Section A: Cover Letter
T&B Planning, Inc. RFQ – On-Call Professional Environmental Consul�ng Services
April 16, 2024
City of Santa Fe Springs
Planning and Development Department
Atn: Cuong Nguyen
11710 Telegraph Road
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
[email protected]
Dear Mr. Nguyen,
T&B Planning, Inc. (dba T&B Planning) is pleased to present this Statement of Qualifica�ons (SOQ) pursuant to the City of Santa Fe Spring’s Request for Statement of Qualifica�ons (RFQ) for On-Call Professional Environmental Consul�ng Services.
T&B Planning, Inc. is a privately held consul�ng firm that serves public agencies and private project applicants. We are organized as a California “S” Corpora�on and are recognized as a na�onally cer�fied Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE). We have offices in Irvine and San Diego and service southern, central, and northern California.
Assis�ng public agencies and project applicants with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance is the core of our business. We have extensive experience comple�ng CEQA documents and processes as outlined in the RFQ’s Scope of Services (pp. 2 – 4 of the RFQ). Our firm specializes in conduc�ng environmental review for projects in jurisdic�ons similar to Santa Fe Springs that are largely build-out with a large propor�on of industrial land uses. We are currently in process and have recently completed projects in within the nearby area, including but not limited to the ci�es of Whi�er, Torrance, Commerce, and Long Beach.
Other services include planning, project en�tlements, project management, post-en�tlement permi�ng, and GIS/graphic services. T&B Planning is highly respected for preparing detailed, objec�ve, and legally defensible CEQA documents for a variety of project types and sizes. Our reputa�on in the industry is dis�nguished by prac�cality, responsiveness, mi�ga�ng environmental impacts through project design, and delivering value-added services to our clients.
T&B Planning, Inc. RFQ – On-Call Professional Environmental Consul�ng Services
This SOQ provides our background and experience, staffing, qualifica�ons and references, and fee schedule; as requested in the RFQ. Our fees and hourly rates will be valid for a period of at least one year. On call services will be managed from our headquarters in the City of Irvine, California. Nicole Morse, Principal/Vice President, will serve as the Project lead/Manager responsible for the On-Call Professional Environmental Consul�ng Services specified in the City’s RFQ. Tracy Zinn, President and CEO, and Nicole Morse are the individuals authorized to make legal binding commitments on behalf of T&B Planning. Contact informa�on for Tracy and Nicole are below.
Sincerely,
T&B Planning, Inc.
Tracy Zinn,
Principal/President
Tracy Zinn, Principal/President
T&B Planning, Inc.
3200 El Camino Real, Suite 100
Irvine, CA 92602
(714) 505-6360 Ext. 350
[email protected]
Nicole Morse, Esq., Principal/Vice President
T&B Planning, Inc.
3200 El Camino Real, Suite 100
Irvine, CA 92602
(714) 505-6360 Ext. 126
[email protected]
T&B Planning, Inc. RFQ – On-Call Professional Environmental Consul�ng Services
Section B: Background & Experience
T&B Planning, Inc. RFQ – On-Call Professional Environmental Consul�ng Services
Project Understanding
It is our understanding that the City of Santa Fe Springs seeking SOQs from professional environmental consul�ng firms to contract for on-call environmental consul�ng services (as iden�fied in RFQ, Scope of Services, pp. 2-4) for a term of up to three (3) years with up to one (1) addi�onal two-year contract extension. All CEQA services would be provided on an as-needed, project-by-project basis.
The City of Santa Fe Springs was incorporated in 1957 and is in the County of Los Angeles. The City encompasses approximately nine square miles and is surrounded by the ci�es of Downey, Norwalk, La Mirada, Whi�er, and Pico Rivera. Regional access to the City is provided by Interstate (I-5) and I-605. The City is home to approximately 18,295 residents and is largely a built-out community, mostly zoned for industrial uses. The majority of the City is designated as a disadvantaged community by the California Environmental Protec�on Agency.
Background, Expertise, Experience, Specialties, and Capabilities T&B Planning, Inc. is a privately held consul�ng firm founded in 1974 that began providing CEQA consul�ng services in 1991. Our 33 years of CEQA consul�ng experience backed by our almost 50 years as a planning consul�ng firm provides us with the in�mate knowledge and understanding of the regional geography, environmental resources, environmental constraints and opportuni�es, as well as the ever-changing CEQA compliance process. Our experience offers Lead Agencies and project applicants our first-hand experience resolving and overcoming issues encountered by projects in the region. This experience enables us to an�cipate and foresee possible environmental compliance issues that projects in the City of Santa Fe Springs may face and allows us to efficiently and effec�vely iden�fy prac�cal and feasible solu�ons.
Assis�ng public agencies and project applicants with CEQA compliance is the core of our business. Our firm regularly serves lead agencies as the primary consultant responsible for managing a project’s CEQA compliance process, preparing and quality-control reviewing CEQA documents, preparing and distribu�ng required public no�ces, managing, and ensuring adequacy of technical studies, responding to CEQA-related public comments, and making presenta�ons at public mee�ngs and hearings. Our in-depth understanding of the CEQA Statute and Guidelines and related environmental compliance regula�ons, combined with our apprecia�on for the budgets, �me schedules and administra�ve obliga�ons of public agencies and project applicants, make T&B Planning an excellent choice as the CEQA compliance consultant for any project. T&B Planning is highly respected for preparing detailed, objec�ve, and legally defensible CEQA documents for a variety of project types and sizes.
We currently serve as an on-call CEQA consul�ng firm for ac�ve projects located in the ci�es of Chino, Chino Hills, Coachella, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Jurupa Valley, Lake Elsinore, Moreno Valley, Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Ana, and the County of Riverside. In addi�on, we currently serve or have recently served as the private-applicant selected CEQA consultant for projects in the ci�es of Bakersfield, Banning, Beaumont, Calimesa, Colton, Commerce, Corona, El Monte, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Indio, Irvine, Irwindale, Lancaster, Los Alamitos, Menifee, Mission Viejo, Monrovia, Murrieta, Newport Beach, Norwalk, Ontario, Orange, Palmdale, Perris, Santa Fe Springs, Rialto, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Juan Capistrano, Seal Beach, Torrance, Tus�n, Victorville, Whi�er, Yorba Linda, and the Town of Apple Valley and County of San Diego.
T&B Planning offers an “A Team” of Principal and senior-level CEQA prac��oners. Notably, T&B Planning’s three CEQA Principals (Tracy Zinn, AICP; Nicole Morse, Esq.; and Tina Andersen) collec�vely have just over 90 years of experience providing CEQA consul�ng services. Our “A” Team has developed strong rela�onships with industry leaders in all fields; these reliable rela�onships allow us to extend this collabora�ve approach beyond T&B Planning. Our CEQA management staff func�ons as a cohesive, communica�ve group of experts that draw from T&B Planning, Inc. RFQ – On-Call Professional Environmental Consul�ng Services
each other’s knowledge and experience to address issues that arise over the course of the CEQA compliance processes.
In-house services provided by T&B Planning include all aspects of CEQA compliance and CEQA document prepara�on. To ensure a high level of technical exper�se matched with each project’s needs, T&B Planning enlists technical experts for the prepara�on of suppor�ng technical studies. Our experience has shown that a specially selected, highly qualified team of technical experts tailored to the needs of an individual project is more advantageous than relying on a “one size fits all” in-house team. Consequently, it is our firm’s prac�ce to select from the best technical consul�ng firms, matching the unique characteris�cs and needs of an individual project to the exper�se of technical experts. We regularly sub-consult experts in the fields of traffic, air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, health risk, energy, noise, biological resources, cultural resources, and civil services (upon request).
Our 33 years of experience producing legally defensible environmental compliance documents proves that a specially selected, highly qualified team of technical experts led by T&B Planning results in the produc�on of accurate and legally defensible documents.
Please also refer to Sec�on C, Staffing, of this SOQ regarding our capabili�es to perform.
Summary of Scope of Services
Our staff regularly prepares a variety of environmental documents and associated public no�ces in compliance with CEQA, including Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs), EIR Addenda, Mi�gated Nega�ve Declara�ons (MNDs), Nega�ve Declara�ons (NDs), Ini�al Studies, CEQA Guidelines Sec�on 15183 compliance documenta�on, and CEQA Exemp�on jus�fica�ons. As part of the CEQA process, we also ensure that suppor�ng technical studies use appropriate analysis methodologies and address all required environmental issues in a manner consistent with CEQA requirements. In addi�on to serving as a CEQA document preparer, we also provide peer review services for CEQA documents prepared by others, represent Lead Agencies at public mee�ngs and hearings, and ensure that all applicable CEQA administra�ve procedures are properly followed. We stay atuned to recent and pending CEQA Statute and Guidelines revisions, CEQA-related Senate and Assembly Bills, and CEQA case law decisions, to ensure that the CEQA processes that we are managing adhere to the most recent requirements and best prac�ces. We are highly respected for our skills at CEQA strategizing and CEQA due diligence. We provide Lead Agencies and project applicants with solu�ons to poten�al environmental issues or constraints that, if not adequately addressed, can present obstacles for a proposed project. This ability to see the big picture, while also atending to the small details, enables an efficient CEQA review process with minimal, if any, delays.
Please also refer to Sec�on D, Qualifications and References, of this SOQ regarding our unique areas of exper�se.
Legal Challenges
Because of the type, scale, complexity and high-profile nature of many of our clients’ projects, CEQA documents prepared by T&B Planning are frequently subject to threat of third-party li�ga�on. The threat of li�ga�on is not unusual in our business, as opponents have learned to use the CEQA compliance process as an effec�ve means to delay or stop a project from moving forward. T&B Planning is recommended to many of our clients by their legal counsels due to our reputa�on and ability to prepare thorough and sound CEQA documents that are supported by defensible analysis methodologies. Regardless if we suspect that opposi�on will arise during a CEQA compliance process or not, we prepare all of our clients’ CEQA documents to be as defensible as possible should a threat of li�ga�on arise. We work closely with the technical report authors on strategy and analysis methodologies before prepara�on of the reports begin. We are conserva�ve in analysis methods, the applica�on of significance thresholds, and the formula�on of conclusions. We also involve our clients, their legal counsels, and other necessary members of project teams on defensibility strategy discussions during mee�ngs or conference calls as T&B Planning, Inc. RFQ – On-Call Professional Environmental Consul�ng Services
the CEQA document prepara�on process unfolds, so that all involved par�es are in agreement on approach. T&B Planning also compiles informa�on for the lead agency’s Administra�ve Record as we proceed with the document prepara�on (e.g., back up materials for our document references and cita�ons). This is more efficient than compiling the informa�on a�er a lawsuit has been filed.
T&B Planning and/or its key staff have been involved in a number of projects for which the li�ga�on extended beyond a setlement. Three CEQA documents also have been challenged in court by community ac�vists, and one was challenged by the California Atorney General’s office on behalf of a Statewide environmental jus�ce cause. • Community Ac�vist Cases. T&B Planning-prepared CEQA documents have received unpublished trial court rulings in two cases. The first related to a Recirculated Dra� EIR prepared by T&B Planning for the County of San Bernardino, for a church campus on privately held land surrounded by the San Bernardino Na�onal Forest. This project had been in the CEQA compliance process for approximately 16 years, with unsuccessful atempts by other firms to gain approval. T&B Planning was recommended by the applicant’s legal counsel, and we were ul�mately successful ge�ng the Recirculated EIR cer�fied by the County Board of Supervisors in 2019 despite strong opposi�on by community residents, with some of the opposi�on being environmental-related and other being faith-based. Because the applicant had been atemp�ng to get this project approved at that point for 18+ years, legal counsel recommended a purposeful strategy to let the legal process unfold with the goal of having the court system decide where the Recirculated EIR was legally adequate versus which environmental subject areas needed addi�onal analysis. The unpublished Ruling became available in early 2022, and T&B Planning prepared a Revised Recirculated Dra� EIR in response to the Ruling.
The second EIR on which a T&B Planning-prepared document received an unpublished court ruling involved two warehouse buildings in unincorporated Riverside County, opposed by a community ac�vist.
The EIR was challenged on 11 items and the court found the EIR adequate on all grounds, except for a typographical error in the Project Descrip�on related to the measured distance from the proposed buildings to the nearest sensi�ve receptor. In response, Riverside County de-cer�fied the EIR’s Project Descrip�on, recirculated a revised Project Descrip�on with the typographical error corrected, and recer�fied the EIR. There was no further opposi�on.
• State Atorney General’s Office Case. A T&B Planning-prepared MND was challenged by the State Atorney General in 2021, related to a supply chain warehouse proposed adjacent to a public high school in the City of Fontana, on grounds of environmental jus�ce. The City of Fontana soon therea�er commenced work to prepare and adopt a Citywide ordinance to address co-loca�on of warehouses with sensi�ve receptors.
The City hired a na�onally-recognized air quality firm to prepare data on the air quality trends and projec�ons in Fontana, and based on that work, ul�mately adopted a Citywide ordinance. Mi�ga�on measures included in T&B Planning’s MND and in other CEQA documents prepared by T&B Planning for warehouse projects were brought forth in the ordinance as new Citywide requirements for all new commerce center projects. A�er the ordinance was adopted, the State dropped the lawsuit.
Quality Control Methods and Project Management
Value is assured to our clients through T&B Planning’s quality assurance and control methods. Dedica�on to quality control, backed by our experience and knowledge, is valuable to budgets and schedules by first focusing reviews on substan�ve maters and methodology, and later drilling down to minor items such as typographical errors.
Every project managed by T&B Planning is overseen by a senior staff member who ensures that proper procedural T&B Planning, Inc. RFQ – On-Call Professional Environmental Consul�ng Services
and analysis methodologies are used. Our project managers, planners, and environmental analysts follow a strict protocol for the cita�on and filing of reference material and for determining the significance of environmental impacts based on the CEQA Statute and Guidelines and published case law. T&B Planning-produced documents also undergo an internal proofreading protocol and a final quality-control review is conducted before documents are released for public review. This proven method of quality control ensures well-prepared deliverables that are at the top of industry standard.
Keeping Projects on Schedule and on Budget
Staying on schedule and within budget is the goal for every assignment and project. Our staffing structure, strong internal and external working rela�onships, and the personal accountability held by our planners and CEQA compliance team allow us to effec�vely manage mul�ple projects and priori�es while maintaining a high standard of work product quality. T&B Planning understands the importance of keeping projects on schedule and we priori�ze tasks to ensure the �mely delivery of work products. Our philosophy is that the best defense against a scheduling delay is to be highly proac�ve and communica�ve from project ini�a�on through project comple�on; this allows us to quickly iden�fy and overcome impediments that could otherwise materialize into poten�al delays.
