Devil’s Punchbowl Bobcat Fire Recovery Project – Fire Recovery Plan On-Call Environmental Services for the City of Costa Mesa, Orange County – City of Costa Mesa.
Program Manager for an on-call environmental support services contract to the City of Costa Mesa for land use development and entitlement projects, including public works projects. Tasks include the preparation of CEQA documents, review of applications for completeness, preparation of initial study checklists, evaluation of environmental setting and impacts, and the preparation or review of all technical studies associated with the environmental documents as required. ECORP acts as an extension of staff to provide readily available environmental technical expertise and local knowledge to guide the City through the environmental review and permitting process.
Puente Hills Landfill Park Master Plan Program EIR, Los Angeles County – Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation as a Sub to Withers and Sandgren. Project Manager. The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) proposed to develop a Master Plan for the Puente Hills Landfill “fill” areas and other suitable non-fill areas within the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts’ Puente Hills landfill property. The project would convert the former landfill to a recreational facility area consisting of park use, including but not limited to: multi-use trails, open space areas, interpretive features, and other amenities that would provide benefits to local and regional communities. The project area boundary included 1,365 acres, with project physical design occurring on approximately 142 acres.
ECORP was involved in the public outreach meetings and offered Spanish-English bilingual services. The following supporting studies were also prepared: biological, cultural, agronomy, and regulatory permitting.
Programmatic EIR for the Emerald Necklace Project, Los Angeles County – Watershed Conservation Authority as a Sub to Withers & Sandgren. Project Manager for the Programmatic EIR. The Watershed Conservation Authority (WCA) which is a joint powers authority of the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) and the Los Angeles County Flood Control District (LACFCD) proposed improvements to a 17-mile interconnected network of bikeways, multi-use trails, parks, greenways, and bridges along the Rio Hondo and San Gabriel River known as the Emerald Necklace. The regional recreational system of parks and trails includes the cities of Irwindale, Arcadia, Baldwin Park, El Monte, South El Monte, Whittier, Montebello, Monrovia, Rosemead, and the surrounding communities. The goal of the WCA was to construct 16 projects within the Emerald Necklace under its jurisdiction as identified in the 2005 Emerald Necklace Vision Plan. When complete, the Emerald Necklace would offer improved regional connectivity between the north and the south communities and provide education opportunities for the community through interpretative signage containing information about the rivers, their habitats and cultural heritage. Technical reports for biological and cultural resources were prepared in addition to air, greenhouse gases, noise, and traffic studies. Services also included public outreach efforts during scoping and stakeholder meetings. Notices were provided in bilingual Spanish-English and Spanish speaking staff were available during the public meetings. Regulatory permitting requirements were identified as part of the feasibility study phase of the project.
Jesus “Freddie” Olmos (Continued)
CEQA/NEPA and Caltrans Environmental Documentation for the Ontario Avenue Widening Project, Riverside County – City of Corona as a Sub to KOA Corporation. Project Manager for the CEQA IS/MND, NEPA CE, and associated technical studies. The City of proposed to widen Ontario Avenue at Interstate 15 (I-15) from the intersection of Ontario Avenue with Compton Avenue to the intersection of Ontario Avenue with State Street. The improvements were intended to address existing and future traffic deficiencies associated with existing and future commercial and residential development in the City. The City applied for a federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant adminstered by the Caltrans Local Assistance Program. ECORP prepared the Natural Environment Study – Minimal Impacts (NES-MI), Air Quality/Greenhouse Gas Assessment, Noise Analysis Report, Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, Cultural Resources documents (APE, ASR, HPSR), and Paleontological Assessment. All documents were prepared per Caltrans' Local Asssistance Procedures Manual and Standard Environmental Reference in an expedited timeframe to meet funding requirements set by Caltrans and the RAISE Grant.
Rialto Bioenergy Facility Peer Review, San Bernardino County – City of Rialto. Project Manager.
Provided peer review services of the Administrative Draft EIR, Public Draft EIR, and Final EIR in addition to the Air Quality/Greenhouse Gas Technical Study. The Rialto Bioenergy Facility (RBF) would produce 13.38 megawatts (MW) in equivalent electricity of renewable energy from up to 1,080 tons per day of a combination of food waste, liquid waste, and municipal biosolids. Renewable energy would be produced in the form of electricity (3.0 MW) used for sale to Southern California Edison and biogas upgraded for delivery to the Southern California Gas Company (8.2 MW of equivalent power) for use in offsite power generation and vehicle fuels. The project would use up to 2.15 MW of equivalent power on-site for its operations. It had the potential to also capture adjacent City of Rialto’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) biogas and that was upgraded for delivery to Southern California Gas Company.
Flint Canyon Wash Trail Restoration Project, Los Angeles County – City of La Canada Flintridge as a Sub to PACE. Project Manager. Managed the preparation of the IS/MND, biological resources assessment, cultural resources technical report, and an aquatic resources delineation. In support of the IS/MND, assisted the City with AB 52 tribal cultural resources consultation and regulatory permitting with the USACE, SWRCB, and CDFW. The project included improvements to a 1000-foot section of the Flint Canyon Wash Trail (trail) and the preparation of plans and specifications to prevent stream flows from eroding and undercutting the slope of the trail. The 2.4-mile-long trail is located in the Flintridge area of the City, connecting Hahamongna Watershed Park (formerly Oak Grove Park) located in the City of Pasadena to the east. The trail was eroded on its downslope due to severe rainstorms and runoff from the Flint Wash located below the trail. In 2009 the City completed extensive repairs with grant funds to the eroded areas on the upslope of the trail. Although the upslope was repaired, the downslope continued to erode. The project was funded by a Proposition 68 Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Grant. In order to comply with the Grant requirements, the project had to be completed by December 31, 2020.
Margaret Partridge, AICP, ENV SP
Senior Environmental Planner (Professional VII)
Ms. Partridge has 19 years (3 with ECORP) of experience in community and environmental planning in both the public and private sectors as a city planner and as an environmental planner for residential, commercial, industrial, mixed-use, and specific plan projects. Her areas of expertise include CEQA, EIRs, Initial Studies, MNDs, and land use research. Additionally, she is trained in environmental analysis for a variety of project types and has experience conducting current planning and permit work for local cities.
Education
M.A., Urban and Regional Planning, University of California, Irvine B.A., Environmental Analysis and Design, Minor in Global Sustainability, University of California, Irvine (Phi Beta Kappa, Cum Laude)
Registrations, Certifications, Permits and Affiliations American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)
LEED Green Associate
Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP)
American Planning Association
Association of Environmental Professionals
U.S. Green Building Council
Professional Experience
San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity Project, Los Angeles County – City of Baldwin Park (2022-2023). As Project Manager Ms. Partridge oversees the analysis of the Project in compliance with CEQA. The Project Applicant, San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity, (SGV Habitat) is proposing a 12-unit townhome style multifamily residential development at 12779 Torch Street in the City of Baldwin Park. The Project Site is approximately 0.75 acres. The proposed Project would require a merger of five existing contiguous lots. The Project Site is currently zoned and has a General Plan designation of single-family residential. Therefore, a Zone Change and General Plan Amendment would be required for the Proposed Project. The site plan includes three separate buildings comprised of four units each. Ms. Partridge is serving as the CEQA Project Manager for this Project.
Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project, Riverside County – City of Beaumont (2022-2023). As Project Manager, Partridge oversaw the preparation of the Administrative Draft IS/MND document. The Project is located in the City of Beaumont. The Proposed Project consists of constructing 16 apartment buildings, totaling 192 multi-family residential dwelling units, on approximately 10.93 acres.
Margaret Partridge, AICP (Continued)
Grace Church Remodel and Griffin Senior Living Community Project (2022-2023). As Project Manager, oversaw the Draft IS/MND distribution and the preparation of the Final IS/MND document. Griffin Living proposes to design, develop, build, own, and operate the Laguna Niguel Senior Living Center. Griffin Living is also assisting Grace Church of Laguna Niguel in the redesign, remodel, and renovation of their existing church facilities. The Project proposes to subdivide the existing 5.34-acre parcel into two new parcels.
Parcel 1 would include Grace Church on 1.65 acres; Parcel 2 would include the Griffin Senior Living Community on 3.69 acres. The Project would construct a proposed two-story, 108-unit senior living facility with an approximately 24,000 square foot basement parking garage.
OC Loop Bike Trail, Segments O, P, and Q Project, Los Angeles and Orange Counties – OC Public Works (2019-2021). Project Manager for this transit project which proposed development of a 2.7-mile Class I Bikeway component of a larger 66-mile regional bikeway corridor called the OC Loop, spanning the cities of La Mirada, Buena Park, and Cerritos, California. Responsible for reviewing and coordinating the preparation of an IS/MND and NEPA Categorical Exclusion. Oversaw the preparation and distribution of the IS/MND. After the release of the IS/MND for public review, the applicant changed the project scope.
Managed updating the IS/MND and the recirculation efforts. The project was approved by the County of Orange in October 2021.
Adams Avenue Affordable Housing Development, Riverside County – City of Murrieta (2021-2022).
Project Manager for this project and was responsible for overseeing the preparation of a CEQA IS/MND and NEPA CE. This project proposed development of 200 units within two multi-family housing buildings and one senior housing building. The IS/MND was adopted by the City of Murrieta Planning Commission in January 2022.
Santa Angelina Senior Apartment Homes, Orange County – National Community Renaissance (National CORE) (2019-2021). As Project Manager oversaw the preparation of an IS/MND for the proposed development of 65 senior apartment homes in two-story residential buildings. Responsible for overseeing the preparation and public distribution of an IS/MND for the project. The IS/MND was adopted by the City of Placentia in January 2021.
Seven Unit Residential Subdivision Project, Los Angeles County – City of West Covina (2017-2018).
As Project Manager, assisted with the preparation of the IS/MND, authoring the Project Description, Aesthetics, and Mandatory Findings of Significance sections. This project proposed development of a seven-unit, multi-family subdivision as well as a tentative tract map, precise plan and variance. This project was approved by the City of West Covina in October 2018.
CEQA Documentation for a Mixed-Use Project, Walnut, Los Angeles County – City of Walnut (2022- 2023). As Project Manager, Ms. Partridge coordinated the management of the CEQA document for this Project. The Project proposes development of the proposed Walnut Mixed-Use Project on vacant land at the southeast corner of La Puente Road and Grand Avenue. The Project proposes 9 residential buildings (42 townhome units), and four one-story restaurant/retail buildings on 5.06 gross acres (4.11 net acres).
Anne Surdzial, AICP
QA/QC Manager (Principal II)
Ms. Surdzial is an environmental analyst with more than 30 years (20 with ECORP) of experience in the planning field. She has prepared and managed the preparation of ISs/EAs and EIRs/EISs for a variety of projects subject to review under CEQA and NEPA. As Director of CEQA/NEPA Services for ECORP, she is responsible for ensuring consistency and quality of all CEQA and NEPA products companywide. As Operations Manager for ECORP’s full-service Inland Empire office, she is responsible for a staff of environmental analysts, biologists, archaeologists, GIS analysts, and support staff. Her expertise includes management of large, on-call environmental programs for public agencies, requiring the completion of multiple, simultaneous task orders and management of multiple internal project teams and subcontractors. Much of her experience focuses on the environmental analysis of water, wastewater, transportation, and energy infrastructure projects for a variety of federal, state, regional and local agencies; and private clients. She is also experienced in land use planning and historic preservation issues and has worked for public planning departments.
Education
B.S., Environmental Science, University of California, Riverside Registrations, Certifications, Permits and Affiliations American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), July 1994, Certificate No. 11097 Awards Jury Member, California Association of Environmental Professionals State Awards Program (2012, 2016-2024)
Association of Environmental Professional CEQA workshops, updated annually American Planning Association
Association of Environmental Professionals
Association of Women in Water, Energy, and Environment Virtual Events Team (2020-2022) Professional Experience
Puente Hills Landfill Park Master Plan Program EIR, Los Angeles County – Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation as a Sub to Withers and Sandgren. QA/QC for an Environmental Impact Report for the Puente Hills County Regional Park. The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) proposed to develop a Master Plan for the Puente Hills Landfill “fill” areas and other suitable non-fill areas within the Los Angeles County Sanitation District’s Puente Hills Property. The project would convert the former landfill to a recreational facility area consisting of park use, including but not limited to: multi-use trails, open space areas, interpretive features, and other amenities that would provide benefits to local and regional communities. The project area boundary included 1,365 acres, with project physical design occurring on approximately 115 acres. ECORP was involved in the public outreach meetings
Anne Surdzial, AICP (Continued)
and offered Spanish-English bilingual services. The following supporting studies were also prepared:
biological, cultural, agronomy, and regulatory permitting.
CEQA Litigation Support for Devil’s Gate Reservoir Restoration Project, Los Angeles County – Los Angeles County Public Works. QA/QC responsible for coordinating the project between the Los Angeles County Flood Control District (County) staff, County Counsel, and ECORP technical experts to provide support for the challenge to the CEQA EIR for the project, which was prepared for another consultant.
Tasks included coordination with County staff and County legal counsel to prepare and recirculate portions of the EIR in accordance with a Court Order in a very tight time frame.
On-Call Environmental Services for the City of Costa Mesa, Orange County – City of Costa Mesa.
QA/QC Manager for an on-call environmental support services contract to the City of Costa Mesa for land use development and entitlement projects, including public works projects. Tasks include the preparation of CEQA documents, review of applications for completeness, preparation of initial study checklists, evaluation of environmental setting and impacts, and the preparation or review of all technical studies associated with the environmental documents as required. ECORP acts as an extension of staff to provide readily available environmental technical expertise and local knowledge to guide the City through the environmental review and permitting process.
Third Party Review Services for Mount San Antonio College EIRs, Los Angeles County – City of Walnut. QA/QC for professional peer review services for two Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) and their supporting technical studies for two projects at Mount San Antonio College (Mt. SAC): the west parcel solar project and the physical education project. Mt. SAC is located within the City of Walnut, and the City requested these professional review services to ensure that the CEQA documents and technical studies adequately addressed impacts to City services and residents. ECORP reviewed the scoping Initial Study/Notice of Preparation, Draft EIR, Final EIR and the following technical studies: air quality/greenhouse gas, noise, water quality, biological resources, and cultural resources. ECORP managed subconsultant review of the geotechnical and slope analysis report and traffic/parking study.
As-Needed Environmental and Regulatory Permit Services, Los Angeles County – Los Angeles County Public Works, Architectural Engineering Division. Program Manager for an on-call environmental services contract. Services include CEQA/NEPA, biological resources, cultural resources, and regulatory permitting services for a variety of County buildings and facilities throughout Los Angeles County. Task orders included:
Vermont Corridor Development CEQA and Environmental Support Fire Camp 16 Life Safety Improvements Project
Historical Interpretive Display Sign for Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Consumer Affairs Hall of Records Tenant Improvement Project Afflerbaugh-Paige Wastewater Treatment System Demolition Project Sheriff's Department Emergency Vehicle Operations Center Peer Review Sonia Sifuentes, M.S., RPA
Cultural Resources Task Manager (Professional VI)
Ms. Sonia Sifuentes, M.S., is a Registered Professional Archaeologist with over 17 years (2 with ECORP) of archaeological experience in cultural resources management, with an emphasis on the archaeological investigations, compliance, analysis, and evaluation of cultural resources. Ms. Sifuentes meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards for prehistoric and historic archaeology. She has experience in managing large-scale archaeological projects, including inventory survey, feature mapping, subsurface testing, data recovery, artifact analysis, and evaluation process. Ms. Sifuentes has a strong understanding of the evaluation of impacts to cultural resources for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 projects, as well as Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) correspondence and Tribal coordination and consultation assistance. She has contributed to and authored numerous cultural resources technical reports, research designs, and cultural resource management plans.
Education
M.S., Archaeology of the North, University of Aberdeen at Aberdeen, Scotland B.A., Anthropology with minors in Gender Studies and News Media and Society, University of Southern California
Registrations, Certifications, Permits and Affiliations Register of Professional Archaeologists, No. 49570530 California Historical Resources Information System (CHRIS) Authorized User Society for California Archaeology
Bureau of Land Management, California Archaeological Investigations Permit-Field Director American Safety & Health Institute CPR, AED, and First Aid for Adults Professional Experience
Westside Area Plan and EIR, Los Angeles County – Los Angeles County as a Sub PlaceWorks, Inc.
Cultural Resource Task Manager in charge of archaeological oversight and management of the archaeological sections of the EIR for the Westside Area Plan, which entailed updated database searches of all archaeological resources databases for the entire Westside Area Plan, outlining and explaining the federal, state, and local cultural resources laws and guidelines, and describing the overall state of archaeological resources in the Westside Area Plan in a non-technical, public document.
Redlands Retail Development Project, San Bernardino County – Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
Principal Investigator and Senior Archaeologist tasked with the oversight of the 8.76-acre cultural resources inventory for retail development in City of Redlands. Duties include management of cultural resource tasks, client coordination, management of field archaeologists, and oversight of report authorship.
Sonia Sifuentes, M.S., RPA (Continued)
Devil’s Punchbowl Nature Center Project, Los Angeles County – County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation as a Sub to Withers & Sandgren. Principal Investigator and Senior Archaeologist tasked with the oversight of the 14-acre cultural resources inventory for new improvements and development in Los Angeles County. Duties include management of cultural resource tasks, client coordination, federal coordination and permit process with U.S. Forest Service Angeles National Forest, management of field archaeologists, and report authorship.
Capital Preventive Maintenance Project, Los Angeles County – Caltrans District 7 as a Sub to Parsons.
Senior Archaeologist for the archaeological survey and Extended Phase I (XPI) of a segment of SR-1 between Post Mile (PM) 35.15 and PM 47.1 in Los Angeles County for pavement rehabilitation, removal and reconstruction of damaged pavement sections, replacement of damaged loop detectors, upgrading 19 ramps to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, relocating traffic signals and electrical boxes, and upgrading Metal Beam Guardrails (MBGR). Duties include management of cultural resource tasks, client coordination, tribal coordination, management of field archaeologists for both survey and XPI efforts, and report authorship.
Grace Church Remodel and Senior Living Facility Project, Orange County – City of Laguna Niguel.
Senior Archaeologist tasked with AB 52 consultation assistance and technical report writing for the project for residential and improvements development.
Children’s Foster Village Project, Palmdale, Los Angeles County – SOS Children’s Village California.
Principal Investigator and Senior Archaeologist tasked with the oversight of a 5-acre cultural resources inventory in the City of Palmdale, Los Angeles County for housing development. Project Duties include management of cultural resource tasks, client coordination, management of field archaeologists, and oversight of report authorship.
McCall Boulevard Widening Project, Riverside County – City of Menifee. Principal Investigator and Senior Archaeologist tasked with the oversight of a 15.852-acre cultural resources inventory for widening efforts for a major street in the City of Menifee, Riverside County. Duties include management of cultural resource tasks, management of field archaeologists, and oversight of report authorship.
Los Angeles Clean Fuels Terminal, LLC Project, Los Angeles County – USD Clean Fuels/Plastic Express.
Principal Investigator and Senior Archaeologist tasked with the oversight of a 9-acre cultural resources inventory in the City of Pico Rivera, Los Angeles County for fuel terminal development. Project Duties include management of cultural resource tasks, client coordination, management of field archaeologists, oversight of site records, and oversight of report authorship.
Riverside Chicago Avenue Project, Riverside County – County of Riverside Planning Department.
Senior Archaeologist tasked with tribal notification outreach and technical report review for a residential development project in the unincorporated community of Woodcrest, Riverside County.
Stacie Tennant
Biological Resources Task Manager (Professional VIII)
Ms. Stacie Tennant has 27 years (3 with ECORP) of experience as a Wildlife Biologist/Project Manager. She has extensive experience in conducting and coordinating focused surveys; reconnaissance surveys; processing resource agency permits; and managing projects for multiple industries including transportation, water, electric utilities, and private development. She has authored and managed the development of biological resources sections of numerous Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs); Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration’s (IS/MND’s); Biological Technical Reports; Biological Assessments; Natural Environment Studies (NESs); focused survey reports for sensitive species; and mitigation monitoring reports. She is experienced in the implementation of field programs to track, report, and support compliance requirements and mitigation measures.
Education
B.S., Environmental Biology (Minor in Chemistry), California State University Northridge Professional Experience
Federal As-Needed Environmental Compliance Services for Programs Development Division, On-Call Contract Planning/CEQA Staff Augmentation Services, Riverside County – City of Wildomar as a Sub to PlaceWorks. Project Manager responsible for coordinating with City planning and engineering staff and serving as extension of staff to address biological and MSHCP compliance issues. Project Duties include management of biological resource tasks, client coordination, management of field biologists, and oversight of report authorship.
On-Call Environmental Services Federal Contract, Los Angeles County – Los Angeles County Public Works. Task Manager/Senior Wildlife Biologist in support of Los Angeles County Public Works (LACPW) contract providing environmental documentation services (IS/MNDs and EIRs), regulatory permit services, environmental permit compliance services, focused plant and wildlife surveys, pre-construction nesting bird surveys, biological monitoring services, and environmental mitigation services for Federal projects or federal-aid or state funded projects. Task orders awarded under this contract have included:
Biological Support Services for the Little Tujunga Road at Mile Marker 15.57 Environmental Services for Bridge Preventive Maintenance Program Group 25 Biological Resources Assessments, Breeding Bird Surveys, and Preconstruction Surveys at Los Angeles County Debris Basins – Los Angeles County Public Works. Project Manager responsible for overseeing all aspects of the project, including assigning biologists to conduct surveys, evaluating results of surveys, and communicating with the LACPW project manager.
Westside Area Plan and EIR, Los Angeles County – Los Angeles County, Department of Regional Planning as a Sub to PlaceWorks. Project Manager and Senior Wildlife Biologist for the Westside Area Plan Project which aims to streamline and update existing County regulations in seven communities within LA County’s Westside Planning Area to encourage more housing development, historic preservation, and Stacie Tennant (Continued)
multi-modal transportation. Project Duties include management of biological, cultural, and paleontological resource tasks, noise monitoring tasks, client coordination, and oversight of report authorship.
Meadow Pass Road Extension Project, Los Angeles County – City of Walnut. Project Manager for overseeing protocol-level surveys for least Bell’s vireo at the project’s offsite mitigation area and provided environmental services to the City of Walnut in support of attaining agency sign-off for the Project’s mitigation areas. ECORP provided environmental services in the form of annual reporting, protocol least Bell’s vireo surveys, revising the Project’s supplemental Habitat Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (HMMP), revising the Project’ s long-term management plan and conservation easement documents.
Santa Fe Basin and San Gabriel River Flood-Control Channel Projects As-Needed Biological Services Contract, Los Angeles County – Los Angeles County Public Works. Project Manager and Biologist for the Santa Fe Basin and San Gabriel River Flood-Control Channel projects for the LADPW. Conducted reconnaissance-level biological surveys for the presence/absence of the least Bell’s vireo, southwestern willow flycatcher, coastal California gnatcatcher, and San Diego horned lizard within the Santa Fe Basin in Irwindale and portions of the San Gabriel River Flood-Control Channel in Azusa.
Biological Resources Services for the Clairmont and Navajo Storm Drain Replacement Project, San Diego County – City of San Diego. Project manager responsible for coordinating biological resource services in support of the replacement of storm drains and curb inlets. Managed the biological reconnaissance survey, focused survey efforts for special-status plants and wildlife, Biological Resources Report in compliance with MSCP guidelines and other supporting studies and documents.
White Point Landslide Project Biological Services, Los Angeles County – City of Los Angeles as a Sub to Shannon & Wilson, Inc. Project Manager for the White Point Landslide project, responsible for assigning biologists to conduct focused surveys, construction monitoring, and coordinating with construction contractors to ensure compliance with permit conditions and conducting nesting bird/raptor surveys.
Edinger Avenue Bridge Replacement, Orange County – OC Public Works. Project Manager for a Bridge Replacement Project in the City of Huntington Beach from design planning, project execution until project completion. Oversaw all biological surveys including focused surveys for special status plant and wildlife species. Wrote the Natural Environmental Study (NES) pursuant to Caltrans guidelines, the biological resources section of an IS/MND, and the Biological Assessment (pursuant to USFWS Section 7 Consultation). Obtained all the permits for the project (i.e., 1602 permit, Nationwide Permit, Coastal Development Permit). Served as the main point of contact for the Project Construction Manager hired by the County of Orange and oversaw the environmental compliance program.
Santa Ana River Interceptor (SARI) Rock Removal Project, Orange County – Orange County Sanitation District. Project Manager for the Santa Ana River Interceptor (SARI) Rock Removal Project located along the Santa Ana River in Orange County from project execution to project completion. Project Duties included management of biological resource tasks, client coordination, management of field biologists, and oversight of report authorship.
Seth Myers
AGNE Task Manager (Professional VIII)
With 19 years (7 with ECORP) of experience as an environmental planner and air quality/noise analyst, Mr.
Myers is involved in the preparation of a full range of CEQA and NEPA environmental compliance and review documents including environmental impact reports. He has extensive expertise conducting air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and noise analyses and has a comprehensive working knowledge of the associated regulatory environment. He is proficient in the use of CalEEMod, EMFAC, AERMOD, SoundPLAN, the Roadway Construction Model, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Highway Traffic Noise Prediction Model, and other industry standard emissions and noise modeling tools.
Education
B.A., Environmental Studies and Planning (Minor in Biology), Sonoma State University, California Registrations, Certifications, Permits and Affiliations SoundPLAN Software and Noise Modeling Seminar Certification FAA Noise and Air Emissions Trainings: Noise and Emissions Fundamentals, Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT, U.S. Department of Transportation Volpe Center) AERMOD Gaussian Plume Air Dispersion Model Certification (Lakes Environmental) Professional Experience
Virginia Robinson Gardens Operational Changes Project, City of Beverly Hills – County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation. Assessed potential noise impacts associated with several operational changes proposed at the existing facility, most notably an increase in the number of special events (e.g., weddings, banquets, etc.) allowed to occur. The key environmental issue included the potential increase in ambient noise as a result of the proposed increase in special events held at the Gardens. The noise analysis included a substantial amount of 3-D noise modeling to account for myriad of potential special events that could occur.
4097 Temple City Boulevard Industrial Facility Project, Los Angeles County – City of El Monte as a Sub to Michael Baker International. Assessed air quality (including potential health risks), greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and noise associated with the proposal to demolish existing warehouse facilities and develop a 100,465 square foot warehouse space, consisting of warehouse, office, and mezzanine spaces. The Project also proposes a service yard with 13 loading docks and cooler facilities located at the northern boundary of the Project Site. Key environmental issues included the potential exposure of adjacent residences to elevated noise levels and substantial concentrations of air toxics.
Pitchess Detention Center (PDC) New Deep Well, Los Angeles County – Los Angeles County Public Works. Assessed air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy consumption for the Pitchess Detention Center (PDC) New Deep Well (Project), which includes the development of a new water supply Seth Myers (Continued)
well and associated 8,000-foot-long pipeline at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) PDC located on Buscailuz Drive in northwestern Los Angeles County between the community of Castaic and City of Valencia. This assessment was prepared using methodologies and assumptions recommended in the rules and regulations of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD).
Vans Building Expansion Project, Orange County – City of Costa Mesa. Analyzed the potential emissions and noise-related effect of the proposal to construct a three-story, 91,023-square foot office building approximately 40 feet north of the existing Vans headquarters building, and a four-level parking structure reaching three stories and accommodating 354 parking spaces at the northeast portion of the campus. The Project would also include the installation of a half-pipe skate ramp just west of the proposed office building, as well as an amphitheater just east of the proposed office building and just south of the proposed parking garage.
Grace Church Remodel and Griffin Senior Living Community Project, Orange County - City of Laguna Niguel. The Proposed Project aims to divide a 5.34-acre parcel into two separate parcels. Parcel 1 would comprise the current Grace Church situated on 2.00 acres, while Parcel 2 would feature a new senior living facility called the Griffin Senior Living Community, consisting of 108 units on 3.34 acres. As part of the Initial Study, preparing the noise analysis derived on a study conducted by another firm. Additionally, prepared the Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Assessment.
CEQA-Level Air Quality Analysis Training, Los Angeles County – Los Angeles County Public Works.
Since the CEQA environmental topic area of air quality is constantly evolving in terms of methodological components necessary to be considered adequate, conducted a training seminar for County Public Works staff to provide an advanced understanding of air quality analysis preparation in CEQA documents. This training focused on the questions that need to be addressed on a project-by-project basis as well as the tools/techniques available to address them.
Flint Canyon Wash Trail, Los Angeles County – La Cañada Flintridge as a Sub to PACE. The Flint Canyon Trail is a 2.4-mile-long trail running through the Flintridge area of the City, connecting Hahamongna Watershed Park (formerly Oak Grove Park) located in the City of Pasadena on the east. The section of trail that runs along the lower portion of Flint Wash between Berkshire Place and Oak Grove Drive has experienced significant erosion problems. Analyzed the potential air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and noise effects of restoring the trail. 13131 Los Angeles Street Industrial Project, Los Angeles County – City of Irwindale. Analyzed potential noise, greenhouse gas, and air quality impacts, including potential health risks, associated with the construction of a standalone concrete tilt-up, 528,710-square-foot building in Irwindale. Key environmental issues included the generation of heavy-duty truck noise in Irwindale, Baldwin Park, and Arcadia, the generation of large amounts of greenhouse gases and criteria air pollutants, and potential health risks connected with the exposure of Project diesel particulate matter. Also responsible for responding to public comments as part of the Final EIR process.
Samantha Alfaro
Assistant Environmental Planner (Professional I)
Ms. Alfaro’s experience includes California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) analysis and preparation of CEQA documents such as Initial Studies, Mitigated Negative Declarations, Environmental Impact Reports, and Categorical Exemptions. She also has experience with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents including Categorical Exclusions and Environmental Assessments. Ms. Alfaro’s project work includes utility (e.g., reservoirs, pump stations, water lines), transportation (e.g., roadways, bicycle paths, pedestrian paths), warehouse, and housing projects. Ms. Alfaro has assisted with biological and regulatory documents for projects throughout California, including biological technical reports, feasibility reports, and resources assessments.
Education
B.A., Environmental and Ocean Science, minor in Economics, University of San Diego Professional Experience
CEQA IS/MND and Technical Studies for Various Park Improvements at Stephen Sorensen Park, Los Angeles County – County of Los Angeles, Department of Parks and Recreation (2020 – 2021).
Assisted with newspaper circulation for notices and with public hearing preparation for the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) as required under CEQA. ECORP is responsible for preparing the IS/MND supported by technical studies, including a biological resources survey, geotechnical report and test borings, archaeological monitoring of geotechnical testing, Native American monitoring of geotechnical testing, cultural resources report, traffic study, air quality/GHG assessment, and a noise and vibration assessment. The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation proposes to develop new park amenities at Stephen Sorensen Park, including a skate park, gazebo/stage structure, fitness zone with shade structure, shade structure for existing playground, and associated ADA improvements. The park is approximately 100 acres located in the unincorporated community of Lake Los Angeles.
Crystal Windows West Coast Headquarters Project, Los Angeles County – City of Temple City as a Sub to Michael Baker International (2023). Environmental Planner responsible for the preparation of the air quality, greenhouse gas, noise, and energy sections of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The Project involves the consolidation of four Assessor Parcel Numbers into two lots and the development of both lots with a 350,000 square foot window manufacturing and distribution center.
Oak Avenue Residential Project, Los Angeles County – City of Temple City as a Sub to Michael Baker International (2023). Environmental Planner responsible for the preparation of the Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Assessment and the Energy Consumption Assessment. The Project proposes the subdivision of the existing six parcels to create 23 new single-family lots, 3 private access roads, and underground utility installation onsite.
Samantha Alfaro (Continued)
Devil’s Gate Reservoir, Los Angeles County – Los Angeles County Public Works as a Sub to EricssonGrant, Inc. (2022). Environmental Planner that provided Spanish translations for the Worker Environmental Awareness Training (WEAT) presentation and pamphlet. The Devil’s Gate Reservoir Sediment Removal and Management Project would restore and maintain the flood capacity of the reservoir to meet is intended level of flood protection for the communities located downstream of the facility.
Road M 1/2 Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Project, Glenn County – City of Orland (2023).
Environmental Planner responsible for analyzing the environmental topics of air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and noise for the Project’s Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND). The Project proposes to demolish and reconstruct County Road M 1/2 to improve the appearance and function of the road. Improvements include resurfacing, new curb and gutter, improvement in utilities function, and a new sidewalk on the west side of the road.
Piner Road Project, Sonoma County – Curtis Clemmer (2023). Environmental Planner assisting with the air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and noise sections of the Project’s Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND). The Project proposes the development of the Redwood Oaks Village residential multiuse complex which would construct 73 units with 53 attached garages.
Bowtie Development Project, Los Angeles County – California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) (2023). Environmental Planner assisting with preparation of the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND). State Parks proposes redevelopment of the northern portion of a former rail yard into publicly accessible urban greenspace. The greenspace would include habitat restoration and enhancement; viewing opportunities for local wildlife; walking, jogging, and biking trails; shaded picnic areas; historical, cultural, and environmental programming; and unstructured play areas.
San Luis Rey Training Center Biological Study at Graded Areas, Los Angeles County – Los Angeles Turf Club, Inc. (2020 – 2021). Environmental Planner responsible for the preparation of the CAGN report.
Provided writing and QAQC assistance for the biological study report. In response to a NOV received from the County in April 2019, (Case # PDS2019-ENFGCO-000065) referencing an existing slope that does not have an associated permit, the applicant is processing a remedial grading permit. This permit incorporates stabilization of the existing slope as referenced in the NOV, as well as bringing into compliance with County regulations an existing borrow site and enhanced emergency services access via an improved existing utility roadway width that will be achieved through relocation of an existing riding arena and exercise pens.
Lucky Family Moreno Valley Tentative Tract Map No. 37610, Riverside County – Lucky Family LP (2020 – 2022). Environmental Planner responsible for the Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND). ECORP is responsible for preparing a Draft IS/MND supported by technical studies, including an Air Quality & Greenhouse Gas Analysis, Noise Analysis, Biological Technical Report and MSHCP Consistency Analysis, and Cultural Resources Technical Report. The Project is a 31 residential lot development on an approximately 9.6-acre site in the City of Moreno Valley, California.
Lindsay Buck
Staff Environmental Planner (Professional IV)
Ms. Buck has six years (5 with ECORP) of experience in CEQA document preparation, climate change resilience studies, biological resources and habitat quality assessments. While working with ECORP, she serves as project manager for a variety of environmental documents including Initial Studies, Negative Declarations, Mitigated Negative Declarations, Environmental Impact Reports, Environmental Impact Studies, Categorical Exclusions, and Categorical Exemptions. She also has experience reviewing technical studies to support preparation of CEQA and NEPA documents (e.g., visual impact assessments, hydrology/water quality studies, biological opinions, Phase I ESAs and Traffic Impact Assessments). She is adept at managing multiple projects; generating reports through application of planning principles, concepts and techniques; and communicating effectively with diverse audiences across multiple disciplines.
Education
M.P.P., Concentration in Environmental Policy & Sustainability, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs B.S., Environmental Science, Minor in Conservation Biology, University of California, Los Angeles Registrations, Certifications, Permits and Affiliations Desert Tortoise Council
Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP) Member Professional Experience
Stephen Sorensen Park Improvements Project, Los Angeles County – County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation. Lead author for the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the development of new park amenities at Stephen Sorensen Park, including a skate park, gazebo/stage structure, fitness zone with shade structure, shade structure for existing playground, and associated ADA improvements. The Park is approximately 100 acres located in the unincorporated community of Lake Los Angeles, approximately 15 miles east of Palmdale. The Park is encompassed by a large prehistoric site that has been investigated since the 1920s (CA-LAN-192). In order to protect the archaeological site, an earthen cap of unknown depth was placed on the site prior to development of Phase I of the Park in 1996. ECORP prepared the IS/MND for the project and the following technical studies: Biological Resources Survey, Cultural Resources Survey, Air Quality/Greenhouse Gas Assessment, and Noise/Vibration Assessment. 13131 Los Angeles Street Industrial Project, Los Angeles County – City of Irwindale (2019). CEQA specialist and contributing author of an EIR for a stand-alone concrete tilt-up warehouse (±528,710 square feet) on 25 acres in the City’s M-2 (Heavy Manufacturing) zone. Responsible for the Introduction, Project Description, Cultural Resources, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, Hydrology and Water Quality, Land Use, Tribal Cultural Resources, Utilities, and Alternatives sections of the report.
Lindsay Buck (Continued)
Etiwanda Creek Park Expansion Project, San Bernardino County – City of Rancho Cucamonga. CEQA specialist and contributing author to the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the expansion of Etiwanda Creek Park in the City of Rancho Cucamonga. The 7-acre park expansion included baseball/softball fields, shade structures, concessions, a public works yard, interactive water features, community center, tennis court, soccer field, associated parking and other infrastructure upgrades.
Baldwin Park Industrial/Commercial Project, Los Angeles County – City of Baldwin Park (2019). Lead author for the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration. The Project proposes to construct a two-story commercial industrial building of approximately 15,725 SF. The proposed building is designed for singletenant warehouse or manufacturing use.
Septic to Gravity Sewer Conversion Project, Orange County – City of Santa Ana as a Sub to HuittZollars. CEQA specialist and contributing author to the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration. The Project proposes installing sewer mains and laterals and transferring existing residences and business from septic systems to the City’s sewer system in the Pasadena Street/Medford Avenue/Deodar Street and Ponderosa Street neighborhood previously unserved by the City. ECORP prepared a CEQA IS/MND, supported by Air Quality/Greenhouse Gases, Noise and Phase 1 Environmental Assessments for the Project.
Vans Headquarters Building Expansion Program, Orange County – City of Costa Mesa (2019). CEQA specialist and contributing author to the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the proposed building expansion at the existing Van’s Headquarters adjacent the 405-Freeway between Harbor Boulevard and Hyland Avenue. The existing site is 15 acres and includes one 170,328 square foot office building and three surface parking lots along with code required landscaping. The project proposes to construct a new 3-story office building of approximately 91,023 square feet and a new 4-level parking structure with approximately 354 spaces.
Mountain View Road at Elliott Avenue/Meeker Avenue Intersection Roundabout Project, Los Angeles County – City of El Monte (2019). Authored a CEQA Analysis Supporting Notice of Exemption for the construction of a roundabout at a five-point intersection in the City of El Monte. Design of the roundabout would allow for establishment of these bicycle facilities in the future without substantial modifications, as well as accommodation of appropriate pedestrian facilities. The design would be based on comprehensive inclusion of “Complete Streets” components to better facilitate pedestrian and bicycle access, enhance safety, and increase efficiency.
12793 Garvey Avenue Warehouse Project, Los Angeles County – City of Baldwin Park (2020).
Contributing author and CEQA specialist for the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration. The Project proposes construction of a new 20,847-square foot (sq. ft.) industrial warehouse building on a vacant lot.
The proposed building consists of a 1,654 sq. ft. first floor office area, 1,654 sq. ft. second floor office area, and 17,539 sq. ft. warehouse/storage area. The proposed rear parking lot would include 42 spaces (32 spaces required). The project site consists of a vacant, 42,875 sq. ft. parcel.
Robert Cunningham
Staff Archaeologist (Professional IV)
Mr. Cunningham has 17 years of experience in cultural resources management, with an emphasis on the recording, analysis, and evaluation of historic-period resources. He has participated in all aspects of archaeological fieldwork, including survey, test excavation, and construction monitoring. He has served as a Field Director for archaeological inventories and site evaluation projects. He has recorded and mapped numerous prehistoric and historic-period archaeological sites and has identified and documented hundreds of prehistoric and historic artifacts. Mr. Cunningham has prepared numerous archaeological site records and has authored and contributed to a variety of cultural resources technical reports.
Education
B.A., Anthropology, University of California, Los Angeles Registrations, Certifications, Permits and Affiliations Field Director listed under ECORP’s California Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Permit Society for American Archaeology
Society for California Archaeology
Professional Experience
Little Tujunga Canyon Road Over Pacoima Creek Bridge Replacement Project, Los Angeles County – Los Angeles County Public Works (2022). Staff Archaeologist for survey in support of a Caltrans local assistance bridge replacement project. Responsible for field logistics, maintaining field notes and a photo log, updating documentation to two previously recorded resources.
Roseton Avenue Reservoir Tank and Booster Station Project, Artesia, Los Angeles County – Golden State Water Company (2022). Conducted a California Historical Resources Information System records search at the South Central Coastal Information Center in support of the proposed installation of a 750,000-gallon potable water storage tank and booster pump station. Authored results summary letter report.
Del Valle Road Water Main Replacement Project, Los Angeles County – Los Angeles County Public Works (2021-2022). Staff Archaeologist responsible for conducting compliance field checks during trenching. The project consisted of the replacement of a water main in the unincorporated community of Val Verde.
Placerita Canyon Trail Habitat Restoration Project, Newhall, Los Angeles County – County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation (2019). Field Director for a cultural resources inventory of a 1.8-mile trail within the Placerita Canyon Natural Area in Newhall. The 2016 Sand Fire burned portions of Robert Cunningham (Continued)
the trail and the subsequent rains in early 2017 overflowed Placerita Creek resulting in damage to portions the trail. Duties included recording newly-identified resources and updating previously recorded resources, preparing DPR records, recording resource locations and creating electronic maps using Collector for ArcGIS and a GNSS receiver, keeping detailed field notes, creating a photo journal, and authoring a technical report. The project was completed in compliance with CEQA.
Village Christian School Project, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County – Village Christian School (2020).
Field Director for a 3.5-acre study in the Sun Valley neighborhood in the City of Los Angeles. The Village Christian School proposed to connect the 3.5-acre parcel to the main campus and construct a softball field on the property. Duties included a field survey, recording a historic-period single family property, DPR records, and contributing to a technical report. The project was completed in compliance with CEQA.
Gold Creek Restoration Project, Los Angeles County – Los Angeles Community College District (2019). Field Director for the Gold Creek Restoration Project located in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles County, California. The Los Angeles Community College District proposes to restore the native plants, buildings, footbridge, water supply system, and infrastructure within a 240-acre property that was damaged by the 2017 Creek Fire. Duties included conducting a records search, Sacred Lands File search, a field survey, recording newly-identified resources and updating previously recorded resources, preparing DPR records, recording resource locations and creating electronic maps using Collector for ArcGIS and a GNSS receiver, keeping detailed field notes, and creating a photo journal.
Cultural Resources Investigation for the Afflerbuagh-Paige Wastewater Treatment Demolition Project, La Verne, Los Angeles County – Los Angeles County Public Works (2018). Field Director for a cultural resources assessment of an 11-acre area for the proposed demolition of a wastewater treatment facility. Duties included recording and evaluating three newly identified resources for the National Register of Historic Places/California Register of Historical Resources, preparing DPR records, keeping detailed field notes, field logistics, recording resource locations using Collector for ArcGIS and a GNSS receiver, creating a photo journal, and co-authoring a technical report.
Cultural Resources Inventory for the Market Street Pedestrian and Streetscape Enhancements Project (LA River to Cherry Avenue), Long Beach, Los Angeles County – City of Long Beach as a Sub to Ardurra (2018). Field Director for a cultural resources inventory of a 1.9-mile section of Market Street selected for various road improvements as part of a Caltrans local assistance project. Duties included walking along each side of the road and inspecting all unpaved areas for archaeological resources, proper identification of cultural materials, keeping detailed field notes, field logistics, and creating a photo journal.
Cultural Inventory for the Indian Wells Hospitality Hotel Project, Riverside County – City of Indian Wells (2017). Field Director for a cultural resources survey of a 105-acre area for the proposed construction of recreational vehicle storage facility. Duties included proper identification and description of prehistoric and historic-period artifacts, preparing a DPR record for one newly-identified isolated find, keeping detailed field notes, field logistics, creating a photo journal, and authoring sections of the technical report.
Christine Tischer
Senior Wildlife Biologist (Professional VII)
Ms. Tischer has over 25 years of experience as a wildlife biologist. Ms. Tischer specializes in terrestrial wildlife and has extensive experience conducting focused studies for California gnatcatchers, least Bell’s vireos, peregrine falcons, California least terns, burrowing owl, Quino checkerspot butterflies, Crotch bumble bee, and fairy shrimp throughout southern California. She has conducted numerous analyses and reviews of impacts to natural resources for a variety of Environmental Impact Statements, Environmental Impact Reports, Biological Assessment Reports, and Environmental Assessment Reports. She has also conducted numerous biological reconnaissance-level surveys, authored sections for various environmental documents, implemented mitigation programs, managed a brown-headed cowbird trapping and removal program, investigated biological impacts, and performed restoration inspections and data analysis for environmental projects in California and throughout the United States. Ms. Tischer worked intimately with the Department of Defense as a full-time contractor for 2.5 years in the Wildlife Management Branch of the AC/S Environmental Security Office for Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton.
Education
B.S., Animal Science, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Registrations, Certifications, Permits and Affiliations Federal 10(a)(1)(A) Permit (ES-053379-6) for California gnatcatcher, Quino checkerspot butterfly, Riverside fairy shrimp, San Diego fairy shrimp, vernal pool fairy shrimp, conservancy fairy shrimp, longhorn fairy shrimp, and vernal pool tadpole shrimp (granted 2002; expires 2/28/2027) CDFW California Scientific Collecting Permit for special status and ESA species monitoring and brownheaded cowbird trapping and removal and CDFW Memorandum of Understanding for take of four bumble bee species during candidacy period (S-190160005-20247-001 – expires 9/2024) CDFW California Scientific Collecting Permit for artificial nest box monitoring and banding (S190160005-20190-001 – expires 8/2024) USGS Bird Banding Laboratory Permit to band western bluebirds and tree swallows (23498 – granted 2007; expires 10/2025)
Citizen Scientist for the 2023 Bumble Bee Atlas covered under Xerces Society’s CDFW Scientific Collecting Permit (S-210530001-21053-001; expires 7/28/2024) and CDFW Memorandum of Understanding for take of four bumble bee species during candidacy period.
Professional Experience
Flint Canyon Wash Trail Restoration Project, Los Angeles County – City of La Cañada Flintridge (2020-2022). Served as biological lead for CEQA support services as part of a trail improvements project of a 1000-foot section of the Flint Canyon Wash Trail. Conducted reconnaissance level biological surveys to assess habitat conditions, determine suitability for special-status wildlife species, worked with the project Christine Tischer (Continued)
design team to avoid and/or minimize impacts to sensitive biological resources, and determined appropriate avoidance and minimization measures for the IS/MND. Conducted pre-construction biological surveys including an overwintering monarch habitat characterization and survey.
Los Angeles River Headwaters Bikeway Owensmouth Avenue to Mason Avenue (Re-bid), Biological Services during Implementation of Mitigation and Minimization Measures, Los Angeles County – City of Los Angeles as a Sub to United Construction Landscape (2020–2023). Certified Biologist and Project Manager responsible for designing project specific Nesting Bird Management Plan and implementation of the plan including providing Worker Environmental Awareness training, preconstruction nesting bird surveys, recommendations for nest preventative measures, and weekly nesting bird surveys and establishment of buffers around active nests during the nesting season. The project included the installation of a 14- to 17-foot-wide asphalt concrete Class I bicycle and pedestrian pathway (with fencing, curbs, and shoulders); security lighting along the pathway; new fencing, signage, and gate doors; temporary staging areas; and two new underpasses that traverse beneath existing roadway bridges at De Soto Avenue and Canoga Avenue along the channelized headwaters of the Los Angeles River in Canoga Park.
Nesting Bird Survey for North School Reconstruction Project, Los Angeles County – Hermosa Beach City School District (2019). Senior Biologist responsible for conducting a nesting bird survey for reconstruction of the North School campus. The Project includes demolition of an existing school campus (North School) and reconstruction of a new campus at 417 25th Street, in Hermosa Beach, California. The nesting bird survey was conducted within three days of scheduled abatement activities and in accordance with Coastal California Commission’s conditions prior to issuance of a permit.
Dana Point Harbor Rockfall Mitigation Project, City of Dana Point, Orange County – Orange County Public Works (2023-ongoing). Served as biological lead for CEQA support services for the rockfall mitigation project at the base of the Dana Point Harbor bluffs to improve the safety to vehicles, vehicle occupants, and pedestrians along a well-used thoroughfare. Ms. Tischer conducted reconnaissance level biological surveys to assess habitat conditions, determine suitability for special-status wildlife species, and provided a technical report with CEQA-level analysis.
City of Moorpark General Plan Update as a Sub to Placeworks, Ventura County (2020-2022). ECORP provided biological, cultural, and paleontological support for updating of the City of Moorpark General Plan that was originally adopted in 1986. ECORP conducted a comprehensive desktop literature review to determine the baseline biological, cultural and paleontological resources conditions within the current Plan Area. Constraint-level background technical reports were prepared and served as the basis for the corresponding sections of the Program Environmental Impact Report. Ms. Tischer served as lead author for the biological technical report, provided responses to comments on the Draft EIR, and served as overall Project Manager.
Burrowing Owl Surveys at Big Rock Creek for Mining Operations, Los Angeles County – Vulcan Material Company. Wildlife Biologist for focused burrowing owl winter and breeding season surveys on previously unmined portions of the 840-acre mine site in support of the next phase of sand and gravel mining operations.
Lisa Westwood, M.A., RPA
Principal Investigator/Director of Cultural Resources (Professional V) Ms. Westwood is a Registered Professional Archaeologist with 28 years of cultural resource management experience. She exceeds the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards for prehistoric and historical archaeologist and serves as principal investigator for cultural resources services required for compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and CEQA. Her technical areas of expertise include advanced Section 106 compliance and consultation, cultural resources laws and regulations, preparation and negotiation of agency agreement documents (Programmatic Agreements and Memoranda of Agreement), space heritage, human bone (osteological) identification and analysis, and archaeology. She is well versed in impact assessment and development of mitigation measures for CEQA and Section 106 projects, including on-call and task-order based contracts. Her previous experience as a CEQA/NEPA project manager gives her a broader perspective of regulatory compliance issues, and she is recognized by the private and public sector for her ability to build consensus among stakeholders and solve complex problems quickly and effectively.
Education
M.A., Anthropology, Eastern New Mexico University
B.A., Anthropology, University of Iowa
Registrations, Certifications, Permits and Affiliations Registered Professional Archaeologist, No. 11692
Bureau of Land Management, California Archaeological Investigations Permit-Principal Investigator Society for California Archaeology
Society for American Archaeology
Professional Experience
Piraeus Point Project, Encinitas, San Diego County – Lennar Homes of California (2022-2023). In 2021, ECORP Consulting, Inc. was retained to conduct an archaeological inventory for the proposed Piraeus Point Project in the City of Encinitas, San Diego County, California. Lennar Homes of California, Inc. proposes to develop the existing undeveloped property into a housing community. The inventory included a records search, literature review, and field survey. Lisa Westwood served as Principal Investigator. ECORP revisited and recorded portions of site P-37-012130 during the field survey. No other newly identified cultural resources were recorded as a result of the cultural resources inventory. The portion of site P-37- 012130 that overlaps with the Project Area’s development footprint was tested via 20 auger sample locations and evaluated based on archaeological information as not eligible for listing under Criterion D/4 for the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of Historical Resources. Tribal Lisa Westwood, M.A., RPA (Continued)
consultation under Assembly Bill 52 with the City of Encinitas, Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians, the San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians, and San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians resulted in the recommendation for tribal monitoring during construction and pre-designation of a reburial area, in the event of an unanticipated discovery during construction, and whether or not the site is potentially significant as a tribal cultural resource will be determined by the City in consultation with the tribes. Recommendations for the management of unanticipated discoveries were provided.
Bayshore Bikeway to Barrio Logan Project, San Diego County – City of San Diego as a Sub to Anser Advisory (2022-2023). In 2022, Anser Advisory retained ECORP under contract to provide mitigation monitoring services in connection with the Bayshore Bikeway to Barrio Logan Project. Archaeological monitoring was performed by a qualified professional archaeologist from ECORP. Native American monitors were provided under subcontract by Loveless Linton, Inc. Paleontological monitors were provided under subcontract by PaleoServices of the San Diego Natural History Museum. Monitors were given the authority to temporarily halt any structural, exterior, or earth-moving construction operations in the immediate vicinity of a find if significant or potentially significant cultural, tribal, or paleontological resources are exposed and/or adversely affected by construction operations. Lisa Westwood worked with City of San Diego staff to develop and then implement the monitoring approach, which was a combination of full time and spot check monitoring, depending on sensitivity.
City of San Marcos Staff Augmentation – City of San Marcos as a Sub to Harris and Associates (2020- present). ECORP is currently serving as extension of staff to assist the City of San Marcos in carrying out its tribal consultation obligations under Assembly Bill 52 and Senate Bill 18. The City is actively consulting on a regular basis with the Pechanga, Rincon, San Luis Rey, and San Pasqual tribes. ECORP participates with City in tribal consultation meetings, maintains the consultation record on City servers, and advises the City during decision making relative to AB 52 and SB 18. ECORP also assisted the City in developing standard mitigation measures for tribal cultural resources for use in CEQA documents.
Countryview 310 Project (Countryview Estates), Riverside County – Richland Planned Communities, Inc. (2018). Principal Investigator, responsible for the completion of a Phase 1 Cultural Resources Assessment for the development of 27 smaller parcels. No cultural resources were identified as part of the inventory.
Construction Management Support Services for the Mid County Parkway (MCP) Sweeney Mitigation Improvement Project, Riverside County – Riverside County Traffic Commission as a Sub to Santec (2020). Cultural resources monitor for ground-disturbing activity associated with the habitat restoration project.
Cook’s Crack Sea Cave Stabilization Project, San Diego County – TerraCosta Consulting Group, Inc. (2019-2020). Principal Investigator and archaeological monitor for emergency stabilization of Cook’s Crack Sea Cave located beneath Coast Boulevard in San Diego, California. Duties included development of the Post Review Discovery and Monitoring Plan; monitoring of ground disturbance during drilling; and compliance reporting.
As a Principal Geologist, Mr. Jeff Aguilar has extensive experience as an environmental geologist and project manager and is skilled in portfolio and project management, regulatory and client interactions, technical report writing and data analysis. His areas of expertise include developing investigative scopes of work, cost proposals; permitting; feasibility studies; remedial design and implementation; subcontractor management; operation of treatment systems; compliance monitoring; reporting and regulatory negotiations. He is knowledgeable in the regulatory process of federal, state, and local agencies including the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), California Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) Cal-EPA Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), Southern California Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA).
PROJECT EXPERIENCE
4 APNS Moreno Valley, Hazardous Materials Assessment, Moreno Valley, California: Principal Geologist for a Hazardous Materials Assessment (HMA) for four parcels in Moreno Valley, California. The purpose of the HMA was to evaluate whether hazardous materials or recognized environmental conditions (RECs) (petroleum or other hazardous substances) were present on the parcels of land currently due to past or present use of the site and/or properties in the sites vicinity. Services included historical research, environmental database review, and a site reconnaissance.
ECORP Consulting, Phase I Environmental Site Assessment for Devil’s Punchbowl Nature Center, Pearblossom, California: Principal geologist for preparation of the Phase I ESA to evaluate the possibility that adverse environmental conditions are present at the site, due to past or present use of the site, and/or other properties in the site vicinity. The study followed the standard practices described in Section 6.2 of ASTM International (ASTM) Standard E 1527-21 and the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) rule (40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 312 Section 312.25).
City of Los Angeles, Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, Los Angeles, California: Principal Geologist for the Phase I ESA for the Homeless Facitilities Project located at 483 N. San Fernando Road Tiny Home Village. This work is being performed under Ninyo & Moore’s current on-call contract with the City of Los Angeles for geotechnical and environmental services.
Weber Metals, 10700 & 10710 Sessler Street Phase I ESA, South Gate, California: Principal Geologist retained to conduct a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) at 10700 and 10710 Sessler Street in South Gate, California (site) as part of a potential property acquisition. The Phase I ESA was conducted in accordance with ASTM Standard E1527-21. At the time of the site reconnaissance, the site was developed with two rectangular structures which are occupied by Precision Forging Dies, Inc. By 1949, structures were constructed west, northwest and south of the subject property.
EDUCATION
B.A., Geology, 1995, University of
Nebraska, Lincoln
REGISTRATIONS
PG 8178 (California)
OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER with
8-hour refreshers
OSHA 8-hour HAZWOPER Site Supervisor
Training
First Aid and CPR Training
PROFESSIONAL
AFFILIATIONS
South Coast Geological Society
Jeff Aguilar,
PG
Principal Geologist
Jeff Aguilar, PG, Principal Geologist | Ninyo & Moore 1 Jeff Aguilar,
Principal Geologist
Jeff Aguilar, PG, Principal Geologist | Ninyo & Moore 2 City of Corona, Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, Corona, California: Principal Geologist for the Phase I ESA for a property at 901 W. Sixth Street in Corona. The study follows the standard practices described in Section 6.2 of ASTM International (ASTM) Standard E 1527-21 and the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) rule (40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 312 Section 312.25).
City of Fontana, Phase I Environmental Site Assessment for 17001 Upland Avenue, Fontana, California: Principal Geologist for preparation of the Phase I ESA to evaluate the possibility that adverse environmental conditions are present at the site, due to past or present use of the site, and/or other properties in the site vicinity. The study followed the standard practices described in Section 6.2 of ASTM International (ASTM) Standard E 1527-21 and the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) rule (40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 312 Section 312.25).
MUFG Union Bank, Phase I Environmental Site Assessment for 8365 Beech Avenue, Fontana, California: Principal Geologist for preparation of the Phase I ESA to evaluate the possibility that adverse environmental conditions are present at the site, due to past or present use of the site, and/or other properties in the site vicinity. The study followed the standard practices described in Section 6.2 of ASTM International (ASTM) Standard E 1527-21 and the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) rule (40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 312 Section 312.25).
Vector Control Pipeline Abandonment, Indio, California: Principal Geologist retained to conduct Phase I ESA of the approximate 2,581 feet of irrigation pipeline in Indio, California. At the time of the subject property reconnaissance, the subject property was undeveloped land associated with the Whitewater River to the north and west, a railroad and residential properties to the south, and commercial properties to the east. The Phase I was performed in conformance with the scope and limitations of ASTM E1527 21.
David Grant Group, Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, Wildomar, California: Principal Geologist for preparation of the Phase I ESA to evaluate the possibility that adverse environmental conditions were present at the site, due to past or present use of the site, and/or other properties in the site vicinity. The study followed the standard practices described in Section 6.2 of ASTM International (ASTM) Standard E 1527-21 and the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) rule (40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 312 Section 312.25).
Mr. Putt is a Principal Geologist with Ninyo & Moore and has extensive experience in providing engineering geology consultation in Southern California. Mr. Putt has extensive experience on a variety of project types, including highways, bridges, bore and jack tunneled undercrossings, hillside and flat-land mass grading projects for residential, commercial, and industrial developments, pipelines, and forensic investigations. Mr. Putt performs project administration and management, prepares and reviews geologic and geotechnical reports and provides third party review services for geotechnical reports. He conducts geologic and geotechnical field evaluations, including detailed logging of large- and small-diameter borings and trenches, and geologic evaluation/mapping. Projects have included fault hazard evaluations, landslide studies, slope stability analysis, seismic refraction studies, geologic reconnaissance studies, forensic evaluations, and construction and inspection services.
PROJECT EXPERIENCE
County of Orange, Third-Party and Plan Review Services, Orange, CA: Serving as Project Manager third-party geotechnical report and plan review services for reports and construction plans submitted to the County of Orange for new development projects within the Rancho Mission Viejo, Ladera Ranch, Dana Point Harbor, unincorporated area near Yorba Linda, and Newport Coast areas of Orange County, California. The projects included infrastructure improvements and new residential and commercial developments. Typical submittals that are reviewed include mass/ rough grading plans and geotechnical reports for large planning areas and residential tracts in hillside and flat-land terrain, precise grading plans and geotechnical precise grading plan review reports, roadways and bridges, retaining walls and MSE wall plans and calculations, custom single-family residential homes, building/foundation plans and calculations, park sites, and swimming pools and spas.
City of Irvine, On-Call Geotechnical Consulting Services: Serving as Project Manager providing on-call geotechnical, materials testing and inspection services for the City of Irvine Public Works Department for various city projects located throughout the City of Irvine. The majority of the projects were roadway rehabilitation and improvement projects. The projects included both Caltrans and “Greenbook” specifications and test methods.
City of Anaheim, Third Party Review: Served as Project Manager for the third-party geotechnical review for a residential development project.
The geotechnical reviews are based on the guidelines presented in the 2013 CBC, the City of Anaheim Grading Design Manual and Geotechnical Report Guidelines, and the current standards of practice.
City of Rancho Santa Margarita, On-Call Geotechnical Services, Plan Review Services: Served as Project Manager for the on-call geotechnical engineering consulting services for various projects that included third-party review of geotechnical reports, emergency observation of slope failures resulting from heavy rain events, and geotechnical observation and materials testing services
EDUCATION
B.S., Geology, 1997, California State University,
Fullerton
Applied Rock Slope Engineering Short Course,
2006, Association of Engineering Geologists,
California
REGISTRATIONS
PG 7581 (California)
CEG 2341 (California)
Radiological Safety and Gauge Use Certification,
1997
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
South Coast Geological Society
Michael Putt,
PG
Principal Geologist
Michael Putt, PG, CEG, Principal Geologist | Ninyo & Moore 1 for various construction projects including numerous pavement rehabilitation projects, pavement slurry seal, and drainage improvements.
City of Jurupa Valley, Third Party Reviews: Served as Project Manager for the two third-party geotechnical reviews for residential and commercial development project. The geotechnical review of Environmental Impact Reports are based on the current California Environmental Quality Act guidelines for Geology and Soils. The review of design-level reports are based on the guidelines presented in the 2013 California Building Code (CBC), the County of Riverside Technical Guidelines for Review of Geotechnical and Geologic Reports, and the current standards of practice.
City of Corona, On-Call Professional Services: Served as Project Manager/Geologist for on-call geotechnical engineering consulting services for various projects in the City of Corona. Services included geotechnical observation and materials testing services for various construction projects including pavement rehabilitation and sewer main improvement projects.
City of Victorville Third Party Reviews Services: Principal Geologist provided third-party geotechnical report and plan review services for reports and construction plans submitted to the City of Victorville for new commercial development projects. Review services were based on the City of Victorville Standard Specifications for Public Improvements, the City of Victorville Safety Element, the 2022 California Building Code, and current standards of practice.
Third Party Review, City of Hemet, Hemet, CA: Served as Principal Geologist providing 3rd party geotechnical review services of a geotechnical report submitted to the City of Hemet for a new carwash facility ocated within a State of California Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone for the San Jacinto Fault. Our services included performing a peer review of a preliminary soils engineering report and a limited geologic evaluation report prepared to address the surface fault rupture hazard at the property, and preparing a letter presenting our review comments.
Orange County Public Works/On-Call Geotechnical Consulting Services: Serving as Project Manager for on-call geotechnical services for various water projects located in Orange County. Services include providing Channel improvements; evaluation of slope stability, liquefaction, settlement for evaluation related to liquefaction and loose/soft soils along the channel bottom for the Rossmoor Storm Channel Improvements and the Westminster Channel Improvements.
Michael Putt,
Principal Geologist
Michael Putt, PG, CEG, Principal Geologist | Ninyo & Moore 2
RESUMES
FRANK BARRERA, RSP1
PROJECT MANAGER
Frank Barrera has 19 years of experience in the transportation planning and traffic engineering field. He specializes in transportation planning, traffic engineering, data analysis, and feasibility studies, including Safe Routes to School (SRTS) and Active Transportation Program (ATP) studies. Frank has successfully managed multiple SRTS and ATP projects, various sign inventory and database management projects, and SSAR projects. He has extensive experience in traffic calming and safety improvement projects and conducts traffic control device audits for SRTS and ATP projects.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
North Tustin Street Specific Plan, Orange, CA
Project Manager. KOA was a part of a consultant team for the North Tustin Street Specific Plan project, providing traffic impact analysis, pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle access analysis, roadway analysis, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) analysis, and development of potential circulation and safety improvements for the study area.
The project included community outreach, data collection, and coordination with multiple City departments. Conceptual design alternatives were developed to identify the potential design and circulation changes within the study area and connections with the surrounding neighborhoods.
Hesperia Corridor Enhancement for Avenue I, Hesperia, CA Project Manager. The City of Hesperia received a Caltrans Sustainable Communities Grant to develop a Corridor Enhancement Plan for I Avenue from Ranchero Road to Bear Valley Road. The goal of the project was to develop a plan that would address infrastructure deficiencies, increase capacity, and improve safety and accessibility for all users of the corridor. KOA conducted a traffic and safety analysis of the existing and proposed conditions for the corridor. KOA prepared the base map and conducted community outreach to seek public input on the issues the users are experiencing and the improvements they desire to see.
Up to three concept designs were prepared and presented at the community workshops. KOA refined the concepts based on the feedback from the public and prepared the final corridor study report.
Port of Long Beach Harbor Scenic Drive Improvement Project, Long Beach, CA
Traffic Study Support. KOA provided traffic planning and engineering support to the prime consultant for this improvement project. Harbor Scenic Drive was two to three lanes in each direction from Ocean Boulevard to Harbor Plaza with numerous on/off-ramps, merging/diverging/weaving areas, and elevated or undercrossing segments. Approximately two-thirds of the roadway traffic consisted of heavy trucks. Harbor Scenic Drive’s main issue was its existing substandard roadway design. There were too many access points and short weaving segments, which limited vehicle maneuverability, particularly for heavy
EDUCATION
MSCE, Transportation
Engineering, California State
Polytechnic University, Pomona,
CA
BS, Urban & Regional Planning,
California State Polytechnic
University, Pomona, CA
REGISTRATIONS
Road Safety Professional 1,
Transportation Professional
Certification Board, Inc. (TPCB)
PROFESSIONAL
AFFILIATIONS
Institute of Transportation
Engineers, Member
FRANK BARRERA, RSP1, PAGE 2
trucks. Most areas had narrow shoulders while some areas had no shoulder at all. Vegetation and signage were close to the roadway. The elevated structure or underpass segments created potential horizontal and vertical sight distance issues.
KOA’s work included a traffic operation evaluation and a safety evaluation of the corridor.
City of Santa Ana Metro East Mixed-Use (MEMU) Overlay Area Traffic Study, Santa Ana, CA Project Manager. KOA completed the 2008 MEMU traffic study and is again retained by the City to conduct the updated study in 2018. The analysis allows for the expansion of residential and mixed-use development opportunities. The project amends the MEMU document to update and refine existing development standards and allowable land uses within the new and existing MEMU overlay districts. KOA provided traffic volume forecasting, LOS analysis, and new conceptual drawings for improvements. KOA has collected traffic, bike, and pedestrian counts for more than 40 intersections, analyzed existing conditions based on current land uses, provided future traffic volume forecasts, and provided circulation and roadway improvement recommendations.
Fullerton Transportation Center EIR Traffic Analysis, Fullerton, CA Project Planner. KOA completed a traffic study in the City of Fullerton for the City’s Transportation Center mixed-use project. Frank Barrera provided assistance with the traffic impact analysis as well as preparing most of the graphics and tables for the report. The project is located in Downtown Fullerton and is generally bounded by Commonwealth Avenue on the north, Lawrence Avenue on the east, Harbor Boulevard on the west, and Walnut Avenue on the south, including an industrial area south of Walnut Avenue lying between Harbor Boulevard and Lawrence Avenue. The site is approximately 35-acres. The study analyzed existing conditions for streets in the project vicinity and determined the project traffic impacts for the area in the near term and over the next 20+ years. KOA reviewed the project location and the 50 study intersections in the field to observe and inventory roadway geometrics, existing traffic operation, and relevant information during peak hours. Peak period intersection traffic analysis was conducted for existing traffic conditions for each of the study intersections during the AM and PM Peak hours. KOA evaluated future with and without project conditions and recommended mitigation measures to address project impacts.
Transit Zoning Code, Santa Ana, CA
Project Manager. KOA completed a traffic impact study associated with an EIR for the City’s 440-acre Renaissance Specific Plan. KOA worked closely with the prime consultant to conduct the study and assessment. The study analyzed the traffic impacts upon the surrounding street system based upon land use and circulation changes identified in the Renaissance Specific Plan. A total of 50 intersections were analyzed for the existing conditions, interim conditions, and general plan long-range conditions. This project received the 2011 Outstanding Focused Issue Award from the Orange Section of the American Planning Association’s California Chapter.
Green Hotel Apartments Traffic Impact Analysis, Pasadena, CA Project Manager. Frank was project manager for a traffic impact study for the Green Hotel Apartments project, located at 71 South Raymond Ave/86 South Fair Oaks Avenue in the City of Pasadena. The project included a 64-unit apartment complex and 7,999 square feet of retail space. The study included intersection capacity analysis for six intersections, street segment analysis for three street segments, a transit service review, and a bicycle/pedestrian facilities review. KOA developed project trip generation rates and trip distribution for the project and for nearby cumulative projects. KOA calculated the cumulative project trip generation rates and trip distributions through the study intersections and street segments. Peak period intersection turning movement counts and 24-hour (ADT) counts were collected for the study.
KOA conducted a field review to collect information regarding the project site, neighborhood streets, study intersection controls and geometrics, pedestrian facilities, transit facilities, and bicycle facilities. KOA completed intersection capacity analyses for all study intersections and street segment analysis for all study street segments to determine whether the intersections and segments meet the City’s thresholds of significant project impacts.
RESUMES
JONATHAN LOUIE, PE
PROJECT MANAGER
Jonathan Louie has 26 years of traffic engineering and transportation planning experience involving traffic impact assessments, site access and circulation design, parking layout design, public transport strategy, transit-oriented developments, neighborhood circulation, pedestrianization, trip generation monitoring, and transportation demand management (TDM) programs. His experience also includes development and application of a wide range of microscopic and macroscopic traffic simulation models as well as travel demand forecasting models. Additionally, Jonanthan has been the technical lead on projects requiring broad, multi-disciplinary knowledge of engineering, planning and public relations.
He has provided support to environmental assessment, site plan approval, land use zoning and rezoning, and special-purpose districts, and is experienced in working with multi-disciplinary consultant teams.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Traffic Study and Concept Plans for Phase II Rail-Road Grade Separation Project, Alameda Corridor-East (ACE), CA
Traffic Engineer. Responsible for preparation of a study to prioritize and determine the feasibility of railroad-highway grade separations at 33 locations. The scope of work included a motor vehicle traffic and train movement forecasts; traffic delay analysis using a comprehensive delay methodology that accounted for traffic signal pre-emption, including grade crossing queuing analyses; a California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) grade separation priority list ranking of the crossings; developing grade separation concept plans and preliminary cost estimates; preparing conceptual roadway layout plans; providing concept railroad track and shoofly plans; evaluation of all parcels of land, preparing utility relocation plans and identification of property to be acquired; and determining appropriate detour plans.
Environmental Impact Report for Moorpark Civic Center, Moorpark, CA Project Manager. Responsible for preparation of a traffic and parking impact study in support of an EIR for the City of Moorpark’s new Civic Center Campus project.
The Campus would provide permanent facilities for City staff, meetings of elected and appointed councils and commissions, and community needs including expansion of existing library facilities and public indoor/outdoor spaces. Future short-term (project build out year) and long-term (City’s General Plan build out) traffic scenarios were evaluated. The study also analyzed project parking impacts, and site access and circulation in order to ensure that the project would not create adverse impacts in the public right-of-way.
EDUCATION
MS, Civil Engineering
(Transportation), University of
California, Irvine, CA
BS, Civil Engineering
(Transportation & Structure),
University of California, Irvine, CA
REGISTRATIONS
Professional Engineer (Traffic),
CA #2415
PROFESSIONAL
AFFILIATIONS
Institute of Transportation
Engineers
JONATHAN LOUIE, PE, PAGE 2
Traffic Study for Santa Monica Boulevard-Walgreens, West Hollywood, CA Project Manager. Responsible for preparation of traffic impact study for this mixed-use commercial-residential project for inclusion into an Environmental Impact Report. The scope of work includes analysis of potential traffic, pedestrian and parking impacts. Roadway capacity enhancements adjacent to the site were recommended in order to mitigate project traffic impacts.
Traffic Impact Study for 661 Redondo Beach Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA Project Manager. Responsible for preparation of a traffic impact analysis for a mixed-use project that consists of 85,008 square feet of specialty retail use and 2,400 square feet of office space. A total of 14 study intersections were analyzed.
The traffic study also evaluated site access options, including providing separate inbound and outbound driveways in order to provide safer vehicular access for the project. A new traffic signal was also recommended for the site-adjacent intersection, which would enhance site access.
Traffic Impact Study for Hacienda Fairgrove Shopping Center Project, La Puente, CA Project Manager. Responsible for preparation of traffic impact study for this 116,950 square-foot shopping center project.
The study included an evaluation of site access and circulation and a discussion of construction traffic impacts.
Modifications to the internal drive aisles such as reconfiguring the fast-food drive-thru lane to increase queue length was recommended. A comprehensive set of mitigation measures including roadway capacity enhancements at two intersections and implementation of potential neighborhood traffic management measures was also recommended.
Traffic Impact Study for El Sereno Charter School/Residential/Café Mixed-Use Project, Los Angeles, CA Project Manager. Responsible for preparation of a traffic impact study for a proposed integrated campus that consist of a 530- student charter school (K-5), 20 multi-family residential units and a 2,320 square-foot community café. The residential component is envisioned to be used as on-site housing for families of the students and offered on a priority market-rate basis to the school teachers. The café would serve as an amenity for the school as well as the local community. Trip generation discounts were applied to take into account the interaction and types of proposed land uses. The study evaluated project traffic impacts at six study intersections as well as vehicular and pedestrian access and circulation. It was determined that a new crosswalk located near the school driveway would provide improved pedestrian linkage between the project site and the residential community located west of the site. In addition, the study recommended that the start and end times of the school period be staggered among the lower and upper grades in order to reduce vehicular queuing during the peak pick-up and drop-off periods.
Saint John’s Health Center Emergency Room Access Traffic Study, Santa Monica, CA Project Manager. Responsible for preparation of a traffic study for the new emergency room driveway operations as required in the Development Agreement between Saint John’s Health Center and the City of Santa Monica.
Roadway/junction traffic counts, speed data counts and accident history data were evaluated to access traffic conditions before and after emergency room driveway operations. The traffic study results were presented to the public in a neighborhood workshop. Based on public and City input, traffic control measures were developed to address neighborhood traffic impacts.
RESUMES
ARMIN JORGENSON, AICP
PLANNER
Armin Jorgenson is a motivated Planner at KOA with an emphasis in active transportation, public policy, and spatial analysis. In this role, Armin analyzes traffic and VMT impacts, performs GIS analysis, assists with stakeholder outreach, and makes recommendations for transportation design elements. He has supported the cities of Twentynine Palms and Palm Desert with their Caltrans ATP applications and the City of Huntington Beach with their Local Roadway Safety Plan. Before coming to KOA, Armin held roles at the City of Temecula, the Center for Sustainable Energy, and Omnitrans. In these roles, he produced maps, performed asset management, wrote grant applications, and made design recommendations for infrastructure projects. Armin is committed to creating a future where sustainable transportation options are not only available, but preferable.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Walnut Mixed-Use Traffic Impact Analysis, Walnut, CA
Project Planner. Armin developed trip generation estimates, researched related projects, and evaluated impacts to Level-of-Service at study intersections, and analyzed Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) impacts based on land use and socioeconomic data changes, utilizing procedures found in traffic study guidelines for the City of Walnut, the County of Los Angeles, and the City of Industry. 1345 Montebello Boulevard Apartments, Montebello, CA
Project Planner. Armin developed trip generation estimates, researched related projects and developed trip distributions for them, and evaluated impacts to Level-of-Service at study intersections, and performed a VMT screening assessment, based on the Montebello Transportation Study Guidelines for Vehicle Miles Traveled and Level of Service Assessment.
Residential Development at 1240 Holt Boulevard, Ontario, CA Project Planner. Armin prepared a VMT screening assessment based on Project information and thresholds found in VMT Guidelines adopted by the Ontario City Council. Upon evaluating several screening criteria, Armin found that the Project would not require a full VMT analysis, thus accelerating the Project timeline.
SCAG Buena Park Comprehensive ATP, Buena Park, CA
Project Planner. Armin was the project associate planner for this project where the City of Buena Park is working on its first city-wide Active Transportation Plan (ATP).
Through funding provided by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), the City will develop an ATP that creates an enjoyable and comfortable walking and biking experience for all traveling throughout Buena Park. The ATP will evaluate current bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and identify future improvement projects based on feedback from the community.
EDUCATION
MUP, Mobility and
Transportation Planning, Price
School of Public Policy,
University of Southern California,
Los Angeles, CA
BA, Urban Studies and Planning/
BS, Environmental Chemistry,
Revelle College, University of
California, San Diego, CA
REGISTRATIONS
American Institute of Certified
Planners (AICP), #35558
ARMIN JORGENSON, AICP, PAGE 2
City of Carson, Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP), Carson, CA Project Planner. Armin evaluated HSIP funding eligibility for projects, built a GIS network of existing infrastructure, geocoded collision data from TIMS and SWITRS databases, and created concept diagrams of proposed countermeasures.
For this LRSP, KOA's effort included the following elements: Demonstration of our in-house GIS specialists to quickly analyze complex Crossroads/SWITRS/TIMS data queries; a preliminary analysis of the City’s collision history data over the last five years, such as identification of critical “hot spots”, including those at intersections and roadways, as well as evaluating collision data trends; KOA’s well-established stakeholder engagement program, which is a key component of the LRSP program compared to previous SSAR programs; a detailed implementation plan and reporting system to execute the City’s LRSP as a “living document”, so that it can evolve with local plans and policies and achieve success on future HSIP calls-for-projects.
Apple Valley Highway 18 Access Plan, Apple Valley, CA
Project Planner. Armin was the project associate planner on this project. The Highway 18 Access Plan corridor runs along California State Route 18 between Apple Valley Road and Bass Hill Road. This project includes the highway frontage roads, the sidewalks that run parallel to the highway, and the adjacent roadways and parcels that are accessed from Highway 18.
As the lead consultant on the project, KOA will develop a network of safety improvements that will transform Highway 18 into a Complete Street that is safe and comfortable for all to access while walking, biking and taking transit. The Plan will be informed by recommendations from community members, with extensive outreach to be conducted through pop-ups at existing Town events, interviews with local business owners, and intercept surveys with members of the public at popular gathering places along the corridor.
City of Huntington Beach, Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP), Huntington Beach, CA Project Planner. KOA has recently completed a Local Roadway Safety Plan for the City of Huntington Beach. The project includes the review of local, state, and federal guidelines, leading stakeholder engagement with agency and community organizations. KOA also completed a full collision history assessment and hot-spot analysis, and developed countermeasures to address specific collision types, including active transportation improvements on the City’s arterial network. KOA also developed a “top 10” list of recommendations, including an implementation and strategic funding plan consolidated into the final LRSP document. Since Plan completion, KOA prepared a winning HSIP grant application on one of the Plan’s priority projects, which included the installation of bicycle, crosswalk and signal improvements along Heil Avenue and Edinger Avenue. Armin analyzed citywide collision data, recommended countermeasures, evaluated HSIP funding eligibility for projects, prepared maps and diagrams, and drafted the final document.
EXHIBIT C
INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
Without limiting Consultant’s indemnification of the City, and prior to commencement of Services, Consultant shall obtain, provide, and maintain at its own expense during the term of this Agreement, policies of insurance of the type and amounts described below and in a form satisfactory to the City. If Consultant maintains higher limits than the minimum limits shown below, the City requires and shall be entitled to coverage for the higher limits maintained by the Consultant. Any available insurance proceeds in excess of the specified minimum limits of insurance and coverage shall be available to the City.
General liability insurance. Consultant shall maintain commercial general liability insurance with coverage at least as broad as Insurance Services Office form CG 00 01, in an amount not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence, $2,000,000 general aggregate, for bodily injury, personal injury, and property damage. The policy must include contractual liability that has not been amended. Any endorsement restricting standard ISO “insured contract” language will not be accepted.
Automobile liability insurance. Consultant shall maintain automobile insurance at least as broad as Insurance Services Office form CA 00 01 covering bodily injury and property damage for all activities of the Consultant arising out of or in connection with Services to be performed under this Agreement, including coverage for any owned, hired, non-owned or rented vehicles, in an amount not less than $1,000,000 combined single limit for each accident.
Professional liability (errors & omissions) insurance. Consultant shall maintain professional liability insurance that covers the Services to be performed in connection with this Agreement, in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 per claim and in the aggregate. Any policy inception date, continuity date, or retroactive date must be before the effective date of this Agreement and Consultant agrees to maintain continuous coverage through a period no less than three (3) years after completion of the services required by this Agreement.
Workers’ compensation insurance. Consultant shall maintain Workers’ Compensation Insurance (Statutory Limits) and Employer’s Liability Insurance (with limits of at least $1,000,000 per accident for bodily injury or disease).
Consultant shall submit to the City, along with the certificate of insurance, a Waiver of Subrogation endorsement in favor of the City, its officers, agents, employees, and volunteers.
Other provisions or requirements
Proof of insurance. Consultant shall provide certificates of insurance to the City as evidence of the insurance coverage required herein, along with a waiver of subrogation endorsement for workers’ compensation. Insurance certificates and endorsements must be approved by the City’s Risk Manager prior to commencement of performance. Current certification of insurance shall be kept on file with the City at all times during the term of this Agreement. The City reserves the right to require complete, certified copies of all required insurance policies at any time.
Duration of coverage. Consultant shall procure and maintain for the duration of the Agreement insurance against claims for injuries to persons or damages to property, which may arise from or in connection with the performance of the Services hereunder by Consultant, or Consultant’s agents, representatives, employees or subconsultants.
Primary/noncontributing. Coverage provided by Consultant shall be primary and any insurance or self-insurance procured or maintained by the City shall not be required to contribute with it. The limits of insurance required herein may be satisfied by a combination of primary and umbrella or excess insurance. Any umbrella or excess insurance shall contain or be endorsed to contain a provision that such coverage shall also apply on a primary and non-contributory basis for the benefit of the City before the City’s own insurance or self-insurance shall be called upon to protect it as a named insured.
The City’s rights of enforcement. In the event any policy of insurance required under this Agreement does not comply with these specifications or is canceled and not replaced, the City has the right but not the duty to obtain the insurance it deems necessary and any premium paid by the City will be promptly reimbursed by Consultant or the City will withhold amounts sufficient to pay premium from Consultant payments. In the alternative, the City may immediately terminate this Agreement.
Acceptable insurers. All insurance policies shall be issued by an insurance company currently authorized by the Insurance Commissioner to transact business of insurance or is on the List of Approved Surplus Line Insurers in the State of California, with an assigned policyholders’ Rating of A- (or higher) and Financial Size Category Class VI (or larger) in accordance with the latest edition of Best’s Key Rating Guide, unless otherwise approved by the City’s Risk Manager.
Waiver of subrogation. All insurance coverage maintained or procured pursuant to this Agreement shall be endorsed to waive subrogation against the City, its elected or appointed officers, agents, officials, employees and volunteers or shall specifically allow Consultant or others providing insurance evidence in compliance with these specifications to waive their right of recovery prior to a loss. Consultant hereby waives its own right of recovery against the City, and shall require similar written express waivers and insurance clauses from each of its subconsultants.
Enforcement of Agreement provisions (non estoppel). Consultant acknowledges and agrees that any actual or alleged failure on the part of the City to inform Consultant of non-compliance with any requirement imposes no additional obligations on the City nor does it waive any rights hereunder.
Requirements not limiting. Requirements of specific coverage features or limits contained in this Agreement are not intended as a limitation on coverage, limits or other requirements, or a waiver of any coverage normally provided by any insurance. Specific reference to a given coverage feature is for purposes of clarification only as it pertains to a given issue and is not intended by any party or insured to be all inclusive, or to the exclusion of other coverage, or a waiver of any type.
Notice of cancellation. Consultant agrees to oblige its insurance agent or broker and insurers to provide to the City with a thirty (30) day notice of cancellation (except for nonpayment for which a ten (10) day notice is required) or nonrenewal of coverage for each required coverage.
Additional insured status. General liability policies shall provide or be endorsed to provide that the City and its officers, officials, employees, agents, and volunteers shall be additional insureds under such policies. This provision shall also apply to any excess/umbrella liability policies.
Prohibition of undisclosed coverage limitations. None of the coverages required herein will be in compliance with these requirements if they include any limiting endorsement of any kind that has not been first submitted to the City and approved of in writing.
Separation of insureds. A severability of interests provision must apply for all additional insureds ensuring that Consultant’s insurance shall apply separately to each insured against whom claim is made or suit is brought, except with respect to the insurer’s limits of liability. The policy(ies) shall not contain any cross-liability exclusions.
Pass through clause. Consultant agrees to ensure that its subconsultants, subcontractors, and any other party involved with the Services who is brought onto or involved in the Services by Consultant, provide the same minimum insurance coverage and endorsements required of Consultant. Consultant agrees to monitor and review all such coverage and assumes all responsibility for ensuring that such coverage is provided in conformity with the requirements of this section. Consultant agrees that upon request, all agreements with consultants, subconsultants, and others engaged in the Services will be submitted to the City for review.
The City’s right to revise specifications. The City reserves the right at any time during the term of the Agreement to change the amounts and types of insurance required by giving Consultant ninety (90) days advance written notice of such change. If such change results in substantial additional cost to Consultant, City and Consultant may renegotiate Consultant’s compensation or come to some other agreement to address the additional cost.
Self-insured retentions. Any self-insured retentions must be declared to and approved by the City. The City reserves the right to require that self-insured retentions be eliminated, lowered, or replaced by a deductible. Self-insurance will not be considered to comply with these specifications unless approved by the City.
Timely notice of claims. Consultant shall give the City prompt and timely notice of claims made or suits instituted that arise out of or result from Consultant’s performance under this Agreement, and that involve or may involve coverage under any of the required liability policies.
Additional insurance. Consultant shall also procure and maintain, at its own cost and expense, any additional kinds of insurance, which in its own judgment may be necessary for its proper protection and prosecution of the Services.
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT – MEETING OF AUGUST 22, 2024 On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services – Award of Contract
Attachment B: Professional Services Agreement for EcoTierra REV052024 Page 1 of 16 EcoTierra Consulting, Inc.
CITY OF SANTA FE SPRINGS
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
WITH
ECOTIERRA CONSULTING, INC.
This Professional Services Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and effective as of August 20, 2024 (“Effective Date”), by and between the City of Santa Fe Springs, a California municipal corporation, (“City”) and EcoTierra Consulting, Inc., a California corporation (“Consultant”). In consideration of the mutual covenants and conditions set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:
1. TERM
This Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall remain and continue in effect for a term of three years, unless sooner terminated pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement. The term of this Agreement may be renewed for one (1) additional twoyear period upon mutual written agreement by both parties.
2. SERVICES
Consultant shall perform the services described and set forth in the City’s Request for Proposals, attached hereto as Exhibit A, and Consultant’s Proposal, attached hereto as Exhibit B, both incorporated herein as though set forth in full (“Services”) in accordance with Task Orders agreed to by both parties. To the extent that Exhibit B contains provisions inconsistent with this Agreement and/or Exhibit A, the provisions of this Agreement and Exhibit A shall govern. The Task Orders shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
3. PERFORMANCE
Consultant shall at all times faithfully, competently and to the best of Consultant’s ability, experience, and talent, perform all tasks described herein. Consultant shall employ, at a minimum, generally accepted standards and practices utilized by persons engaged in providing similar services as are required of Consultant under this Agreement.
4. CITY MANAGEMENT
The Community Development Director or designee shall represent the City in all matters pertaining to the administration of this Agreement, including review and approval of all products submitted by Consultant.
5. PAYMENT
A. City agrees to pay Consultant in accordance with the payment rates and terms as set forth in Exhibit B based upon the performance of the task orders.
REV052024 Page 2 of 16 EcoTierra Consulting, Inc.
B. Consultant shall not be compensated for any services rendered in connection with its performance of this Agreement which are in addition to those set forth herein, unless such additional services are authorized in advance and in writing by the Community Development Director or designee. Consultant shall be compensated for any additional services in the amounts and in the manner as agreed to in writing by the City and Consultant at the time the City’s written authorization is given to Consultant for the performance of said services.
C. Consultant will submit invoices for actual Services performed. Consultant agrees to participate in the City’s Electronic Funds Transfer program and to receive electronic payments for the Services. Payment shall be made within thirty (30) days of receipt of each invoice as to all non-disputed fees. If the City disputes any of Consultant's Services or fees, it shall give written notice to Consultant within thirty (30) days of receipt of an invoice of any disputed fees set forth on the invoice. Any final payment under this Agreement shall be made within forty-five (45) days of receipt of an invoice therefor.
6. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT WITHOUT CAUSE
A. The City may at any time, for any reason, without cause, suspend or terminate this Agreement, or any portion hereof, by serving upon Consultant at least ten (10) days’ prior written notice. Upon receipt of said notice, Consultant shall immediately cease all Services under this Agreement, unless the notice provides otherwise. If the City suspends or terminates a portion of this Agreement, such suspension or termination shall not make void or invalidate the remainder of this Agreement.
B. In the event this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this section, the City shall pay to Consultant the actual value of the Services performed up to the time of termination, unless the City disputes any of the Services performed or fees. Upon termination of the Agreement pursuant to this section, Consultant will submit an invoice to the City pursuant to Section 5.
7. DEFAULT OF CONSULTANT
If the City determines that Consultant is in default in the performance of any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement, the City shall serve Consultant a written notice of the default. Consultant shall have seven (7) days after service of said notice to cure the default. In the event that Consultant fails to cure the default within such period of time or fails to present the City with a written plan for the diligent cure of default if such default cannot be cured within seven days, the City shall have the right, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to terminate this Agreement without further notice and without prejudice to any other remedy to which it may be entitled at law, in equity or under this Agreement. Consultant shall be responsible for costs incurred by the City due to Consultant’s failure to comply with this section. The City shall have the right to offset against the amount of any fees due to Consultant any costs incurred by the City as a result of Consultant’s default.
REV052024 Page 3 of 16 EcoTierra Consulting, Inc.
8. OWNERSHIP OF DOCUMENTS
A. Consultant shall maintain complete and accurate records with respect to tasks, costs, expenses, receipts, and other such information required by the City that relate to the performance of Services under this Agreement. Consultant shall maintain adequate records of Services provided in sufficient detail to permit an evaluation of Services. All such records shall be maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and shall be clearly identified and readily accessible. Consultant shall provide free access to the representatives of the City or its designees at reasonable times to such books and records; shall give the City the right to examine and audit said books and records; shall permit the City to make transcripts or copies therefrom as necessary; and shall allow inspection of all Services, data, documents, proceedings, and activities related to this Agreement. Such records, together with supporting documents, shall be maintained for a period of three (3) years after receipt of final payment.
B. Upon completion of, or in the event of termination or suspension of this Agreement, all original documents, designs, drawings, maps, models, computer files, surveys, notes, and other documents prepared in the course of providing the Services shall become the sole property of the City and may be used, reused, or otherwise disposed of by the City without the permission of Consultant. With respect to computer files, Consultant shall make available to the City, at the Consultant's office and upon reasonable written request by the City, the necessary computer software and hardware for purposes of accessing, compiling, transferring, copying and/or printing computer files. Consultant hereby grants to the City all right, title, and interest, including any copyright, in and to the documents, designs, drawings, maps, models, computer files, surveys, notes, and other documents prepared by Consultant in the course of providing the Services under this Agreement.
9. INDEMNIFICATION AND DEFENSE
A. Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Consultant shall indemnify and hold harmless the City and any and all of its officials, employees, agents, and/or volunteers (“Indemnified Parties”), from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, suits, losses, liabilities, damages, costs, and expenses, including attorney’s fees and costs, arising out of or in any way connected with the performance of Consultant, its officers, agents, employees, and/or subconsultants (or any agency or individual that Consultant shall bear the legal liability thereof) under this Agreement, including all acts or omissions, willful misconduct, or negligent conduct, whether active or passive, on the part of Consultant, its officers, agents, employees, and/or subconsultants. Consultant’s duty to indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnified Parties shall not extend to the sole negligence or willful misconduct of the Indemnified Parties.
B. Duty to Defend. In the event the Indemnified Parties, individually or collectively, are made a party to any claim, action, lawsuit, or other adversarial proceeding REV052024 Page 4 of 16 EcoTierra Consulting, Inc.
arising or alleged to arise out of or is in any way connected with the performance of Consultant’s services under this Agreement, and upon demand by the City, Consultant shall immediately defend the Indemnified Parties at Consultant’s cost or at the City’s option to reimburse the City for its costs of defense, including reasonable attorney’s fees and costs incurred in the defense of such matters, regardless of whether or not Consultant, its officers, agents, employees, and/or subconsultants are specifically named or otherwise asserted to be liable, and regardless of whether or not there is any evidence of finding of fault or wrongdoing by Consultant, its officers, agents, employees and/or subconsultants. Payment by the City is not a condition precedent to enforcement of this provision.
C. In the event of any dispute between Consultant and the City as to whether liability arises from the sole negligence or willful misconduct of the City or its officials, employees, agents, and/or volunteers, Consultant will be obligated to pay for the City’s defense until such time as a final judgment has been entered adjudicating the Indemnified Parties as solely negligent or to have acted with willful misconduct.
Consultant will not be entitled in the absence of such a determination to any reimbursement of defense costs, including but not limited to attorney’s fees, expert fees, and costs of litigation.
10. INSURANCE
Consultant shall maintain prior to the beginning of and for the duration of this Agreement insurance coverage as specified in Exhibit C attached hereto and made a part of this Agreement.
11. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
A. Consultant is and shall at all times remain as to the City a wholly independent consultant and/or independent contractor. The personnel performing the services under this Agreement on behalf of Consultant shall at all times be under Consultant's exclusive direction and control. Neither the City nor any of its officers, employees, or agents shall have control over the conduct of Consultant or any of Consultant's officers, employees, or agents, except as set forth in this Agreement.
Consultant shall not at any time or in any manner represent that Consultant or any of Consultant’s officers, employees, or agents are in any manner officers, employees, or agents of the City. Consultant shall not incur or have the power to incur any debt, obligation, or liability whatever against the City, or bind the City in any manner.
B. No employee benefits shall be available to Consultant in connection with the performance of this Agreement. Except for the fees paid to Consultant as provided in the Agreement, the City shall not pay salaries, wages, or other compensation to Consultant for performing services hereunder for the City. The City shall not be liable for compensation or indemnification to Consultant for injury or sickness arising out of performing services hereunder. Consultant shall secure, at its sole expense, and be responsible for any and all payment of Income Tax, Social REV052024 Page 5 of 16 EcoTierra Consulting, Inc.
Security, State Disability Insurance Compensation, Unemployment Compensation, and other payroll deductions for Consultant and its officers, agents, and employees, and all business licenses, if any are required, in connection with the services to be performed hereunder. Consultant shall indemnify and hold the City harmless from any and all taxes, assessments, penalties, and interest asserted against the City by reason of the independent contractor relationship created by this Agreement. Consultant further agrees to indemnify and hold the City harmless from any failure of Consultant to comply with the applicable worker’s compensation laws. The City shall have the right to offset against the amount of any fees due to Consultant under this Agreement as a result of Consultant’s failure to promptly pay to the City any reimbursement or indemnification arising under this paragraph.
C. In the event that Consultant or any employee, agent, or subconsultant of Consultant providing Services under this Agreement claims or is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction or the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) to be eligible for enrollment in CalPERS as an employee of the City, Consultant shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the City for the payment of any employee and/or employer contributions for CalPERS benefits on behalf of Consultant or its employees, agents, or subconsultants, as well as for the payment of any penalties and interest on such contributions, which would otherwise be the responsibility of the City.
D. Notwithstanding any other agency, state or federal policy, rule, regulation, law or ordinance to the contrary, Consultant and any of its employees, agents, and subconsultants providing service under this Agreement shall not qualify for or become entitled to, and hereby agree to waive any claims to, any compensation, benefit, or any incident of employment by the City, including but not limited to eligibility to enroll in CalPERS as an employee of the City and entitlement to any contribution to be paid by City for employer contribution and/or employee contributions for CalPERS benefits.
12. LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Consultant shall keep itself informed of State and Federal laws and regulations which in any manner affect those employed by it or in any way affect the performance of Services pursuant to this Agreement. Consultant shall at all times observe and comply with all such laws and regulations. The City and its officials, officers, employees, and agents, shall not be liable at law or in equity occasioned by failure of Consultant to comply with this Section.
13. UNDUE INFLUENCE
Consultant declares and warrants that no undue influence or pressure was used against or in concert with any officer or employee of the City in connection with the award, terms or implementation of this Agreement, including any method of coercion, confidential financial arrangement, or financial inducement. No officer or employee of the City has or REV052024 Page 6 of 16 EcoTierra Consulting, Inc.
will receive compensation, directly or indirectly, from Consultant, or from any officer, employee or agent of Consultant, in connection with this Agreement or any Services to be conducted as a result of this Agreement. Violation of this section shall be a material breach of this Agreement entitling the City to any and all remedies at law or in equity.
14. NO BENEFIT TO ARISE TO CITY EMPLOYEES
No member, officer, or employee of the City, or their designees or agents, and no public official who exercises authority over or responsibilities with respect to the Services during his/her tenure or for one year thereafter, shall have any interest, direct or indirect, in any Agreement or sub-agreement, or the proceeds thereof, for Services to be performed under this Agreement.
15. RELEASE OF INFORMATION/CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
A. All information gained by Consultant in performance of this Agreement shall be considered confidential and shall not be released by Consultant without the City's prior written authorization, unless the information is clearly public. Consultant, its officers, employees, agents, or subconsultants, shall not without written authorization from the City Manager or designee, or unless requested by the City’s attorney, voluntarily provide declarations, letters of support, testimony at depositions, response to interrogatories, or other information concerning the Services performed under this Agreement or relating to the City. Response to a subpoena or court order shall not be considered “voluntary” provided Consultant gives the City notice of such court order or subpoena.
B. Consultant shall promptly notify the City should Consultant, its officers, employees, agents, and/or subconsultants be served with any summons, complaint, notice of deposition, request for documents, interrogatories, request for admissions, or other discovery request (“Discovery”), court order, or subpoena from any person or party regarding this Agreement and the Services performed hereunder or with respect to any project or property located within the City, unless the City is a party to any lawsuit, arbitration, or administrative proceeding connected to such Discovery, or unless Consultant is prohibited by law from informing the City of such Discovery. The City retains the right, but has no obligation, to represent Consultant and/or be present at any deposition, hearing, or similar proceeding as allowed by law. Unless the City is a party to the lawsuit, arbitration, or administrative proceeding and is adverse to Consultant in such proceeding, Consultant agrees to cooperate fully with the City and to provide the opportunity to review any response to discovery requests provided by Consultant.
However, the City's right to review any such response does not imply or mean the right by the City to control, direct, or rewrite said response, or that the City has an obligation to review any such response or verifies any response it has reviewed.
REV052024 Page 7 of 16 EcoTierra Consulting, Inc.
16. NOTICES
Any notices which either party may desire to give to the other party under this Agreement must be in writing and may be given either by (i) personal service, (ii) delivery by a reputable document delivery service, such as but not limited to, Federal Express, which provides a receipt showing date and time of delivery, or (iii) mail by the United States Postal Service, certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, addressed to the address of the party as set forth below or at any other address as that party may later designate by notice:
To the City: City of Santa Fe Springs
11710 E. Telegraph Road
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
Attention: Community Development Director
To Consultant: EcoTierra Consulting, Inc.
5776-D Lindero Canyon Road #414
Westlake Village, CA 91362
Attention: Curtis Zacuto
17. ASSIGNMENT
Consultant shall not assign the performance of this Agreement, nor any part thereof, nor any monies due hereunder, without prior written consent of the City. Before retaining or contracting with any subconsultant for any services under this Agreement, Consultant shall provide the City with the identity of the proposed subconsultant, a copy of the proposed written contract between Consultant and such subconsultant which shall include and indemnity provision similar to the one provided herein and identifying the City as an indemnified party, or an incorporation of the indemnity provision provided herein, and proof that such proposed subconsultant carries insurance at least equal to that required by this Agreement or obtain a written waiver from the City for such insurance.
18. LICENSES
At all times during the term of this Agreement, Consultant shall have in full force and effect all licenses required of it by law for the performance of the Services described in this Agreement.
19. GOVERNING LAW
The City and Consultant understand and agree that the laws of the State of California shall govern the rights, obligations, duties, and liabilities of the parties to this Agreement and also govern the interpretation of this Agreement. Any litigation concerning this Agreement shall take place in the municipal, superior, or federal district court with jurisdiction over the City.
REV052024 Page 8 of 16 EcoTierra Consulting, Inc.
20. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties relating to the obligations of the parties described in this Agreement. All prior or contemporaneous agreements, understandings, representations, and statements, oral or written and pertaining to the subject of this Agreement or with respect to the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be of no further force or effect. Each party is entering into this Agreement based solely upon the representations set forth herein and upon each party’s own independent investigation of any and all facts such party deems material.
21. AMENDMENTS
Any amendments to this Agreement must be in writing and executed by the parties hereto, or their respective successors and assigns, in order to be valid.
22. NON-EXCLUSIVE AGREEMENT
Consultant acknowledges that the City may enter into agreements with other consultants for services similar to the services that are subject to this Agreement or may have its own employees perform services similar to those services contemplated by this Agreement.
23. ATTORNEYS’ FEES
In the event that litigation is brought by any party in connection with this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover from the opposing party all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by the prevailing party in the exercise of any of its rights or remedies hereunder or the enforcement of any of the terms, conditions, or provisions hereof.
24. CONSTRUCTION
The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises with respect to this Agreement, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and in accordance with its fair meaning. There shall be no presumption or burden of proof favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
25. WAIVER
The delay or failure of any party at any time to require performance or compliance by the other of any of its obligations or agreements shall in no way be deemed a waiver of those rights to require such performance or compliance. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by a duly authorized representative of the party against whom enforcement of a waiver is sought. The waiver of any right or remedy in respect to any occurrence or event shall not be deemed a waiver of any right or remedy in respect to any other occurrence or event, nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
REV052024 Page 9 of 16 EcoTierra Consulting, Inc.
26. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Agreement is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable in any circumstance, such determination shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions hereof or of the offending provision in any other circumstance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the value of this Agreement, based upon the substantial benefit of the bargain for any party, is materially impaired, which determination made by the presiding court or arbitrator of competent jurisdiction shall be binding, then both parties agree to substitute such provision(s) through good faith negotiations.
27. COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original. All counterparts shall be construed together and shall constitute one agreement.
28. AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE THIS AGREEMENT
The persons executing this Agreement on behalf of the parties warrant and represents that they have the authority to execute this Agreement on behalf of said parties and has the authority to bind the parties to the provisions of this Agreement.
29. ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES
The parties acknowledge and agree that execution of this Agreement by electronic signature or electronic transmittal of signatures shall have the same effect as handwritten signatures for the purposes of validity, enforceability, and admissibility.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed the day and year first above written.
[If Consultant is a corporation, two signatures are required: Signature 1 – the Chairperson of the Board, the President, or any Vice President; Signature 2 – the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, the Chief Financial Officer, or any Assistant Treasurer (Corp. Code § 313).]
CITY OF SANTA FE SPRINGS CONSULTANT
____________________________ ____________________________ Jay Sarno, Mayor Name: Curtis Zacuto, Principal
Date: ______________________ Date: _______________________ REV052024 Page 10 of 16 EcoTierra Consulting, Inc.
ATTEST: CONSULTANT
_____________________________ ____________________________ Fernando Muñoz, Deputy City Clerk Craig Fajnor,Secretary/Treasurer Date: _______________________
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________
Ivy M. Tsai, City Attorney
Attachments: Exhibit A City’s Request for Proposals
Exhibit B Consultant’s Proposal
Exhibit C Insurance Requirements
EXHIBIT A
CITY’S REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Issued: March 12, 2024
Due: April 16, 2024
ON-CALL PROFESSIONAL
ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSULTING SERVICES
REQUEST
FOR
QUALIFICATIONS
City of Santa Fe Springs
Planning and Development Department
Attn: Cuong Nguyen, Assistant Director
1 RFQ
On-Call Environmental Consulting Services
Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................2 About the City ...............................................................................................................................................2 Project Description........................................................................................................................................2 Scope of Services ..........................................................................................................................................2 Proposal Format............................................................................................................................................4 Submittal Schedule and Instructions............................................................................................................5 RFQ Inquiries.................................................................................................................................................6 Selection Criteria and Evaluation Process.....................................................................................................7 Professional Services Agreement..................................................................................................................7 Public Records...............................................................................................................................................7 2 RFQ
On-Call Environmental Consulting Services
Introduction
The City of Santa Fe Springs Planning Department is seeking statements of qualifications from professional environmental consulting firms in order to contract for on-call environmental consulting services on an as-needed basis. The City plans to retain a limited number of firms for a contract term of three (3) years with up to one additional two-year extension.
All questions or contacts regarding this RFQ must be directed to Cuong Nguyen, Acting Director of Planning & Development, at [email protected].
About the City
Incorporated in 1957, Santa Fe Springs is approximately nine square miles and located in Los Angeles County. Santa Fe Springs is surrounded by the cities of Downey, Norwalk, La Mirada, Whittier and Pico Rivera. It is served by the 5 and 605 Freeways and Telegraph Road is the City’s main thoroughfare. Per the California Department of Finance Demographic Research Unit, the City’s 2020 population consists of 18,295 residents and 5,514 housing units.
Santa Fe Springs is a largely built-out community and is mostly zoned for industrial uses.
Currently, there is zoned 3,161 acres industrial, 560 acres residential, 458 acres commercial, 147 acres mixed use, 113 acres public facilities, and 92 acres designated as parks and open space.
The vast majority of the City is designated as a disadvantaged community by the California Environmental Protection Agency.
Project Description
The City of Santa Fe Springs intends to select a limited number of qualified firms who will be called upon to provide technical assistance in preparing initial studies and environmental assessments, and peer review of applicants’ environmental documents. All services shall be performed on an as-needed, project-by-project basis pursuant to a request from the City, with no guarantee that any minimum number of services will be requested. The initial contract term under this RFQ shall be three (3) years. Upon mutual agreement of the parties, the contract may be extended for two (2) years up to one (1) time, for a total of five (5) years.
Scope of Services
The selected firms will have the technical expertise and experience to be able to provide the full array of services typically involved in preparation of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documents, which may include Environmental Impact Reports, Initial Studies/Negative or Mitigated Negative Declarations, Addenda, and Notices of Exemption. The work will require familiarity with all aspects of the California Environmental Quality Act, relevant regulatory frameworks of responsible federal, state, and local agencies, and with the City of Santa Fe Springs’ General Plan, Municipal Code, and other relevant planning documents. 3 RFQ
On-Call Environmental Consulting Services
In addition to preparation of the CEQA documents themselves, the firm (or their subconsultants) may be asked to prepare supporting studies or technical analyses, or to peer review applicantprovided studies, in a range of areas, including but not limited to aesthetics, noise, air quality, biological and cultural resource evaluation, traffic/transportation, and geotechnical and hydrological analysis. Depending on the project, the City may also request the inclusion of a specific subconsultant(s) for inclusion on the project team.
The following is the general Scope of Work that is expected under the on-call contract. It is anticipated that a detailed scope of work will be developed for each individual project/work order, in consultation with the selected firm. When consultant services are required, staff will submit a request for services to one or more of the on-call firms, including an outline of the proposed project, and expected scope of services. The firm will then provide a proposed scope of work cost estimate and schedule, upon which basis the City will issue a Notice to Proceed/Work Authorization.
Key tasks associated with environmental review may include, but are not limited to:
• Reviewing project application materials, relevant City policy documents and regulations, related environmental documents, and applicant-prepared technical studies. • Providing input and technical advice on the preferred format, scope, and content of the CEQA document.
• Advising on the processing of CEQA documents.
• Attending in-person meetings and/or conference calls with City staff as needed to coordinate preparation of the CEQA document.
• Maintaining project schedules and budgets.
• Conducting environmental scoping, including preparation and mailing of notices, preparation for and attendance at public scoping meetings, and developing summaries of comments received.
• Completion of supporting technical analyses and/or studies, in a manner suitable for incorporation into the environmental document; and/or peer review of studies prepared by project applicant.
• Developing high quality exhibits and graphics for inclusion in the staff reports or CEQA document.
• Preparing required legal notices at the necessary junctures in the CEQA process and coordinating with City staff on posting/distribution and filing of required notices. • Preparing draft and final environmental documents, including:
o Coordinating review with City staff and any relevant outside agencies. o Coordination with City staff to develop project objectives, alternatives, and mitigation measures.
o Preparing written analysis.
o Coordinating public review of draft documents, including attendance at hearings/meetings to receive comments as needed.
o Compiling, annotating, and preparing responses to comments. 4 RFQ
On-Call Environmental Consulting Services
o Document printing and production, including preparation of electronic versions of public review documents for posting on the City website. • Drafting materials associated with CEQA document certification or adoption, such as preparation of any required Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, Findings of Fact, and Statements of Overriding Considerations, and attending public hearings for adoption as needed.
Proposal Format
Interested firms are to provide the City of Santa Fe Springs with a thorough statement of qualifications including the following sections:
A. Cover Letter. A cover letter, not to exceed three pages in length, should summarize key elements of the statement of qualifications. An individual authorized to bind the firm must sign the letter. The letter must stipulate that the consultant fees and hourly rates will be valid for a period of at least one year. Indicate the address and telephone number of the firm’s office located nearest to Santa Fe Springs and the office from where the oncall services will be managed.
B. Background and Experience. This section should include a brief statement of your understanding of the City and the scope of services to be provided in addition to addressing the following items:
1. Describe the firm’s background, business expertise/experiences, specialties, and capabilities to perform the Scope of Services outlined above.
2. Provide a description of the firm’s local, state and/or regional experience in preparing or reviewing environmental documents.
3. Describe any characteristics of the firm that would be uniquely relevant in evaluating the experience of the firm’s ability to handle various potential environmental projects.
4. Briefly describe the legal challenges your firm’s environmental documents have been subject to and the success rate that the environmental documents prepared by your firm have held up to legal challenges.
5. Provide a description of the methods, including controls by which your firm manages projects of the type sought by this RFQ, and any other project management or implementation strategies or techniques that your firm intend to employ in carrying out the work.
6. Detailed description of efforts your firm will undertake to achieve client satisfaction and to satisfy the requirements of the Scope of Services, including the ability to be timely and responsive.
C. Staffing. Provide a list of individual(s) who would be assigned to work on projects for the City and indicated the functions that each will perform. Include a resume for each designated individual.
Include a brief description of any subconsultants with whom the firm partners and a description of the services those consultants provide (e.g., air quality, transportation, 5 RFQ
On-Call Environmental Consulting Services
etc.). Provide specific examples of projects completed by the firm and subconsultant as a team.
Provide information regarding your firm’s current staffing, current workload, and ability to perform the Scope of Work.
Upon award of a contract, and during the contract period, if the firm chooses to assign different personnel to a project, the firm must submit their names and qualifications including information listed above to the City for approval before they begin work.
D. Qualifications and References. The information requested in this section should describe the qualifications of the firm, key staff and sub-contractors performing projects within the past five years that are similar in size and scope to demonstrate competence to perform these services. Information shall include:
1. Names of key staff that participated in named projects and their specific responsibilities with respect to this scope of services.
2. A summary of your firm’s demonstrated capability, including the length of time that your firm has provided the services requested in this RFQ.
3. Provide at least five local references that received similar services from your firm.
The City of Santa Fe Springs reserves the right to contact any of the organizations or individuals listed. Information provided shall include:
i. Client Name and contact information
ii. Project Description
iii. Project start and end dates
iv. Client project manager name, telephone number, and e-mail address E. Fee Schedule. Provide a complete time and materials fee schedule for all services provided by the firm, including hourly rates for all proposed staff. Please include all costs that are typically billed separately as direct expenses (e.g., copy or document delivery fees). Please include any information on subconsultants typically used for specific services.
Submittal Schedule and Instructions
This Request for Qualifications will be governed by the following schedule:
Release of RFQ March 12, 2024
Deadline for Submitting Questions March 26, 2024
City Responses to Questions April 2, 2024
Qualification Statements Due April 16, 2024
Interview Dates (if needed) May 6-9, 2024
Qualification Evaluation Completed May 14, 2024
Select Qualified Firms June 2024
6 RFQ
On-Call Environmental Consulting Services
Qualifications are due before 5:00 PM on April 16, 2024. This submittal deadline is fixed, and extensions may not be granted. All Qualifications received after the deadline shown will be rejected and will not receive further consideration.
Three (3) hard copies and one (1) electronic file shall be submitted to:
City of Santa Fe Springs
Planning and Development Department
Attn: Cuong Nguyen
11710 Telegraph Road
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
[email protected]
Proposals may be sent by mail or hand-delivered. Proposals must be received at City Hall before the submittal deadline.
The City reserves the right to request clarifications on any aspect of a submittal. The City shall not be liable for any expenses incurred by any proposer in relation to the preparation or submittal of Qualifications. Expenses include, but are not limited to, expenses by proposer in preparing a Qualification or related information in response to this RFQ; negotiations with City on any matter related to this RFP; and costs associated with interviews, meetings, travel, or presentations.
Additionally, City shall not be liable for expenses incurred as a result of City’s rejection of any Qualifications made in response to this RFQ.
RFQ Inquiries
All requests for clarifications, changes, exceptions, deviations to the terms and conditions set forth in this RFP should be submitted in writing to: Cuong Nguyen, Acting Director of Planning and Development, [email protected].
The final day for the receipt of questions shall be before 5:00 PM on March 26, 2024 and will be answered and posted by 5:00 PM on April 2, 2024 to
https://www.santafesprings.org/cityhall/planning/econdev/current_rfps.asp.
To ensure fairness and avoid misunderstandings, all communications must be in written format and addressed only to the individual set forth above. Any verbal communications will not be considered or responded to. Written communications should be submitted via email to the address provided above. All questions received by the due date will be logged and reviewed and, if required, a response will be provided via an addendum to the RFQ. Any communications, whether written or verbal, with the Mayor, any City Councilmember, or City staff, other than the individual indicated above (specific to this Request for Proposals), prior to award of a contract, is strictly prohibited and the proposer shall be disqualified from consideration. 7 RFQ
On-Call Environmental Consulting Services
Selection Criteria and Evaluation Process
Although not necessarily exhaustive of the criteria to be utilized, the City intends to use the following evaluation criteria in selecting firm(s):
• Responsiveness to the RFQ: Compliance with RFQ requirements, understanding of the scope, and breadth and depth of response.
• Firm Experience: Demonstrates adequate and relevant experience conducting similar work for other public agencies.
• Project Team and Subconsultants: Has provided all team member resumes with appropriate information, project experience noted, and qualifications noted. • Client Reference Checks: Satisfaction of prior/current clients, professional reputation of the firm, experience working with cities.
After evaluating all statements of qualifications received, discussions with prospective firms may or may not be required. If scheduled, the oral interview will be a question/answer format for the purpose of clarifying the intent of any portions of the RFQ. The individual from your firm that will be directly responsible for carrying out a contract, if awarded, should be present at the oral interview.
Professional Services Agreement
A selected firm will be required to enter into an agreement with the City based on the template attached to this RFQ. Revisions to the agreement provisions will not be accepted.
Public Records
All statements of qualifications submitted in response to this RFQ become the property of the City and are subject to disclosure pursuant to the Public Records Act (Government Code §7920.000 et seq.).
EXHIBIT B
CONSULTANT’S PROPOSAL
City of Santa Fe Springs
RFQ On-Call
Professional Environmental Consulting Services
Due: April 16, 2024
Proposal Contact:
City of Santa Fe Springs
Planning and Development Department
Attn: Cuong Nguyen
11710 Telegraph Road
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
Table of Contents
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 0 A. Cover Letter............................................................................................................................. 1 B. Background and Experience..................................................................................................... 3 A. Statement of Understanding .................................................................................................... 3 B. Background and Experience ..................................................................................................... 4
1. Firm’s Background.............................................................................................................. 4
2. Local, Regional, and State Experience................................................................................ 5
3. Firm Characteristics.......................................................................................................... 13
4. Legal Challenges............................................................................................................... 14
5. Firm’s Method to Manage Projects.................................................................................. 15
6. Client Satisfaction............................................................................................................. 18 C. Staffing .................................................................................................................................. 19 A. Project Team........................................................................................................................... 19
1. EcoTierra Team ................................................................................................................ 19
2. Subconsultants................................................................................................................. 22 B. Resumes ................................................................................................................................. 25 Figure 1 Organizational Chart ............................................................................................... 26 Resumes................................................................................................................................ 27 D. Qualifications and References................................................................................................ 43 A. Key Staff.................................................................................................................................. 43 B. Firms Capability ...................................................................................................................... 43 C. References.............................................................................................................................. 43 E. Fee Schedule.......................................................................................................................... 52 A. Fee Schedule........................................................................................................................... 52
1. EcoTierra Consulting, Inc.................................................................................................. 52
2. Linscott, Law & Greenspan Engineers.............................................................................. 52
3. Cogstone Resource Management.................................................................................... 53 A. Cover Letter
April 16, 2024
City of Santa Fe Springs
Planning and Development Department
Cuong Nguyen
11710 Telegraph Road
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
[email protected]
RE: Request for Proposal for On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services Dear Mr. Nguyen:
EcoTierra Consulting, Inc. (EcoTierra) is pleased to submit our proposal to the City of Santa Fe Springs (the “City”) to provide On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services. It is our understanding that the City intends to select a limited number of qualified firms who will be called upon to provide technical assistance in preparing initial studies and environmental assessments, and peer review of applicants’ environmental documents. This Request for Proposal (RFP) has been prepared in response to City of Santa Fe Springs RFP issued on March 12, 2024. The submission stated we would provide the following: three (3) hard copies and one (1) electronic file shall be submitted to Mr. Nguyen.
EcoTierra (an S-corporation), founded in 2010, founded in 2010, is an environmental consulting firm that assists public and private entities with implementation of the CEQA. Being a small firm, EcoTierra is dedicated to providing hands-on personalized service to our clients. We are staffed by experienced professionals who are accessible and responsive to all of our client’s needs including projects of any size, land use, and complexity. Curtis Zacuto and Craig Fajnor, the founding Principals of EcoTierra, have a total of over 60 years of experience in CEQA and NEPA report preparation.
EcoTierra has prepared numerous documents for urban in-fill development representing various kinds of proposals from vertical mixed use (residential apartments/condominiums above ground floor retail) to small lot subdivisions surrounded by existing development and downtown redevelopment as well as commercial, retail (large-format commercial businesses such as Walmart and Target) and industrial land uses. Our staff’s project experience ranges from large, complex, regionally significant projects to suburban housing tracts, retail centers, public facilities, affordable housing projects, commercial projects, and institutional projects. This experience fits well with a built-out community seeking redevelopment of properties to meet the future needs of its residents and traditional industrial economic base. We have provided lists of projects in this Statement of Qualifications that demonstrate similar characteristics as Santa Fe Springs, as built-out communities redeveloping infill parcels for new uses (mixed use, residential, etc.).
EcoTierra has teamed with Linscott, Law, & Greenspan, Engineers, Inc. (LLG) to provide traffic and transportation services and Cogstone Resource Management, Inc., to provide cultural and tribal cultural services. As a team, we provide a complementary skill sets that together will provide the City with the highest level of assurance that the technical analysis will be accurate and defensible and that resources will be used efficiently to provide the environmental clearance for projects, as needed by the City. EcoTierra’s proposal outlines our capabilities for providing environmental consulting services for the City of Santa Fe Springs. Our experience as consultants is directly applicable to a suburban mostly built out city like Santa Fe Springs. Our experience is varied in the type of development (mixed use, hotel, self-storage, retail, office, etc.) and city initiated projects (General Plan, Specific Plan, Zoning, Housing Element, etc.), as well as type of services (e.g., Categorical Exemption, Initial Study, EIR, Peer Review). We believe our experience will serve the City well. We have provided lists of such projects and services in Section B. Background and Experience.
We appreciate the opportunity to submit this proposal and are very excited about the prospect of working with you on future projects and assignments in the City of Santa Fe Springs. EcoTierra’s consulting fees and hourly rates will be valid for a period of at least one year. As a founding Principal and President, I will be the primary point of contact for this proposal as well as all potential future work. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or require any additional information regarding this proposal. I may be reached at the contact information listed below.
Sincerely,
Curtis Zacuto, Principal
EcoTierra Consulting, Inc.
633 W. 5th Street, 26th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90071
(818) 356-9496 (direct line); (805) 907-2342
[email protected]
No Fax Number
B Background and Experience
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 3 A. STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING
The City of Santa Fe Springsfaces challenges like other Southern California communities in evolving into a balanced community, one where the long-established industrial business base is complemented by new homes and neighborhoods and services. The City of Santa Fe Springs is surrounded by the cities of Downey, Norwalk, La Mirada, Whittier, and Pico Rivera and is served by Interstate 5 (I-5) and Interstate 605 (I-605) Freeways with Telegraph Road as the City’s main thoroughfare. The City of Santa Fe Springs is a largely built-out community and is mostly zoned for industrial uses. Of the roughly nine square miles, nearly 79 percent of land area is devoted to industrial and commercial uses. Industrial uses extend from the northern boundary all the way to the southern City limit, occupying the entire southern portion of the City. Given its location along freeways that connect the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports to regional rail yards from which goods are transported across the nation, the City has seen an increase in demand for logistics warehouses.
As the State continues to face the need for additional housing, the City has responded with development of new homes on sites formerly occupied by schools, open space, and industry. The 2040 General Plan Land Use Element includes a strategy to facilitate redevelopment within designated focus areas to provide for new uses that strengthens and diversifies the business sector while providing additional housing. These focus areas include:
• A New Downtown: a new downtown envisions a mixed use district with proposed vertical mixed use development with ground floor retail and residences above. • Transit-Oriented Development: new residential and commercial development to be allowed around the future Metro L Line station at Washington and Norwalk Boulevards and the Metrolink Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs Station.
• Telegraph Road Corridor: Telegraph Road is planned to support mixed use development with new streetscape design to encourage and protect pedestrian activity. • Interstate 5 Corridor: Planned to provide large-format commercial businesses along the I-5 corridor with its high visibility to over one-quarter million vehicles traveling on the freeway daily. • Former Vons Distribution Facility: West of I-5 are properties that abut residential neighborhoods that were impacted by truck track from former distribution facilities. To alleviate the impact, its planned to provide opportunities for office and low-impact industrial uses in business park developments.
To implement the 2040 General Plan Land Use Plan, the City anticipates new applications for redevelopment of properties. The City intends to select a limited number of qualified environmental consulting firms to assist in this process with application of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). It is our understanding the City will select firms that have the technical expertise and experience to provide an array of services that may include CEQA documents such as Environmental Impact Reports, Initial Studies/Negative or Mitigated Negative Declarations, Addenda, and Notices of Exemption.
Our Statement of Qualifications will demonstrate EcoTierra is a solid candidate to serve the Santa Fe Springs Planning Department staff. Our staff and firm’s experience has been primarily related to in-fill development projects, large and small, primarily vertical mixed-use development with retail and residential, as well as warehousing projects, commercial retail centers and small residential developments, the type of projects that we would expect from a built-out community like Santa Fe Springs.
Background and Experience
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 4 B. BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
1. Firm’s Background
EcoTierra Consulting, Inc. (EcoTierra) is an S-Corporation environmental consulting firm that has been in business for nearly 14 years and specializes solely in environmental analysis and documentation for public and private sector clients. The founding Principals, Curtis Zacuto and Craig Fajnor, incorporated the firm in California on June 8, 2010, after previously serving as the Senior Vice Presidents for a Southern California Environmental firm. Mr.
Zacuto and Mr. Fajnor have over 60 years of collective experience in CEQA and NEPA compliance and document preparation.
EcoTierra has three office locations in California: Los Angeles, Westlake Village and Walnut Creek. Project staffing for the City of Santa Fe Springs On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services would primarily be out of the Los Angeles office, with technical staffing assigned to projects on a case-by-case basis. Like many businesses now, EcoTierra staff collaborate virtually on projects throughout the state and physical location does not necessarily determine project staffing. Curtis Zacuto, Principal (and President) is located in Westlake Village, California. Craig Fajnor, Principal (and Vice-President and CFO) is located in Los Angeles, California.
Office locations are shown below.
Corporate Office: Los Angeles Westlake Village Office Walnut Creek Office 633 W. 5th Street, 26th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213) 235-4770
5776-D Lindero Canyon Road #414
Westlake Village, CA 91362
(818) 356-9496
2244 Oak Grove Road, #30178
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
(510) 459-9337
EcoTierra is comprised of ten experienced CEQA/NEPA professionals with extensive environmental analysis experience. Our professional staff brings a reliable combination of knowledge and experience to each project. As a team of professionals who have collectively provided consulting services on hundreds of projects, successfully and efficiently guiding them through the environmental clearance process, EcoTierra staff has earned a reputation for comprehensive, thorough, and conscientious work.
Staff background in private and public sector planning has resulted in a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationships between land use regulations, environmental impact, and project implementation. Our inhouse experts understand legal issues, best practices, and special considerations to develop innovative, appropriate, and defensible solutions. In addition, as part of our continued environmental legal education, EcoTierra staff are members of various organizations including: the American Planning Association (APA), and the Association of Environmental Planners (AEP), former editors of The Dispatch, the newsletter of the Los Angeles Section of the APA, and American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
We are a nimble, efficient, and highly cost-effective environmental consulting firm that can handle projects of any size and complexity. Being small and agile, we are not encumbered by a large, corporate structure and provide Principal level of attention and detail to all of our projects. EcoTierra staff provides the highest quality work at a reasonable cost. EcoTierra’s success is based upon the success of projects and the partnerships that EcoTierra builds with each client. EcoTierra welcomes the opportunity to provide such services to the City of Poway.
Background and Experience
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 5
2. Local, Regional and State Experience
EcoTierra has prepared numerous documents for urban in-fill development representing various kinds of proposals from vertical mixed use (residential apartments/condominiums above ground floor retail) to small lot subdivisions surrounded by existing development and downtown redevelopment as well as commercial, retail, and industrial land uses. Our staff’s project experience ranges from large, complex, regionally significant projects to suburban housing tracts, retail centers, public facilities, affordable housing projects, commercial projects, and institutional projects. This experience fits well with a built-out community seeking redevelopment of properties to meet the future needs of its residents and traditional industrial economic base.
Experience at a local level includes projects involving vertical mixed use and small lot subdivisions as well as hotel and senior care facilities. Note our local experience is demonstrated with several projects recently completed in the City of Anaheim. Examples of our work include the following projects that demonstrate similar characteristics as built-out communities redeveloping parcels for new uses (mixed use, residential, etc.):
§ A-Town, Areas B and E Initial Study – City of Anaheim. The project would include development on two parcels in the A-Town Master Plan area. Area B would include development of an eight-level, mixed-use building consisting of 270 dwelling units (for-rent) and 21,640 square feet of ground floor indoor retail space.
Area E would include development of The project would include development of a five-level, wrap around, apartment building consisting of 257 dwelling units. Staff included, Curtis Zacuto, Principal, Jennifer Johnson, Project Manager and Marisa Wyse, Environmental Planner. § A-Town, Area F Initial Study – City of Anaheim. The project would include development of 17 multi-family residential buildings consisting of 73 dwelling units with associated infrastructure and common area improvements including a recreation center with a pool, spa and community room and pocket park for residents’ use and leisure. Staff included, Curtis Zacuto, Principal, Jennifer Johnson, Project Manager and Marisa Wyse, Environmental Planner.
§ A-Town, Areas C and D Initial Study – City of Anaheim. The project would include development on two parcels in the A-Town Master Plan area. Area C would include 253 residential dwelling units and 17,277 square feet of ground floor commercial space with 972 square feet of accessory outdoor dining space. Area D proposed structure will consist of six-levels, with two subterranean levels, and four levels above grade. The multiple family structure will include 255 residential dwelling units. Staff included, Curtis Zacuto, Principal, Jennifer Johnson, Project Manager and Marisa Wyse, Environmental Planner. § 1442 Dale Avenue Categorical Exemption– City of Anaheim. The Project includes the construction of 18 single-family, attached homes grouped into three buildings (Building 1, Building 2, and Building 3). The proposed homes would total 24,915 square-feet. Staff included, Curtis Zacuto, Principal, Katie Wilson, Air Quality/Noise Specialist and Marisa Wyse, Environmental Planner. § Anaheim Hills Senior Living Facility Categorical Exemption – City of Anaheim. The project site is currently developed with an existing church totaling approximately 17,217 square feet and associated surface parking lot. Project implementation would involve demolition of the church and surface parking lot and construct an approximately 98,412 square foot building that would include 98 Assisted Living units and 20 Memory Care units for a total of 126 beds. The project would rise to 25 feet in height in two-stories. The project would include a surface parking lot with 55 parking spaces. Staff included Curtis Zacuto Principal/Project Manager, Jennifer Johnson, Project Manager and Katie Wilson, Air Quality/Noise Specialist.
Background and Experience
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 6 § Pepperwood Place Categorical Exemption – City of Anaheim. Project implementation would involve demolition of the house and garage and develop a 12-unit small lot single-family residential subdivision. The proposed lots range from 3,463 square feet (sf) to 4,336 sf in size with 2-story, 4-bedroom single family detached homes ranging from 2,374 sf to 2,580 sf. Staff included Curtis Zacuto, Principal/Project Manager, Jennifer Johnson Project Manager and Katie Wilson, Air Quality/Noise Specialist. § 39 Commons Initial Study – City of Anaheim. The applicant has proposed construction of a commercial center with five buildings, totaling 24,237 square feet. The project would include three “Pad buildings” (Pad A-C) and two “Shop buildings” (Shop 1 and 2). Staff included Curtis Zacuto, Principal/Project Manager, Katie Wilson, Air Quality/Noise Specialist and Marisa Wyse Environmental Planner. § Plaza at Santa Monica EIR– City of Santa Monica. The Project included demolition of all existing on-site uses and construction of a new 357,000 sf mixed-use building ranging in height from 19 to 129 feet. The Project will include retail/restaurants (41,300 sf), cultural use (12,000 sf), affordable housing units (48 units), workspace (106,000 sf), hotel (240 rooms) and public open space (41,557 sf). Staff included, Curtis Zacuto, Principal/Project Manager, Jennifer Johnson, Project Manager, Katie Wilson, Air Quality/Noise Specialist, Marisa Wyse, Environmental Planner.
§ 7660 Lankershim IS/MND – City of Los Angeles. The Project would involve the demolition of the existing commercial buildings, surface parking lot, and two single family homes and construction of a 64-unit fourstory multifamily residential building (with ground floor enclosed parking) on the northerly portion of the Project Site (fronting Lankershim Boulevard) and 99 three-story small lot homes on the remainder of the site.
Staff included, Curtis Zacuto, Principal/Project Manager, Jennifer Johnson, Project Manager, Katie Wilson, Air Quality/Noise Specialist, Marisa Wyse, Environmental Planner. § Eldridge Lots IS/MND – City of Los Angeles. The Project would involve the demolition of the existing building, surface parking lot, and associated uses and construction of a 70-lot residential subdivision including four private streets. Each single-family home would be built on a minimum 3,500 square-foot lot, with homes ranging in size from 1,311 square feet to 2,311 square feet. Staff included, Curtis Zacuto, Principal/Project Manager, Katrina Hardt-Holoch, Sr. Project Manager, Katie Wilson, Air Quality/Noise Specialist, Marisa Wyse, Environmental Planner.
§ 2357 Durfee Multi-Family Categorical Exemption – City of El Monte. Currently preparing a Class 32, In-Fill Categorical Exemption mixed use development consisting of 5,000 square feet of ground floor/restaurant space with 26 residential units in a 4-story building. A historic report is being prepared for the 3 existing onstie buildings. Staff included, Curtis Zacuto, Principal/Project Manager, Jennifer Johnson, Project Manager, and Katie Wilson, Air Quality/Noise Specialist.
§ 256 N. Michigan Condominium Project – City of Pasadena. Technical studies (Air Quality, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Noise Analyses) were prepared for an application to construct a 33,667 square foot, threestory, 34-unit condominium development. Staff included Curtis Zacuto, Principal/Project Manager and Katie Wilson, Air Quality/Noise Specialist.
§ 170 N. Halstead Affordable Housing Project – City of Pasadena. Technical studies (Air Quality, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Noise Analyses) were prepared an application to a new seven-story, 52,890 square foot 100 percent affordable housing project consisting of 48 units with nine parking spaces and eight bicycle spaces in a ground level parking garage. Staff included Curtis Zacuto, Principal/Project Manager and Katie Wilson, Air Quality/Noise Specialist.
Background and Experience
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 7 § 8899 Beverly EIR– City of West Hollywood. The Project is a mixed-use development including the adaptive re-use of an existing 10-story and construction of new 17 residential units (including 13 townhomes and four affordable apartment units) totaling approximately 38,175 sf and an approximate 4,417 sf indoor pool house.
The existing building would be re adapted into 64 condominium units. Staff included Curtis Zacuto, Principal/Project Manager and Jennifer Johnson, Project Manager. § Vermont Corridor EIR– Los Angeles County. The Project involved environmental impact on potentially three historic buildings on three development project sites. The project involved reuse one building from commercial to residential use with 182 units and new construction of 146 residential units (including affordable senior housing), 471,000 square feet of new commercial office space, 17,500 retail space, and a 13,200 square foot community center. Staff included Craig Fajnor, Principal/Project Manager, Jennifer Johnson, Project Manager, Jenny Mailhot, Project Manager, and Katie Wilson, Air Quality/Noise Specialist, and Marisa Wyse, Environmental Planner.
§ 550-566 E. Colorado EIR Addendum – City of Pasadena. A previous EIR analyzed a 5-story, 112,850 sf medical office and retail building with five-level subterranean parking garage for 402 vehicles. A new application was submitted for construction of a 195-room hotel (190,000 sf) with ground floor retail and dinning space. Staff included Curtis Zacuto, Principal/Project Manager and Shayne Lipsey, Project Manager. § 590 South Fair Oaks EIR Addendum – City of Pasadena. A previous EIR analyzed demolition of three existing commercial buildings and construction of a 4-story, 113,200 sf office building with 255 subterranean spaces.
A new application was submitted to construct a new 100,00 square-foot, four-story, 56-foot tall, medical office building with two levels of subterranean parking accommodating 184 vehicle spaces. Staff included Curtis Zacuto, Principal/Project Manager and Shayne Lipsey, Project Manager. § ICON Panorama Mixed Use EIR– City of Los Angeles. The project would involve demolition of three existing structures and surface parking lot, and construction of a mixed-use project with 422 multi-family residences totaling approximately 384,000 gross square feet (approximately 374,000 net square feet per City Zoning Code) of residential area, approximately 200,000 square feet of commercial space, and associated parking facilities. Staff included Craig Fajnor, Principal/Project Manager and Jenny Mailhot, Project Manager. § 1633 26th Street EIR – City of Santa Monica. the Project would consist of the refurbishment of the Site’s existing three-story, 45,529 SF office building, and replacement of the existing 58,940 SF surface parking lot with two new four-story, 54’ tall creative and business professional office buildings comprising a total of 129,265 SF of new floor area. Staff included Curtis Zacuto, Principal/Project Manager, Katrina Hardt-Holoch, Project Manager, Jennifer Johnson, Project Manager, Katie Wilson, Air Quality/Noise Specialist and Marisa Wyse, Environmental Planner.
Some State and regionally significant projects that staff has managed the CEQA/NEPA process include a range of retail centers with large-format commercial businesses such as Walmart and Target to warehousing projects.
Examples of these project types include:
§ Target Sunset EIR – City of Los Angeles. The project proposes the demolition of the existing 59,561 square feet of single-story buildings, electrical substation and parking lot and development of approximately 194,749 gross square feet of retail and associated uses. Staff included Craig Fajnor, Principal/Project Manager, Jenny Mailhot, Project Manager, Jennifer Johnson, Project Manager and Marisa Wyse Environmental Planner. § Walmart Retail Center EIR – City of Tehachapi. The proposed Walmart would be approximately 165,000 square feet in size, with all appurtenant structures and facilities, and would offer groceries and general retail Background and Experience
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 8 merchandise. The center included three out lots: 5,200 square feet of retail; 3,100 square foot fast food drive thru; 3,500 square foot fast food drive thru. Staff included Curtis Zacuto, Principal/Project Manager. § Barstow Retail Center EIR – City of Barstow. The proposed project, Barstow Walmart, and Retail Center, consists of relocation of the existing Walmart store from the southern section of the project site to approximately 390 feet to the north with construction of a new approximately 200,000 square foot Walmart on vacant land. In addition, the project would include construction of a retail center on five contiguous development pads on the southern section of the site, encompassing the area of the existing Walmart store and parking area. Staff included Curtis Zacuto Principal/Project Manager. § Rosedale Commons Project EIR Addendum– City of Bakersfield. The project included a new mixed-use development of 1.4 million square feet of retail commercial use, including a theater and 600,000 square feet of commercial use. The EIR Addendum analyzed changes which included 345,360 square feet of retail use as well as theater uses, medical office space, light industrial space, hospital and hotel and 1,062 residential units.
Staff included Craig Fajnor, Principal/Project Manager, Jenny Mailhot, Project Manager, and Marisa Wyse Environmental Planner.
§ Bakersfield Rosedale/Coffee Commercial Center EIR – City of Bakersfield. The proposed project includes construction of 422,192 square feet of commercial retail space that includes: 359,818 square feet of retail space; 25,161 square feet of restaurants/drive-thru uses; 4,000 square feet of financial institution space; 4,088 square foot gas station with convenience store; & 25,000 square foot health club. Staff included Craig Fajnor, Principal/Project Manager, Jenny Mailhot, Project Manager, Katie Wilson Air Quality/Noise Specialist, and Marisa Wyse Environmental Planner.
§ El Segundo Corporate Campus Project EIR Addendums – City of El Segundo. The project consisted of up to 2,550,000 gross square feet (sf) of buildings of light industrial/manufacturing, laboratories, commercial office, research and development and associated parking, technology related telecommunications and web hosting facilities, hotel/conference center, restaurant, retail, service, and similar ancillary support uses, served by extensive highway and transit facilities. Staff included Craig Fajnor, Principal/Project Manager, Jenny Mailhot, Project Manager, Jennifer Johnson Project Manager and Katie Wilson Air Quality/Noise Specialist. § Beach Cities Media Center EIR – City of El Segundo. The project included 313,000 square feet of new development. The Beach Cities Media Campus conceptual plan includes the development of an approximately five-story, 240,000 square foot office building, a one-story, 66,000 square foot studio and production facilities building, 7,000 square feet of retail uses in two, one-story structures, and a seven-story parking structure.
Staff included Craig Fajnor, Principal/Project Manager, Jenny Mailhot, Project Manager, Jennifer Johnson Project Manager and Katie Wilson Air Quality/Noise Specialist. § Compton Brickyard Commerce Center IS/MND – City of Commerce. The project involved two potential site plan options, each of which includes the construction of multiple light industrial warehouse/distribution buildings with truck loading doors. Project site Plan A consisted of a 1.43 million square foot light industrial warehouse/distribution building and Project Site Plan. Project site Plan B included two buildings, one consisted of a 525,400-square foot light industrial warehouse/distribution building and the other 481,600- square foot light industrial building. Staff included Craig Fajnor, Principal/Project Manager. § Carson Avalon Industrial Center IS/MND – City of Carson. The project involved the demolition of the existing 8,000 square foot vacant industrial building and construction of a new 230,000 square foot light industrial/warehouse building containing up to and associated access and parking improvements. Staff included Craig Fajnor, Principal/Project Manager.
Background and Experience
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 9 § Cleantech Commerce Center EIR – City of Los Angeles. The project involved construction of a new 446,230 square foot warehouse/light industrial building complex including loading, parking, and ancillary office facilities. The project site is located south of downtown Los Angeles surrounded by industrial uses. Staff included Craig Fajnor, Principal/Project Manager.
Additional regionally significant projects that are high-profile and that were potentially controversial include projects such as Staples Center (now Crypto.com Center), Wilshire Grand (2nd tallest building west of the Mississippi River), Metro Universal and Los Angeles Air Force Base Land Conveyance and Development project:
§ Staples Center EIR – City of Los Angeles. The project included construction of a 20,000 seat sports and entertainment arena, 100,000 square feet of ancillary retail, restaurant and entertainment uses and up to 50,000 square feet of office space in downtown Los Angeles. The EIR also made provision for future development of 500,000 square feet of mixed use (retail, 1,800 hotel rooms, and restaurant and entertainment uses). Staff included Craig Fajnor, Principal/Project Manager. § Wilshire Grand EIR – City of Los Angeles. The project includes demolition of the existing Wilshire Grand Hotel and Centre, and the development of a new 65-story high rise (second tallest building in Los Angeles) maximum of 560 hotel rooms and/or condo-hotel units, 100 residential units, 1,500,000 square feet of office, 275,000 square feet of amenity areas including, but not limited to, project-serving retail and restaurant uses, conference and meeting rooms, ballrooms, spa, fitness center, and ancillary other hotel, residential, and office areas. Staff included Craig Fajnor, Principal/Project Manager. § Metro Universal EIR – City of Los Angeles. The project proposed the development of approximately 1.47 million square feet of new commercial and possible residential uses in two phases. Staff included Craig Fajnor, Principal/Project Manager
§ LA Air Force Base Land Conveyance and Development EIR/EIS – U.S. Air Force. The project involved a series of actions related to the possible conveyance, development, and use of four properties currently belonging to Los Angeles Air Force Base (LAAFB). The development included housing and retail serving uses. Staff included Craig Fajnor, Principal/Project Manager, Jennifer Johnson, Project Manager, and Jenny Mailhot, Project Manager.
In addition to these types of projects, EcoTierra has been involved with City initiated projects (local level) that include a homelessness center, housing elements, specific plans, general plan projects and peer review of development projects on behalf of the public agency. Some of these projects include the following examples:
Homeless
§ Fontana Homelessness Center – IS/MND and EA – City of Fontana. The project included 150 living units (40,000 sf) situated in three care neighborhoods with sports court, open space and gathering spaces, 18,200 sf transitional housing on Site A. On Site B, additional 24-30 living units would be provided. Staff included Curtis Zacuto Principal/Project Manager
Individual General Plan Elements
§ El Segundo Circulation Element Update EIR – City of El Segundo. The proposed Circulation Element Update encompassed proposed changes to the City’s planned roadway system designed to meet the transportation needs of the City and to accommodate expected future growth in vehicle traffic in the City. The proposed Circulation Element Update also included the policy decision of the City not to change General Plan land use designations or change allowable FARs under the MU-N and CO zones. Staff included Craig Fajnor, Principal/Project Manager.
Background and Experience
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 10 § Imperial Beach Housing Element Update IS/MND – City of Imperial Beach. The City of Imperial Beach’s share of regional future housing needs per the RHNA is a total of 1,329 new units for the 2021-2029 Housing Element. The Element Update IS/MND analyzed the citywide impacts for increasing housing in the form of new density options in existing and new zones in several locations across the city. Staff included Curtis Zacuto Principal/Project Manager and Katrina Hardt Holoch Sr. Project Manager. § La Mesa Housing Element Update IS/MND – City of La Mesa. The City of La Mesa’s share of regional future housing needs is a total of 3,797 new units for the 2021-2029 Housing Element. To partially accommodate the RHNA, the City of La Mesa identified 10 opportunity sites for development. Staff included Curtis Zacuto Principal/Project Manager and Katrina Hardt Holoch Sr. Project Manager. § Bell Gardens Housing Element Update IS/MND – City of La Mesa. The Bell Gardens Housing Element consists of the following major components: an overview of the purpose and contents of the Housing Element (Section 1); an analysis of the demographic and housing characteristics and trends (Section 2); a review of potential market, governmental, and environmental constraints to meeting the identified housing needs (Section 3); an evaluation of resources available to address housing goals (Section 4); a statement of the Housing Plan to address the identified housing needs, including housing goals, policies and programs (Section 5). Staff included Curtis Zacuto Principal/Project Manager and Katrina Hardt Holoch Sr. Project Manager. § El Segundo Housing Element Update IS/MND – City of La Mesa. The City has selected 27 candidate sites. The City is proposing the addition of a RHNA housing overlay (RHNA-O) and RHNA mixed-use overlay (RHNA MUO) to the sites’ General Plan and zoning. The current General Plan designations and zoning would remain, with overlays added, which would allow property owners to have the option to develop under either set of standards (the underlying General Plan and zoning or the overlay). Staff included Curtis Zacuto Principal/Project Manager and Katrina Hardt Holoch Sr. Project Manager.
Specific Plans
§ El Segundo Downtown Specific Plan Element EIR – City of El Segundo. The Downtown Specific Plan was originally adopted in 2000. The Downtown Specific Plan will be updated to re-vision the area, include a continued focus on Main Street infrastructure improvements, repurpose the Civic Center site, attract senior housing, and identify infill opportunities for various housing type. Staff included Craig Fajnor Principal/Project Manager, Katrina Hardt Holoch Sr. Project Manager, Jenny Mailhot, Project Manager, Katie Wilson, Air Quality/Noise Specialist and Marisa Wyse Environmental Planner.
General Plans
§ Agoura Hills General Plan Update EIR – City of Agoura Hills. The project consists of a comprehensive update to the Housing Element and related updates to the Land Use Element and Land Use Map of the City of Agoura Hills General Plan. The project also includes updates to the City’s Safety Element and Circulation Element in compliance with new state rules. Staff included Craig Fajnor Principal/Project Manager, Katrina Hardt Holoch Sr. Project Manager, Jenny Mailhot, Project Manager, Katie Wilson, Air Quality/Noise Specialist and Marisa Wyse Environmental Planner.
§ Chino Hills General Plan Update EIR – City of Chino Hills. The update of the General Plan accommodates land use changes promulgated by the Chino Hills 2021-2029 Housing Element, adopted August 16, 2022. The Housing Element requires amending General Plan designations on some of the proposed Housing Element designated Regional Housing Need Assessment (RHNA) sites, which requires revisions to the Land Use Element and Land Use Map of the City of Chino Hills General Plan. The Housing Element also necessitates rezoning of some proposed RHNA sites. In addition, the City is required to make other changes to the General Plan in Background and Experience
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 11 response to recent State legislation. Staff included Curtis Zacuto Principal/Project Manager, Katrina Hardt Holoch Sr. Project Manager, Jennifer Johnson, Project Manager and Marisa Wyse Environmental Planner. § Sierra Madre General Plan Update EIR – City of Sierra Madre. The project consists of a comprehensive update to the Housing Element and related updates to the Land Use Element and Land Use Map of the City of Sierra Madre General Plan. The project also includes updates to the City’s Zoning Code, Zoning Map, and updates to the Safety Element and Circulation Element in compliance with new State rules. Staff included Curtis Zacuto Principal/Project Manager, Katrina Hardt Holoch Sr. Project Manager and Marisa Wyse Environmental Planner.
Zoning
§ Bell Gardens Zoning Map Consisting IS/MND – City of Bell Gardens. The City has selected 27 candidate sites.
The City is proposing the addition of a RHNA housing overlay (RHNA-O) and RHNA mixed-use overlay (RHNA MU-O) to the sites’ General Plan and zoning. The current General Plan designations and zoning would remain, with overlays added, which would allow property owners to have the option to develop under either set of standards (the underlying General Plan and zoning or the overlay). Staff included Curtis Zacuto Principal/Project Manager, and Katrina Hardt Holoch Sr. Project Manager. § San Bernardino Development Code Update – City of San Bernardino. The IS/ND analyzed the City’s comprehensive revisions to the Development Code, official Zoning Map, and corresponding associated land use regulations including a variety of planning tools such as design guidelines to ensure consistency with, and successful implementation of, the goals, polices, and programs of the City’s 2005 General Plan and consistency with State statutes. Staff included Curtis Zacuto Principal/Project Manager, Katrina Hardt Holoch Sr. Project Manager and Marisa Wyse Environmental Planner.
Peer Review
§ Rialto Birtcher EIR Peer Review– City of Rialto. The project included peer review of an EIR on behalf of the City of Rialto for a proposed warehousing facility totaling 492,410 sf and 10,000 sf office space. Staff included Curtis Zacuto Principal/Project Manager, Katrina Hardt Holoch Sr. Project Manager, Jennifer Johnson, Project Manager, Jenny Mailhot, Project Manager, Katie Wilson, Air Quality/Noise Specialist and Marisa Wyse Environmental Planner.
§ Olive Grove EIR Peer Review– City of Rialto. The project included peer review of an EIR on behalf of the City of Rialto for a proposed warehousing facility totaling 679,607 sf. Staff included Curtis Zacuto Principal/Project Manager, Katrina Hardt Holoch Sr. Project Manager, Jennifer Johnson, Project Manager, Jenny Mailhot, Project Manager, Katie Wilson, Air Quality/Noise Specialist and Marisa Wyse Environmental Planner.
§ City of Los Angeles Peer Review Services. EcoTierra is currently on the City of Los Angeles’ list to provide oncall environmental peer review services. Services range from answering technical questions on documents, providing additional measures to prevent environmental impacts, reviewing technical studies and reports, to providing feedback on technical adequacy and edits for correction. Staff included Craig Fajnor Principal/Project Manager, Katrina Hardt Holoch Sr. Project Manager, Jennifer Johnson, Project Manager, Jenny Mailhot, Project Manager, Katie Wilson, Air Quality/Noise Specialist and Marisa Wyse Environmental Planner.
§ Los Angeles World Airports Peer Review Service. EcoTierra, as a subcontract to Landrum and Brown, provided QA/QC review on a white paper prepared to document a categorical exemption for projects including relocation of an existing bus maintenance facility within LAX airport and conversion to electric bus Background and Experience
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 12 maintenance for airport-run shuttles (inter-terminal, parking, etc.). Staff included Craig Fajnor Principal/Project Manager, Katrina Hardt Holoch Sr. Project Manager, Jennifer Johnson, Project Manager, Jenny Mailhot, Project Manager, Katie Wilson, Air Quality/Noise Specialist and Marisa Wyse Environmental Planner.
§ Port of Los Angeles Peer Review Service. EcoTierra provided peer review of Draft EIR sections prepared by Ramboll (Aesthetics, Land Use, Public Services, Utilities), provided QA/QC, and also provided recommended revisions to the Port’s templates for EIR sections for the Yang Ming Terminal Project. Staff included Craig Fajnor Principal/Project Manager, Katrina Hardt Holoch Sr. Project Manager, Jennifer Johnson, Project Manager, Jenny Mailhot, Project Manager, Katie Wilson, Air Quality/Noise Specialist and Marisa Wyse Environmental Planner.
Other relevant experience includes projects involving development on sites that have been previously contaminated on industrial sites and industrial/warehousing projects. These examples include:
§ Truck and Trailer Repair Project IS/MND – City of Colton. The project would construct and operate an approximately 53,000-square-foot truck repair and maintenance facility at the project site. Staff included Curtis Zacuto Principal/Project Manager, Katie Wilson, Air Quality/Noise Specialist and Marisa Wyse Environmental Planner.
§ 16201 Raymer Street IS/MND– City of Los Angeles. The Project consists of the development and construction of an approximately 123,464 SF single story concrete tilt wall steel frame warehouse facility. The Project would demolish four existing buildings housing approximately + / -50,000 square feet of light industrial space, surface parking areas. Staff included Curtis Zacuto Principal/Project Manager, Katrina Hardt-Holoch, Katie Wilson, Air Quality/Noise Specialist and Marisa Wyse Environmental Planner. § 1300 Lawrence Drive IS/MND– City of Thousand Oaks. The project includes a new 112,384 sf warehouse with 8,000-square-feet of office space (including a 4,000-square-foot mezzanine. Project Site is currently improved as a surface parking lot in an industrial area. Staff included Curtis Zacuto Principal/Project Manager, Katie Wilson, Air Quality/Noise Specialist, and Marisa Wyse Environmental Planner. § Neighborhood Self Storage IS/MND– City of Santa Clarita. The project would construct a three-story, 156,060 square-foot self-storage facility with up to 1,200 individual storage units. The site is vacant undeveloped land. Staff included Curtis Zacuto Principal/Project Manager, and Jennifer Johnson, Project Manager.
§ Box Springs Storage CE– City of Moreno Valley. The project included a new 134,585 sf storage facility located on 0.99 acres in two buildings and would include 10 parking stalls. Staff included Curtis Zacuto Principal/Project Manager, Katie Wilson, Air Quality/Noise Specialist and Marisa Wyse, Environmental Planner.
§ 5620 Vineland Storage IS/MND – City of Los Angeles. The project consists of construction, operation, and maintenance of a new 103,531 square foot climate-controlled self-storage facility with a 1,200 square-foot on-site rental office and 3,150 square feet of retail space on the ground floor. Staff included Curtis Zacuto Principal/Project Manager and Jennifer Johnson, Project Manager.
Background and Experience
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 13
3. Firm Characteristics
We are a nimble, efficient, and highly cost-effective environmental consulting firm that can handle projects of any size and complexity. Being small and agile, we are not encumbered by a large, corporate structure and provide Principal level of attention and detail to all of our projects. EcoTierra staff provides the highest quality work at a reasonable cost. EcoTierra’s success is based upon the success of projects and the partnerships that EcoTierra builds with each client. EcoTierra welcomes the opportunity to provide such services to the City of Santa Fe Springs. Furthermore, EcoTierra’s philosophy is to approach the preparation of environmental documents with an emphasis on quality and thoroughness of analysis as interested parties subsequently scrutinize projects, and therefore potential environmental impacts of a project must be fully analyzed and disclosed. We remain vigilant and at the forefront of the challenges you face and have the resources to provide timely solutions to you efficiently and cost effectively.
EcoTierra’s professional staff brings a reliable combination of knowledge and experience to each client’s project.
As a team of professionals who have collectively provided consulting services on hundreds of projects, successfully and efficiently guiding them through the environmental clearance process, EcoTierra staff has earned a reputation for comprehensive, reliable, and conscientious work. Our Principals and staff work on projects within established budgets while providing necessary and complete environmental analysis. As consultants, we typically outline various paths for environmental clearance with thoughtful discussion resulting in a recommend option that is best for the project and client.
Through the experience of working with a wide array of agencies and environmental specialists, EcoTierra staff have developed a process in coordination with these agencies to determine the correct type of CEQA process, analysis, and compliance that is needed for each project. This includes working with the agencies to develop the correct thresholds, and the specific project details that need to be analyzed for a specific project. Not all projects require full in-depth analysis on every CEQA topic. We work with the agency on targeting the topics of concern related to the project, it’s setting and potential conflicts, in particular with neighboring buildings, residents and communities. For example, we’ve prepared EIRs focusing on a single topic or limited topics.
Our staff has extensive and broad experience with many public jurisdictions working closely to prepare the appropriate environmental document. To successfully move a document through environmental review, it’s imperative for us to know and understand that jurisdiction’s governmental process. As consultants, we’ve become adept to quickly learning a particular agency’s approval process as it’s necessary for the client and project to move along as efficiently as possible. We have experience working within the many jurisdictions, mainly Southern California.
We have experience using the CEQA process to address various environmental issues facing a particular project and community. As an example, we have used the CEQA process to address project design issues that would have potential negative effects on the surrounding/local community. Recently, EcoTierra has worked closely with project applicants on large-scale, high-profile projects in downtown Los Angeles (Wilshire Grand and The Reef projects) and in the Universal City area (Metro Universal project) that included extensive off-site commercial signage programs. Based on a framework for impact analysis that EcoTierra developed, EcoTierra worked with the project teams to modify initial designs for signage programs in a manner specifically intended to avoid impacts on surrounding communities. Taking into account the types and size of signs, lighting, animation, and elevation, EcoTierra was successful in convincing project applicants to focus signage primarily at the street level and away from residential areas to minimize impacts on adjacent residences, as well as more distant communities, while still accomplishing the primary goals of the proposed signage. For instance, program modifications included reduced animation and lighting levels for higher elevation signs, coupled with changes in orientation of lower level Background and Experience
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 14 signs to more effectively connect with target audiences. This “win-win” approach met the needs of both the project applicants and the surrounding communities and resulted in the approval of the signage programs by the cognizant City authorities.
Not all projects require full in-depth analysis on every CEQA topic. We work with the agency on targeting the topics of concern related to the project, it’s setting and potential conflicts, in particular with neighboring buildings, residents and communities. For example, we’ve prepared EIRs focusing on a single topic or limited topics. One particular case involved a residential development in Hollywood that included as part of the project an historic building. The EIR focused on Cultural Resources/Historic as the single topic for in-depth analysis. Though it was a focused EIR, we proposed to analyze the rest of the CEQA topics to the level of an Initial Study to ensure the decision- makers and the general public were well informed of the entire environmental consequences of project development.
On another case, we prepared a full-issue EIR on a proposed development in downtown Santa Monica. The project involved a mixed- use development (hotel, housing, office, retail, parking) on a site owned by the City with two historic buildings. The public scoping meeting revealed the public’s concern of a proposed tall, massive building on public land and wished for the site to be developed as a public park. Based on discussions with City staff, we proposed to have the EIR analyze two public park CEQA alternatives (one developing the site as a park and the other with a park and limited development).
We recognize that each project is unique and have different issues of concern, whether it be historic, public services/utilities, or biological resources. As part of our process, EcoTierra staff would work in coordination with City of Poway planning staff to determine the correct course of action and CEQA documentation that is required for each project, thereby limiting the chances of future litigation right from the start of the project.
4. Legal Challenges
Because of our extensive background in serving jurisdictions, we stay current on legislative updates and attend CEQA practice seminars. This allows us to know and anticipate legal and procedural requirements of regulatory agencies, and potential project hurdles associated with the CEQA process, which will enable us to assist the City in overcoming them. Our team members not only solve problems by staying cognizant of project details and technical issues, and applying its resources to creatively resolve any difficulties or issues that may arise during the environmental review process, but are also experienced at asking the right questions, drawing on in-house resources when needed, and providing effective resolutions that comply with CEQA guidelines and respond to any issue at hand. Our goal is to facilitate the environmental review process.
In addition to staying current on legislative updates and changes to the CEQA Guidelines, our team continuously monitors CEQA legal challenges to ensure that our documents are consistent with the latest caselaw. By keeping up to date with caselaw, we avoid consideration of unnecessary issues in our reports and prepare documents that are legally defensible.
EcoTierra has had one legal challenge to a project that was successfully upheld by Trial Court and the Court of Appeal. EcoTierra prepared an EIR for the Target @ Sunset & Western project, a 194,749-square foot, three-story structure anchored by a Target retail store and other ground-floor retail and restaurant uses. The project also includes ground floor and above grade parking and pedestrian amenities. The EIR for this project was certified in 2012. Subsequently, a community group initiated litigation against the project’s land use entitlements and the Project EIR. The Project’s EIR was upheld by the trial court, although the land use approvals were overturned. Following this litigation, EcoTierra prepared an Addendum to the Project EIR to address changes in Background and Experience
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 15 the environmental setting resulting from the delay caused by the initial litigation to support a new set of land use entitlements, which were approved in 2016. The same group again challenged the approvals and the EIR Addendum. The result of this litigation was that the Addendum and approvals were upheld by the Court of Appeal in 2018.
5. Firm’s Method to Manage Projects
We see our job as extension of staff and to make their job easier by providing sound environmental documentation and an easy (as possible) review process. To accomplish this goal, we have identified three integral components that makes the environmental review process successful: Project Management, Budget Cost Control and Quality Assurance/Quality Control.
Approach to Project Management
Our project managers employ a proven project management system that results in high-quality, on-time, and onbudget deliverables to each client. We also recognize that success in complying with CEQA really comes down to three basic elements—proper scoping, staffing, and scheduling.
At EcoTierra, we see project management and experience with CEQA processing schedules as essential to the successful completion of a task or assignment. Using a detailed scope of work, we determine a timeline for each task in the process, including mandated public review periods and assumptions for internal City review and comment on documents. Our project manager will review the schedule in detail with City staff so that all parties are clear on the process and expectations.
We meet established project timelines and schedules by working efficiently in the following ways:
• We establish realistic schedules, in consultation with our clients, that are typically based on our experience with comparable projects.
• We start by knowing when we want to finish the project and working our way back to a reasonable, feasible schedule.
• We use available data to the extent feasible and avoid unnecessary analyses and data collection. • We produce quality documents that get it right the first time to avoid endless rewrites and revisions. • We provide flexibility in providing documents simultaneously or in parallel tracks, depending on the nature of the work and what needs to be done.
We are accustomed to providing deliverables on an accelerated timetable, a practice enabled by the high level of internal collaboration among staff at EcoTierra and by the depth of staff resources assigned to a given project.
In addition, because of our extensive background in serving jurisdictions, we know how to anticipate legal and procedural requirements of regulatory agencies, and potential project hurdles associated with the CEQA process, which will enable us to assist the City in overcoming them. Our team members not only solve problems by staying cognizant of project details and technical issues, and applying its resources to creatively resolve any difficulties or issues that may arise during the environmental review process, but are also experienced at asking the right questions, drawing on in-house resources when needed, and providing effective resolutions that comply with CEQA guidelines and respond to any issue at hand. Our goal is to facilitate the environmental review process.
Background and Experience
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 16 Furthermore, the early identification and resolution of critical issues are imperative to keep a project on track and on schedule, coupled with careful and timely documentation of decisions reached. Based on this approach, we will proactively deal with potential variances from the schedule, early and intelligently, before they become a problem. In addition, our project managers and task leaders will communicate to City staff the impact of any schedule changes necessitated by circumstances outside of our control before or as they occur. These project management tools will result in constant vigilance over schedule and budget performance and consistent communications, with no surprises to the City.
As a small business, we have been structured from the outset to provide maximum flexibility and responsiveness to the needs of our clients. We are not burdened by an extensive management or overhead structure. When an assignment is received, our designated point of contact for the City of Santa Fe Springs, Curtis Zacuto, will coordinate with the City to determine the specific technical needs of the project and would then coordinate with our technical subconsultants to identify the most capable personnel to provide the needed services within the required time frame. This structure also promotes certainty as to the availability of personnel within the specified project time frame.
In addition to our daily activities, we analyze project details on a weekly basis and meet as a company and discuss the week’s priorities and deadlines for each project. This weekly and continual monitoring allows us to anticipate project staffing needs and allows us to be responsive to our clients and their needs.
Budget Cost Control Approach
For every project, EcoTierra’s project manager establishes a cost budget table which is referred during the entire environmental process to keep costs on track. This table is shared with staff working on the project and hours are assigned to staff per task. The project manager monitors weekly staff time applied to projects and can quickly keep see if there is a particular problem or issue that would result in escalation of hours/costs. EcoTierra project manager addresses the issue/problem with staff and Principal-in-Charge.
Cost control on all of our projects is achieved through the use of cost tables that we include with our invoice submissions which track billings against task budgets so that the City can see the status of billing and compare to percentage of work complete on a monthly basis. In project budgets, we provide fixed amounts for all tasks that are wholly under the control of EcoTierra, such as preparation of a screencheck draft document, which will not be exceeded unless the project changes. For tasks that are partially under our control such as review and revision tasks, we will provide estimated costs and provide the basis for our assumptions (e.g., number of review cycles).
We will adhere to these budgets without question as long as the assumptions are not exceeded. For tasks that are out of the control of either EcoTierra or the City, such as responses to public comments, we can provide an estimate at the beginning of the environmental review process, but with the understanding that this will need to be re-visited when the scope of the task can be ascertained (i.e., after the close of the public review period).
EcoTierra is committed to providing cost-effective services to all of our clients. In addition to his management responsibilities, Mr. Fajnor is the Chief Financial Officer for the firm and has continual access to up-to-date accounting, cost, and budget information for the firm’s projects. This information allows us to closely monitor the financial performance of all projects and identify potential problem areas early to allow for coordination and resolution with the client in a timely manner. As part of the initial organization of the project team for a particular assignment, a cost estimate will be developed that reflects the best estimates of the issues to be addressed and the likely levels of public and agency involvement and reaction to a project. However, one of the unavoidable characteristics of the environmental review process is that there are a number of steps, primarily those associated with public review and participation, which are beyond the control of EcoTierra and the City. It is particularly important that these steps be closely monitored, as they often require budget modifications if the response to a Background and Experience
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 17 project turns out to be more extensive than originally anticipated. Continuous monitoring, data collection and analysis, and communication are the keys to addressing these issues in a manner that is appropriate and fair to the City, the applicant, and the consultant team.
In any event, we will maintain close communication with the City throughout the process to ensure that costs are closely tracked in order to avoid surprises to the City and/or project applicant.
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Approach
As the environmental review consultant to the City, EcoTierra would work closely with the City throughout the process, starting with a face-to-face kickoff meeting to review the project, coordinate personnel assignments and set schedule milestones for the completion of key deliverables. We would expect to have regular contact via phone and daily contact via e-mail to keep each other informed as to project progress, information requirements, subconsultant coordination, and any other areas where coordination is required. Typically, on our projects, we set regular face-to-face and/or conference call meeting schedules which are held at a frequency as desired by the City.
EcoTierra would be responsible for ensuring that all procedural and technical requirements of CEQA and/or NEPA are met. We would prepare all documents for City review and approval, attend all scoping meetings and hearings, and ensure that all procedural and noticing requirements are met. We would expect to work closely with other specialized consultants from the City’s previously approved list that are selected by the City to meet the specific technical needs of a project. We would review all reports provided by these consultants and provide comments that would be focused on ensuring that the analysis provided is sufficient under CEQA and/or NEPA. We would also provide recommendations on technical emphasis and the logic of impact evaluation related to these analyses to ensure that the resulting information that is put forth in the environmental document passes CEQA and/or NEPA muster. EcoTierra would utilize technical reports prepared by others to prepare the appropriate technical sections of the environmental document and would prepare all other sections that do not require specialized technical input.
We place particular emphasis on response to comments and final documents. When project environmental documents are challenged in litigation, our experience has been that the courts closely review responses to issues raised in the course of public and agency review of the documents to ensure that the lead agency is responsive to public and agency concerns. In our responses, we strive to be honest, acknowledge errors where appropriate, but offer vigorous defense of our analysis when we believe that a commenter is incorrect. We have found that this approach greatly reduces the risk that a court will find our document insufficient under CEQA and/or NEPA. To the extent that the City Attorney and/or outside counsel are involved in the review of draft and final environmental documents, we find that the document is stronger as a result.
Since EcoTierra specializes solely in environmental analysis and documentation, the project management staff can apply all available resources towards regularly upgrading the analytical approach and quality standards.
EcoTierra’s environmental documents are prepared to the standards and requirements of CEQA and NEPA, the latest State CEQA Statute and Guidelines, the Office of Planning and Research guidelines, state planning and zoning laws, and applicable lead agency regulations, in this case, the environmental documents are always prepared in a manner that meets EcoTierra’s exacting standards of quality, with specific emphasis placed on a clear and substantive writing style.
Background and Experience
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 18
6. Client Satisfaction
Customer satisfaction is paramount to our business. We prioritize understanding and fulfilling the needs of our clients through attentive service and tailored solutions. By consistently exceeding expectations and delivering exceptional value, we aim to cultivate long-term relationships built on trust and mutual respect. With extensive experience in consulting services and a track record of efficiently navigating numerous projects through the environmental clearance process, the EcoTierra team has established a reputation for comprehensive and conscientious work. EcoTierra staff will establish project timelines, outlining each person's assigned tasks and the corresponding hours required for completion. This approach ensures clearly defined Project timelines and provides the City with a means to track progress effectively.
C Staffing
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 19 A. PROJECT TEAM
EcoTierra will serve as the primary consultant and project manager on all City of Santa Fe Springs projects.
EcoTierra staff will review all technical reports provided by the City staff and will assess the environmental impacts and provide guidance on CEQA and NEPA compliance. These services would primarily be out of the Los Angeles office, with technical staffing assigned to projects on a case-by-case basis. EcoTierra can provide sufficient staff resources at any given time. Because no two projects are the same and very few staff members are employed fulltime on any one project, we employ project management techniques that allow us to adapt to individual project processes and timelines. Our staff are usually involved in multiple projects and the firm has strategic procedures in place to constantly evaluate workload and project staffing to ensure the success of every project. In addition to daily activities, we analyze project details on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis. This continual monitoring helps us to anticipate project staffing needs—allowing us to be highly responsive to our clients and their needs.
EcoTierra is teaming with the following firms which have the capacity to prepare environmental documentation for the City:
• Linscott, Law & Greenspan, Engineers, Inc. (Traffic and Transportation) • Cogstone Resource Management Inc. (Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources) EcoTierra staff has worked with these subconsultants for many years, and, as such, our services are seamless to clients. EcoTierra has the capacity to perform the required services and is sufficiently staffed and outfitted to perform the required services.
Figure 1 presents an organization chart of the EcoTierra Consulting team.
1. EcoTierra Team
Descriptions of the EcoTierra’s team personnel are provided below. Resumes for team members detailing qualifications and experience are included at the end of this section.
Curtis Zacuto, Co-Founder and Principal
Mr. Zacuto, Co-Founder and Principal of EcoTierra, has over 36 years of experience in preparing CEQA documents and specializes in urban and rural projects and has managed large and complex and controversial projects throughout the Southern and Central California region. Mr. Zacuto from will be the primary liaison with the City and primary Project Manager. Prior to founding EcoTierra with Mr. Fajnor, Mr. Zacuto served in a senior management position at other environmental consulting firms in addition to working in the public sector and serving 13 years as a Planning Commissioner. Within his tenure, Mr. Zacuto served as Principal Campus Environmental Planner for UCLA, where he oversaw implementation of the campus’ Long-Range Development Plan (and its update) with numerous campus development projects requiring Categorical Exemptions, Initial Studies and EIRs and their accompanying technical studies. In addition, Mr. Zacuto has extensive experience with urban infill development and has direct experience with projects that are highly visible and controversial. Some of these projects include Walmart development proposals in various locations in California, as well as increased density development projects throughout Southern California. Recent experience includes infill residential development (undeveloped hillside areas and vacant and redevelopment sites) retail centers, mixed-use, office buildings, industrial warehousing development projects. In addition, he has recently been principal in charge of general plan and housing element updates. Mr. Zacuto will be available to provide strategic direction and work product quality control, and will provide project scoping, and budgeting. Percentage of time on spent on City projects would be 80%.
Staffing
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 20 Craig Fajnor, Co-Founder and Principal
Mr. Fajnor, Co-Founder and Principal of EcoTierra, has 38 years of experience in urban planning, including 30 years of experience exclusively in the field of environmental planning and documentation. Prior to founding EcoTierra with Curtis Zacuto, Mr. Fajnor served in a senior management position at various consulting firms for over 17 years and operated an independent consulting practice for more than four years. Mr. Fajnor specializes in urban projects and has managed large and complex projects throughout the Southern California region. Mr. Fajnor brings hands-on experience in all forms of environmental documentation which may be needed to meet the requirements of CEQA and NEPA. Some of his experience include urban, infill, high-profile projects like sports arenas (Crypto.com – formerly Staples Center), low rise to high rise multi-use development projects, landfill/recycling facilities, general plan, and specific plan projects. Mr. Fajnor will be available to provide strategic direction and work product quality control. Percentage of time on spent on City projects would be 10%.
Lainie Herrera, Senior Project Manager
Ms. Herrera is a Senior Project Manager with over 20 years of experience managing and preparing CEQA and NEPA environmental documents. Her experience includes residential, office, mixed-use, institutional, recreation, and infrastructure projects, for which she coordinates between agencies, applicants, consultants, and attorneys to certify CEQA documents as part of the overall project entitlement process. Recent projects range in urban infill residential and commercial/retail center projects. Ms. Herrera also has experience with community outreach, land use entitlements and findings, and public hearings. She will provide environmental document preparation and work product quality control back-up. Percentage of time on spent on City projects would be 30%.
Katrina Hardt-Holoch, Senior Project Manager
Ms. Hardt-Holoch is a Senior Project Manager with over 24 years of experience managing and preparing CEQA and NEPA environmental documents. She leads and directs multidisciplinary teams conducting environmental review and compliance activities for a variety of projects, including mixed-use and residential development, educational/institutional facilities, commercial and light industrial development, recreational facilities, master and specific plans, roadway and bicycle facilities, rail, restoration, and general plan updates. Ms. Hardt-Holoch was assistant project manager for the Chino Hills General Plan EIR. Ms. Hardt- Holoch has recently been involved with urban infill projects such as residential annexation, hillside residential developments, park development plans, public facility projects (e.g., libraries), retail centers and housing element update and general plan update projects.
Ms. Hardt-Holoch will be available to provide strategic direction, work product quality control, and document preparation. In addition to these duties, Ms. Hard-Holoch will assist also be assigned as a Project Manager depending upon the project and her availability. Percentage of time on spent on City projects would be 80%.
Jennifer Johnson, Project Manager
Ms. Johnson, Project Manager has over 23 years of experience in land use analysis and preparation of environmental review documents pursuant to CEQA and NEPA. Ms. Johnson has assisted and managed projects involving the preparation of environmental documentation for both private and public sector clients. Ms. Johnson has been involved in numerous types of projects, including but not limited to, high-density residential projects, mixed-use projects, office projects, educational/institutional projects, and entertainment and sporting facility projects. Ms. Johnson has been involved low rise to high rise multi-use development projects, residential development, retail center facilities, general plan, and specific plan projects. Her responsibilities include the following: management of projects; project budgeting and scheduling; work product quality control; conducting research and writing various document sections; and coordination with regulatory agencies and subcontractors.
Percentage of time on spent on City projects would be 30%.
Staffing
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 21 Jenny Mailhot, Project Manager
Ms. Mailhot, Project Manager from has more than 26 years of experience in the management and preparation of environmental review documents pursuant to CEQA and NEPA for clients in both the public and private sector.
Ms. Mailhot has acted as a day-to-day contact for clients, agency staff, and attorneys, providing valuable insight to the environmental constraints of various projects. She has managed and prepared documentation for highly controversial projects, including residential, retail, office, mixed-use, institutional, recreational, museums, and infrastructure projects. Recent experience includes infill residential development (undeveloped hillside areas and vacant and redevelopment sites) retail centers, mixed-use, office buildings projects. Ms. Mailhot will assist with the preparation of environmental documentation and will be assigned as a Project Manager. Percentage of time on spent on City projects would be 80%.
Shayne Lipsey, Project Manager
Ms. Shayne Lipsey is a Project Manager from with more than 33 years of experience in environmental and land use planning. Ms. Lipsey’s experience includes both the management and preparation of environmental review documents pursuant to CEQA and NEPA for clients in both the public and private sector, as well as preparation of General Plans, Specific Plans, and entitlement documents. Ms. Lipsey has prepared and co-managed a variety of environmental review documents, including Environmental Impact Reports, Initial Studies, Negative Declarations and Mitigated Negative Declarations, Environmental Assessments, Addenda, Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Programs, and other focused environmental analyses. Recently she has assisted with infill residential development retail centers, mixed-use, office buildings, industrial warehousing development projects. Her diverse project experience includes commercial/retail, mixed-use, single- and multi-family residential, institutional, and master planned developments throughout Southern California. Ms. Lipsey will assist with the preparation of environmental documentation. Percentage of time on spent on City projects would be 10%.
Jenny Mailhot, Project Manager
Ms. Mailhot, Project Manager from has more than 26 years of experience in the management and preparation of environmental review documents pursuant to CEQA and NEPA for clients in both the public and private sector.
Ms. Mailhot has acted as a day-to-day contact for clients, agency staff, and attorneys, providing valuable insight to the environmental constraints of various projects. She has managed and prepared documentation for highly controversial projects, including residential, retail, office, mixed-use, institutional, recreational, museums, and infrastructure projects. Recent experience includes infill residential development (undeveloped hillside areas and vacant and redevelopment sites) retail centers, mixed-use, office buildings projects. Ms. Mailhot will assist with the preparation of environmental documentation and will be assigned as a Project Manager. Percentage of time on spent on City projects would be 80%.
Katie Wilson, Senior Air Quality and Noise Specialist
Ms. Wilson is a Senior Air Quality and Noise Specialist and has 18 years of experience preparing air quality, GHG, health risk assessments, and noise technical studies. Ms. Wilson is proficient in CalEEMod, EMFAC, AERMOD, CALINE, FHWA Traffic Noise Prediction Model (FHWA-RD-77-108), Roadway Noise Construction Model (RCNM), and Sound Plan Essential. Ms. Wilson has extensive experience in acoustical, air quality, greenhouse gas (GHG) and health risk impact assessment analyses for public and private sector projects throughout California. She has directed and assisted on hundreds of projects involving air quality and acoustical impact analyses, with an emphasis on accurate and defensible analyses performed in support of CEQA and/or NEPA environmental documentation. Ms. Wilson will prepare all air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, energy, and noise studies.
Percentage of time on spent on City projects would be 20%.
Staffing
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 22 Marisa Wyse, Environmental Planner
Ms. Wyse is an Environmental Planner with over 20 years of experience managing and preparing CEQA and NEPA environmental documents. Ms. Wyse also serves as a Project Manager for MNDs and CEs. She has assisted and managed projects involving the preparation of environmental documentation for both private and public sector projects. Her project experience includes roadway improvements, park development, public facility land use, mixed-use development, hospital/medical facility development and expansion, school development, and energy facility construction. Her project experience includes roadway improvements, park development, public facility land use, mixed-use development, hospital/medical facility development and expansion, school development, and energy facility construction, for which she coordinates between agencies, applicants, consultants, and attorneys to certify CEQA documents as part of the overall project entitlement process. Ms. Wyse will assist with the preparation of environmental documentation. Percentage of time on spent on City projects would be 50%.
2. Subconsultants
Linscott, Law & Greenspan, Engineers, Inc.
David Roseman, P.E., Principal
600 South Lake Avenue, Suite 500
Pasadena, CA 91106
(626) 796-2322
[email protected]
https://llgengineers.com/
Linscott, Law & Greenspan, Engineers, Inc. (LLG), provides transportation planning, traffic engineering and parking consulting services to public agencies and the private sector. LLG is a well-respected firm of medium size, comprised of over fifty dedicated professionals, many with Professional Registration in Traffic Engineering, Civil Engineering, or both. LLG offices located in Woodland Hills, Pasadena, Irvine, and San Diego serve their clients on a wide variety of complex issues. Since our founding in 1966, in excess of 10,000 engagements have been completed involving a wide variety of projects throughout the United States and Overseas, with the core of our practice in Southern California.
David Roseman, P.E., Principal
Mr. Roseman has over 36 years of experience in overseeing all aspects of transportation, traffic and parking, including but not limited to traffic control device placement, traffic signal design and operations, geometric street design, transportation improvement projects, work area traffic controls, traffic calming, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, on-street parking regulations, development review and coordination, oversight of transportation grants and funds, inter-agency coordination, oversized and overweight truck permitting, and the operation and management of City-owned off-street parking facilities. Mr. Roseman leads public meetings and provides expert witness services. Mr. Roseman is the Managing Principal of LLG’s Pasadena office and is a licensed Traffic Engineer in the State of California. Mr. Roseman holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from California State University and received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Director of the United States Secret Service for his development and implementation of the transportation plan for the 2000 National Convention.
David Shender, P.E., Principal
Mr. Shender has over 39 years of experience within the traffic engineering and transportation planning industry, with particular emphasis in the preparation of master planning site access and circulation studies, parking studies, and CEQA-related environmental documentation for a variety of projects, with particular focus on the formulation of comprehensive transportation mitigation packages. Mr. Shender has extensive experience in presenting Staffing
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 23 transportation studies to a spectrum of audiences including land- use decision-makers and community groups.
Mr. Shender is a Principal of LLG’s office in Pasadena, California and currently serves as President of LG2WB Engineers, Inc., dba Linscott, Law & Greenspan, Engineers. Mr. Shender is a licensed Civil Engineer with registration in the States of California and Nevada. Mr. Shender holds both a Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master of Science (MS) in Civil Engineering from Drexel University.
Alfred Ying, P.E., Senior Transportation Engineer
Mr. Ying holds over 33 years of traffic engineering and transportation planning experience, with particular emphasis on the preparation of transportation impact studies and parking studies for various development projects pursuant to the requirements of CEQA. He is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles in 1992. Mr. Ying has a background in complex operational analyses for intersections and roadway corridors and specializes in simulation of traffic flows. He has prepared Caltrans Permit Engineering Evaluation Reports (PEER) for the processing of highway improvements and has performed numerous traffic signal timing, signal progression, and signal warrant analyses. Mr. Ying is a licensed Traffic Engineer in the State of California, a certified Professional Transportation Planner with the Transportation Professional Certification Board, Inc., and a certified Employee Transportation Coordinator with the South Coast Air Quality Management.
Chin Taing, PTP, RSP1, Senior Transportation Planner
Ms. Chin Taing has over 22 years of experience in the preparation of transportation planning analyses, including transportation impact studies and parking studies to support the environmental review process for a variety of project developments in and around the greater Los Angeles region and areas of in the San Gabriel Valley region.
Ms. Taing is a certified Professional Transportation Planner (PTP) and Road Safety Professional (Level 1) (RSP1) with the Transportation Professional Certification Board, Inc. Ms. Taing holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Geography with emphasis on Environmental Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles.
LLG Project Experience:
Since our founding in 1966, over 15,000 engagements have been completed involving a wide variety of projects throughout the United States, with the core of our practice in Southern California. A representative list of recent projects (within the last three years) in which EcoTierra and LLG have worked together as a team:
• Pepperwood Place Project, City of Anaheim. EcoTierra Prepared the Environmental Documentation. LLG prepared a traffic impact analysis. The proposed Project site is located at 910 S. Western Avenue (i.e. generally on the east side of Western Avenue and north of Ball Road), in the City of Anaheim, California.
The Project site is currently occupied with a vacant single-family home that will be demolished. The proposed Project will consist of 12 single-family residential dwelling units on a private street with a “hammerhead” turnaround area. The proposed Project is expected to be completed in the Year 2022.
Access to the proposed Project site will be provided via one (full-access private street driveway along Western Avenue (i.e. Project Access No. 1).
• Colton Truck and Trailer Technical Memorandum, City of Colton. EcoTierra Prepared the Environmental Documentation. LLG prepared the Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Analysis Technical Memorandum. This Technical Memorandum presents the VMT screening criteria, analysis methodology, significance thresholds, VMT analysis, mitigation measures and conclusions. The Project applicant is proposing to construct an approximately ±53,00 square-foot (SF) truck repair and maintenance facility with nine (9) service bays on approximately 4.7 acres of the 36-acre property, which consists of two parcels (APN 163- Staffing
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 24 141-18 and 163-141-19), at 790 E M Street and 375 Mt. Vernon Avenue in the City of Colton. The proposed Project is consistent with the zoning and General Plan designations of M-2 (Heavy Industrial). • Chino Hills Paradise Ranch EIR, City of Chino Hills. EcoTierra Prepared the Environmental Documentation. LLG prepared the traffic study. The Project site is an 85-acre lot, currently occupied by two existing homes, and is generally located east of Canyon Hills Road and south of Esquilime Dive, adjacent to the existing Oak Tree Downs Community and the newly developed Hillcrest Community in the City of Chino Hills, California. The proposed Project includes the development of a new 51 dwelling unit (DU) single-family residential community.
• Chino Hills General Plan Update EIR, City of Chino Hills. EcoTierra is preparing the Environmental Documentation. LLG prepared the traffic study. The update of the General Plan accommodates land use changes promulgated by the Chino Hills 2021-2029 Housing Element, adopted August 16, 2022. The Housing Element requires amending General Plan designations on some of the proposed Housing Element designated Regional Housing Need Assessment (RHNA) sites, which requires revisions to the Land Use Element and Land Use Map of the City of Chino Hills General Plan. The Housing Element also necessitates rezoning of some proposed RHNA sites. In addition, the City is required to make other changes to the General Plan in response to recent State legislation.
Cogstone Resource Management
Molly Valasik, CEO and CFO Project Manager and Principal Archaeologist 1518 W. Taft Avenue
Orange, CA 92865
(714) 974-8300
[email protected]
http://www.cogstone.com/
Cogstone Resource Management specializes in paleontology, archaeology, and history. We serve both public and private sector clients throughout the United States. Our clients are repeat customers who appreciate Cogstone’s solid, dependable deliverables that meet all regulatory requirements for federal, state, and local regulations, including NEPA and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), among others.
Over the past 20 years, Cogstone has successfully completed over 1,600 paleontological, archaeological, and historic resources projects within the broad range of planning and execution phases of large and small projects.
We provide services for multiple sectors, including transportation, energy, renewable energy, bridges, schools, residential and commercial development, landfills, mining, pipelines, telecommunications, water, and infrastructure. The company continues to impact the marketplace with its innovative solutions, customer satisfaction and value-delivered services.
Cogstone takes pride in its ability to respond quickly and effectively to the diverse needs of clients. The company’s client list includes a broad array of federal, state, and county public agencies, full-service engineering and environmental firms, and private developers.
Molly Valasik, CEO and CFO, Project Manager and Principal Archaeologist Ms. Valasik serves as Cogstone’s CEO and CFO and helps guide the vision and direction of Cogstone. She has been with the company since 2009 and has helped transition Cogstone from sole ownership to multiple owners with an active board of directors. Ms. Valasik is a Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA) with more than 14 years Staffing
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 25 of experience. She is a skilled professional who is well-versed in the compliance procedures of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and Sections 106 and 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and regularly prepares cultural resources assessment reports for a variety of federal, state, and local agencies throughout California. Ms. Valasik has managed a variety of projects at Cogstone in the water, transportation, energy, development, and federal sectors. She meets the qualifications required by the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation.
She is accepted as a Principal Investigator for prehistoric archaeology by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and is listed as a Principal Investigator on Cogstone’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Cultural Resource Use Permit.
John Gust Principal Investigator for Archaeology
Dr. Gust is a Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA) with over 11 years of experience in field archaeology.
His field expertise includes pedestrian surveys, excavation monitoring, resource recording, and historic artifact analysis. Dr. Gust has extensive experience in California cultural resources, having served as Principal Investigator on projects for the City of San Juan Capistrano, Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas and Electric, the City of San Jose, Los Angeles International Airport, and the City of Morro Bay. He has managed a variety of projects at Cogstone in the water, transportation, energy, development, and federal sectors. He has also managed cultural resources monitoring projects for both public and private sector clients. He meets the qualifications required by the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation. Dr. Gust is a member of the Society for California Archaeology, Society for American Archaeology, and the American Anthropological Association.
Shannon Lopez, Architectural Historian
Ms. Lopez is a qualified architectural historian with over five years of experience who meets or exceeds the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Architectural History. Her experience includes architectural history research and surveys with photo documentation and recording of built environment resources for local and federal projects. She has extensive knowledge with Native American consultation, consultation with local and state historical societies, and in the analysis of primary and secondary sources. Ms.
Lopez is acknowledged as an approved Architectural Historian by Caltrans and is listed as a Principal Investigator on Cogstone’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Cultural Resources Use Permit. She is accepted as a Principal Investigator for Architectural History and History by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). We have worked with Cogstone for many years. The following is the most recent project in which EcoTierra and Cogstone have prepared the environmental document as a team.
Cogstone Resource Management Project Experience:
• Baseline Road Single-Family Residential and Annexation Tentative Tract Map 82001 Project, City of La Verne. EcoTierra Prepared the IS/MND. Cogstone prepared the Cultural Studies. The proposed Baseline Road Single-Family Residential and Annexation Project (Project) would annex an approximately 19.44- acre undeveloped parcel in the West Claremont portion of unincorporated Los Angeles County into the City of La Verne (City) and the development of seven single- family dwelling units and associated infrastructure.
B. RESUMES
Resumes of our project team including subconsultants are provided after Figure 1 Organizational Chart.
Figure 1
Organization Chart
Linscott, Law & Greenspan, Engineers
Traffic and Transportation
Cogstone
Cultural and Tribal Resources
EcoTierra Consulting, Inc.
Curtis Zacuto
Principal/Owner
Principal-In-Charge/Project Manager
Craig Fajnor
Principal/Owner
Principal/Project Manager
City of Santa Fe Springs
Lead Agency
Katrina Hardt-Holoch
Sr. Project Manager
Environmental Documentation
Jenny Mailhot
Project Manager
Environmental Documentation
Marisa Wyse
Environmental Planner
Environmental Documentation
Katie Wilson
Air Quality and Noise Specialist
Environmental Documentation
Shayne Lipsey
Environmental Planner
Environmental Documentation
Jennifer Johnson
Project Manager
Environmental Documentation
Lainie Herrera
Sr. Project Manager
Environmental Documentation
CURTIS ZACUTO / PRINCIPAL
Experience Summary
Mr. Curtis Zacuto, Co-Founder and Principal of EcoTierra Consulting, Inc., has more than 37 years of experience in environmental planning and project management. Mr. Zacuto has served in a senior position at previous consulting firms and has worked for a public university as a principal campus environmental planner. Mr. Zacuto specializes in urban and rural projects and has managed large and complex and controversial projects in the Los Angeles area and throughout the Southern California region. Mr. Zacuto’s background in private and public sector planning has resulted in a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationships between land use regulations, environmental impact and project implementation.
Education Background and Professional Affiliations
• M.U.R.P. in Planning – California State Polytechnic University, Pomona • B.A. in Sociology - UCLA
• American Planning Association (APA)
• Association of Environmental Planners (AEP)
Project Experience
• 6th/Harvard Mixed Use Hotel EIR
• 1633 26th Street Santa Monica
• 7720 Lankershim Residential
• 12444 Chandler Blvd Residential
• The Plaza at Santa Monica EIR
• 8899 Beverly Blvd EIR
• Anaheim 39 Commons Initial Study
• Anaheim A-Town Areas B & E Initial Study
• Anaheim Holden Sr. Housing Facility CE
• Anaheim Pepperwood Place CE
• Chino Hills Paradise Ranch EIR
• City of Sierra Madre Housing Element EIR
• Community Recycling & Resource Center EIR
• Crescent Hts. Condominium Project EIR
• Eldridge Lots Residential
• Franklin Avenue Apartment Project EIR
• Gower/Hollywood Condominium Project EIR
• Housing Element Updates IS/ND (Bell Gardens,
El Segundo, Glendora, Imperial Beach, La Mesa)
• La Verne Baseline SFR & Annexation IS/MND
• Keystone Subdivision Project EIR
• Laing Homes Studio City IS/MND
• Malibu Valley Inn & Spa Resort Hotel EIR
• Morrison Hotel EIR
• NBC Studios Master Plan EIR
• North Hollywood Self Storage IS/MND
• Paseo Plaza Mixed Use Development EIR
• Simi. Valley, Parker Ranch EIR
• The Village at Tarzana Residential Project
• Walmart EIR (Garden Grove)
• Walmart EIR (Lancaster)
• Walmart Technical Studies (Lompoc)
• Walmart EIR (Ridgecrest)
• Walmart EIR (Tehachapi)
• Warner Bros Studios Master Plan EIR
• West Hollywood 8899 Beverly Blvd EIR
• Woodley/SF Mission Project
22 CRAIG FAJNOR / PRINCIPAL
Experience Summary
Mr. Craig Fajnor, Co-Founder and Principal of EcoTierra Consulting, Inc., has 38 years of experience in environmental planning and project management. Mr. Fajnor has served in a senior management position at various consulting firms for over 18 years and operated an independent consulting practice for more than 13 years. Mr. Fajnor specializes in urban projects and has managed large and complex projects in Los Angeles and throughout the Southern California region, including EIRs for the Staples Center and Hollywood and Highland projects, and an EIR/EIS for the Los Angeles Air Force Base. Mr. Fajnor brings extensive hands-on experience in all forms of environmental documentation which may be needed to meet the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.
Education Background and Professional Affiliations
• M.A. in Planning – University of Virginia
• B.A. in Political Science – Duke University
• American Planning Association (APA)
• Former editor of The Dispatch, newsletter of the Los Angeles Section of APA Project Experience
EIRs/EISs
• Anaheim Gateway Project (EIR)
• Ashland Chemical Distribution Center (EIR)
• Bradley Landfill and Recycling Center Master
Plan (EIR)
• Chinatown Redevelopment Project (EIR
Addendum)
• Downey Studios Mixed-Use Development
Specific Plan (EIR)
• Grand Avenue Project (EIR Addendum)
• Harbor Gateway Center (EIR)
• Hollywood & Highland (EIR)
• Hollywood Redevelopment Plan (EIR)
• Hollywood and Vine (EIR Addendum
• Kinder-Morgan Tank Farm Projects (EIR)
• LAAFB Land Conveyance, Construction and
Development Project (EIR/EIS)
• Metro Universal Project (EIR)
• North Hollywood Arts and Entertainment District
(EIR/EIS)
• Olive Avenue Development Peer Review
• Playa Vista Phase I (EIR)
• Sepulveda/Rosecrans Site Rezoning and
Plaza El Segundo Development (EIR)
• Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center (EIR)
• Staples Center (EIR)
• UCLA University Village Expansion (EIR)
• Universal City Specific Plan (EIR)
• Wilshire Grand Redevelopment Plan (EIR)
• Vermont Corridor (EIR)
Initial Studies/MNDs/EAs
• California Hospital Medical Center Seismic
Reconstruction (EA)
• Sunquest Business Park (EA)
• Wiseburn School District Reconstructions
(MND)
KATRINA HARDT-HOLOCH / SR. PROJECT MANAGER/REGIONAL MANAGER
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Experience Summary
Katrina Hardt-Holoch is a Senior Environmental Planner/Project Manager at EcoTierra Consulting, Inc. with over 24 years of experience managing and preparing CEQA and NEPA environmental documents. She leads and directs multidisciplinary teams conducting environmental review and compliance activities for a variety of projects, including urban development, educational/institutional facilities, recreational facilities, master and specific plans, roadway and bicycle facilities, rail, restoration, and general plan updates.
Education Background and Professional Affiliations
• M.U.R.P. in Planning – Portland State University
• B.U.S. in Physical Geography – University of New Mexico • American Planning Association (APA)
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), #017806 Project Experience
• Rialto Olive Grove Dev. IS/MND Peer Review
• Rialto Birtcher Logistics IS/MND Peer Review
• 16201 Raymer IS/MND (City of L.A.)
• 156 Business Parkway Addendum IS/MND (City of
Hollister)
• Business Parkway IS Addendum (City of
Livermore)
• South Hayward Development Project IS/MND (City
of Hayward)
• Steelwave Industrial Park Addendum IS/MND (City
of Hayward)
• 225 Greenville Road IS/MND (City of Livermore)
• Crystal Springs Uplands School EIR (City of
Belmont)
• Tolay Lake Master Plan EIR (Sonoma County
Regional Parks)
• Gelson’s Market IS/MND (City of Manhattan Beach)
• Bixel Residences IS/MND (City of Los Angeles)
• 627 Vermont IS/MND (City of Los Angeles)
• Britannia Cove at Oyster Point Specific Plan
Subsequent EIR (City of South San Francisco)
• Gateway Business Park Master Plan EIR (City of
South San Francisco)
• East Bay Greenway IS/MND (Alameda County
Transportation Commission)
• Rainier Cross-Town Connector Project EIR (City of
Petaluma)
• Bakersfield to Palmdale High-Speed Rail Project
EIR/EIS (California High-Speed Rail Authority)
• Fresno to Bakersfield High-Speed Rail EIR/EIS
(California High-Speed Rail Authority)
• Antioch General Plan Land Use Element Addendum
(City of Antioch)
• Healdsburg General Plan EIR (City of Healdsburg)
• Campbell General Plan Update EIR (City of
Campbell)
• Alameda Point General Plan Amendment EIR (City of
Alameda)
• San Pedro Community Plan EIR (City of Los Angeles)
• Westlake Community Plan EIR (City of Los Angeles)
LAINIE HERRERA / SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER
Experience Summary
Lainie Herrera is a Senior Project Manager at EcoTierra Consulting, Inc. with over 20 years of experience managing and preparing CEQA and NEPA environmental documents. Her experience includes residential, office, mixed-use, institutional, recreation, and infrastructure projects, for which she coordinates between agencies, applicants, consultants, and attorneys to certify CEQA documents as part of the overall project entitlement process. Ms. Herrera also has experience with community outreach, land use entitlements and findings, and public hearings.
