING FOR THE APPROVED LIBRARY
PROJECT (PART OF THE OAK PARK PROPERTIES SPECIFIC PLAN)
SYNOPSIS
The City of Pleasant Hill Oak Park Properties Specific Plan includes a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program and Habitat Mitigation and Monitoring Reporting Plan. The City Council is requested to authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with First Carbon Solutions to perform the required environmental consulting services for the Pleasant Hill Library (part of the Oak Park Properties Specific Plan). The Agreement requires the Consultant to prepare documentation demonstrating compliance with Mitigation Measure (MM) GHG-1 from the project Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP). First Carbon Solutions will also implement monitoring services for the previously approved Habitat Mitigation and Monitoring Reporting Plan (HMMRP).
DISCUSSION
Background
The City of Pleasant Hill Oak Park Properties Specific Plan is a comprehensive planning document that establishes specific guiding principles for redevelopment of 16.60 acres of land across various properties within the Specific Plan area. The Specific Plan outlines two development projects (the Civic Project and the Residential Project). The Library project is a portion of the Civic Project located at 2 Monticello Avenue within the Specific Plan area. The City Council approved the Specific Plan’s Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and corresponding MMRP on February 24, 2020.
The Civic Project is required to demonstrate compliance with MM GHG-1. First Carbon Solutions (FCS) will provide documentation demonstrating that the Library will achieve GHG emission reductions in the amount necessary to fulfill the requirements of MM GHG-1. Based on preliminary information, it is expected that on-site features that have been added to the Library since the EIR was prepared will satisfy the emission requirements outlined in the MM GHG-1.
The City has obtained a California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Streambed Alteration Agreement (404 Permit) and a Water Quality Certification (401 Permit). These permits from CDFW, the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contain permit conditions to protect resources within the project site and surrounding project area. As shown below, Tasks 2-4 outline measures FCS proposes to implement in support of project related impacts to Grayson Creek and its riparian corridor for the next five years.
Analysis
The following tasks are proposed to provide documentation of compliance with MM GHG-1.
Task 1: Documentation of Compliance with MM GHG-1.
First Carbon Solutions will provide documentation demonstrating that the Library will achieve GHG emission reductions in the amount necessary to fulfill the requirements of MM GHG-1.
Task 1A: Project Management
First Carbon Solutions will provide project management through oral and written communications with City staff, accounting and quality assurance.
Task 2: Annual Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting – Water Quality Certification First Carbon Solutions shall provide five years of monitoring services for Grayson Creek and its riparian corridor. Monitoring will occur on an annual basis for a minimum of five years to verify the Creek is successfully restored as described in the HMMRP. First Carbon Solutions will submit five annual monitoring reports. Reports will include the need for, and implementation of, any remedial actions or adaptive management and removal and management of target invasive plants.
Task 3: Annual Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting – Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement
First Carbon Solutions shall provide five years of monitoring services for Grayson Creek and its riparian corridor. Monitoring will occur on an annual basis for a minimum of five years to verify the Creek is successfully restored as described in the HMMRP. First Carbon Solutions shall submit five years of annual reporting to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).
Task 4: Regulatory Project Management
Project management to ensure tasks meet the City’s standard of quality and are delivered within time and on budget and to ensure the proposed HMMRP is implemented successfully.
FISCAL IMPACT
First Carbon Solutions proposal is in the amount of $58,900 as outlined below:
First Carbon Solutions Professional Fee (Fixed) $4,900
First Carbon Solutions Professional Fee (Time and Materials) $54,000 $58,900
The proposal is complete and acceptable considering the scope of the project. The contract will be funded by Measure K funds previously approved in the final Library budget at the March 20, 2023 City Council meeting.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting of the City Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center and at the Pleasant Hill Police Department. The agenda and staff report are posted on the City’s web page.
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Approve the proposed resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement for environmental consulting services with First Carbon Solutions, Inc. in the amount of $58,900.
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
Do not approve the attached resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute the Agreement with First Carbon Solutions, Inc., and provide guidance to City staff.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proposed Resolution
Exhibit 1 – Agreement for Professional Services & Scope of Work Prepared by: Ananthan Kanagasundaram, City Engineer
Approved by: Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager