Administration Response:
Environmental Review for New
Development Audit
Item 3.3
City Council Hearing
April 26, 2022
Presenter: Robert Manford, Deputy Director
Environmental Review Audit Response
The audit includes 12 recommendations to improve the environmental review process. The Administration agrees with these recommendations (all Green).
Recommendations build on continuing improvement efforts developed after the 2016 Management Partners report, including:
• Creation of the ENV folder in AMANDA to improve time tracking in early 2019.
• Roll out of a list of qualified environmental consultants in summer 2019.
• End of de-facto "firewall" policy for more open coordination between the City, applicant, and consultant in early 2020.
The Planning Department has a workplan for implementation, including finishing work in progress and efforts to start in FY 22-23.
Environmental Review Audit Response
Work is in progress on the following recommendations:
• Recommendation 1: Planning staff training and joint
environmental/implementation project management.
• Recommendation 2: Standard operating procedures and schedule maintenance (draft prepared).
• Recommendation 3: Performance targets (build on Transformation Team efforts).
• Recommendation 4: AMANDA training and guidelines update (ongoing). • Recommendation 6: Standard project schedule (complete), template development.
• Recommendation 7: Training for other City Departments. • Recommendations 8a and 9: Project Management/Consultant Guidelines. • Recommendation 10a: Finalize standard operating procedures for staff.
Environmental Review Audit Response
Work on the following recommendations will start in FY 22-23:
• Recommendation 5: Update of AMANDA ENV folder to improve milestone tracking (requires IT support).
• Recommendation 8b: Consider making use of a pre-qualified consultant mandatory.
• Recommendation 10b: Review cost-recovery calculations (requires Administrative Team support).
• Recommendation 11: Fill vacant support staff position to help Environmental Team and Historic Team with administrative tasks/invoicing (requires Human Resources support).
• Recommendation 12: Develop criteria and process to present Council with opportunities for program-level CEQA clearance.
Environmental Review Audit Response
The Administration thanks the City Auditor’s office for the thorough work and recommendations.
The Administration also thanks the City Attorney’s Office, Department of Public Works, environmental consultants, and applicants who participated in the audit process.
Administration Response:
Environmental Review for New
Development Audit
Item 3.3
City Council Hearing
April 26, 2022
Presenter: Robert Manford, Deputy Director