Education Background and Professional Affiliations
• B.S. in Public Policy, Management, and Planning – University of Southern California • USC Alumni Real Estate Network
• Volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for foster youth Project Experience
• Wilshire Grand Redevelopment Project (EIR)
• 1601 & 1605 Vine Street Project (EIR)
• 9th & Flower: A South Park Mixed-Use
Development (EIR)
• Bradley Landfill and Recycling Center Master Plan
(EIR)
• Casden Sepulveda Project (EIR)
• Central Regional High School #13, LAUSD (EIR)
• Del Amo Fashion Center Mixed-Use Development
Project (EIR)
• Laurel Place Senior Housing Project, City of West
Hollywood (EIR)
• Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (EIR)
• Malibu Civic Center – La Paz Development Project
(EIR)
• Sepulveda/Rosecrans Site Rezoning and Plaza El
Segundo Development (EIR)
• LAAFB Land Conveyance, Construction, and
Development Project (EIR)
• Oxford Avenue Apartments Project (EIR)
• Palisades Landmark Condominium Project (EIR)
• SeaGlass Townhome Project (EIR)
• Summerwind Ranch at Oak Valley, City of Calimesa
(EIR)
• Wetherly Project / Residences at the Four Seasons
(EIR)
• Wilshire Boulevard Condominium Project (EIR)
• The Lorenzo Project (EIR)
• Wilshire Gate 631 S Vermont (IS/MND)
• 1340 S. Hill (IS/MND)
• Abode La Veranda (IS/MND)
• 8070 Beverly (IS/MND)
• Fashion District Residences (IS/MND)
• Beverly Connection (IS/MND)
• Casden Ross Project (MND)
• Cross Valley Transmission Line Habitat
Conservation Plan (EA)
• City of Los Angeles Housing Department Section
151.28 Ellis Act Provisions – Rental of Replacement
Units (IS/ND)
• First Street Trunk Line Project, LADWP (MND)
• Jefferson at Hollywood Residential/Retail Project
(MND)
• Marlton Square (IS/EA)
• Plaza Pacoima (MND)
• Sun Valley Health Care Center (MND)
• Valor Academy (MND)
JENNIFER JOHNSON / PROJECT MANAGER
Experience Summary
Ms. Jennifer Johnson, a Project Manager for EcoTierra Consulting, Inc., has over 23 years of experience in land use analysis and preparation of environmental review documents pursuant to CEQA and NEPA.
Ms. Johnson has assisted and managed projects involving the preparation of environmental documentation for both private and public sector clients, including: Environmental Assessments, Initial Studies, Negative Declarations, Mitigated Negative Declarations, Mitigation Monitoring Programs, Environmental Impact Reports, Focused Environmental Impact Reports, and Environmental Impact Statements. Ms. Johnson has been involved in numerous types of projects, including but not limited to, high-density residential projects, mixed-use projects, office projects, educational/institutional projects, and entertainment and sporting facility projects. Her responsibilities include the following: management of projects; project budgeting and scheduling; work product quality control; conducting research and writing various document sections; coordination with regulatory agencies and subcontractors; as well as preparation of proposals.
Education Background and Professional Affiliations
• B.A. in Environmental Studies and Public Policy & Management – University of Southern California • Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP)
Project Experience
EIRs
• 1100 E. 6th Street EIR
• 1375 S. Andrews EIR
• 676 Mateo Street Project EIR
• 8899 Beverly Boulevard Project EIR
• Academy Square Project EIR
• Barstow Walmart EIR
• City of Agoura Hills General Plan Update EIR
• City of El Segundo General Plan Update EIR
• El Segundo Corporate Campus EIR
• Hollywood Park Redevelopment Project EIR
• ICON at Panorama EIR
• LAAFB Land Conveyance, Construction EIR
• Los Angele Memorial Coliseum EIR
• Metro Universal Project EIR
• Museum of Tolerance EIR
• Museum Square Office Building EIR
• Palisades Landmark Condominium Project EIR
• Target at Sunset and Western EIR
• The REEF EIR
• City of Sierra Madre General Plan Update EIR
• Spring Street Hotel Project EIR
• The Grand Avenue Project EIR
• Vermont Corridor Project EIR
• Wilshire Boulevard Condo Project EIR
• Wilshire Grand Redevelopment Project EIR
Initial Studies/MNDs/EAs
• 1334 Flower Street IS/ND
• Beverly Connection MND and Addendum
• Boeing Selby Block Zone Change GP IS/MND
• El Segundo Boeing S50 Bldg. Expan. IS/MND
• El Segundo Boeing S50 Bldg. Addition IS/MND
SHAYNE LIPSEY / PROJECT MANAGER
Experience Summary
Ms. Shayne Lipsey is a Project Manager with more than 33 years of experience in environmental and land use planning. Ms. Lipsey’s experience includes both the management and preparation of environmental review documents pursuant to CEQA and NEPA for clients in both the public and private sector, as well as preparation of General Plans, Specific Plans and entitlement documents. Ms. Lipsey has prepared and comanaged a variety of environmental review documents, including Environmental Impact Reports, Initial Studies, Negative Declarations and Mitigated Negative Declarations, Environmental Assessments, Addenda, Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Programs, and other focused environmental analyses. Her diverse project experience includes commercial/retail, mixed-use, single- and multi-family residential, institutional, and master planned developments throughout Southern California. Ms. Lipsey’s background in private and public sector planning has resulted in a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationships between land use regulations, environmental impact and project implementation.
Education Background and Professional Affiliations
• MPL in Urban and Regional Planning – USC
• MPA in Public Administration - USC
• B.A. in Political Science - UCLA
Project Experience
EIRs/EISs
• City of Malibu General Plan/LCP EIR
• Community Recycling & Resource EIR
• Crescent Hts Condominium Project EIR
• Gower/Hollywood Condominium Project EIR
• Verdugo Hills Golf Course Residential EIR
• Marina del Rey Tower Mixed Use EIR
• Sakioka Farms Business Park Specific Plan EIR
• Santa Anita Park Specific Plan EIR
• Calabasas Village Inn EIR
• Metro Rail Red Line EIR
• Superblock Redevelopment EIR
• North Fontana Infrastructure EIR)
• Los Angeles International Golf Course EIS
• Fort MacArthur/White Point EIS
• State Route 58 (Tier 1) EIR
• Southside Corridor (Tier 1) EIR
• Chevron Pipeline EIR
• Macy’s/Lake Avenue EIR
• Santa Clarita General Plan EIR
• Yardbirds Center (Santa Rosa) EIR
Initial Studies/MNDs/EAs
• Argyle Lofts IS/MND
• Pantages Theater IS/MND
• Elite Aviation FBO IS/MND
• Music Center IS/MND
JENNY MAILHOT / PROJECT MANAGER
Experience Summary
Ms. Jenny Mailhot, Project Manager at EcoTierra Consulting, Inc., has more than 26 years of experience in the management and preparation of environmental review documents pursuant to CEQA and NEPA for clients in both the public and private sector. Ms. Mailhot has acted as a day-to-day contact for clients, agency staff, and attorneys, providing valuable insight to the environmental constraints of various projects. She has managed and prepared documentation for highly controversial projects, including:
residential, retail, office, mixed-use, institutional, recreational, museums, and infrastructure projects. Ms.
Mailhot has also prepared peer reviews of environmental documentation for clients, and has experience with land use entitlements, findings, and mitigation monitoring programs.
Education Background and Professional Affiliations
• B.A. in Environmental Studies – University of California, Santa Barbara • Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP)
Project Experience
EIRs/EISs
• 6
th and Alameda (EIR)
• 6400 West Sunset (EIR)
• 959 Seward Street Project (EIR/EA)
• Barlow Hospital Replacement/Master Plan (EIR)
• Beach Cities Media Campus (EIR)
• Bellevue Center Whole Foods Project (EIR)
• BLVD 6200 (EIR)
• Bradley Landfill and Recycling Center Master
Plan (EIR)
• Burbank Media Studios North (EIR)
• Cameron Ranch (EIR)
• Central Metal (EIR)
• CitizenM (EIR)
• Corporate Plaza EIR
• Highland Center (EIR)
• Hollywood Central Park (EIR)
• Hollywood/Garfield Mixed-Use Development
(EIR)
• LAAFB Land Conveyance, Construction and
Development Project (EIS/EIR)
• Laguna Beach Community/Senior Center (EIR)
• Los Angeles County Museum of Art (EIR)
• Olive Avenue Development (Peer Review)
• Playa Vista Second Phase Project Draft (EIS/EIR)
• Plaza at Santa Monica
• Providence Tarzana Medical Center Project (EIR)
• Santa Monica College Madison Theater (EIR)
• Sea Breeze (EIR)
• Sepulveda/Rosecrans Site Rezoning and Plaza El
Segundo Development (EIR)
• Snyder Valley Plaza Project (EIR)
• Spectrum Group (EIR)
• Temple Israel of Hollywood Enhancement (EIR)
• Tierra Luna (EIR)
• Tribune (EIR)
• Vermont Corridor EIR
• Westfield Promenade (EIR)
ISs/MNDs/EAs
• 4900 Hollywood (IS/MND)
• 6904 Hollywood Boulevard Retail Office (IS/MND)
• Caroline Severance Manor (IS/MND/EA)
• CIM West Los Angeles Plaza (EA)
• Colburn School of Performing Arts Expansion
Project (IS/MND)
• Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance (IS)
• Melrose and Seward (IS/MND)
• Santa Clarita Neighborhood Storage (IS/MND)
KATIE WILSON / SENIOR ANALYST
Experience Summary
Ms. Wilson has 17 years of experience preparing air quality, GHG, health risk assessments, and noise technical studies. Ms. Wilson is proficient in CalEEMod, EMFAC, AERMOD, CALINE, FHWA Traffic Noise Prediction Model (FHWA-RD-77-108), Roadway Noise Construction Model (RCNM), and Sound Plan Essential. Ms. Wilson has extensive experience in acoustical, air quality, greenhouse gas (GHG) and health risk impact assessment analyses for public and private sector projects throughout California. She has directed and assisted on hundreds of projects involving air quality and acoustical impact analyses, with an emphasis on accurate and defensible analyses performed in support of CEQA and/or NEPA environmental documentation.
Education Background and Professional Affiliations
• M.S. Environmental Toxicology – University of California, Riverside • B.S. Biology with a Minor/Certificate in Criminal Justice – California State University, San Bernardino
• Air Quality Permitting and Enforcement Class - University of California, Riverside • Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP)
Sample Project Experience
Noise
• Loma Linda Memory Care Facility
• Pepito’s Drive Through Expansion Project
• Pixley Anaerobic Digester
Air-GHG, and Noise
• Morrison Hotel Project EIR
• Marriott Hotel Expansion IS/MND
• Kohl Ranch Specific Plan No. 303 Amendment 2
• East Pleasanton Specific Plan
• Preserve Sewer Improvement Project
• General Plan Update for Cities of Agoura Hills,
Sierra Madre and El Segundo
Air and GHG
• Coachillin’ Industrial Park
• Highway 111 Widening and Improvement
Project
• Sierra Bella Specific Plan
Air, GHG and HRA
• South Bay Distribution Center
• Chiming Inc. Industrial Project
• Coachella Valley Compost Facility Expansion
HRA
• Canyon Creek Resort Specific Plan
• Menifee North Specific Plan
MARISA WYSE / ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNER
Experience Summary
Marisa Wyse is an Environmental Analyst EcoTierra Consulting, Inc. EcoTierra Consulting, Inc. with over 20 years of experience managing and preparing CEQA and NEPA environmental documents. She has assisted and managed projects involving the preparation of environmental documentation for both private and public sector projects including: Initial Studies, Mitigated Negative Declarations, Mitigation Monitoring Programs, Environmental Impact Reports, Focused Environmental Impact Reports, and Combined Environmental Impact Reports/Environmental Impact Statements. Her project experience includes roadway improvements, park development, public facility land use, mixed-use development, hospital/medical facility development and expansion, school development, and energy facility construction, for which she coordinates between agencies, applicants, consultants, and attorneys to certify CEQA documents as part of the overall project entitlement process.
Education Background and Professional Affiliations
• B.A. in Geology – Occidental College
• Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP)
Project Experience
EIRs/EISs
• 1633 26th Street EIR
• Contra Costa Water District Alternative Intake
(EIR/EIS), Contra Costa County Water District
• California Pacific Medical Center Long-Range
Development Plan (EIR), City and County of San
Francisco
• Yerba Buena island Ramps (EIR/EIS/Section 4
Evaluation), San Francisco County Transportation
Authority and Caltrans District 4
• 950 Mason Street Fairmont Hotel (EIR), City and
County of San Francisco
• Santa Monica High School Science and Technology
Building and Site Improvement, (EIR), SMUSD
• Centrum Sunset EIR, City of West Hollywood
• Sunset Time, City of West Hollywood
• Termino Avenue Drain (EIR), LADPW
• Santa Anita Dam Riser Modification and Reservoir
Sediment Removal (EIR), LADPW
• San Gabriel River Discovery Center (EIR), San
Gabriel River Discovery Center Authority
• Disposition of Offshore Cooling Water Conduits
SONGS Unit 1 (EIR), Southern California Edison
• Central Regional High School #13 (EIR), LAUSD
• Laurel Place Senior Housing (EIR), West Hollywood
• Morrison Hotel EIR
• Olive Avenue Development Peer Review
• Summerwind Ranch at Oak Valley (EIR) (Calimesa)
• Spring Street Hotel EIR
• General Plan Update EIRs for Cities of Agoura Hills,
Sierra Madre and El Segundo
• City of La Mesa Housing Element Update (IS/MND)
ISs/MNDs/EAs
• Marriott Hotel Expansion (MND)
• LA Coroner Crypt Building Addition and Tenant
Improvement (MND), LADPW
• LA Mesa Housing Element (ND)
• La Verne Baseline Road SFR/Annexation (MND)
• Morris Dam Water Supply Enhancement (MND)
• Olive View Medical Center Emergency Services
Expansion and Acute Care Unit (MND), LADPW
• San Bernardino Fast5Xpress Car Wash (MND)
• Santa Clarita Neighborhood Storage (MND)
David A. Roseman, P.E. PRINCIPAL
LINSCOTT, LAW & GREENSPAN, ENGINEERS
600 South Lake Avenue, Suite 500, CA 91106
626.796-2322
www.llgengineers.com
LOCATIONS :
PASADENA
IRVINE
SAN DIEGO
BIOGRAPHY
- Mr. Roseman has over 36 years of experience in overseeing all aspects of transportation, traffic and parking, including but not limited to traffic control device placement, traffic signal design and operations, geometric street design, transportation improvement projects, work area traffic controls, traffic calming, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, on-street parking regulations, development review and coordination, oversight of transportation grants and funds, inter-agency coordination, oversized and overweight truck permitting, and the operation and management of City-owned off-street parking facilities. Mr. Roseman leads public meetings and provides expert witness services. Mr. Roseman is the Managing Principal of LLG’s Pasadena office and is a licensed Traffic Engineer in the State of California. Mr. Roseman holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from California State University and received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Director of the United States Secret Service for his development and implementation of the transportation plan for the 2000 National Convention.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
- Transportation Impact Studies - Conceptual Mitigation Planning - Signal Synchronization Systems - Engineering and Traffic Surveys/Safety Studies - Transportation Master Planning - Analyses for Environmental Review - Site Feasibility Planning - Regional Facility Operations and Analysis
REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS
City of Brea Contract City Traffic Engineer - Engineering & Traffic Surveys, crossing guard evaluation studies, school safety studies, transportation fee nexus studies, safety investigations, warrant studies ITF Auxiliary Curbs Signing/Striping Plans & Traffic Simulations City of Cypress Contract City Traffic Engineering - Engineering & Traffic Surveys, crossing guard evaluation studies, school safety studies, transportation fee nexus studies, safety investigations, warrant studies ITF Auxiliary Curbs Signing/Striping Plans & Traffic Simulations City of Fullerton Contract City Traffic Engineering - Engineering & Traffic Surveys, crossing guard evaluation studies, school safety studies, transportation fee nexus studies, safety investigations, warrant studies ITF Auxiliary Curbs Signing/Striping Plans & Traffic Simulations City of Long Beach City Traffic Engineer in the Transportation Engineering and Mobility Department - oversaw control device placement, traffic signal design and operations, geometric street design, work area traffic control plans, and transportation improvement projects City of Irwindale - Oversaw the preparation of an Engineering and Traffic Surveys City of Irwindale - Azusa Canyon Road & Nubia Street, traffic signal plan YEARS OF EXPERIENCE – 36 years
YEARS WITH LLG ENGINEERS – 3 years
EDUCATION – B.S. in Civil Engineering, California State University, Long Beach, CA
REGISTRATION – Professional Engineer, CA Registration TR 1585 PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS – Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) David S. Shender, P.E. PRINCIPAL
LINSCOTT, LAW & GREENSPAN, ENGINEERS
600 South Lake Avenue, Suite 500, CA 91106
626.796-2322
www.llgengineers.com
LOCATIONS :
PASADENA
IRVINE
SAN DIEGO
BIOGRAPHY
- Mr. Shender has over 39 years of experience within the traffic engineering and transportation planning industry, with particular emphasis in the preparation of master planning site access and circulation studies, parking studies, and CEQA-related environmental documentation for a variety of projects, with particular focus on the formulation of comprehensive transportation mitigation packages. Mr. Shender has extensive experience in presenting transportation studies to a spectrum of audiences including landuse decision-makers and community groups. Mr. Shender is a Principal of LLG’s office in Pasadena, California and currently serves as President of LG2WB Engineers, Inc., dba Linscott, Law & Greenspan, Engineers. Mr. Shender is a licensed Civil Engineer with registration in the States of California and Nevada. Mr. Shender holds both a Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master of Science (MS) in Civil Engineering from Drexel University.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
- Transportation Impact Studies - Conceptual Mitigation Planning - Analyses for Environmental Review - Site Feasibility Planning - Transportation Master Planning - Access and Circulation Planning - Regional Facility Operations and Analysis - Parking Studies/Shared Parking Demand Analyses
REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS
City of Los Angeles – 825 Hampton Drive Shared Parking Demand City of Inglewood – Hollywood Park Hotel Shared Parking Demand City of Beverly Hills – 129 Linden Transportation Study City of Santa Clarita – River Oaks Parking Study
City of Culver City – 8439 Stellar Drive COU Trip Generation Assessment City of Malibu – Malibu Canyon Resort Transportation Study County of Los Angeles - Stevenson Ranch Plaza Shared Parking Demand City of Azusa – Azusa Greens Redevelopment Project Transportation Study City of Los Angeles – 10755 West Venice Boulevard Site Access and Circulation City of Los Angeles – Cedars-Sinai Research Tower Shared Parking Demand City of Los Angeles – Cedars-Sinai New Patient Tower Construction Design Support City of Santa Monica – 234 Pico Boulevard Parking Update City of Calabasas – The Commons at Calabasas Residential Mixed-Use Transportation Study YEARS OF EXPERIENCE – 39 years
YEARS WITH LLG ENGINEERS – 39 years
EDUCATION – B.S. in Civil Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
M.S. in Civil Engineering, Drexel University,
Philadelphia, PA
REGISTRATION – Professional Engineer, CA Registration C45324 PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS – Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Alfred C. Ying, P.E. SENIOR TRANSPORTATION ENGINEER
LINSCOTT, LAW & GREENSPAN, ENGINEERS
600 South Lake Avenue, Suite 500, CA 91106
626.796-2322
www.llgengineers.com
LOCATIONS :
PASADENA
IRVINE
SAN DIEGO
BIOGRAPHY
Mr. Ying holds over 33 years of traffic engineering and transportation planning experience, with particular emphasis on the preparation of transportation impact studies and parking studies for various development projects pursuant to the requirements of CEQA. He is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles in 1992. Mr. Ying has a background in complex operational analyses for intersections and roadway corridors and specializes in simulation of traffic flows. He has prepared Caltrans Permit Engineering Evaluation Reports (PEER) for the processing of highway improvements and has performed numerous traffic signal timing, signal progression, and signal warrant analyses.
Mr. Ying is a licensed Traffic Engineer in the State of California, a certified Professional Transportation Planner with the Transportation Professional Certification Board, Inc., and a certified Employee Transportation Coordinator with the South Coast Air Quality Management.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
- Transportation Impact Studies - Parking Studies
- Environmental Evaluation Analyses - Shared Parking Demand Analyses - Operational Analyses for Intersections and
Corridors
- Caltrans Permit Engineering Evaluation Report
(PEER) Preparation
- Traffic Engineering, Transportation Planning and
Site Design Consultation
- Site Access & Internal Circulation Review
Study & Design
REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS
City of Pasadena – Shops on Hill Addendum Parking Study City of Los Angeles – 6400 Owensmouth Avenue Parking Assessment City of Pico Rivera – 8337 Telegraph Road Shared Parking City of South Gate – 9501 Atlantic Avenue Starbucks Transportation Impact Study City of Redondo Beach – Beach Cities Health District Healthy Living Campus Peer Review County of Los Angeles – Topanga Lagoon Restoration Site Access & Circulation Review City of Baldwin Park – Zocolo Civic Center Site Access & Circulation Review City of South Gate – Legacy Apartments Transportation and Parking Assessment City of Whittier – 12823 Hadley Work/Live Vehicle Miles Traveled Assessment City of Los Angeles – TVC 2050 Project Peer Review
City of Whittier – 12031 Philadelphia Street Building 4 Parking Assessment City of Downey – Prologis Stewart & Gray Road Warehouse Transportation Study City of El Monte – A&J El Monte Training Facility & Vocational School Transportation/Parking Assessment County of Los Angeles – Big Dalton Spreading Grounds Improvement Project Transportation Impact Study YEARS OF EXPERIENCE – 33 years
YEARS WITH LLG ENGINEERS – 26 years
EDUCATION – B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles
REGISTRATION – Professional Engineer, CA Registration TR 1944 Professional Transportation Planner Certificate
No. 154
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS – Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Chin S. Taing, PTP, RSP1 SENIOR TRANSPORTATION PLANNER
LINSCOTT, LAW & GREENSPAN, ENGINEERS
600 South Lake Avenue, Suite 500, CA 91106
626.796.2322
www.llgengineers.com
LOCATIONS :
PASADENA
IRVINE
SAN DIEGO
BIOGRAPHY
Ms. Chin Taing has over 22 years of experience in the preparation of transportation planning analyses, including transportation impact studies and parking studies to support the environmental review process for a variety of project developments in and around the greater Los Angeles region and areas of in the San Gabriel Valley region.
Ms. Taing is a certified Professional Transportation Planner (PTP) and Road Safety Professional (Level 1) (RSP1) with the Transportation Professional Certification Board, Inc. Ms. Taing holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Geography with emphasis on Environmental Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
- Transportation Impact Studies/Analyses for
Environmental Review
- Site Access, Sight Distance and Circulation
Review
- Transportation Planning - Transportation Surveys/Trip Monitoring - GIS Applications - Shared Parking Demand Analyses
- Parking Studies - Traffic Signal Warrants Analyses
REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS
City of Arcadia – Home2Suites Hotel shared parking analysis, VMT Analysis, Trip Generation Assessment & Site Access & Circulation Review
City of Claremont – Clara Oaks Specific Plan VMT Analysis & Transportation Study City of Covina – Covina Bowl Specific Plan VMT Analysis, Shared Parking Analysis & Transportation Study City of El Monte – El Monte Mixed-Use VMT Analysis, Site & Circulation Review & Transportation Study City of Monrovia – The Arroyo @ Monrovia Station, 123 & 137 W. Pomona TOD Mixed-Use Projects Transportation Analyses and Caltrans Facilities Analyses City of Monterey Park – Self-storage Projects VMT Analysis, Site Access & Circulation Transportation Studies
City of San Dimas – Creekside Investors Residential Project Sight Distance Analysis & Emergency Evacuation Review Study
City of San Gabriel – San Gabriel Sheraton Hotel Project Shared Parking Analysis, & Transportation Demand Management Transportation study
City of San Marino - San Marino Center (SMC) Renovation Project VMT Analysis, Trip Generation Assessment & Shared Parking Analysis
City of West Covina – Chick-fil-A Drive-Through Queuing, Site Access & Circulation Transportation Study City of Los Angeles – Various Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Campus Modernization Projects Pedestrian Safety & Construction Assessment
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE – 22 years
YEARS WITH LLG ENGINEERS – 15 years
EDUCATION – B.A. in Geography/Environmental Studies,
University of California, Los Angeles
REGISTRATION – Professional Transportation Planner, Cert. No. 149 Road Safety Professional L1, Cert. No. 564
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS – Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
MOLLY VALASIK
Project Manager and Principal Archaeologist
EDUCATION
2009 M.A., Anthropology, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 2006 B.A., Anthropology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
SUMMARY QUALIFICATIONS
Ms. Valasik serves as Cogstone’s CEO and CFO and helps guide the vision and direction of Cogstone.
She has been with the company since 2009 and has helped transition Cogstone from sole ownership to multiple owners with an active board of directors. Ms. Valasik is a Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA) with more than 15 years of experience. She is a skilled professional who is well-versed in the compliance procedures of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and Sections 106 and 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and regularly prepares cultural resources assessment reports for a variety of federal, state, and local agencies throughout California. Ms. Valasik has managed a variety of projects at Cogstone in the water, transportation, energy, development, and federal sectors. She meets the qualifications required by the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation. She is accepted as a Principal Investigator for prehistoric archaeology by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and is listed as a Principal Investigator on Cogstone’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Cultural Resource Use Permit.
SELECTED EXPERIENCE
Scotty’s Castle Utilities Projects, Death Valley National Park, Inyo County, CA. Cogstone is providing cultural resources services during utilities work including a water line, sewer line, and sewer pipe lighting. Any newly identified resources will be fully documented on California Department of Parks and Recreation 523 (DPR 523) forms. All work for the project will be completed in compliance with Section 106 of the NHPA and NEPA. Sub to Copper Mountain Services, LLC. Project Manager and Principal Investigator. 2023-ongoing
Ley Lane Parcel Project, Inyo County, CA. Cogstone conducted a cultural resources assessment to determine the potential impacts to cultural resources during development of the 2.5-acre parcel.
Cogstone's services included cultural resources records search, a Sacred Lands File search from the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), and an intensive pedestrian survey. Cogstone prepared a Cultural Resources Assessment Report to document the results of the assessment. Inyo County was the lead agency under CEQA. Sub to Geode Environmental. Project Manager and Principal Archaeologist. 2023
Community Fuels Reduction, Round Valley, Inyo County, CA. Cogstone conducted a cultural resources assessment to determine the potential impacts to cultural resources during the project. The purpose of the project was to support wildfire resilience and reduce wildfire risk by restoring, enhancing, and uplifting native riparian and upland habitats through removal of invasive plants and surface fuels adjacent to the 40 Acres residential community. Cogstone’s services included a cultural resources records search, a Sacred Lands File search from the NAHC, and an intensive pedestrian survey. A Cultural Resources Assessment Report was prepared at the conclusion of the project. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL Fire), San Bernardino Unit, was the lead agency under CEQA. Sub to Geode Environmental. Project Manager and Principal Archaeologist. 2022 June Lake RV Park Project, June Lake, Mono County, CA. Cogstone conducted a cultural resources assessment to determine the potential impacts to cultural resources by the development of a 2.2-acre private recreational vehicle park. The project required a land use reclassification from the current Resource Management designation to Industrial designation. This reclassification required a General Plan Amendment through Mono County, which required a CEQA analysis to disclose the potential impacts from the project. Cogstone’s services included a cultural resources records search, a Sacred Lands File search from the NAHC, and an intensive pedestrian survey. Cogstone prepared a Cultural Resources Assessment Report. Mono County was the lead agency under CEQA. Sub to Geode Environmental. Project Manager and Principal Archaeologist. 2022
JOHN GUST
Principal Investigator for Archaeology
EDUCATION
2016 Ph.D., Anthropology, University of California, Riverside (UCR) 2011 M.A., Anthropology, UCR
2007 M.A., Applied Geography, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) 2002 B.A., Anthropology, minor in Geography/Environmental Studies, UCCS
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Dr. Gust is a Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA) with over 11 years of experience in field archaeology. His field expertise includes pedestrian surveys, excavation monitoring, resource recording, and historic artifact analysis. Dr. Gust has extensive experience in California cultural resources, having served as Principal Investigator on projects for the City of San Juan Capistrano, Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas and Electric, the City of San Jose, Los Angeles International Airport, and the City of Morro Bay. He has managed a variety of projects at Cogstone in the water, transportation, energy, development, and federal sectors. He has also managed cultural resources monitoring projects for both public and private sector clients. He meets the qualifications required by the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation. Dr. Gust is a member of the Society for California Archaeology, Society for American Archaeology, and the American Anthropological Association.
SELECTED EXPERIENCE
De Portola Development Project, City of Temecula, Riverside County, CA. Cogstone conducted a cultural and paleontological resources assessment to determine potential impacts to cultural and paleontological resources during development of the 20-acre project area into multiple, multe-family housing units. Additional services consisted of cultural and paleontological records searches, a Sacred Lands File search from the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), and an intensive pedestrian survey. A Cultural and Paleontological Assessment Report was prepared at the conculsion of the survey. The City of Temecula was the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Sub to Partner Engineering and Science, Inc. Principal Investigator for Archaeology. 2022 San Diego Small Cells Project, City of San Diego, San Diego County, CA. Cogstone conducted cultural resources records searches and background research for 37 potential small cell (wireless node) telecommunications installation locations. The assessments were required under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and its implementing regulation, 36 CRF 800, to identify all prehistoric and historic cultural resources that have been recorded within each Area of Potential Effects (APE). Cogstone prepared a letter report for each candidate to summarize the findings. Sub to Trileaf Corporation. Project Manager and Principal Investigator for Archaeology. 2019-2020 Rincon Tribal Resource Conservation Management Plan Project, Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians Reservation, San Diego County, CA. Cogstone conducted a Class III cultural resources assessment to determine the potential impacts to cultural resources and executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Bureau of Indian Affairs regarding the Tribal Resource Conservation Management Plan (Plan). The MOU designates Preserve Areas containing potentially endangered species and their habitat. The Plan specifies avoidance and minimization measures to ensure the protection of those endangered species and their habitat. Cogstone conducted a cultural resources record search, a Sacred Lands File Search from the NAHC, prepared an Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) permit, conducted an intensive pedestrian survey, prepared California Department of Parks and Recreation 523 (DPR 523) forms, provided mitigation recommendations, and prepared a Class III Cultural Resources Assessment Report. Sub to Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians. Field Director. 2019- 2020
Felicita Park Project, 742 Clarence Lane, City of Escondido, San Diego County, CA. Cogstone conducted cultural resources monitoring in compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act
SHANNON LOPEZ
Architectural Historian
EDUCATION
2022 Certificate in Historic Preservation, The Boston Architectural College, Boston 2018 M.A., History (with an emphasis in architecture), California State University, Fullerton 2012 B.A., History, Minor in Asian-Pacific Studies, California State University, Dominguez Hills
SUMMARY QUALIFICATIONS
Ms. Lopez is a qualified architectural historian with over five years of experience who meets or exceeds the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Architectural History. Her experience includes architectural history research and surveys with photo documentation and recording of built environment resources for local and federal projects. She has extensive knowledge with Native American consultation, consultation with local and state historical societies, and in the analysis of primary and secondary sources.
Ms. Lopez is acknowledged as an approved Architectural Historian by Caltrans and is listed as a Principal Investigator on Cogstone’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Cultural Resources Use Permit. She is accepted as a Principal Investigator for Architectural History and History by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).