Responsive Services
Our business is centered on responsive services. Professional and respec�ul communica�on and collabora�on are pillars of T&B Planning’s management approach. Our team has proven experience working with public agencies, project applicants, and the public at-large and professionally responding to public interests and concerns. Our ability to effec�vely communicate with Lead Agency and private project applicants also makes our firm a top choice for projects that may face any form of controversy or opposi�on including for issues associated with complying with environmental regula�ons. We have extensive experience responding both proac�vely and reac�vely to public concerns and are known for our forward-thinking approach and ability to navigate these issues in a professional and successful manner. Our staff also can effec�vely communicate in five languages to serve a diverse popula�on base. Our staff is highly cognizant of the importance of communica�on with Lead Agency staff and the specialized technical experts assigned to each project. We maintain an open line of communica�on and facilitate a team mentality that is important to ensuring consistency and on-�me delivery of work products. Our style of communica�on is respec�ul and objec�ve and we have a reputa�on for presen�ng informa�on in ways that are easy to understand and delivered at a level of detail that is appropriate for each intended audience.
Service Commitment to Customers
We work efficiently, cost-effec�vely, and proac�vely in response to our clients’ needs. Our clients receive expert advice and delivery of project management services, document prepara�on, and environmental compliance strategy. This vital skill set allows us to smoothly guide projects through the CEQA compliance process and to prepare deliverables that are complete, accurate, and that can withstand challenge. We also understand that organized, effec�ve, and efficient coordina�on and communica�on with City staff and project team members is essen�al to a successful CEQA compliance process. We understand that the level of coordina�on necessary will vary by project, and we customize our approach to project-specific needs.
T&B Planning, Inc. RFQ – On-Call Professional Environmental Consul�ng Services
Section C: Staffing
T&B Planning, Inc. RFQ – On-Call Professional Environmental Consul�ng Services
Key Personnel
Our Principals and Senior/Assistant Project Managers are directly involved in project management. We assign our Senior/Assistant Project Managers to projects based on which manager is best suited to the project type and its geography. The main items considered are which manager has the most experience and knowledge of a proposed project’s par�cular land use type, the Lead Agency jurisdic�on and surrounding jurisdic�ons, and the poten�al issues that a project may face. On-Call Professional Environmental Consul�ng Services as specified in the City’s Request for RFQ will be led by Nicole Morse who will serve as Project lead/Manager for projects in the City of Santa Fe Springs. They will be supported by our Senior Project Manager, Connie Anderson, or our Assistant Project Managers, Tracy Chu, and our in-house environmental analysts, land use planners, technical writers, and GIS/graphics specialists as needed. Upon award of a contract and through the dura�on of a contract, if T&B Planning chooses to assign different personnel to a project, Nicole Morse will submit their name, contact informa�on, and qualifica�ons to the City for approval prior to the commencement of any work. Nicole and the team’s qualifica�ons, experience, and resumes are provided below.
T&B Planning tailors our approach for each individual project to ensure that each project is provided the best service possible. Our approach for preparing CEQA documents, assembling and overseeing teams of technical experts, preparing CEQA documents, and naviga�ng the CEQA compliance process can vary based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to: the proposed project’s characteris�cs, loca�on and size of the project site, environmental sensi�vity of the project site and the surrounding area, environmental issues of concern, type of project applicant (public vs. private vs. ins�tu�onal), required type of CEQA document, desired schedule, alloted budget for our work, availability of informa�on, and other factors. We assign staffing based on our current workload and accept projects based on our ability to perform. Our in-house project management systems allow us to con�nually monitor workflow and capacity. Our staff meets weekly at a minimum to assign projects, workflows, and tasks in order to ensure that we are mee�ng client schedules and major milestones.
We work efficiently, cost-effec�vely, and proac�vely in response to our clients’ needs. Our clients receive expert advice and delivery of project management services, document prepara�on, and environmental compliance strategy. This vital skill set allows us to smoothly guide projects through the CEQA compliance process and to prepare deliverables that are complete, accurate, and that can withstand challenge. We also understand that organized, effec�ve, and efficient coordina�on and communica�on with City staff and project team members is essen�al to a successful CEQA compliance process. We understand that the level of coordina�on necessary will vary by project, and we customize our approach to project-specific needs.
T&B Planning, Inc. RFQ – On-Call Professional Environmental Consul�ng Services
RESUME FOR NICOLE MORSE, ESQ., PRINCIPAL
Nicole Morse, Esq. is a T&B Planning Principal with 25+ years of experience managing environmental compliance projects for both public and private sector clients. Nicole u�lizes her specialty background as both an atorney and an environmental compliance planner to manage and prepare documents that withstand legal scru�ny. She reviews documents and associated technical reports for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), SB 743, the California Global Warming Solu�ons Act of 2006 (AB 32), the Sustainable Communi�es and Climate Protec�on Act of 2008 (SB 375), and numerous other regulatory requirements. She holds a B.S. degree in Applied Ecology from University of California, Irvine, a Juris Doctorate in Business Law from Whi�er Law School, Costa Mesa, and is a member of the California Associa�on of Environmental Professionals (AEP).
Nicole has prepared and managed environmental compliance and planning documents for a wide range of projects including, but not limited to, urban infill (residen�al, mixed-use and high-rise), transit-oriented development, downtown and corridor redevelopment programs, industrial, entertainment venues, and master planned communi�es and general plans. Nicole is at the forefront of new environmental regula�ons, recently managing a General Plan EIR that was the first to adopt VMT standards in the State of California. Given her legal background, clients regularly rely on Nicole to provide strategic advice on the overall en�tlement process star�ng with project incep�on to delivery to the marketplace.
Project Management: Nicole is highly effec�ve at leading project teams from project ini�a�on through comple�on of the CEQA and en�tlement process. She provides strategic counsel to leaders in public agencies, developers, and consultants throughout the en�tlement process and presents project informa�on and CEQA findings at community outreach events, scoping mee�ngs, and public hearings. She is responsible for personnel and subconsultant oversight; review of technical reports and methodology; adherence to established budgets and schedules; and all aspects of quality control and contract fulfillment.
Environmental/En�tlement: Nicole, as Principal-in-Charge/Project Manager for a wide variety of projects, has prepared, managed, and/or provided quality control review of hundreds of planning and CEQA documents – from straight-forward Categorical Exemp�ons to complex Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs), suppor�ng technical studies, and environmental documenta�on. She has worked for landowner/developers managing the due diligence, planning, and en�tlement process, in addi�on to, EIRs for a number of highly complex projects. She uses her legal background and extensive project experience to assist lead agencies and project applicants in determining the appropriate approach and to ensure that the appropriate informa�on, technical analysis, and methodology is applied to each project and associated environmental compliance document. Nicole prides herself on implemen�ng prac�cal real-world solu�ons that effec�vely expedite the CEQA process.
A representa�ve list of environmental compliance projects completed by Nicole Morse is provided below.
Industrial
- Agua Mansa Road Development Project EIR; City of Jurupa Valley - BRE Space Center Mira Loma EIR; City of Jurupa Valley - 5200 Sheila Street EIR; City of Commerce
- Vermont and Redondo Beach Boulevard Project EIR; City of Los Angeles - Ontario Ranch Business Park Specific Plan EIR; City of Ontario T&B Planning, Inc. RFQ – On-Call Professional Environmental Consul�ng Services
Transit Oriented Development, Campus Plans, and Specific Plans - City of Hope Campus Plan EIR; City of Duarte and Irwindale - Southeast Area Specific Plan (SEADSP) and Local Coastal Plan Amendment EIR; City of Long Beach - Tustin Legacy Specific Plan and SEIR; City of Tustin
- Lincoln Avenue Specific Plan EIR; City of Pasadena
- Valley Boulevard Corridor Specific Plan EIR; County of San Bernardino - Harbor Boulevard Mixed-Use Transit Corridor Plan; City of Santa Ana - Addendum to the San Bernardino General Plan Update EIR (TOD); City of San Bernardino Mixed Use, Residential, and Infill
- Crown City Medical Center EIR; City of Pasadena
- Lakeview Apartments: Addendum to the Yorba Linda 2008-2014 Housing Element and Implementation Programs EIR; City of Yorba Linda
- Covington Homes: Addendum to the Yorba Linda 2008-2014 Housing Element and Implementation Programs EIR; City of Yorba Linda
Sports & Entertainment Venue; Hospitality
- Los Angles Turf Club North Barn Project at Santa Anita Park; City of Arcadia - Hotel Capistrano Master Plan EIR; City of San Juan Capistrano - San Juan Hotel and Villas MND; City of San Juan Capistrano - The Forum Design Project Categorical Exemption; City of Inglewood - Del Amo Fashion Center Expansion Addendum; City of Torrance General Plan
- Peer Review, Long Beach General Plan Land Use & Urban Design Elements EIR; City of Long Beach - Pasadena General Plan EIR; City of Pasadena
- City of Temple City General Plan; City of Temple City - Westminster General Plan EIR; City of Westminster
- San Clemente Centennial General Plan EIR; City of San Clemente - La Habra General Plan EIR; City of La Habra
Representative List of Speaking Engagement & Professional Presentations - “Ask an Expert;” Guest speaker, Planning Commissioners Academy, Monterey, 2018 - “AEP Advanced CEQA Workshop;” Association of Environmental Professionals, 2018 - “Legal Challenges: Working with your Attorney;” Guest speaker, Environmental, Health & Safety Clearance for School Facilities Course, UC Riverside Extension, 2014 - “Bursting into Tiers: Getting the Most out of General Plan EIRs;” 2014 AEP CA State Conference, Huntington Beach, California
- “Nuts & Bolts Panel: Cultural Resources Assessments in California;” 2012 OCAEP Luncheon, Tustin CA T&B Planning, Inc. RFQ – On-Call Professional Environmental Consul�ng Services
RESUME FOR TRACY ZINN, AICP, PRINCIPAL
Tracy Zinn, AICP, serves as T&B Planning’s President and CEO. Tracy joined the firm in 1993, became a Principal in 2007, and has 30+ years of experience managing and preparing environmental compliance and land use en�tlement documents. Overseeing the planning and environmental compliance aspects of land development projects has advanced her skills at mul�-layered thinking and problem-solving. Clients and government agencies rely on her to provide overall project management and bring focus to complex tasks. Tracy is an expert in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance and conveys a clear understanding of the prac�cal, environmental, and jurisdic�onal reali�es of en�tlement permits. Tracy is respected for preparing documents that are easily understood, technically accurate, and legally adequate. She holds a B.S. degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, is cer�fied by the American Ins�tute of Cer�fied Planners (AICP), and is a member of the California Associa�on of Environmental Professionals (AEP), and the Commercial Real Estate Development Associa�on (NAIOP).
Under Tracy’s direc�on, T&B Planning has prepared hundreds of cer�fied and approved CEQA compliance documents. Between 2010-2021, Tracy personally managed the prepara�on of CEQA compliance documents for numerous residen�al projects, mixed-use projects, and over 56 million square feet of industrial, warehouse, and business park building space. Tracy also engages in public educa�on and outreach efforts, including but not limited to workshops, presenta�ons, focus group mee�ngs, and public input surveys.
Environmental Compliance (CEQA and Technical Reports): Tracy has prepared and quality-control reviewed hundreds of CEQA compliance documents for a wide range of project types, including industrial, logis�cs warehousing, parcel delivery, commercial, residen�al, mixed-use, and infrastructure-related land uses, for public and private sector clients. She also directs the prepara�on of technical studies to support the CEQA compliance process. Her use of quan�fiable and objec�ve analysis methodologies contributes to the legal defensibility of CEQA documents.
Project Management and Public Mee�ng Facilita�on: Tracy effec�vely represents project applicants and lead agencies at public hearings and workshops. She leads scoping mee�ngs, makes technically accurate and compelling presenta�ons at public hearings, and effec�vely responds to public comments. She also leads project team mee�ngs, manages coordina�on efforts among project applicants and public agencies, and oversees teams of technical analysts.
Master Planning/Land En�tlement Permits: Tracy’s working knowledge of local and regional planning issues, design standards, zoning laws, and public policies, are invaluable when applied to land use planning and en�tlement projects. She has authored numerous notable planning studies, specific plans, and design guideline documents, and guided many projects through the complex permi�ng process. By applying her combined planning and environmental compliance experience, Tracy is skilled in sugges�ng project design features that make the best use of limited �me and monetary resources.
A representa�ve list of environmental compliance projects completed by Tracy Zinn is provided below.
Industrial, Warehousing, and Business Park
• 2929 East Imperial Highway MND (Warehouse Redevelopment); City of Brea • 4150 North Palm Street MND (Warehouse Redevelopment); City of Fullerton • Alliance California Gateway South Building 3 and Building 4 EIRs; City of San Bernardino • Arcadia Logistics Center EIR; City of Arcadia
T&B Planning, Inc. RFQ – On-Call Professional Environmental Consul�ng Services
• Brodiaea Commerce Center EIR; City of Moreno Valley
• Chino Parcel Delivery Project (FedEx Parcel Hub) EIR; City of Chino • First Inland Logistics Center II EIR; City of Moreno Valley • Gate King (Center at Needham Ranch) Industrial Park EIR Addenda; City of Santa Clarita • Goodman Logistics Center EIR Addendum; City of El Monte • Goodman Logistics Center III EIR; City of Fontana
• Majestic Chino Heritage EIR; City of Chino
• Majestic Freeway Business Center EIR Addenda; County of Riverside • March Business Center EIR; City of Moreno Valley
• Orange Show Logistics Center MND; City of San Bernardino • Proficiency Renaissance EIR Addendum; City of Rialto
• Rider and Harvill MND (Warehouse); Riverside County
• San Manuel Landing (Warehouse); City of San Bernardino • San Michelle Business Center MND; City of Moreno Valley • Seaton Tech Center MND; County of Riverside
• Serrano Commerce Center EIR; County of Riverside
• Slover Avenue Distribution Center EIR; City of Fontana • The Park @ Live Oak Specific Plan EIR; City of Irwindale • Waterman Logistics Center MND; City of San Bernardino • Watson Industrial Park EIR; City of Chino
Infill, Residential, Institutional, and Mixed-Use
• Avanti North Specific Plan EIR; City of Lancaster
• Audie Murphy Ranch Specific Plan EIR; City of Menifee • Balboa Marina West MND; City of Newport Beach
• Bixby Highgrove MND; County of Riverside
• Central Village Specific Plan EIR Addendum; City of San Diego • Church of the Woods EIR; County of San Bernardino
• Mountain View Apartment Homes MND; City of La Habra
• North Newport Center Planned Community EIR Addendum; City of Newport Beach • Oakbrook Village EIR Addendum; City of Laguna Hills
• Residences at Newport Center, City of Newport Beach
• Riverbend MND; City of Jurupa Valley
• Santa Fe Springs Self Storage MND; City of Santa Fe Springs • Terramor Specific Plan EIR Addenda #1, #2, #3 and #4; County of Riverside • Trailmark Specific Plan EIR; County of Riverside
• Vernola Marketplace Apartments MND; City of Jurupa Valley Electronic Messaging
• Becker Boards Billboard ND; City of Baldwin Park
• Becker Boards Billboard MND; City of Carson
T&B Planning, Inc. RFQ – On-Call Professional Environmental Consul�ng Services
RESUME FOR CONNIE ANDERSON, SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER
Connie Anderson has 20+ years of experience, joined T&B Planning in 2003 and serves as a day-to-day project manager responsible for managing, preparing, and coordina�ng California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance documents, including Environmental Impact Reports (EIR), Environmental Assessments/Ini�al Studies (EA/IS), EIR/MND Addenda, Mi�gated Nega�ve Declara�ons (MND), Mi�ga�on, Monitoring, and Repor�ng Programs (MMRPs), and required technical studies. She holds a B.S. degree in Land Use from the Metropolitan University of Denver.
Connie also serves as the firm’s Director of New Business Services taking the lead on diversifying and growing the Company. In this role she also spearheads acquisi�on of projects for which the Company’s na�onally cer�fied WBE-WBENC designa�on is an asset to contracts requiring par�cipa�on by a woman-owned business.
Connie has managed both CEQA and planning projects and is skilled at project coordina�on with public and private sector clients, quasi-public agencies, and local, state, and federal government agencies. She is known for her organiza�onal skills, aten�on to detail, high expecta�ons, diligence in mee�ng project schedules, and for her ability to see a land development project through the eyes of the public, enabling her to prepare documents that are informa�ve, objec�ve, and easy to understand.
Connie has experience working with numerous Lead Agencies throughout California, including the City of Adelanto, City of Arcadia, City of Beaumont, City of Chino, City of Fontana, City of Jurupa Valley, City of La Habra, City of Lake Elsinore, City of Lancaster, City of Moreno Valley, City of Newport Beach, City of Perris, City of Rialto, City of Riverside, City of San Bernardino, City of Santa Clarita, and the County of Riverside.
Environmental Compliance: Connie prepares CEQA compliance documents for industrial, logis�cs warehousing, parcel delivery, commercial, residen�al, and mixed-use projects for both public and private clients. These include Ini�al Studies, EIR’s, EIR/MND Addenda, MND’s, and all types of CEQA no�ces and procedural compliance documents.
Project Management and Project Coordina�on: Connie has managed CEQA and planning documents for industrial, logis�cs warehousing, parcel delivery, commercial, residen�al, and mixed-use projects as well as planning projects for master-planned communi�es, mixed-use projects, residen�al subdivisions, commercial retail, industrial, warehouse, and civic uses. Connie is also skilled at managing and coordina�ng CEQA technical experts.
Land Use Planning Documents: Connie has prepared planning documents for large-scale master-planned communities, including Specific Plans and Design Guidelines, and has prepared Real Property Master Plans for military installations throughout the United States and Europe.
A representa�ve list of environmental compliance projects completed by Connie Anderson is provided below.
Industrial, Warehousing, Business Park, Commercial
- Alessandro Corporate Center MND Addendum; City of Riverside - Alliance California Gateway South Building 3 EIR; City of San Bernardino - Alliance California Gateway South Building 4 EIR; City of San Bernardino - Arcadia Logistics Center EIR; City of Arcadia
- First Nandina Logistics Center EIR and EIR Addenda; City of Perris - Gate-King Industrial Park (Center at Needham Ranch) EIR Addendum No. 1; City of Santa Clarita - Gate-King Industrial Park (Center at Needham Ranch) EIR Addendum No. 2; City of Santa Clarita T&B Planning, Inc. RFQ – On-Call Professional Environmental Consul�ng Services
- Gate-King Industrial Park (Center at Needham Ranch) EIR Addendum No. 3; City of Santa Clarita - Gate-King Industrial Park (Center at Needham Ranch) EIR Addendum No. 4; City of Santa Clarita - Gate-King Industrial Park (Center at Needham Ranch) Phase 2 EIR Addendum No. 5; City of Santa Clarita - Harvill Distribution Center MND; County of Riverside
- Knox Business Park Building D and Building E; County of Riverside - Modular Logistics Center EIR; City of Moreno Valley
- Moreno Valley Logistics Center EIR; City of Moreno Valley - Nuevo Business Park EIR; County of Riverside
- Oleander Industrial Park EIR; County of Riverside
- Proficiency Renaissance EIR Addendum; City of Rialto
- Rider and Harvill MND; County of Riverside
- Seaton Tech Center MND; County of Riverside
- Slover Industrial Center EIR; City of Fontana
- Val Verde Logistics Center MND; County of Riverside
- Watson Industrial Park EIR; City of Chino
Infill, Residential, Mixed-Use
- Adelanto 80-Acre Greenhouse MND Addendum; City of Adelanto - Adelanto Multi-Family Apartments MND; City of Adelanto - Avanti North Specific Plan EIR; City of Lancaster
- Balboa Marina West MND; City of Newport Beach
- Bixby Highgrove MND; County of Riverside
- Briggs Road EIR; County of Riverside
- Covey Ranch ND Addendum; City of Moreno Valley
- Mira Loma Tentative Tract 33461 EIR; County of Riverside - Mountain View Apartment Homes MND; City of La Habra
- Nichols Mine Expansion EIR; City of Lake Elsinore
- Residences at Newport Center EIR; City of Newport Beach - Tentative Tract Map 31309 Focused EIR; County of Riverside - Tentative Tract Map 31826 Focused EIR; County of Riverside - Tentative Tract Map 32136 MND; County of Riverside
- Trailmark Specific Plan EIR; County of Riverside
- Vernola Marketplace Apartments MND; City of Jurupa Valley - Wickerd Road Tentative Tract 31194 EIR; County of Riverside T&B Planning, Inc. RFQ – On-Call Professional Environmental Consul�ng Services
RESUME FOR TRACY CHU, ASSISTANT PROJECT MANAGER
Tracy Chu joined T&B Planning in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from University of California, Los Angeles as well as a Master of Urban Planning from California State University, Northridge. As an Assistant Project Manager, Tracy leads the coordina�on of technical analyses and assists T&B’s senior leadership team with preparing and processing CEQA compliance documents for complex residen�al, ins�tu�onal, supply chain, commercial, and infrastructure projects. She coordinates and prepares Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs), Mi�gated Nega�ve Declara�ons (MNDs), Ini�al Studies (IS), Mi�ga�on Monitoring and Repor�ng Programs (MMRPs), and Addenda primarily for land development and redevelopment projects throughout Southern California. She also prepares and posts public no�ces and assists in responding to public comments and preparing for public hearings.
Tracy provides aid with project coordina�on between T&B’s senior leadership team and public agencies, private clients, and project sub-consultants, including biologists, archaeologists, engineers, architects, landscape architects, and other technical consultants.
Representa�ve List of CEQA Compliance Projects
- 7400 Slauson Avenue; City of Commerce
- 5200 Sheila Street EIR; City of Commerce
- Rubidoux Commerce Park EIR, City of Jurupa Valley
- Vernola Ranch Specific Plan EIR, City of Jurupa Valley - Moreno Valley Trade Center, City of Moreno Valley
- BRE Space Mira Loma Logistics Center, City of Jurupa Valley - Agua Mansa Commerce Park EIR, City of Jurupa Valley
- Ottawa Business Center EIR, City of Victorville
- 534 Struck Avenue MND, City of Orange
- 759 North Eckhoff MND; City of Orange
- 2021-2029 Housing Element Implementation Programs PEIR and Addendum; City of Yorba Linda - Ramona Gateway Project EIR; City of Perris
- East State Street Warehouse MND, City of Ontario
- Woodruff Logistics Center Addendum to The Ontario Plan 2050 SEIR, City of Ontario - Town Center View EIR, City of San Diego
- 21515 South Western NOE, City of Torrance
- Century Villages at Cabrillo Specific Plan EIR; City of Long Beach - 20922 Currier Road Industrial Development MND; City of Industry - 15252 East Valley Boulevard Auto Towing Yard MND; City of Industry - Greenleaf Business Center MND; City of Santa Fe Springs - Prescott Plaza MND; City of Yucca Valley
- Second Addendum to the 2002 Los Angeles City College Facility Master Plan EIR; Los Angeles Community College District
- Fourth Addendum to the 2003 Los Angeles Harbor College EIR; Los Angeles Community College District
- Chaffey Community College Rancho Cucamonga Campus Modernization NOE; Chaffey Community College District
T&B Planning, Inc. RFQ – On-Call Professional Environmental Consul�ng Services
Technical Experts
Our considerable experience has shown that a specially selected, highly qualified team of technical experts can provide a more accurate and more legally defensible CEQA document than the “one size fits all” inhouse team provided by large firms. Consequently, it is our firm’s prac�ce to select from the best technical consul�ng firms, matching the unique characteris�cs and needs of an individual project to the exper�se of technical experts. For these reasons, we o�en select from technical firms iden�fied below to serve as technical experts, but have a broad array of subconsultants that we regularly work with.
Air Quality, Greenhouse Gas, Energy Noise, Transporta�on Urban Crossroads provides a full suite of air quality consul�ng services including air quality, greenhouse gas, and health risk assessment technical services to meet na�onal, state, and various local compliance standard requirements. Urban Crossroads, Inc. also provides the full spectrum of environmental noise measurement and analysis services and a full range of traffic services that include traffic impact analysis, traffic engineering, travel demand modeling, simula�ons, and many other traffic related services. T&B Planning and Urban Crossroads have partnered on thousands of projects throughout the years. We recently completed 5200 Sheila Street EIR and 7400 Slauson Avenue EIR, two industrial projects in the City of Commerce.
Biological Resources
NOREAS Incorporated (NOREAS) provides a comprehensive array of biological and regulatory permi�ng services to the local, state and federal government, energy, u�lity, and private business sectors. NOREAS team comprised of highly skilled, credentialed and experienced biologists, regulatory permitting specialists and subject matter experts (i.e., ornithologists, botanists, arborists, herpetologists, mammalogists, ecologists, compliance specialists, environmental scientists, engineers, geologists, and geographic information system [GIS] professionals).NOREAS and T&B Planning recently completed 534 Struck Avenue EIR in the City of Orange and we are currently working together on several projects in the High Desert (e.g. Town of Apple Valley and City of Victorville).
Cultural Resources
Chronicle Heritage has carried out numerous historic preserva�on, architectural history, archaeology, history, planning, and exhibi�on projects across the region and country. Their areas of exper�se include prehistoric and historic-era archaeology; urban archaeology; architectural history; paleontology; human osteology, burial iden�fica�on and treatment, tribal communica�on and collabora�on; and public interpreta�on, displays, and educa�on. Chronicle Heritage (formerly PaleoWest) and T&B Planning have completed hundreds of projects together and is currently working on projects in the Town of Apple Valley and the ci�es of Beaumont, Moreno Valley, and Chino.
Civil Engineering
Thienes Engineering, Inc. (Thienes) offers a full range of civil engineering services including grading plans, storm drainage and sewer system designs, and water quality services. Thienes offers diverse, and wide-spread experience in industrial parks, commercial developments, retail malls, residen�al communi�es and ins�tu�onal buildings, including schools, and hospitals. T&B Planning and Thienes have partnered on thousands of projects throughout the years.
T&B Planning, Inc. RFQ – On-Call Professional Environmental Consul�ng Services
Section D: Qualifications & References
T&B Planning, Inc. RFQ – On-Call Professional Environmental Consul�ng Services
Our CEQA compliance experience includes a wide variety of projects of different sizes and different land use types. In our 33 years of providing CEQA compliance consulting services, the majority of our consulting work has focused on development projects, including but not limited to, residential, business park, commercial, industrial, logistics warehousing, mixed-use, and institutional projects. For example, in the past 14 years, T&B Planning has prepared CEQA compliance documents for industrial warehouse projects on behalf of over 20 lead agencies, comprising 199 buildings and collectively totaling over 70 million square feet of building space which makes T&B Planning a skilled consultant in the goods movement industry, which is a very intense, intricate, highly visible, sensitive, and often times politically charged environment. In that same period, we also prepared environmental compliance documents for various other project types, including, but not limited to, master-planned residential communities, residential and mixed-use projects, commercial shopping centers, gas stations, travel centers, business parks, sand and gravel mines, parcel delivery facilities, highly visible billboards, and more.
We encourage you to contact the references listed herein and we will be glad to provide additional references or answer any additional questions you may have regarding our work experience and capabilities.
Reference 1 – City of Commerce
Name of Project: 5200 Sheila Street EIR
Individual to contact for referral:
Sonia Griego, Associate Planner
City of Commerce
2535 Commerce Way
Commerce, CA 90040
[email protected]
323-722-4805 Ext. 2346
Client:
Link Industrial Properties
Tom Cruikshank, Senior Vice President, Development
11015 Hopkins
Mira Loma, California 91752 USA
[email protected]
909-223-9035
Start Date: November 2019
Completion Date: January 2021
Brief Description of Scope of Work: T&B Planning served as the lead CEQA consultant for the 5200 Sheila Street EIR Project in the City of Commerce. The 5.6-acre project site is located along I-710 and is developed with two industrial buildings which were originally constructed in 1940 for the Fluor Corporation and which after evaluation, were determined not to be signficant historic resources. The project proposed for the redevelopment of the site with a modern, 114,898 square foot speculative warehouse building with 17 dock doors located on the south side of the building. Associated discretionary approvals included a Plot Plan and Development Plan Review. T&B Planning worked closely with the City of Commerce to prepare the project’s CEQA compliance documents and was responsible for reviewing all supporting technical T&B Planning, Inc. RFQ – On-Call Professional Environmental Consul�ng Services
studies to ensure their accuracy and CEQA adequacy. The Final EIR was certified by the Commerce City Council in January 2021.
