DATE: JUNE 30, 2026
DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
FROM: LISA BRINTON, DIRECTOR
THROUGH: GRANT LEONARD, PLANNING MANAGER
BY: JONATHAN MOORE, SENIOR PLANNER
TITLE: AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BETWEEN THE CITY OF SALINAS AND PLACEWORKS, INC.
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 5 to Agreement for Professional Services with PlaceWorks, Inc. to increase the total compensation amount by $59,700 for a maximum compensation amount not to exceed $1,208,081 and to extend the term to June 30, 2027.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City currently has an Agreement for Professional Services with PlaceWorks, Inc. (PlaceWorks) for work related to the General Plan Update (GPU), Climate Action Plan (CAP), and Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for those documents. This Amendment expands the scope of services provided and increases the total compensation amount by $59,700 for a maximum compensation amount not to exceed $1,208,081 and extends the Agreement term to June 30, 2027. This will allow PlaceWorks to assist with formatting and edits to drafts of the General Plan, including work to ensure the General Plan, Climate Action Plan, and Environmental Impact Report meet new web content accessibility standards, and ensure the Agreement term aligns with the projected project timeline.
BACKGROUND:
The City originally entered into an Agreement for Professional Services with PlaceWorks (the Agreement) in May 2021, for environmental and technical studies for the GPU and preparation of the CAP, with a small amount for support of the GPU itself. Amendment No. 1, in November 2022, expanded the scope to include additional GPU assistance, including policy and drafting support, and increased the total compensation amount by $156,171. Amendments Nos. 2-4 extended the term of the Agreement, currently to December 31, 2026, and made no changes to the budget.
Amendment No. 5 expands the scope to ensure the General Plan, CAP, and EIR documents meet new digital content regulations requiring compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA Standards. The Amendment increases the total compensation amount by $59,700 for a maximum compensation amount not to exceed $1,208,081. This allows PlaceWorks to assist with formatting, editing, and accessibility compliance for future drafts and final versions of the General Plan, Climate Action Plan, and Environmental Impact Report. It also replenishes project management funds to account for the extended project timeline. Amendment No. 5 extends the term to June 30, 2027, to allow PlaceWorks to complete the above and previously scoped work related to adoption and post-adoption wrap up.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378). In addition, CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 includes the general rule that CEQA applies only to activities which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Because the proposed action and this matter have no potential to cause any effect on the environment, or because it falls within a category of activities excluded as projects pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378, this matter is not a project. Because the matter does not cause a direct or foreseeable indirect physical change on or in the environment, this matter is not a project. Any subsequent discretionary projects resulting from this action will be assessed for CEQA applicability.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES:
Yes.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
Amending PlaceWork’s Agreement directly advances the City Council’s Strategic Plan objective of completing the Visión Salinas 2040 General Plan under Goal 4 City Services.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
The Community Development Department is leading this effort with close coordination with other City departments.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
Funding for Amendment No. 5 will come from the City’s General Plan Fund (2513).
Fund
General Ledger Number
(Operating/CIP)
General Ledger Account Name
Remaining Budget Appropriation
Amount Requested
2513
30.3701.63.5900
Outside Services Other Professional Services
$400,000.00
$59,700
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Amendment No. 5
Exhibit “A”
PSA and Amendment Nos. 1-4
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