SELECTED EXPERIENCE
Community Fuels Reduction, Round Valley, Inyo County, CA. Cogstone conducted a cultural resources assessment to determine the potential impacts to cultural resources during the project. The purpose of the project was to support wildfire resilience and reduce wildfire risk by restoring, enhancing, and uplifting native riparian and upland habitats through removal of invasive plants and surface fuels adjacent to the 40 Acres residential community. Cogstone’s services included a cultural resources records search, a Sacred Lands File search from the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), and an intensive pedestrian survey. A Cultural Resources Assessment Report was prepared at the conclusion of the project. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL Fire), San Bernardino Unit, was the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Sub to Geode Environmental. Architectural Historian. 2022 State Route 108/Highway 49 and Mackey Ranch Road Intersection Improvements Project, Caltrans District 10, Tuolumne County, CA. The Chicken Ranch Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians of California (Tribe), in partnership with Caltrans, proposed to replace an intersection and convert to a roundabout designed to accommodate forecasted future traffic volumes and provide an alternative access route to the Chicken Ranch Rancheria. Cogstone’s services included a cultural resources records search, intensive pedestrian survey, a Sacred Lands File search from the NAHC, Native American consultations, local historical society consultations, and prepared a Historical Resources Compliance Report and Archaeological Survey Report (ASR). Sub to Foothill Associates. Architectural Historian. 2019
Priest Valley Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Range Project, Priest Valley, Monterey and Fresno Counties, CA. Cogstone conducted a cultural resources assessment to identify potential impacts to cultural resources from the Priest Valley (ROM) Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Range (VOR) project which will consist of the demolition, removal, and disposal of the facility (recorded as the Charley Mountain Radio Facility P-10-007062/P-27-003635). The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Volpe National Transportation System Center (Volpe Center) provided environmental compliance support for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to meet their obligations for historic properties identification requirements under 36 CFR 800.4 in Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). Cogstone’s assessment was conducted under the BLM Cultural Resources Use Permit (CRUP) number CA-19-07 and BLM Fieldwork Authorization No.
FWA# CA-19-07-2022-190/01. Cogstone’s assessment included a cultural resources records search, a Sacred Lands File search from the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), an intensive pedestrian and built environment survey, and updated the evaluation and site record for one historic facility on California Department of Parks and Recreation 523 (DPR 523) forms. Cogstone prepared separate Archaeological and Historical Resources Assessment Reports documenting the findings of the study due to changes in scope during the Project. Prime. Architectural Historian. 2021 D Qualifications and References
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 43 A. KEY STAFF
EcoTierra has included a total of seven experienced key staff with extensive environmental analysis experience in the proposal to provided CEQA and NEPA professional services to the City of Santa Fe Springs. Our professional staff brings a reliable combination of knowledge and experience to each project. As a team of professionals who have collectively provided consulting services on hundreds of projects, successfully and efficiently guiding them through the environmental clearance process, EcoTierra has an organization that is adequately staffed and trained to perform the required service as demonstrated in Section C. Staffing.
Our designated point of contact for the City of Santa Fe Springs, Curtis Zacuto, Principal/Project Manager, and co-founder of EcoTierra. Mr. Zacuto will coordinate with the City to determine the specific technical needs of the project and would then coordinate with our technical subconsultants to identify the most capable personnel to provide the needed services within the required time frame.
Our staff are senior, seasoned professionals all capable of project management. Staff members have been identified with short descriptions provided in Section C. Staffing and full resumes provided as an appendix to this proposal. See Section B. Background and Experience provides listing of projects with short descriptions and identifies staff that worked on those projects.
B. FIRMS CAPABILITY
EcoTierra Consulting, Inc. (EcoTierra) is an S-Corporation environmental consulting firm that has been in business for nearly 14 years (founded in July 2010) and specializes solely in environmental analysis and documentation for public and private sector clients. The founding Principals, Curtis Zacuto and Craig Fajnor, incorporated the firm in California on June 8, 2010, after previously serving as the Senior Vice Presidents for a Southern California Environmental firm. Mr. Zacuto and Mr. Fajnor have over 60 years of collective experience in CEQA and NEPA compliance and document preparation.
EcoTierra has provided environmental documentation on hundreds of projects over the years. Section B.
Background and Experience provides a list of projects EcoTierra has prepared in the last 5 years. In addition, under the References Section, below, EcoTierra has provided a list of projects we have prepared in the last 5 years for specific agencies and the staff that were assigned to the projects.
C. REFERENCES
We have carefully provided below references (with description of the projects) of recent projects. These projects demonstrate CEQA environmental experience, some of which could be the types of CEQA experience proposed for the City.
1. Scott Kolwitz, Interim Planning Manager
City of Thousand Oaks
Community Development Department, Planning Division
2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
(805) 449-2319
[email protected]
Qualifications and References
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 44 1300 Lawrence MND
December 2023 to June 2023
Initial Study Approved.
EcoTierra prepared an Initial Study/MND for the proposed Project located at 1300 Lawrence Drive. The Project includes a new 112,384 sf warehouse with 8,000-square-feet of office space (including a 4,000-square-foot mezzanine. Project Site is currently improved as a surface parking lot in an industrial area.
Staff Roles: Curtis Zacuto, Principal/Project Manager, Katie Wilson AQ/Noise Specialist, and Marisa Wyse Environmental Planner. Marisa prepared the environmental documentation for this project and incorporated all of the technical reports. Katie prepared the air quality, greenhouse gas, and noise technical analysis. Curtis oversaw the preparation of the environmental documentation and reviewed the final documentation.
Hyatt Hotel EIR Addendum
September 2023 to December 2023
EIR Addendum completed.
EcoTierra prepared an EIR Addendum for the Hyatt Hotel Project. The Project included modifications to the original project to add guestrooms, construct a new ballroom and parking structure, and the remodel a health club at the existing Hyatt Westlake Plaza Hotel.
Staff Roles: Curtis Zacuto, Principal/Project Manager, Katie Wilson AQ/Noise Specialist, and Marisa Wyse Environmental Planner. Marisa prepared the environmental documentation for this project and incorporated all of the technical reports. Katie prepared the air quality, greenhouse gas, and noise technical analysis. Curtis oversaw the preparation of the environmental documentation and reviewed the final documentation.
2. Michael Hofflinger, Planning Manager
City of Chino Hills
Community Development Department
14000 City Center Drive
Chino Hills, CA 91709
(909) 364-2777
[email protected]
Paradise Ranch EIR
January 2021 to February 2023
Project was approved.
EcoTierra prepared an EIR on for the project. The proposed Paradise Ranch Project would subdivide an 85-acre property into a total of 51 lots. The Project would include the development of 50 cluster lots ranging in size from 7,200 to 12,412 square feet. Each of the 50 lots would include the development of a two-story single family residential home.
Staff Roles: Curtis Zacuto, Principal/Project Manager, Jenny Mailhot, Project Manager, Jennifer Johnson Project Manager/Environmental Planner, Katie Wilson AQ/Noise Specialist, and Marisa Wyse Environmental Qualifications and References
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 45 Planner. Jenny prepared the environmental documentation, reviewed staff sections, and managed the EIR. Jennifer and Marisa prepared environmental documentation for this project and incorporated all of the technical reports. Katie prepared the air quality, greenhouse gas, and noise technical analysis. Curtis oversaw the preparation of the environmental documentation.
General Plan Update EIR
December 2022 to current
EIR is currently under preparation.
EcoTierra is preparing an EIR on the General Plan Update to accommodate land use changes promulgated by the Chino Hills 2021-2029 Housing Element, adopted August 16, 2022. The Housing Element requires amending General Plan designations on some of the proposed Housing Element designated Regional Housing Need Assessment (RHNA) sites, which requires revisions to the Land Use Element and Land Use Map of the City of Chino Hills General Plan. The Housing Element also necessitates rezoning of some proposed RHNA sites. In addition, the City is required to make other changes to the General Plan in response to recent State legislation.
Staff Roles: Curtis Zacuto, Principal/Project Manager, Katrina Hardt-Holoch, Senior Project Manager, Jennifer Johnson Project Manager/Environmental Planner, Katie Wilson AQ/Noise Specialist, and Marisa Wyse Environmental Planner. Katrina is preparing the environmental documentation, and is reviewing staff sections, and managing the EIR. Jennifer and Marisa prepare environmental documentation for this project and incorporated all of the technical reports. Katie prepared the air quality, greenhouse gas, and noise technical analysis. Curtis is overseeing the preparation of the environmental documentation.
3. Nicholas Taylor, AICP, Principal Planner
City of Anaheim
200 South Anaheim Boulevard, Suite 162
Anaheim, CA 92805
(714) 765-4323
[email protected]
Anaheim Hills Holden
Senior Living Facility CE
January 2021 – May 2021
Project was approved.
EcoTierra prepared a categorical exemption (CE) on a new senior housing project in the City of Anaheim. The project site is currently developed with an existing church totaling approximately 17,217 square feet and associated surface parking lot. Project implementation would involve demolition of the church and surface parking lot and construct an approximately 98,412 square foot building that would include 98 Assisted Living units and 20 Memory Care units for a total of 126 beds. The project would rise to 25 feet in height in two-stories. The project would include a surface parking lot with 55 parking spaces. The community would be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The project would be subject to licensing by Qualifications and References
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 46 the State of California as a Residential Care for Elderly and required to comply with all the state regulations.
Staff Roles: Curtis Zacuto, Principal/Project Manager, Jennifer Johnson, Project Manager, and Katie Wilson AQ/Noise Specialist. Jennifer prepared environmental documentation for this project and incorporated all of the technical reports. Katie prepared the air quality, greenhouse gas, and noise technical analysis. Curtis oversaw the preparation of the environmental documentation.
Pepperwood Place CE
June 2021 – November 2021
Project was approved.
EcoTierra prepared a categorical exemption on a new residential project in the City of Anaheim. Project implementation would involve demolition of the house and garage and develop a 12-unit small lot single-family residential subdivision. The proposed lots range from 3,463 square feet (sf) to 4,336 sf in size with 2-story, 4-bedroom single family detached homes ranging from 2,374 sf to 2,580 sf.
Staff Roles: Curtis Zacuto, Principal/Project Manager, Jennifer Johnson Project Manager, and Katie Wilson AQ/Noise Specialist. Jennifer prepared environmental documentation for this project and incorporated all of the technical reports. Katie prepared the air quality, greenhouse gas, and noise technical analysis. Curtis oversaw the preparation of the environmental documentation.
A-Town Areas B and E
Initial Study
October 2021 – December 2021
Project was approved.
EcoTierra prepared an Initial Study on two new residential projects and ground floor retail development in the City of Anaheim. The project would include development on two parcels in the A-Town Master Plan area. Area B would include development of an eight-level, mixed-use building consisting of 270 dwelling units (for-rent) and 21,640 square feet of ground floor indoor retail space. The project would include development of a fivelevel, wrap around, apartment building consisting of 257 dwelling units.
Staff Roles: Curtis Zacuto, Principal/Project Manager, Jennifer Johnson Project Manager, and Katie Wilson AQ/Noise Specialist. Jennifer prepared environmental documentation for this project and incorporated all of the technical reports. Katie prepared the air quality, greenhouse gas, and noise technical analysis. Curtis oversaw the preparation of the environmental documentation.
39 Commons
Initial Study
October 2021 – May 2022
Project was approved.
EcoTierra prepared an Initial Study on a new retail development in the Beach Boulevard Specific Plan area in the City of Anaheim. The applicant has proposed construction of a commercial center with five buildings, totaling 24,237 square feet. The project would include three “Pad buildings” (Pad A-C) and two “Shop buildings” (Shop 1 and 2).
Staff Roles: Curtis Zacuto, Principal/Project Manager, Marisa Wyse, Senior Environmental Planner, and Katie Wilson AQ/Noise Specialist. Marisa prepared environmental documentation for this project and incorporated Qualifications and References
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 47 all of the technical reports. Katie prepared the air quality, greenhouse gas, and noise technical analysis. Curtis oversaw the preparation of the environmental documentation.
A-Town Areas F
Initial Study
January 2022 – June 2022
Project was approved.
EcoTierra prepared an Initial Study on new residential development project in the City of Anaheim. The project would consist of 17 consist of multiple family residential buildings with a total of 73 residential dwelling units. The Project will consist of three-story buildings in an attached townhome design. There will be two building types in the Project with the first consisting of four units and the second consisting of five units. Each building type will include three and four bedroom units.
Staff Roles: Curtis Zacuto, Principal/Project Manager, Jennifer Johnson Project Manager, and Katie Wilson AQ/Noise Specialist. Jennifer prepared environmental documentation for this project and incorporated all of the technical reports. Katie prepared the air quality, greenhouse gas, and noise technical analysis. Curtis oversaw the preparation of the environmental documentation.
Dale Avenue CE
April 2022 – June 2022
Project was approved.
EcoTierra prepared a categorical exemption on a new residential project in the City of Anaheim. The project would include construction of 18 singlefamily, attached homes into three buildings. The proposed homes would total 24,915 square-feet and each building would be 2-stories, 28 feet tall.
Two of the homes would be Moderate Income Affordable units. Seven units would consist of 2 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, and 11 units would be 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths.
Staff Roles: Curtis Zacuto, Principal/Project Manager, Marisa Wyse Environmental Planner, and Katie Wilson AQ/Noise Specialist. Marisa prepared environmental documentation for this project and incorporated all of the technical reports. Katie prepared the air quality, greenhouse gas, and noise technical analysis. Curtis oversaw the preparation of the environmental documentation.
4. Paul Samaras, Principal Planner
City of El Segundo
350 Main Street
El Segundo, CA 90245
(310) 524-2340
[email protected]
Permanent Plugging of the
Intake and Discharge
Tunnels at El Segundo
Generating Station IS/ND
EcoTierra staff prepared an Initial Study in support of a ND on Permanent Plugging of the Intake and Discharge Tunnels at El Segundo Generating Station IS/ND. The project site is located within the El Segundo Generating Station (ESGS) operated by El Segundo Power, LLC. The ESGS was originally built in 1955, consisting of four natural gas-fired utility boiler generating units cooled by ocean water. The original generating units (Units 1 2, 3, Qualifications and References
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 48 March 2018 to May 2018
Project was approved.
and 4) were served by two separate intake and discharge tunnels that delivered cooling water from the ocean to the units. The Proposed Project consists of permanently closing the intake/discharge tunnel system associated with Unit 3 and Unit 4. Staff Roles:
Staff Roles: Craig Fajnor, Principal Jenny Mailhot Project Manager, and Jennifer Johnson Environmental Planner/Graphics. Jenny prepared the environmental documentation, and managed the IS. Jennifer prepared the graphics for this project. Craig oversaw the preparation of the environmental documentation.
City of El Segundo
Downtown Specific Plan
EIR
September 2021-Current
EIR currently at Planning Commission.
EcoTierra is under contract as a sub-consultant to RRM Design Group to prepare an EIR for the City’s Downtown Specific Plan. The Downtown Specific Plan was originally adopted in 2000. The Downtown Specific Plan will be updated to re-vision the area, include a continued focus on Main Street infrastructure improvements, repurpose the Civic Center site, attract senior housing, and identify infill opportunities for various housing types. EcoTierra will prepare a Programmatic EIR for this project.
Staff Roles: Craig Fajnor, Principal/Project Manager, Jenny Mailhot, Project Manager, Katrina Hardt-Holoch, Project Manager/Senior Environmental Planner, Jennifer Johnson, Senior Environmental Planner, and Marisa Wyse, Senior Environmental Planner.
Jenny prepared the environmental documentation, reviewed staff sections, and is managing the EIR. Jennifer and Marisa prepare environmental documentation for this project and incorporated the technical reports. Craig oversaw the preparation of the environmental documentation.
5. Paul Samaras, Principal Planner
City of El Segundo
350 Main Street
El Segundo, CA 90245
(310) 524-2340
[email protected]
Permanent Plugging of the
Intake and Discharge
Tunnels at El Segundo
Generating Station IS/ND
March 2018 to May 2018
Project was approved.
EcoTierra staff prepared an Initial Study in support of a ND on Permanent Plugging of the Intake and Discharge Tunnels at El Segundo Generating Station IS/ND. The project site is located within the El Segundo Generating Station (ESGS) operated by El Segundo Power, LLC. The ESGS was originally built in 1955, consisting of four natural gas-fired utility boiler generating units cooled by ocean water. The original generating units (Units 1 2, 3, and 4) were served by two separate intake and discharge tunnels that delivered cooling water from the ocean to the units. The Proposed Project Qualifications and References
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 49 consists of permanently closing the intake/discharge tunnel system associated with Unit 3 and Unit 4. Staff Roles:
Staff Roles: Craig Fajnor, Principal Jenny Mailhot Project Manager, and Jennifer Johnson Environmental Planner/Graphics. Jenny prepared the environmental documentation, and managed the IS. Jennifer prepared the graphics for this project. Craig oversaw the preparation of the environmental documentation.
City of El Segundo
Downtown Specific Plan
EIR
September 2021-Current
EIR currently at Planning Commission.
EcoTierra is under contract as a sub-consultant to RRM Design Group to prepare an EIR for the City’s Downtown Specific Plan. The Downtown Specific Plan was originally adopted in 2000. The Downtown Specific Plan will be updated to re-vision the area, include a continued focus on Main Street infrastructure improvements, repurpose the Civic Center site, attract senior housing, and identify infill opportunities for various housing types. EcoTierra will prepare a Programmatic EIR for this project.
Staff Roles: Craig Fajnor, Principal/Project Manager, Jenny Mailhot, Project Manager, Katrina Hardt-Holoch, Project Manager/Senior Environmental Planner, Jennifer Johnson, Senior Environmental Planner, and Marisa Wyse, Senior Environmental Planner.
Jenny prepared the environmental documentation, reviewed staff sections, and is managing the EIR. Jennifer and Marisa prepare environmental documentation for this project and incorporated the technical reports. Craig oversaw the preparation of the environmental documentation.
Housing Element Update
IS/ ND
June 2021 to Current
Project was approved.
EcoTierra prepared an Initial Study in support of a Negative Declaration on the City’s Housing Element update, 2021-2029. The project is the adoption and implementation of the El Segundo Housing Element Update (project).
The City has selected 27 candidate sites. The City is proposing the addition of a RHNA housing overlay (RHNA-O) and RHNA mixed-use overlay (RHNA MU-O) to the sites’ General Plan and zoning. Currently, the sites are designated and zoned for commercial, parking, residential, and office uses.
The current General Plan designations and zoning would remain, with overlays added, which would allow property owners to have the option to develop under either set of standards (the underlying General Plan and zoning or the overlay.
Staff Roles: Curtis Zacuto, Principal/Project Manager, Katrina HardtHoloch, Project Manager/Senior Environmental Planner, Marisa Wyse, Senior Environmental Planner, and Katie Wilson AQ/Noise Specialist. Katrina prepared the environmental documentation, reviewed staff sections, and managed the IS.
Qualifications and References
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 50
6. Rachel Kwok, Environmental Coordinator
Jing Yeo, Planning Manager
City of Santa Monica
Planning & Community Development Department
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90407
(310) 458-8303
[email protected] ; [email protected]
1633 26th Street EIR
November 2019 to June 2021
Project was approved.
EcoTierra prepared an EIR for the City of Santa Monica on the 1633 26th Street project. Implementation of the Project would consist of the refurbishment of the Site’s existing three-story, 45,529 SF office building, and replacement of the existing 58,940 SF surface parking lot with two new four-story, 54’ tall creative and business professional office buildings comprising a total of 129,265 SF of new floor area. A three-level subterranean garage with 401 parking spaces, including required bicycle parking and lockers, will replace the current surface parking for the Site’s existing office building on a 1:1 basis, and will provide parking for the two new office buildings consistent with the requirements of the Bergamot Area Plan (2 spaces per 1,000 SF). Vehicle access to the subterranean garage will be provided from Pennsylvania Avenue. The project’s three buildings will total approximately 174,684 SF. The project includes construction of new sidewalks on the Pennsylvania Avenue frontage for continuous pedestrian connectivity.
Staff Roles: Curtis Zacuto, Principal/Project Manager, Katrina Hardt-Holoch, Senior Project Manager, Jennifer Johnson Senior Environmental Planner, Katie Wilson AQ/Noise Specialist, and Marisa Wyse Environmental Planner Katrina prepared the environmental documentation, and reviewed staff sections. Jennifer and Marisa prepare environmental documentation for this project and incorporated all of the technical reports. Katie prepared the air quality, greenhouse gas, and noise technical analysis. Curtis managed the project and oversaw the preparation of the environmental documentation.
The Plaza at Santa Monica
EIR
June 2017 to August 2019
Project was approved.
EcoTierra prepared an EIR for the City of Santa Monica on the 4th and Arizona project, The Plaza at Santa Monica. The Project as proposed was a public-private mixed-use development located on the City-owned 2.57-acre site at the corner of 4th St. and Arizona Ave. in the Downtown District of the City of Santa Monica. In order to facilitate the public-private partnership, the project involves a ground lease by the City to a private developer. The Plaza at Santa Monica (the project) will demolish the existing bank branches and parking lots for the development of a new 357,000 SF mixed-use building with open space. The project would include a 17,800 SF ground level Grand Public Plaza, a smaller plaza at 5th and Arizona, two ground level pocket parks, a 11,000 SF second level public park, a 12,000 SF cultural Qualifications and References
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 51 amenity, 42,200 SF of ground floor retail, an approximately 280 room hotel, and 106,800 SF feet of creative workspace. With regard to the provision of affordable housing as a community benefit, the project would include two options:
Option 1 - the provision of up to 48 on-site affordable housing units comprising approximately 40,300 square feet within the new building; or Option 2 - monetary contribution towards the construction of up to 130 affordable housing units within the Downtown Community Plan area. With Option 2, the approximately 40,300 square feet of space within the project building would be occupied by a gym.
Staff Roles: Curtis Zacuto, Principal/Project Manager, Jenny Mailhot, Project Manager, Jennifer Johnson Senior Environmental Planner, Katie Wilson AQ/Noise Specialist, and Marisa Wyse Environmental Planner.
Jenny prepared the environmental documentation, reviewed staff sections.
Jennifer and Marisa prepare environmental documentation for this project and incorporated all of the technical reports. Katie prepared the air quality, greenhouse gas, and noise technical analysis. Curtis managed the project and oversaw the preparation of the environmental documentation.
E Fee Schedule
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 52 A. FEE SCHEDULE
EcoTierra has proposed to include two subconsultant firms to our team: Cogstone Resource Management, Inc. and Linscott, Law & Greenspan Engineers, Inc. Fee rates for EcoTierra Consulting, Inc. and our subconsultants are provided below.
1. EcoTierra Consulting, Inc. Fee Schedule
EcoTierra Consulting, Inc.
Fee Schedule 2024
Principal (Curtis Zacuto, Craig Fajnor) $200/hour
Senior Project Manager (Katrina Hardt-Holoch, Lainie Herrera) $180/hour Project Manager (Jenny Mailhot, Shayne Lipsey) $180/hour Senior Environmental Planner (Jennifer Johnson) $160/hour Air Quality/Noise Specialist (Katie Wilson) $160/hour
Environmental Planner (Marisa Wyse) $150/hour
Assistant Planner $140/hour
Graphics (Jennifer Johnson, Marisa Wyse) $90/hour
Word Processing $90/hour
Administrative Assistance $75/hour
Direct expenses would not generate billable hours but rather would be considered as overhead. These include but are not limited to those items presented below, will be reimbursable upon provision of proper documentation:
Purchase of project materials; reproduction, printing, and photographic costs; postage, messenger, and overnight mailing; mileage at IRS-approved rate; records searches or other data purchases; technical sub-consultant costs; and other miscellaneous costs directly related to the project.
2. Linscott, Law & Greenspan Engineers, Inc. Fee Schedule Linscott, Law & Greenspan, Engineers, Inc. (Sub-Contractor) Fee Schedule 2024
Principal Engineer $298/hour
Associate Principal Engineer $268/hour
Planning/Design Manger $249/hour
Senior Transportation Engineer-Transportation Engineer III $147-226/hour Senior Transportation Planner $200/hour
Transportation Planner I-Transportation Planner III $130-171/hour Senior Signal System Specialist $226/hour
Signal System Specialist I-Signal System Specialist III $147-200/hour Engineering Associate I-Engineering Associate II $140-$150/hour Engineering Computer Analyst I- Engineering Computer Analyst II $109-$138/hour Senior CADD Drafter-CADD Drafter III $98-140/hour
Senior Engineering Technician $140/hour
Engineering Technician I- Engineering Technician II $99-$140/hour Word Processor/Secretary $92/hour
Engineering Aide I $70/hour
Fee Schedule
City of Santa Fe Springs – On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services 53 Linscott, Law & Greenspan, Engineers, Inc. (Sub-Contractor) Fee Schedule 2024
Public Hearing and litigation support may be charged at 125% of the base rate. Consultation in connection with litigation and Court appearances will be quoted separately. Project-related mileage will be billed at the prevailing standard mileage rate as determined by the IRS. Subcontractors and other Project-related expenses will be billed at cost plus 15%. The above schedule is for straight time. Overtime will be charged at 1.50 times the standard hourly rates. Interim and/or monthly statements will be presented for completed work. These will be due and payable upon presentation unless prior arrangements are made. A finance charge of 1.5% may be charged each month on the unpaid balance.
3. Cogstone Resource Management Fee Schedule
Cogstone Resource Management (Sub-Contractor)
Fee Schedule 2024
Hourly OT* DT*
Technician/Monitor I $85/hour $127/hour $170/hour
Technician/Monitor II $95/hour $142/hour $190/hour
Administrative Assistant $100/hour $150/hour $200/hour Night Monitor $110/hour $165/hour $220/hour
SOI Monitor** $110/hour $165/hour $220/hour
SOI Night Monitor** $120/hour $180/hour $240/hour
Supervisor I $110/hour $165/hour $220/hour
Supervisor II $120/hour $180/hour $240/hour
GIS Manager $120/hour $180/hour $240/hour
Field Director $130/hour $195/hour $260/hour
Technical Editor $120/hour Exempt Exempt
Senior Administrator $150/hour Exempt Exempt
Architectural Historian $130/hour $195/hour $260/hour Principal Investigator I/Task Manager $130/hour $195/hour $260/hour Principal Investigator II/Task Manager $150/hour $225/hour $300/hour Principal Investigator III/Task Manager $175/hour Exempt Exempt Program Director $200/hour Exempt Exempt
* Hours 9-12 per day are Overtime (x1.5); Hours over 12 per day are Double Time (x2) ** SOI Monitor meets the guidelines set forth by the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation (36 CFR Part 61)
Rates subject to an escalation annually.
EXHIBIT C
INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
Without limiting Consultant’s indemnification of the City, and prior to commencement of Services, Consultant shall obtain, provide, and maintain at its own expense during the term of this Agreement, policies of insurance of the type and amounts described below and in a form satisfactory to the City. If Consultant maintains higher limits than the minimum limits shown below, the City requires and shall be entitled to coverage for the higher limits maintained by the Consultant. Any available insurance proceeds in excess of the specified minimum limits of insurance and coverage shall be available to the City.
General liability insurance. Consultant shall maintain commercial general liability insurance with coverage at least as broad as Insurance Services Office form CG 00 01, in an amount not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence, $2,000,000 general aggregate, for bodily injury, personal injury, and property damage. The policy must include contractual liability that has not been amended. Any endorsement restricting standard ISO “insured contract” language will not be accepted.
Automobile liability insurance. Consultant shall maintain automobile insurance at least as broad as Insurance Services Office form CA 00 01 covering bodily injury and property damage for all activities of the Consultant arising out of or in connection with Services to be performed under this Agreement, including coverage for any owned, hired, non-owned or rented vehicles, in an amount not less than $1,000,000 combined single limit for each accident.
Professional liability (errors & omissions) insurance. Consultant shall maintain professional liability insurance that covers the Services to be performed in connection with this Agreement, in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 per claim and in the aggregate. Any policy inception date, continuity date, or retroactive date must be before the effective date of this Agreement and Consultant agrees to maintain continuous coverage through a period no less than three (3) years after completion of the services required by this Agreement.
Workers’ compensation insurance. Consultant shall maintain Workers’ Compensation Insurance (Statutory Limits) and Employer’s Liability Insurance (with limits of at least $1,000,000 per accident for bodily injury or disease).
Consultant shall submit to the City, along with the certificate of insurance, a Waiver of Subrogation endorsement in favor of the City, its officers, agents, employees, and volunteers.
Other provisions or requirements
Proof of insurance. Consultant shall provide certificates of insurance to the City as evidence of the insurance coverage required herein, along with a waiver of subrogation endorsement for workers’ compensation. Insurance certificates and endorsements must be approved by the City’s Risk Manager prior to commencement of performance. Current certification of insurance shall be kept on file with the City at all times during the term of this Agreement. The City reserves the right to require complete, certified copies of all required insurance policies at any time.
Duration of coverage. Consultant shall procure and maintain for the duration of the Agreement insurance against claims for injuries to persons or damages to property, which may arise from or in connection with the performance of the Services hereunder by Consultant, or Consultant’s agents, representatives, employees or subconsultants.
Primary/noncontributing. Coverage provided by Consultant shall be primary and any insurance or self-insurance procured or maintained by the City shall not be required to contribute with it. The limits of insurance required herein may be satisfied by a combination of primary and umbrella or excess insurance. Any umbrella or excess insurance shall contain or be endorsed to contain a provision that such coverage shall also apply on a primary and non-contributory basis for the benefit of the City before the City’s own insurance or self-insurance shall be called upon to protect it as a named insured.
The City’s rights of enforcement. In the event any policy of insurance required under this Agreement does not comply with these specifications or is canceled and not replaced, the City has the right but not the duty to obtain the insurance it deems necessary and any premium paid by the City will be promptly reimbursed by Consultant or the City will withhold amounts sufficient to pay premium from Consultant payments. In the alternative, the City may immediately terminate this Agreement.
Acceptable insurers. All insurance policies shall be issued by an insurance company currently authorized by the Insurance Commissioner to transact business of insurance or is on the List of Approved Surplus Line Insurers in the State of California, with an assigned policyholders’ Rating of A- (or higher) and Financial Size Category Class VI (or larger) in accordance with the latest edition of Best’s Key Rating Guide, unless otherwise approved by the City’s Risk Manager.
Waiver of subrogation. All insurance coverage maintained or procured pursuant to this Agreement shall be endorsed to waive subrogation against the City, its elected or appointed officers, agents, officials, employees and volunteers or shall specifically allow Consultant or others providing insurance evidence in compliance with these specifications to waive their right of recovery prior to a loss. Consultant hereby waives its own right of recovery against the City, and shall require similar written express waivers and insurance clauses from each of its subconsultants.
Enforcement of Agreement provisions (non estoppel). Consultant acknowledges and agrees that any actual or alleged failure on the part of the City to inform Consultant of non-compliance with any requirement imposes no additional obligations on the City nor does it waive any rights hereunder.
Requirements not limiting. Requirements of specific coverage features or limits contained in this Agreement are not intended as a limitation on coverage, limits or other requirements, or a waiver of any coverage normally provided by any insurance. Specific reference to a given coverage feature is for purposes of clarification only as it pertains to a given issue and is not intended by any party or insured to be all inclusive, or to the exclusion of other coverage, or a waiver of any type.
Notice of cancellation. Consultant agrees to oblige its insurance agent or broker and insurers to provide to the City with a thirty (30) day notice of cancellation (except for nonpayment for which a ten (10) day notice is required) or nonrenewal of coverage for each required coverage.
Additional insured status. General liability policies shall provide or be endorsed to provide that the City and its officers, officials, employees, agents, and volunteers shall be additional insureds under such policies. This provision shall also apply to any excess/umbrella liability policies.
Prohibition of undisclosed coverage limitations. None of the coverages required herein will be in compliance with these requirements if they include any limiting endorsement of any kind that has not been first submitted to the City and approved of in writing.
Separation of insureds. A severability of interests provision must apply for all additional insureds ensuring that Consultant’s insurance shall apply separately to each insured against whom claim is made or suit is brought, except with respect to the insurer’s limits of liability. The policy(ies) shall not contain any cross-liability exclusions.
Pass through clause. Consultant agrees to ensure that its subconsultants, subcontractors, and any other party involved with the Services who is brought onto or involved in the Services by Consultant, provide the same minimum insurance coverage and endorsements required of Consultant. Consultant agrees to monitor and review all such coverage and assumes all responsibility for ensuring that such coverage is provided in conformity with the requirements of this section. Consultant agrees that upon request, all agreements with consultants, subconsultants, and others engaged in the Services will be submitted to the City for review.
The City’s right to revise specifications. The City reserves the right at any time during the term of the Agreement to change the amounts and types of insurance required by giving Consultant ninety (90) days advance written notice of such change. If such change results in substantial additional cost to Consultant, City and Consultant may renegotiate Consultant’s compensation or come to some other agreement to address the additional cost.
Self-insured retentions. Any self-insured retentions must be declared to and approved by the City. The City reserves the right to require that self-insured retentions be eliminated, lowered, or replaced by a deductible. Self-insurance will not be considered to comply with these specifications unless approved by the City.
Timely notice of claims. Consultant shall give the City prompt and timely notice of claims made or suits instituted that arise out of or result from Consultant’s performance under this Agreement, and that involve or may involve coverage under any of the required liability policies.
Additional insurance. Consultant shall also procure and maintain, at its own cost and expense, any additional kinds of insurance, which in its own judgment may be necessary for its proper protection and prosecution of the Services.
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT – MEETING OF AUGUST 22, 2024 On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services – Award of Contract