Project Manager on the Project and Key Personnel:
Project Manager: Nicole Morse; Key Personnel: Tracy Chu Reference 2 – City of La Habra
Name of Project: Mountain View Apartment Homes MND
Individual to contact for referral/Client:
9Max Capital, LLC
Michael R. Barnet, Chief Opera�ons Officer
9587 Bolsa Avenue
Westminster, CA 92683
949-228-8644
[email protected]
Start Date: July 2018
Completion Date: April 2019
Brief Descrip�on of Scope of Work: T&B Planning worked with the City of La Habra Planning staff to prepare an MND and provide CEQA consul�ng services, including AB 52 consulta�on, for an infill project located south of La Habra Boulevard and north of Lambert Road in the City of La Habra, Orange County.
The proposed Project consisted of applica�ons for a Planned Unit Development (PUD), Condi�onal Use Permit (CUP), and Lot Line Adjustment (LLA) to redevelop the subject 0.97-acre site by demolishing all exis�ng on-site improvements and construc�ng a 30-unit, three-story mul�-family apartment building.
Three of the building’s units would qualify as very-low-income affordable housing units under the City of La Habra’s Municipal Code. The City of La Habra approved the Project in April 2019.
Project Manager on the Project and Key Personnel:
Project Manager: Tracy Zinn
Reference 3 – City of Orange
Name of Project: 534 Struck Avenue EIR
Individual to contact for referral:
Robert Garcia, Senior Planner
City of Orange
300 East Chapman Avenue
Orange, CA 92866
[email protected]
714-744-7231
Client:
Prologis, Inc.
Maggie Xu, Director, Development
T&B Planning, Inc. RFQ – On-Call Professional Environmental Consul�ng Services
2141 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 1151
El Segundo, CA 90245
[email protected]
310-338-3273
Start Date: January 2020
Completion Date: August 2023
Brief Descrip�on of Scope of Work: T&B Planning prepared an EIR for the 534 Struck Avenue Project. The Project involved the approval of a Condi�onal Use Permit No. 3137-21, Major Site Plan Review No. 1039- 21, and Design Review No. 5028-21 to allow for redevelopment of the site with a 57,900-sf truck terminal, including 52,900 sf of warehouse space, 5,000 sf of office space, and a 5,400-sf maintenance building. Key issues involved site plan changes to address comments from surrounding business owners and the evalua�on of air quality, health risk, and noise impacts to nearby sensi�ve receptors, including OC HUB (a nonprofit organiza�on providing services and meals for the homeless) and a new affordable housing development. The City of Orange approved the Project in August 2023.
Project Manager on the Project and Key Personnel:
Project Manager: Nicole Morse; Key Personnel: Tracy Chu Reference 4 – City of Yorba Linda
Name of Project: 2021-2029 Housing Element
Implementa�on Programs Project EIR and Addendum
Individuals to contact for referral/Client:
David Brantley, Community Development Director
City of Yorba Linda, 4845 Casa Loma Avenue, Yorba Linda, CA 92886
[email protected]
714-961-7134
Nate Farnsworth, Planning Manager
City of Yorba Linda, 4845 Casa Loma Avenue, Yorba Linda, CA 92886 [email protected]
714-961-7131
Brief Descrip�on of Scope of Work: T&B Planning prepared a Program EIR under an extremely cri�cal schedule to ensure the City of Yorba Linda met the requirements of State Housing Law to fulfill its share of regional housing needs of 2,415 residen�al units. The Project involved the approval of a General Plan Amendment and Amendments to the Zoning Code and Zoning Map. The General Plan Amendment revised the Land Use Element to update the text and maps consistent with the proposed zoning. Amendments to the Zoning Code included modifica�on to the text and maps to rezone 27 opportunity sites, including applicable planned development zones, and adop�on of housing overlay zones (Affordable Housing Overlay, a Congrega�onal Land Overlay, and a Mixed-Use Housing Overlay) consistent with the Housing Element. Major issues addressed by the EIR included air quality, biological resources, greenhouse gas emissions, flood hazards, and wildfire. The Project was approved, however, the community subsequently T&B Planning, Inc. RFQ – On-Call Professional Environmental Consul�ng Services
voted down the Housing Element Implementa�on Programs via a ci�zen-sponsored, voter-approved ini�a�ve. The City is proposing a new Housing Element based on significant community input and T&B Planning is currently in the process of preparing an Addendum to the previously cer�fied EIR to evaluate the environmental impacts of the Project revisions.
Project Manager on the Project and Key Personnel:
Project Manager: Nicole Morse; Key Personnel: Tracy Chu, Jus�n Nguyen Reference 5 – City of San Juan Capistrano
Name of Project: River Street Marketplace EIR
Individual to contact for referral/Client:
Joel Rojas, Director of Development Services
City of San Juan Capistrano, 30448 Rancho Viejo Rd.
# 110, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
[email protected]
949-234-4410
Brief Descrip�on of Scope of Work: Nicole Morse was the Project Manager for this Project under a different consul�ng firm. T&B Planning is currently under contract with the City of San Juan Capistrano to prepare an EIR for the El Camino Specific Plan Amendment. The EIR for the River Street Marketplace Specific Plan analyzed the environmental impacts of redeveloping an infill site with 64,900 square feet of bou�que retail and office for residents and visitors to San Juan Capistrano. The Specific Plan incorporated a number of design features to ensure compa�bility with the Los Rios neighborhood and historical district.
The plan enhances pedestrian and bicycle connec�vity within walking distance to the Metrolink Sta�on, encouraging alterna�ve modes of travel reducing vehicle mile traveled and greenhouse gas emissions.
Li�ga�on was an�cipated at the outset of the project, however through the environmental analysis, incorpora�on of site plan revisions and project design features, and community consensus, the plan was widely supported.
Project Manager on the Project and Key Personnel:
Project Manager: Nicole Morse
T&B Planning, Inc. RFQ – On-Call Professional Environmental Consul�ng Services
Section D: Fee Schedule
T&B Planning, Inc. RFQ – On-Call Professional Environmental Consul�ng Services
If T&B Planning, Inc. is authorized to provide services on a Time and Materials basis, we will invoice for such work in accordance with the hourly rates provided below. Change orders are subject to annual billing rate increases and staff promo�ons to posi�ons with different billing rates.
• Senior Principal ..............................................................................$275.00 - $295.00/Hour • Principal .........................................................................................$245.00 - $295.00/Hour • Director ..........................................................................................$205.00 - $245.00/Hour • Senior Associate/Technical Specialist ............................................$195.00 - $235.00/Hour • Senior Project Manager/Development Manager.......................... $175.00 - $195.00/Hour • Project Manager.............................................................................$165.00 - $185.00/Hour • Graphics Manager/GIS Specialist ...................................................$155.00 - $175.00/Hour • Senior Planner/Legal Assistant.......................................................$135.00 - $165.00/Hour • Assistant Project Manager .............................................................$130.00 - $155.00/Hour • Project Coordinator........................................................................$110.00 - $140.00/Hour • Accoun�ng Manager......................................................................$110.00 - $140.00/Hour • Technician-Graphics & GIS ...............................................................$95.00 - $155.00/Hour • Development Associate/Environmental Analyst/Planner................$95.00 - $135.00/Hour • Technical Editor................................................................................$95.00 - $115.00/Hour • Office Manager/Execu�ve Assistant ................................................$90.00 - $110.00/Hour • Administra�ve Assistant.....................................................................$70.00 - $85.00/Hour Expert tes�mony and li�ga�on support services will be billed at double the above rates. Over�me and expedite services at Client request will be billed at 1.5 �mes the above rates.
T&B Planning's hourly rates do not include out-of-pocket expenses (including, but not limited to, prin�ng and reproduc�on, scanning, plo�ng, GIS data acquisi�on fees, aerial photography, project set up fees and insurance cer�ficate issuance, postage, and delivery services). Provided below are the 2024 costs of typical incurred expenses, which are subject to adjustment if our vendors adjust costs beyond the control of T&B Planning. • Project Ini�a�on/Insurance Cer�ficate Fee ................................................... $500.00/each • Aerial Photographs........................................................................................ $265.00/each • Black/White 8.5 x 11 Copy/Print........................................................................ $0.12/page • Black/White 11 x 17 Copy/Print......................................................................... $0.24/page • Color 8.5 x 11 Copy/Print. .................................................................................. $1.20/page • Color 11 x 17 Copy/Print................................................................................... $1.45/page • 11 X 17 Folding.................................................................................................. $0.30/page • Photo Grade Color Prints ................................................................................. $7.20/ sq. �. • Color Bond Plot .............................................................................................. $12.00/sq. �. • Plan Folding....................................................................................................... $0.48/sq. �. • USB................................................................................................................... $17.00/each • CD w/Sleave and Label..................................................................................... $26.00/each • DVD s/Sleave and Label ................................................................................... $36.00/each • Three-Ring Binder (2” to 4”)............................................................... $14.00 - $30.00/each • Custom Binding Materials ........................................................................................At Cost • Mileage ...................................................................................................... Current IRS Rate • Parking, Toll Road, Lodging Fees ...............................................................................At Cost • U.S Mail .............................................................................. Current U.S. Postal Rate at Cost • Cer�fied Mail...................................................................At Cost based on Size and Weight • Overnight Deliveries................................................................. Current Carrier Rate at Cost • Same-Day Deliveries............................................... Current Messenger Service Rate a Cost
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 F: Professional Services Agreement for UES
REV052024 Page 1 of 16 UES, Inc.
CITY OF SANTA FE SPRINGS
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
WITH
UES
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 Nova Geotechnical and Inspection Services – So Cal, a California corporation doing business as UES (“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.
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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.
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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 UES, 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 UES, 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 UES, 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.
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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: UES
14538 Meridian Pkwy, Suite A
Riverside, CA 92518
Attention: Kurt Schlyer
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.
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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 REV052024 Page 9 of 16 UES, Inc.
of any right or remedy in respect to any other occurrence or event, nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
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: Martin Lowenthal
Title: ________________________
Date: ______________________ Date: _______________________ REV052024 Page 10 of 16 UES, Inc.
ATTEST: CONSULTANT
_____________________________ ____________________________ Fernando Muñoz, Deputy City Clerk Name: Trent Anderson
Title: _______________________
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
16 Technology Drive, Suite 139
Irvine, CA 92618-2324
949.537.3222
Submitted To:
City of Santa Fe Springs
Planning and Development Department
11710 Telegraph Road
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
Attention:
Cuong Nguyen
Acting Director of Planning
[email protected]
4/16/2024 5:00 PM PDT
UES Response to RFQ for
ON-CALL
PROFESSIONAL
ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSULTING
SERVICES
UES | II
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION A
COVER LETTER .................................................................................................................................................. 1
SECTION B
BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE ............................................................................................................. 4
SECTION C
STAFFING...........................................................................................................................................................17
SECTION D
QUALIFICATIONS AND REFERENCES .....................................................................................................35
SECTION E
FEE SCHEDULE ................................................................................................................................................41 Table of Contents
SECTION A
COVER LETTER
UES | 2
UES
16 Technology Drive, Suite 139
Irvine, CA 92618-2324
o. 949.537.3222
April 16, 2024
Attention: Cuong Nguyen
Acting Director of Planning
City of Santa Fe Springs
e. [email protected]
Reference: Request For Qualifications (RFQ) for
On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services
Dear Mr. Nguyen:
NOVA Geotechnical and Inspection Service SoCal, Inc., dba UES (“UES”) is pleased to present our services, experience, and interest in providing the City of Santa Fe Springs (“City“) with On-Call Professional Environmental Consulting Services. We are a multidisciplinary engineering and consulting firm founded nearly six decades ago, with a current staff numbering nearly 4,000 at 85 full-service locations nationwide. UES is confident that as you read and evaluate our proposal, you will conclude that we have the right qualifications and approach to ensure a successful project. The following highlight key points presented in this proposal.
OUR UNDERSTANDING OF CEQA
UES has extensive capabilities and experience in environmental analysis related to development, housing, and associated sectors throughout California. Our team offers an array of professionals, including some who have nearly 40 years of experience obtaining environmental approvals for development projects under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Our overall staff is adept with federal, state, and local regulations, including Municipal Codes, General Plans, CEQA, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Specifically, we have an in-depth understanding of the intricacies of CEQA practice, incorporating the Public Resources Code, Guidelines, and Case Law, ensuring the appropriate application of CEQA for meeting California’s environmental performance and management expectations.
OUR LEAD OFFICE AND REGIONAL RESOURCES
At UES, we consider ourselves partners with the City, sharing a common vision and goal to uphold environmental stewardship while meeting the City’s needs. Our Irvine facility and project management team will lead our services, with support from our Escondido office and other area locations, as needed. This bolsters our resources, giving us access to approximately 250 qualified staff—including CEQA practitioners, urban planners, engineers, environmental scientists, and other resource specialists—prepared to serve the City’s On-Call program. Our interdisciplinary approach allows us to weave together technical expertise, decision-making processes, and design aspects to cater to the City’s unique requirements.
OUR KEY PERSONNEL AND EXPERIENCE
UES personnel have a keen understanding of the preparation of CEQA documents, including Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs), Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND’s), Addenda, and Notices of Exemption (NOE) for various projects, as well as permitting and construction issues. Our management team and key technical leads have completed projects for numerous Lead Agencies in California, ranging from municipalities and school districts to energy and transportation commissions. We are currently working on relevant projects for the City of Irwindale, Beaumont Library District and Lynwood and Murrieta Valley Unified School Districts; and we hold On-Call contracts with the Cities of Chino, Hemet, Irvine, Ontario, Santa Ana, and Rancho Cucamonga.
Cover Letter
UES | 3
For these on-call services, Area Vice President - California Martin Lowenthal will serve as Project Executive.
He is the authorized signatory who is able to bind UES on ensuing contracts. John Gifford, LLB, will be our Project Manager, overseeing the execution of services. John has 30 years of experience in CEQA compliance and permitting, coordinating, and supervising hundreds of complex programs for local municipalities, county governments, and federal agencies. Our management team is rounded out with Anna Choudhuri as Project Director and Brent L. Moore, CEP, who will provide Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC). These environmental professionals bring specific skill sets and nuanced perspectives developed through decades of practical experience.
IN CLOSING
On behalf of our entire team, UES thanks you for your time, consideration, and this opportunity to present our qualifications. In addition to the information touched upon in this letter, our submission also contains further details about our understanding of the Scope of Work, explains our team organization and availability, identifies our resource specialists and their areas of expertise, and provides our fee schedule and ancillary costs. We also demonstrate our capabilities via project experience and provide client references who can speak to our team’s care, insight, and quality of performance.
Per the RFQ, this Statement of Qualifications will remain valid for one year from the date of submission.
If you have any questions regarding our capabilities, or require further information, SoCal Area Business Development Manager Stephanie Slonaker is our primary point of contact and will be regularly available and attentive to the City’s communications. She may be reached via the contact information provided below. We look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
UES
Stephanie Slonaker - Point of Contact
SoCal Area Business Development Manager
c. 909.370.4750 | [email protected]
Martin Lowenthal - Project Executive
Area Vice President - California
c. 609.271.2997 | [email protected]
Cover Letter
SECTION B
BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
UES | 5
FIRM OVERVIEW
UES has provided professional engineering services throughout the U.S. for nearly six decades.
With 85+ locations nationwide, 60 accredited
laboratories, and nearly 4,000 team members,
UES hosts a broad range of services, including
Environmental Consulting and Permitting,
Geotechnical Engineering, Materials Testing
and Inspections, Geophysical Technologies, and
Building Sciences and Code Compliance. With an
established presence in Southern California since
1989, unique acquisitions paired with opening new
offices regionally have helped to build our expertise
throughout the Golden State. Our breadth of work
includes federal (including GSAs), public, and private
clients and consists of projects ranging from railroad
and transportation to commercial and education. An
unmatched passion for our work and pride in contributing to the growth of the communities we serve is derived from strong, meaningful values.
Since 2021, UES has been recognized as #1 on the
Zweig Group’s Hot Firm List, which honors the
fastest-growing firms in the architecture, engineering, planning, environmental, and construction (AEC) industry. UES also ranked #36 on Engineering
News-Record’s 2023 Top 500 Design Firms, #13 in the
General Building category and #24 on the Top 100
Pure Designers. In 2023, UES also received a Business
Achievement Award from Environmental Business
Journal for expanding capabilities via acquisitions.
#1
Zweig Group’s
Hot Firm List
2021, 22, 23
#36
ENR Top 500
Design Firms
2023
UES OFFICE IN CHARGE
16 Technology Drive, Suite 139
Irvine, CA 92618
p. 949.537.3222 | TeamUES.com
[Legal Entity: Nova Geotechnical and
Inspection Services - So Cal, dba UES]
BRANCH & OPERATIONS MANAGER
Bridget Sherman, Branch Manager - Irvine
c. 951.741.7333 | [email protected]
LICENSES / REGISTRATIONS
CA Corporation: 4326850, Status: Good
CA DIR: PW-LR-1000579869, Expires 6/30/24
DSA-Accredited Laboratory (LEA No. 327)
OTHER UES CALIFORNIA OFFICES
Bakersfield, Chula Vista, Escondido, Oxnard,
Ridgecrest, Riverside, Stockton, and
West Sacramento
BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
UES | 6
UNDERSTANDING OUR GROWTH
In early 2020 the geotechnical landscape was
forever changed by the unprecedented union of a
few like-minded, leading engineering firms. Complementary in professional services, core values, and customer service-centric views, Universal
Engineering Sciences, Inc., GFA International,
Contour Engineering, and NOVA Geotechnical &
Inspection Services merged to form the UES family
of companies, one of the largest, most experienced,
and resource-rich organizations of its kind in the U.S.
Since then our family of companies has grown to
include companies all over the U.S.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU
The UES team members in each office have
specialized local knowledge of the geography,
regulatory compliance, and permitting procedures
of the countless municipalities we encounter. Our
professionals strive daily to give our clients quality
management, service, and innovative solutions
for their projects. Networked across offices are
professionals redefining excellence, one day at a
time, one project at a time. We do this through open
collaboration, resource allocation, and the sharing of
ideas and experiences. By tapping into our network
of experts, we provide our clients with the best of
the best, no matter the location of the project. Our
depth of staff resources means we can tackle project
demands and keep projects on schedule, all with the
confidence that highly qualified professionals are
delivering our services.
AR
MI
WI
IA
IN
MN
WV
MD
PA
NY
DE
NJ
CT
MARI
NH
VT
ME ND
SD
MT
WY
NM
OK
LA
CO
AZ
ID
OR
WA
MS
OH
KY
KS
TX
NE
IL
85 Branches
21 States
4,000~
Team Members
Background and Experience
UES | 7
UNDERSTANDING OF SCOPE
UES understands that the City is seeking assistance
from qualified environmental firms to prepare and
review environmental documents related to CEQA.
The City may also ask firms to prepare supporting
studies, technical analyses, or to provide peer review
of applicant-provided studies, including aesthetics,
noise, air quality, biology, cultural resources, traffic/ transportation, geology, and hydrology.
As an engineering and environmental consulting
firm, UES excels in providing cities, counties, and
special districts across California with the assistance needed to move projects from design through
analyses and approval. Our team is adept with
federal, state, and local regulations, including
Municipal Codes, General Plans, CEQA, and NEPA.
Specifically, we have an in-depth understanding of
the intricacies of CEQA practice, incorporating the
Public Resources Code, Guidelines, and Case Law,
ensuring the appropriate application of CEQA for
meeting California’s environmental performance
and management expectations. Well-respected and
steeped in culture, UES is considered a pioneer of
the industry and stands at the forefront of influential legislation and proven best practices.
With a substantial UES team across California, we are
ready to provide the city with the right team to meet
their goals. By tapping into our network of experts,
we will provide the City with the best of the best.
Our depth of staff resources means we can tackle
project demands and keep projects on schedule and
budget while meeting the unique parameters that
each project, even within the same jurisdiction, may
encounter under the nuances of CEQA.
OUR SERVICES
Developing a project in California is challenging
and requires a coordinated plan. UES experts have
unique knowledge and experience in shepherding
the complex California approval process. UES’s
support allows Lead Agencies to focus on managing
the environment, meeting the public’s expectations
for environmental performance, and creating a
better-built environment that is more resilient and
sustainable. Our process makes for more timely,
effective, and defensible decisions.
UES assists clients in implementing environmental
policies and procedures to ensure compliance with
the legislative intent of CEQA and NEPA. We take
it as a priority to protect the environment while
supporting our clients’ projects.
In practice, CEQA regulations can be vague or have
subjective standards such as “significant effect,” “substantial evidence,” and “cumulative effect.” Hence, the litigation ensuing because of these undefined
standards has turned CEQA into a “judge-made law.”
The courts routinely exercise substantive review
of the evidence in the administrative proceedings
under CEQA. In other words, environmental policy
under CEQA has been driven by the judiciary instead
of the legislative or administrative process, which
should be regarded as a highly problematic phenomenon. UES environmental professionals work on turning the emphasis of CEQA from an adversarial,
procedural act to a cooperative, substantive one,
with a CEQA practice that focuses on facilitation.
UES’s team synthesizes, reformats, and adapts
knowledge generated by investigations to meet the
specific needs of each job. Our work provides a rational basis for guiding change and enterprise; more specifically, to create enterprises that are safer and
healthier, more resilient to deteriorating forces, and
more consistent and harmonious with natural processes, features, and systems than would be possible in an unplanned world, fulfilling the goals of CEQA.
Background and Experience
UES | 8
CEQA TECHNICAL SERVICES
• Aesthetics and Visual Resources Impact Studies
• Agricultural Land Evaluation & Site Assessment
(LESA)
• Air Quality Impact Studies
• Biological & Ecological Studies
• Cultural Resources Coordination and Analysis;
Tribal Consultation
• Energy Impact Studies
• Geologic Studies
• Greenhouse Gas Impact Analysis
• Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments
• Industrial Hygiene Reports
• Hydrology & Water Resources
• Land Use Studies
• Noise Studies
• Socioeconomic Analysis
• Traffic Impact Studies
• Wildfire Management Plans
LOCAL, STATE, AND
REGIONAL EXPERIENCE
Our staff has worked on various levels of CEQA
projects across the state and tailor each level of
analysis so that it is specific to the geographic area, necessary analysis, and incorporates the growth
assumptions for that particular region.
We’ve prepared and reviewed environmental documents for areas from the Sierra Nevadas to greater Los Angeles, from the Coachella Valley to the coastal
communities of San Diego County. UES understands the nuances of each region. For example, a residential development project in the City of Palm
Desert may have more issues with traffic increases,
air quality, greenhouse gas, and noise than a similar
development project in the City of Norwalk, with its
access to Metrolink and Amtrak reducing individual
trips. Similarly, environmental evaluation related
to the General Plan Update in the Town of Colma,
known for its myriad historic cemeteries and dense
development, was focused on issues related to
cultural and biological resources. In contrast, the
City of Belvedere only required the preparation
of an MND for its General Plan Update, given the
density of development and its primary location as
an island community in the San Francisco area. This
extensive knowledge will bring well-honed focus
and accuracy to the services that UES provides for
Santa Fe Springs.
WHAT SETS UES APART FROM
OTHER FIRMS
It’s simple. UES is based locally and has decades of
experience serving our surrounding communities.
We have seasoned staff who live and work not just
throughout Los Angeles County, but across the
state. Our professionals know Southern California
because it’s our home—a place we care about and
continually strive to make better. Moreover, UES is a
one-stop shop for environmental services. Our team
of engineers, geologists, planners, and earth scientists is dedicated to helping create a sustainable and resilient environment that we all rely on for the
health of our communities. This global perspective
allows us to assist our clients on a wide range of
issues across the environmental spectrum. UES
offers clients a single-source firm with comprehensive resources to support the complete in-house performance of environmental services.
We specialize in the detection, identification, and
remediation of both regulated and unregulated
contaminants. We help build better communities
through our work with the UESPA Brownfields Grant
Program. We help control greenhouse gas emissions
and fight global warming through our work on landfill environmental compliance and design, including organic waste diversion programs and the beneficial
reuse of biogas for energy generation and pipeline
quality gas. Our team is certified across California
to perform comprehensive stormwater studies,
design, and monitoring. We also assist clients in
implementing CEQA policies and procedures to
ensure compliance with the legislative intent and
priority of protecting the environment while supporting each project.
Background and Experience
UES | 9
OUR UNDERSTANDING OF RELATIONSHIPS
WITHIN THE CEQA PROCESS
We practice virtually every field of technical analysis in resolving our client’s problems. In some cases,
the contributions of UES personnel are not very
apparent because we make these as second- and
third-party evaluators to source projects—usually as
specialists in applied professions such as urban planning, environmental science, and engineering—who synthesize, reformat, and adapt knowledge generated by project investigation and area of expertise.
For example, aesthetics, light, and glare from
a distribution warehouse in a rural part of the
Coachella Valley will have different levels of impact
and, therefore, require different adaptation and
mitigation compared to the same project in an
urban area like Santa Fe Springs. Similarly, UES’s
Traffic and associated technical area team members
(Air Quality, Energy, Greenhouse Gas, Noise) not
only ensure that they are current on all regulations
and requirements but also work to ensure that their
technical analyses are in line with the local Caltrans
and Air Quality Board’s requirements.
Our Geographic Information System (GIS) services
are another example of how we combine decision-making, technical expertise, and design principles into comprehensive and effective solutions. GIS studies the world’s physical features, learning about
their makeup, how to measure them, the forces that
change them, and how humans use them. Thus, GIS
and the other disciplines practiced at UES become
linked because of a mutual interest in providing
a rational basis for guiding change, such as being
contemplated by any jurisdiction in implementing
their general plan and zoning code.
The City is requesting UES’ services for a variety
of applied professions to resolve issues faced in
the implementation of planning growth under the
City’s existing General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan.
At UES, we have developed an interdisciplinary
approach that weaves the relationship between
the technical analysis, decision-making, and design
aspects of planning, engineering, and construction
to meet our client’s needs and comply with all CEQA
requirements. With a vast group of management
and technical leads for all issue areas under CEQA,
UES provides clients with a holistic approach that
is cognizant of budget, time frames, and project
approvals. Our understanding and working
knowledge of these relationships and their
application within the CEQA process further
distinguishes UES as a provider of environmental
and planning services.
Background and Experience
UES | 10
CEQA LITIGATION HISTORY/LEGAL CHALLENGES
UES has no litigation history regarding the adequacy
of a CEQA document. We are proud to acknowledge
that none of the environmental documents (whether
related to IS/MNDs or EIRs) we have produced have
been subject to legal challenges. Our environmental
professionals, resource specialists, field staff, and
legal experts ensure that our technical analyses and
environmental determinations are conducted and
reviewed under all current CEQA and NEPA legal
requirements. UES senior CEQA staff attend CEQA
Case Law updates so that all aspects of our environmental analyses are performed under the latest legal directives.
Our Project Directors and Managers have been
practicing CEQA, at a minimum, for over 20 years
under all jurisdictions in California and have successfully defended Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs), Initial Studies/Mitigated Negative Declarations (IS/
MNDs), and CEQA Categorical Exemptions against
plaintiff’s challenges without a single loss.
Individually, UES staff have successfully supported
CEQA litigation appealed to the California Supreme
Court under previous employers. In all lawsuits
pursued under CEQA on documents prepared by our
staff, there have been no successful Court challenges to CEQA compliance. Instead, the California Courts have upheld the adequacy of lead agency
CEQA compliance in 100% of the cases, even if the
related planning documents conducted by other
planning professionals have fallen under Court
purview and lawsuits.
Background and Experience
UES | 11
PROJECT CONTROLS
At UES, we pride ourselves on assisting clients
in maintaining projects within schedule and on
budget, which is critical for CEQA-based services.
We don’t wait for communications from the City
but are proactive in communicating project status,
questions, issues to be resolved, and upcoming
deadlines, among others items.
To control and monitor costs and schedules, we will
create an integrated working relationship with the
City through constant communication, whether
in person, at meetings, by telephone, or by e-mail.
Progress meetings between UES and City staff
will be held monthly, at a minimum, and, we will
communicate important points to the rest of the
UES team. UES will prepare a formal agenda for all
progress meetings. Meeting minutes, including key
decisions and action items, will be prepared, and
will list any needed updates to project schedule or
prior action and administrative items.
We typically provide our clients with monthly status
reports on a particular project. This is even more
relevant for CEQA activities. The monthly project
status report will also include any areas of concern
and identify areas needing immediate attention,
including conflicts and timing of needed decisions
to resolve those conflicts. In addition to the formal
written reports, progress reporting will occur during
frequent conversations and meetings between our
Project Manager and the City’s staff.
Internally, our staff has a system of weekly project
updates to discuss project updates and issues, any
potential reasons for delays, and redistribution of
assignments, if necessary. This way, we ensure that
projects are kept within agreed-upon time frames to
ensure punctual delivery of project-related documents, reports and other client products.
COST AND SCHEDULE CONTROL
We will carefully monitor and control project costs
and schedule to meet the budget and milestone
deliverable due dates agreed upon with the City.
UES controls work by building multi-level schedules
and establishing milestones at the appropriate level
of detail, using the project work breakdown structure as the basis. Our management staff regularly monitors the project’s activities, costs, and schedule
to ensure that they are consistent with the time
frame and goals.
Project schedule is an important component of
project management and this will be discussed at
all progress meetings. UES will submit a monthly
project status report to the City that highlights work
performed and upcoming work, including critical
paths, milestones, schedule reporting, an estimate
of actual percent complete, a summary of current
expenditures versus budgeted costs and issues that
may affect the above.
Background and Experience
UES | 12
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Communication is key to the success of any project.
No matter the size, our proactive and attentive
approach to managing a project demonstrates to
our clients our dedication to the project’s success.
Utilizing project management tools such as Deltek
Vision, Trello, Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and
MetaField, our team can ensure the project is
well-coordinated to maximize resources and minimize surprises, change orders, or delays. To keep projects running smoothly, we provide every means
and method of communication, including emails,
phone calls, faxes, and in-person or digital meetings.
Following the award of a contract or task order
from the City, UES will schedule a kick-off meeting
with the necessary personnel to define all required
tasks and review the project schedule. Our team
will discuss subjects critical to the project’s success and develop a budget estimate for approval before
performing any tasks. These meetings give all
parties to have a clear and concise understanding of
the services, process, and applicable guidelines.
CLIENT SATISFACTION
The primary objective of our management team is
the City’s satisfaction. To meet this objective, there
must be a clear understanding of the following after
the kick-off meeting:
• The City’s goals and objectives
• The City’s philosophy and operational procedures
• The scope of services and defined tasks required to
complete the various project phases
• The list of equipment and resources required to
complete the assigned tasks
• The process for reporting, invoicing, and document
control required to meet the City’s contract, and
procedural guidelines
• The regulatory agency mandates and guidelines
governing a particular task or scope
• The project-specific Quality Assurance plan
Background and Experience
UES | 13
Each project’s process and time frames may differ
slightly based on the timing and detail of all
background information related to a project and,
sometimes, on the responsiveness of responsible
and trustee agencies. To satisfy the City and meet
project requirements, UES follows the framework
of processes below for preparing and reviewing
CEQA documents. Sample schedules demonstrating
typical time frames for task completion are provided on page 16.
Categorical Exemption
Typically, Categorical Exemption (CE) under CEQA
falls under 33 “classes” of project types. These determine how a specific discretionary project would not have a significant effect on the physical and natural
environments and, therefore, is exempt from the
provisions of CEQA to prepare further review under
an Initial Study or any other document. Exemptions
are intended to save time and costs related to CEQA
compliance for certain activities and projects.
There are no specific procedures for a City or County
(or any other agency) to follow prior to approving a
project exempt from CEQA; nor does a project under
a CE require public notice, a public review period,
or notable findings. After approval of a project, the
lead agency may, but is not required to, prepare and
file a Notice of Exemption (NOE) with the County
Clerk’s office. We can assist the City in preparing the NOE so that it contains a brief description of the
project, the project location, a finding demonstrating how the project is exempt, and citations to the exemptions being relied upon. Although an NOE is
not subject to public review or even requires filing
with the County, should the City desire to file NOEs,
we can assist with all of the necessary forms following the City’s approval of a project.
Initial Study/Negative (Mitigated) Declaration
Since an Initial Study (IS) and Negative or Mitigated
Negative Declaration (ND/MND) require a more
detailed analysis to ensure that a project would not
have significant and unavoidable impacts on the
environment, UES typically follows the structure
below in the preparation of such documents:
KICKOFF MEETING
The project kick-off meeting between UES senior
staff and the Lead Agency is an important first step
in setting up the CEQA review for a project. The
kick-off meeting may be in-person or via teleconference or video conference call. The meeting serves to establish a clear understanding of the project
description, scope of work, deliverables, and project
schedule. The meeting typically provides the opportunity to discuss data needs, points of contact, communication protocols, environmental issues, and any other logistical, technical, or procedural concerns.
DATA NEEDS ASSESSMENT
UES will prepare a data needs list that will be discussed with City staff at the kick-off meeting. The list will identify data and information needed to
develop a project description and for the purpose of
the impact analysis in the IS document.
INITIAL STUDY
Upon approval of the project description, UES prepares an IS for a project that considers the 20 issue areas identified under the State CEQA Guidelines.
BACKGROUND STUDIES
UES utilizes our in-house staff to prepare the
required technical studies.
DRAFT IS/ND/MND
UES staff prepare a Draft Initial Study for the project, in compliance with the CEQA Guidelines and Statute,
using an environmental checklist template approved
by City staff. The Initial Study addresses all topical
issues identified in the checklist and goes through
our internal Quality Assurance/Quality Control
reviews prior to publication for public review.
RESPONSE TO COMMENTS
We can assist the City in preparing any responses to
comments received on the Draft IS/ND/MND.
FINAL IS/ND/MND
UES also assists in the preparation of a Final IS/ND/
MND, a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP), if required, and Notice of Completion (NOC) for final submittal of the CEQA document to
the County Clerk and State Clearing House (SCH).
Background and Experience
UES | 14
Filing of the NOC begins the 30-day statute of
limitations period for any potential legal challenge
of the CEQA document. These documents also go
through all of our internal review processes before
being finalized and filed.
MITIGATION AND MONITORING REPORTING PLAN
Should it be required, UES staff can assist in the
preparation of an MMRP which identifies all mitigation measures, the timing for their implementation, and entities responsible for ensuring compliance.
The MMRP will be adopted by the County when
the MND is adopted. Appropriate UES staff will
also be available during any work to be conducted
on site pursuant to mitigation measures identified in the IS/MND.
ATTENDANCE AT PUBLIC HEARINGS
UES’s project manager and relevant technical staff,
if necessary, attend Planning Commission and City
Council meetings to help respond to questions
regarding the Final IS/MND.
Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
UES’s environmental group has extensive experience
preparing EIRs for various projects. A comprehensive and logical analysis, supported by substantial evidence, with clearly explained methodologies, is
critical to a successful environmental document. All
of this information should be presented in a way
that is accessible and understandable to all members of the community, including the decision-makers. We therefore adhere to the following structure in the preparation of such documents:
KICK-OFF MEETING
As with Initial Studies, we hold a project kickoff meeting between UES senior staff and the Lead Agency in order to set up the CEQA review
for a project.
DATA NEEDS ASSESSMENT
UES will prepare a data needs list that will be discussed with City staff at the kick-off meeting. The list will identify data and information needed to
develop a project description and for the purpose of
the impact analysis in the EIR document.
PREPARATION OF NOTICE OF PREPARATION (NOP)
Preparing an NOP signals to the public and all
interested agencies the start of environmental
reviews for a project. We can assist in preparing and
submitting the NOP to the SCH and recording all
comments reviewed during the NOP review period.
Likewise, our project management staff typically
assist clients with preparing for and attending any
associated Scoping Meetings.
PREPARATION OF DRAFT EIR
Typically, we prepare Administrative Draft EIRs
(ADEIRs) and all technical reports for client reviews
before we proceed with a Draft IER that would
go out for the CEQA-required 45-day public and
agency review period. The ADEIR contains not only
an analysis of a project’s compliance with the 20
issue areas under CEQA but also an evaluation of
project alternatives, a project’s growth- inducing
impacts, and even an analysis of those issue areas
that did not have any significant impacts under the
EIR analysis. The ADEIR is forwarded to our client for
review and comments and is revised as needed to
ensure that a legally defensible document has been
made available to all as the Draft EIR for a project.
PREPARATION OF FINAL EIR
Once the public review period closes and all
comments have been received from agencies and
interested members of the public, UES prepares an
Administrative Final EIR (AFEIR) for client review. The AFEIR includes any revisions to the DEIR document,
responses to comments, and numerous CEQA-required portions such as a Statement of Overriding Considerations, a Finding of Consistency, and a
Mitigation and Monitoring Reporting Plan (MMRP).
Internal QA/QC procedures are followed before
submittal of any final EIR documents to our client.
PREPARATION OF RELEVANT NOTICES
An EIR requires a few additional notices in relation to an IS/MND, and we typically account for such tasks
in the EIR preparation for a project. We are here to
assist our clients so, if needed, we can submit all
EIR-related notices to the appropriate agencies at
each stage of the EIR process.
Background and Experience
UES | 15
ATTENDANCE AT PUBLIC HEARINGS
UES’s project manager and relevant technical staff
attend Planning Commission and City Council
meetings to help respond to questions regarding
the Final EIR.
Peer Review of CEQA EIR and Technical Studies
UES staff also routinely conduct peer reviews of
CEQA documents and related technical studies.
Based on the direction provided by the City, this
scope of work assumes that a project applicant and
their consultant would provide the CE, IS/MND, or
EIR and all Technical Studies for a thorough review of
compliance with State and City regulations, analysis
of impacts, and the identification of potential
mitigation measures. UES’s approach to conducting
the technical peer review encompasses four primary
considerations:
• A review of the methodology, analysis, and
findings to determine if the potentially significant
environmental effects of the build and no-build
alternatives have been adequately analyzed,
disclosed, and mitigated;
• Compliance with CEQA (amended CEQA Guidelines
[2023]);
• Technical accuracy of analysis in support of
conclusions and findings of significance; and
• Internal consistency of the document.
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Projects funded or requiring permits under Federal
agencies typically fall under the previews of NEPA.
Most of these types of environmental reviews
either fall under a CE with an Environmental Review
Record (ERR) or an Environmental Assessment (EA)
with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
Depending on the intensity or location of a project,
NEPA may also require an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS).
UES’s planners and environmental specialists have
worked on NEPA documents related to a number of
federal agencies, such as the United States Housing
and Urban Development (USHUD), the United States
Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and
others. While environmental reviews under NEPA are
similar in nature to those under CEQA, in the level of
detail and format, NEPA is often viewed as primarily
procedural with a narrower focus on process.
However, NEPA reviews also require the preparation
of appropriate notices, environmental and technical
documents, and public and agency coordination.
As with our CEQA group, UES’ NEPA staff can assist
the City at every step of the NEPA process and
even with the appropriate permitting application and submittal.
QA/QC
Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) is an
essential component of a project to help ensure
that completed documents meet all agency requirements, whether at a local, State, or federal level. UES has established QA/QC processes and protocols for
all of our work products to ensure that any issues
are identified and addressed well ahead of project
submittals. This ensures that all work completed on
a project is checked and completed with a uniform
standard of quality and accuracy. We have an established set of internal peer reviewers consisting of experts from UES who will regularly perform QA/QC
activities on all deliverables. Typically, our assigned Project Manager conducts all initial document
reviews to ensure that we address initial issues
related to the content and form of a document. Our
documents are always reviewed by senior QA/QC
staff prior to submitting project documents to the
client. We duplicate these tasks of Project Manager
and QA/QC reviews following any revisions and
document updates and prior to submitting final
project documents and reports.
SAMPLE SCHEDULES
The following schedules for our CEQA-based
services include tasks and time frames typically
required for completion:
Background and Experience
UES | 16
EXAMPLE SCHEDULE - CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION (CE)
TASK COMPLETION
Project Kick-Off 1 day
Data Needs Request 2 days
Preparation of Administrative Draft CE 2 weeks
Preparation of Final CE 1 week
EXAMPLE SCHEDULE - INITIAL STUDY/
MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION (IS/MND)
TASK COMPLETION
Project Kick-Off 1 day
Data Needs Request 5 days
Preparation of Administrative Draft IS/MND 6-12 weeks
• Preparation of Technical Studies (dependant on Traffic and Cultural Resource data needs) 7-11 weeks Preparation of Public Draft IS/MND 2 weeks
• Preparation of Notices 1 day
Preparation of Final IS/MND 1 week
• Preparation of Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) 2 days • Preparation of Notices 1 day
EXAMPLE SCHEDULE - ENVINRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (EIR)
TASK COMPLETION
Project Kick-Off 1 day
Data Needs Request 5 days
Preparation of Administrative Draft EIR 5-8 months
• Preparation of Technical Studies (dependant on Traffic and Cultural Resource data needs) 3-6 months • Preparation of Notice of Preparation (NOP) 1 week
Preparation of Public Draft EIR 2 weeks
Preparation of Administrative Final EIR 3 weeks
• Preparation of Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) 2 days • Preparation of Notices 2 days
• Preparation of Findings of Consideration, Statement of Overriding Considerations 1 week Preparation of Final EIR 2 weeks
EXAMPLE SCHEDULE - CEQA PEER REVIEW
TASK COMPLETION
Project Kick-Off 1 day
Peer Reveiw of Technical Reports 4 days
Peer Reviews of IS/MND 2 days
Peer Review of EIRs 5-8 days
Background and Experience
SECTION C
STAFFING
UES | 18
MANAGEMENT APPROACH AND
TEAM ORGANIZATION
For over 20 years, UES has partnered with cities,
counties, special districts, public and private power
producers, urban development corporations, school
districts, and the environmental restoration community to develop high-quality environmental reports and technical analysis to support legally defensible
reports pertinent to CEQA and NEPA. Our proposed
team has a tested and proven organizational structure used successfully on past assignments.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM
We have carefully selected a management team that
provides unsurpassed expertise in their respective
roles. The team comprises John Gifford, LLB,
as Project Manager, Anna Choudhuri as Project
Director, and Brent L. Moore, CEP, as QA/QC Lead.
This trio of professionals are complementary in their
qualifications for CEQA-related services.
John has more than 30 years of experience in
CEQA compliance and permitting. He has managed
hundreds of complex CEQA projects and authored
various articles and presentations to federal and
state agencies. John is a lifelong resident of the
Inland Empire and has served as the former Regulatory Compliance Director for Eastern Municipal Water District, the Vice President of Planning for RBF
Consultants and Tetra Tech, Inc., and has served as
the Chairman of the Hemet Planning Commission
for more than ten years. His work includes dozens of
large CEQA projects for cities and counties throughout Southern California.
John will provide overall project oversight, communications with City staff, attendance at Planning Commission and City Council meetings, coordination with the UES internal team, and final reviews of all CEQA documents and notices. Anna and
Brent are the go-to experts for reviewing complex
CEQA documents for California cities, counties, and
State agencies.
Anna is our Director of Planning, Permitting, and
Environmental Services for the Southern California
region and will serve as UES’s senior project team
representative to the City. She has 23 years of
experience preparing and evaluating environmental
documents related to CEQA and NEPA and procuring, managing, and reporting on grants across multiple states. Anna has extensive project experience managing, preparing, and conducting peer reviews of Environmental Impact Reports, Initial
Studies, Mitigated Negative Declarations, Negative
Declarations, and Categorical Exemptions. Her
CEQA background varies across California and has
included projects such as the California High-Speed
STAFFING
UES | 19
Rail, the University of California school system,
General and Specific Plans, transportation, utilities,
and many others. Anna has also managed NEPA
housing, infrastructure, and transportation projects
across Arizona, New Mexico, and Louisiana. As a
former Planning Commissioner and Chair of the City
of Davis Planning Commission, Anna approaches
and manages projects not only from an environmental planner’s perspective and the action’s social, financial, and economic ramifications.
Brent is a CEQA practitioner with 35 years of experience in environmental documentation, management, training, and regulatory permitting. His specific expertise includes directing environmental
assessments and impact reports under CEQA and
NEPA, especially for large-scale, complex, multidisciplinary development projects where coordination of a diverse technical team and extensive public interaction is critical. He also manages studies on cultural and historic resource assessments, transportation,
visual impact analysis, and resource management.
Further, he provides technical direction, production,
and client and agency coordination for development
of infrastructure projects.
SOURCE SPECIALISTS
We have designated a UES Resource Specialist to
assess each resource area included in a given Initial
Study. Our team of qualified scientists, engineers,
planners, and environmental staff has been selected
based on their CEQA knowledge and relevant
project experience. These specialists are identified in the organizational chart on the following page.
INTEGRATED TEAM FUNCTIONS & STRENGTHS
We understand that the City does not have an
unlimited budget. To that end, we will provide the
highest quality technical expertise under the direction of senior staff, supported by junior staff where possible. We will utilize the same interdisciplinary
team of natural resource professionals with extensive experience working together throughout all phases to prepare the CEQA documentation.
A PARTNERING APPROACH
UES’s team of environmental specialists will
work side by side with City staff. We believe this
is more than a documentation project—it is a
multi-step process requiring a united effort in all
areas to succeed.
SUB-CONSULTANTS
In providing our services for this contract, we
emphasize our dedication to managing all aspects
of the project in-house. UES’s capable and proficient
team, equipped with cutting-edge resources,
ensures a direct and seamless execution of CEQAbased projects without reliance on sub-consultants.
However, we recognize that unique circumstances
may arise, and in such cases, if the need for a
sub-consultant occurs, we will promptly and
transparently notify the City. Our primary objective
remains to handle the project independently,
upholding the highest standards of quality and
efficiency throughout the entire process. Our proactive approach to collaboration ensures that we keep you informed every step of the way, fostering
a strong partnership and delivering exceptional
results promptly.
WORKLOAD AND AVAILABILITY
We are committed to providing necessary resources
to support and advise the City throughout this
process, including ongoing public involvement and
consensus building. As we engage in long-term
contracts with indefinite quantities, our workload is
subject to individual work orders, making it challenging to predict. Nevertheless, drawing from our extensive prior experience, we are confident that
our current and future workload capacity exceeds
the requirements to promptly and efficiently execute all necessary services for this contract. All team members are immediately available to serve the
City’s projects. Moreover, with six additional full-service offices in California, and more regionally, UES has the resources necessary for a strong, scalable
response to the City’s most critical needs.
Staffing
UES | 20
CITY OF SANTA FE SPRINGS
PROJECT DIRECTOR
Anna Choudhuri*
QA/QC
Brent L. Moore, CEP*
RESOURCE SPECIALISTS
Biology
Andrew Butsavich*
Justin Romanowitz*
GIS
David Miceli*
Justin Ramonowitz
Tribal Resources;
Cultural Resources
Ted Roberts, MA, RPA*
John Gorczyk, PhD, RPA
QA/QC
Brent L. Moore, CEP*
Kurt Schlyer
Anna Choudhuri
John Gifford
Aesthetics; Land Use;
Population and Housing; Wildfires
Anna Choudhuri*
Hydrology and Water Quality
Dwight Smith*
Brett Bottenberg, PE, CEM
Air Quality; Greenhouse Gases;
Energy; Noise
Austin Moore*
Public Services
Brent L. Moore, CEP*
Cagnie Duncan
Isabel Ramos
Agricultural/Forestry; Utilities;
Mineral Resources; Recreation
Isabel Ramos*
Cagnie Duncan
Kurt Schlyer
Traffic and Transportation
Brent L. Moore, CEP*
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Tomokazu Taniuchi, CIH, CSP,
CHMM, CEM, CAC*
Brett Bottenberg, PE, CEM
Geology and Soils
Dean Stanphill, PE, GE, CEM*
Jacquelene Betancourt
Kurt Schlyer
PROJECT MANAGER
John Gifford, LLB*
POINT OF CONTACT
Stephanie Slonaker
Area Business
Development Manager
PROJECT EXECUTIVE
Martin B. Lowenthal*
Area Vice President - California
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Bridget Sherman
Branch Manager - Irvine
PROXIMITY TO SANTA FE SPRINGS
UES’s Irvine facility is a convenient 30 minutes from
Santa Fe Springs City Hall. This office will coordinate the contract, supported by resources and personnel
from our other California locations, as needed so
that we can ensure successful and efficient completion of projects assigned under the City’s On-Call Services program.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
The organizational structure of our team is demonstrated in the chart below. Each team member possesses the required knowledge, skills, licenses,
certifications, and experience necessary to meet the
requirements specified in this RFQ. Key personnel
are marked with an asterisk (*), and their resumes
follow this chart. Resumes for all Resource Specialists can be provided upon request.
Staffing
UES | 21
Staffing
EDUCATION
MA, Urban and Regional
Planning, University of New
Orleans, LA
MA, Economics and Finance,
University of New Orleans, LA
BA, English Literature,
St. Xavier’s College, University
of Calcutta, India
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
23 LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
CA AEP Mentorship Program
CA APA 2021 Planning
Leadership Academy
Dale Carnegie and Associates,
Dale Carnegie Skills for
Leadership Success
US EPA:
•New Grantee Training
• Quality Assurance Training
UCD Classes on Mitigation
Monitoring, Preparing CEQA/
NEPA Documents, SMARA
Training and Updates
Developing Defensible CEQA
Thresholds
AEP’s Advanced CEQA Training
OMR SMARA Workshop
Successful CEQA Compliance
ANNA CHOUDHURI
DIRECTOR OF PLANNING, PERMITTING & ENV. SERVICES
Anna Choudhuri brings 23 years of experience with business development, project management, team building, and staff and sub-consultant oversight to her role with UES. She provides CEQA/NEPA document review, analysis, and preparation, as well as Senior Quality Assurance and Quality Control reviews. Anna has worked on over 200 projects across California, New Mexico, Arizona, Washington, and Louisiana, with budgets up to $5 Million, including annexations, development, General Plans, Specific Plans, public schools and universities, energy and solar, financial analysis, transportation, and water/ wastewater utilities. Her notable work also includes several third-party reviews of the CA High Speed Rail EIR/EIS. Anna is well-versed in maintaining compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulators. She has served as a Planning Commissioner and Chair for the City of Davis, California as well as on the boards for the California APA, Louisiana APA, and the AEP, and has presented at conferences, including the APA, California League of Cities, and U.S. EPA Region 6 Brownfields.
PROJECT EXPERIENCE
•Amazing Facts Ministry EIR,
Placer County, CA
• Boyle Heights Community Plan
Update EIR, Los Angeles, CA
•City of Delano - Annexation 50
IS/MND, Delano, CA
• City of Eastvale - Jurupa
Community Services District -
Eastvale Community Center
IS/MND, Eastvale, CA
• City of Half Moon Bay - 320
Church Street IS/MND,
Half Moon Bay, CA
• City of Ione - Charles Howard
Park Improvement IS/MND,
Ione, CA
•City of Palmdale - Climate
Action Plan IS/MND,
Palmdale, CA
• City of Pittsburg - Bay Point
BART Master Plan EIR,
Pittsburg, CA
•City of Sacramento -
Panhandle Annexation and
Planned Unit Development
EIR, Sacramento, CA
• City of Walnut Creek - Climate
Action Plan Addendum to the
Walnut Creek General Plan EIR,
Walnut Creek, CA
•Environmental Coordinator,
City of Elk Grove, CA
•Los Angeles Unifi ed School
District - Cienega Elementary
School Redevelopment Project
EIR, Los Angeles, CA
• Oakland Unifi ed School
District - Downtown
Educational Complex Project
IS/MND, Oakland, CA
• County of Butte Housing
Authority - Gridley Farm Labor
Housing Rehabilitation
MND/CE, Butte County, CA
• County of Sutter Consolidated
Housing Authority - Maple
Park EA, Sutter County, CA
•City of Elk Grove - Storm
Drainage Master Plan EIR,
Elk Grove, CA
UES | 22
Staffing
ANNA CHOUDHURI
DIRECTOR OF PLANNING, PERMITTING & ENV. SERVICES, RESUME CONTINUED
PROJECT EXPERIENCE
LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
CONTINUED
CAL LAFCo Staff Training
Workshop
National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation Leadership
Training
Delta Regional Authority’s
Certifi ed Project Coordination
Academy
Delta Redevelopment
Authority, Disaster Recover
Manager Training
Louisiana Regional Safety
Coalition Training
•City of Livingston General Plan
Update EIR, Livingston, CA
•City of Mendota - River Ranch
Specifi c Plan IS/MND,
Mendota, CA
•County of Napa General Plan
Update, Napa County, CA
•City of Pinole General Plan
Update EIR, Pinole, CA
•City of Pittsburg - Mt. Diablo
Resources Recovery Park EIR,
Pittsburg, CA
•City of Taft General Plan
Update EIR, Taft, CA
•City of Victorville - Victorville
Old Town/Mid Town Specifi c
Plan IS/MND, Victorville, CA
•Fresno County LAFCo
Comprehensive Municipal
Service Review, Fresno
County, CA
•County of Kern - Garlock Pit
Mine EIR, Kern County, CA
•Environmental Manager and
Planning Staff , Cities of Elk
Grove, Hughson, and Rocklin, CA
•County of Imperial - East
Brawley Geothermal EIR,
Imperial County, CA
•County of Merced - Natural
Gas Pipeline IS/MND
(confi dential client), Merced
County, CA
•County of Tulare - Harvest
Power Anaerobic Digester EIR,
Tulare County, CA
•County of Tulare - Solar
Generation Facilities
(confi dential clients) IS/MNDs
Project, Tulare County, CA
•City of Modesto - Woodglen
Specifi c Plan Focused EIR,
Modesto, CA
•State of California High Speed
Rail Authority - Fresno to
Bakersfi eld Revised Draft EIR/
Supplemental Draft EIS - Peer
Reviewer, Multiple Counties, CA
•Kern Council of Governments
2018 Regional Transportation
Plan/Sustainable Communities
Strategy EIR, Kern County, CA
•University of California
Riverside Mobility Hub and
Central Campus Linkages,
Riverside, CA
•Rancho Cordova Parkway
Interchange EIR/EA, Rancho
Cordova, CA
• City of Livingston - Domestic
Waste Water Treatment Plant
EIR, Livingston, CA
• City of Hanford Water Well
Rehabilitation and Replacement IS/ND, Hanford, CA
•City of Eastvale - Jurupa
Community Service District
Sewer Master Plan IS/MND,
Eastvale, CA
• Consolidated Irrigation
District Groundwater Banking
Facility IS/MND, San Joaquin
Valley, CA
• Golden Hills Community
Service District - New Well IS/
MND, Tehachapi, CA
•City of Tulare Roadway
Improvement Project -
Preliminary Environmental
Study (PES), Tulare, CA
UES | 23
Staffing
EDUCATION
LLB, Law, Western State
University, College of Law
AA, Liberal Arts (Economics),
Chaff ey College
AS, Biology, Chaff ey College
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
30 JOHN E. GIFFORD, LLB
PRINCIPAL - MAJOR PROJECTS
John Gifford has over 30 years of experience managing environmental studies and compliance programs. He is experienced in coordinating and supervising hundreds of complex programs for local municipalities, county governments, and federal agencies. John has managed programs that were recognized by the General Services Administration (GSA) as #1 in customer service for seven consecutive years. He is a former member of the Nation Association of Environmental Professionals NEPA Policy and Energy Committees and served on the SCAQMD Rules TAC Committee, the California TRITAC, and the Western Association of Governors TAC. Additionally, he is the author of articles covering economic trends, community BRAC environmental approaches, and regulatory process analysis. Due to his list of accomplishments, John became the recipient of numerous rewards for excellence from the Department of Defense for his work on critical infrastructure EIR/EIS documents and for strategic environmental planning programs.
PROJECT EXPERIENCE
•Lincoln Avenue Widening
IS/MND, Anaheim, CA
•Warner Avenue Widening EIR,
Santa Ana, CA
•Harbor Boulevard
Improvement Project -
CEQA/NEPA Compliance,
Costa Mesa, CA
•Fire Station No. 2 IS/MND,
Newport Beach, CA
•Land and Airspace Acquisition
Program - Army National
Training Center, Fort Irwin, CA
•Supplemental EIS - Land
Expansion Program - NTC,
Fort Irwin, CA
•Prado Dam Enhanced Water
Conservation Feasibility Study
EIS/EIR - USACE LA District &
Orange County Water District,
Orange County, CA
•Port of Los Angeles - USS Iowa
EIR, Los Angeles, CA
•MWD - Clean Water Factory
EIS/EIR, San Bernardino, CA
•USACE Port of Los Angeles -
Pacifi c L.A. Marine Terminal
SEIS/SEIR, Los Angeles, CA
•Riverside County Flood
Control & Water Conservation
District - Eagle Canyon Dam
EA/EIR, Riverside, CA
•Airspace Environmental
Assessment - MOA
Reconfi guration - MCB Camp
Pendleton, Oceanside, CA
•NTC Fort Irwin CTC-IS
Communications EA and
Mitigation Monitoring -
US Army, Fort Irwin, CA
•North Basin Recharge Facility
EIR - City of Riverside Public
Utilities Department, Colton, CA
UES | 24
Staffing
EDUCATION
MS, Geography-Urban,
Regional, & Environmental
Planning, Brigham Young
University, Provo
BS, Geography-Planning,
Brigham Young University,
Provo
BA, Public Administration,
Brigham Young University,
Provo
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
39 LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
Certifi ed Environmental
Professional No. 07040406, the
Academy of Board-Certifi ed
Environmental Professionals
California Community
Colleges, Instructor Credential
– Government (Theory
and Practice, Local and
International), The Board
of Governors of California
Community Colleges
SPECIALIZED TRAINING
40 Hour Hazardous Waste
Operations Training, 2004
8 Hour Hazardous Waste
Operations Refresher, 2023
First Aid and CPR 2022
BRENT L. MOORE, CEP
DIRECTOR OF PERMITTING, PLANNING, & ENVIRONMENTAL
Brent Moore has 39 years of industry of planning and environmental assessments. His experience includes leading the development of solar, wind, and battery energy storage projects within California and Nevada applying forefront of renewable energy technology, project development, finance, engineering/design, construction, and operations. Brent leads a selection of professionals and specialists which synthesize, reformat, and adapt knowledge generated by investigations. Brent also has experience in managing and processing of CEQA/NEPA environmental reports and related documents. In recent years, Brent’s practice includes the regulatory and environmental aspects of developing marine oil terminals (MOT) in North America, crude by rail facilities, renewable energy projects, and highway projects. He has performed due diligence, estimating and planning for major capital and expense budgets, and the management of a full range and scope of storage terminal, refineries, and pipeline infrastructure projects.
PROJECT EXPERIENCE
•Lynwood High School
Demolition & Reconstruction
CEQA Document, Lynwood, CA
•Irwindale Brew Yard
Development EIR, Irwindale, CA
•Carnegie Library Expansion
IS/MND, Beaumont, CA
•Public Works Dept. On-Call
Environmental Services,
County of San Luis Obispo, CA
•Sutter Hill Transit Center CEQA
IS/MND, Sutter Creek, CA
•Tuolumne County Regional
Transportation Plan - Program
EIR, Sonora, CA
•City of Sacramento - Riverdale
North PUD - CEQA IS/MND,
Sacramento, CA
•Neal Road Sanitary Landfi ll
Expansion CEQA/NEPA IS/
MND and EA - Finding of No
Signifi cant Impact, Oroville, CA
•Alpine County Regional
Transportation Plan
2005-2025 CEQA IS/MND,
Markleeville, CA
•Roseville Energy Park/
Roseville Electric – City of
Roseville Land Use Analysis
and Traffi c Impact Analysis for
California Energy Commission
Application for Certifi cation -
CEQA EIR, Sacramento, CA
•Butte County Fire Station
No. 27 - Honey Run - CEQA
Documentation and Site
Planning, Chico, CA
•Los Alamos Hills Master Plan
and EIR, Murrieta, CA
•Blakely-Swartz Ranch Specifi c
Development Plan - General
Plan Amendment and EIR,
Butte County, CA
•Sacramento County - Bradshaw
Landing Quantitative Risk
Analysis EIR, Sacramento, CA
•Vista De Oro Mixed-Use
Project IS/MND - City of
Hollister Planning Dept.,
Hollister, CA
•City of Winters General Plan
and Master EIR, Winters, CA
•Roseville Galleria Mall Traffi c
Impact Study, Roseville, CA
UES | 25
Staffing
EDUCATION
MURP, Urban and Regional
Planning Program, Graduate
Studies, University of
California, Los Angeles
BA, Social Design,
Environmental Planning
University of Hawaii at Manoa
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
20 LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
Surveying Certifi cate,
University of California, Davis
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Planning
Association
Association of Environmental
Professional
KURT SCHLYER
CITY PLANNER / ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNER / PROJECT MANAGER
Kurt Schlyer is a CEQA/NEPA expert who has managed and written environmental documents for 20 years. As an Environmental Planner and Project Manager, Kurt has managed large teams of staff and technical sub-consultants on complex Environmental Impact Reports (EIR’s) for large infrastructure and energy projects, developments, residential, commercial and mixed-use projects, pipeline, surface water, and basin-based development projects. His responsibilities encompass technical writing, environmental documentation preparation, and the stakeholder engagement process. His CEQA/NEPA experience includes Environmental Assessments/Initial Studies (EA/IS’s) and Environmental Impact Statements and Reports (EIS/EIR’s) throughout California and other areas in the United States including general plan amendments and specific plans, large residential development, in-fill projects, major public works, watersheds, infrastructure, and agricultural land conversion projects. In his professional career, Kurt have been responsible for business development, client contact and contract negotiations. He has managed group sales and staffing utilization and marketing in support of both new and existing clients, managed staff marketing efforts, prepared proposals and SOQs, attended management meetings, and provided technical direction and oversight.
PROJECT EXPERIENCE
•Sunnydale Elementary School
CEQA Compliance Services,
Lancaster, CA
•Lynnwood High School
Demolition & Reconstruction
CEQA Documentation,
Lynnwood, CA
•Lisa J. Mails Elementary School
TK Modular Classrooms NOE,
Murrieta, CA
•Irwindale Brew Yard
Development EIR, Irwindale, CA
•General Plan Update EIR,
County of Montgomery, CA
•Environmental Review of EIS
For Grand Ronde Indian Tribe,
California
•Santa Rosa Creek Master Plan,
City of Santa Rosa, CA
•Code Update - Downtown
Specifi c Plan - Land Use -
Community Design - & CEQA
EIR, Fontana, CA
•Environmental Planning for
State Route 12 - Caltrans,
Lodi to Sacramento River, CA
•Heritage Valley Parks Specifi c
Plan, City of Fillmore, CA
•Grade Separation at Alameda
Tunnel - Alameda County/
Caltrans, Alameda County, CA
•MNDs for Various Vineyard
Conversions, Napa County, CA
•San Sevaine Subsequent
Program EIR, County of San
Bernardino, CA
•Olive Grove Industrial Project
EIR, Rialto, CA
•Napa County Lot Merger
Program, Napa County, CA
•Ramona Expressway (Eir),
Perris, CA
•Harvill Avenue Industrial
Complex (EIR), Riverside
County, CA
UES | 26
Staffing
EDUCATION
MS, Cognitive Science,
Universidad de Sevilla, Spain
Completed Graduate
Coursework in Planning and
Sustainability, University of
California, Davis
BA, Latin American Studies,
Economics, and Regional
Development, University of
California, Santa Barbara
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
14 LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
CEQA Advanced Workshop
Series, Association of
Environmental Professionals
| Sacramento, California
Hazardous Waste Operations
Network Environmental
Texas Department of
Transportation (TxDOT)
Pre-Certifi cations:
•2.13.1 Hazardous Materials
Initial Site Assessment
•2.14.1 Environmental
Document Preparation
40 Hour Hazardous Waste
Operations Training, 2009
8 Hour Hazardous Waste
Operations Refresher, 2022
First Aid and CPR
Certifi cations 2021
AUSTIN K. MOORE
CEQA PROJECT MANAGER/ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNER
Austin Moore is currently a CEQA Project Manager/Environmental Planner and subject matter expert for UES’ Planning, Permitting, and Environmental Sciences division with over 14 years of experience working side by side with dozens of California’s Cities, Counties, and Special Districts. As an environmental planner with an advanced understanding of infrastructure development and land change, he specializes in environmental compliance strategies for land use and local development projects, and in acquiring all necessary local, State, and Federal permit approvals and compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). He has experience coordinating all phases of regulatory review and compliance, including preparing permit applications, facilitating public engagement, participating in hearings and regulatory proceedings, and tracking compliance requirements. Austin brings a creative problem-solving approach to his role as a liaison between the various participants in the planning and project development process, including the project sponsors, engineers, attorneys, lead and responsible agencies, and concerned community groups. He is experienced with public involvement processes and is a skilled public presenter having worked on high profile projects. Austin provides his clients with a rational basis for making decisions regarding land use change and development; more specifically, he strives to create landscapes that are safer and healthier as human habitats, more resilient to deteriorating forces, and more consistent and harmonious with the natural processes, features, and systems than would be possible in unplanned communities.
PROJECT EXPERIENCE
•Lynwood HS Demolition
and Reconstruction CEQA
Documentation, Lynwood, CA
•WesPac Pittsburg Terminal
Project, Pittsburg, CA
•Targa Marine Oil Terminal,
Port of Stockton, CA
•Tracy Dirt Pit Amended
Reclamation Plan EIR, Tracy, CA
•Port of Stockton - Endicott
Biofuels Refi nery & Terminal
- Permitting and CEQA
Evaluation, Stockton, CA
•PG&E Permitting Assistance
On-Call Contract, Various
Locations, CA
•Queen Olive Galleria IS/MND,
Corning, CA
•Monterey County Public
Works - Caltrans District 5 -
Castroville Pedestrian Railroad
Bridge ESA PHases I & II and
IS/MND, Castroville, CA
•Viridity Energy - Calneva
Battery Energy Storage CEQA
Documentation, Sacramento, CA
•RCM LLC - Mixed-Used Infi ll
Brownfi eld Development
- Phase I ESA and CEQA
Exemption, Oroville, CA
•California Highspeed Rail
Authority - Highspeed Rail
Corridor Planning
Central Valley, CA
•Praana Renewables Energy
IS/MND, Lassen County, CA and
Washoe County, NV
UES | 27
Staffing
DWIGHT L. SMITH, PE, PG, C.HG, WRS
PRINCIPAL HYDROGEOLOGIST
Dwight Smith has over 30 years of experience as a consulting hydrogeologist, specializing in groundwater and surface water resource evaluations in the Western U.S., primarily in Nevada and California, along with Arizona, Utah and Idaho. His professional experience includes: water resources development feasibility, water resources management, regional and watershed scale hydrogeologic assessments, groundwater recharge and sustainability evaluations, well design and aquifer pumping assessments, water rights surveying and research, baseline hydrologic monitoring, design of dewatering systems, geochemical evaluations to assess sources of water, computer-aided groundwater and surface water flow modeling, stream flow gaging, stream and groundwater interaction studies, spring evaluations, water quality management plans, and environmental impact evaluations.
Dwight has consulted to a wide range of clients, including municipalities; city, county, state and federal agencies; regional water authorities; Indian tribes; private industries including power, mining and manufacturing; resort and recreational developments; commercial and residential establishments; private land trusts; and to other civil, geotechnical, and environmental engineering firms. Dwight is a recognized expert in hydrogeology, having testified in over 20 water right hearings and civil litigation proceedings in Nevada and California. He has been an invited speaker in numerous water resources conferences and seminars.
PROJECT EXPERIENCE
BASIN AND REGIONAL SCALE
HYDROGEOLOGIC STUDIES
•Hydrologic Evaluations
and Modeling for Aquifer
Management, Salinas Valley and
Monterey County, CA
•Ash Meadows and Devils Hole
Hydrogeologic Conditions
Review, Nye County, NV
NUMERICAL FLOW MODELING
•Ft. Cady Borate Solution
Mining Project, San Bernardino, CA
•Tahoe Keys Pump Lift Station,
South Lake Tahoe, CA
•Herlong Utility Coop, Honey
Lake Valley, CA
WELL DRILLING, DESIGN, AND
AQUIFER TESTING
•Squaw Valley Public Services
District, Placer County, CA
•Sierra County Water Works
District No. 1, SIERRA VALLEY, CA
•Grizzly Lake Community
Services District, PORTOLA, CA.
SURFACE WATER GAGING AND
HYDROLOGIC STUDIES
•San Joaquin River,
Merced County, CA
•Salinas River,
Monterey County, CA
•Little Truckee River,
Sierra County, CA
•Hamilton Canyon Dam
Feasibility, Sonoma County, CA
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANT
EVALUATIONS
•SWAT Evaluations &
Groundwater Monitoring -
12 Landfi ll Facilities, Riverside
and San Bernardino Counties, CA
EDUCATION
MS, Hydrogeology, University
of Nevada, Reno
BS, Geological Engineering,
Colorado School of Mines
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
30 LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
Professional Geologist
•CA No. 5974
•AZ No. 28482
Professional Geological
Engineer, NV No. 11906
Water Right Surveyor,
NV No. 1045
Certifi ed Hydrogeologist,
CA No. 194
UES | 28
Staffing
EDUCATION
BA, Environmental Studies,
University of Nevada,
Las Vegas
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
11 TRAINING & CERTIFICATIONS
Desert Tortoise Health
Assessment Training (HAT) -
USFWS
Desert Tortoise Handling
Class – Desert Tortoise
Council
BLM Biological Assessment
Training
ANDREW BUTSAVICH
ENVIRONMENTAL DEPARTMENT MANAGER
Andrew is an experienced Manager who has provided environmental support for large and small scale development projects, including multiple utility scale solar projects in Southern Nevada. His unique work experience has demonstrated his ability to provide support during all phases of development, from project conception all the way through post construction compliance. He is adept at working with construction staff to develop solutions to environmental issues before they arise in order to maximize productivity.
Additionally, Andrew has surveyed thousands of acres in a variety of terrains across urban and remote portions of Nevada and California. In addition to performing general habitat surveys, botanical surveys, specific wildlife surveys and cultural resource surveys, he is skilled at coordinating field staff, logistics, GIS, and the organization, quality control and management of data.
PROJECT EXPERIENCE
•Allegiant Stadium -
Kimley-Horn, Las Vegas, NV
•Laughlin-Bullhead City Bridge;
WSP USA, Laughlin, NV
•Horizon Lateral Project -
Southern Nevada Water
Authority, Henderson, NV
•The Club at Sunrise (formerly
Desert Rose Golf Course);
CH2M, Las Vegas, NV
•I-11 Boulder City Bypass;
Regional Transportation
Commission, Boulder City, NV
•Hyperloop - Hyperloop One,
North Las Vegas, NV
•Clark County Regional Flood
Control District, Clark County, NV
•Casino Drive Storm Drain;
Clark County Public Works,
Laughlin, NV
•Eagle Shadow Mountain Solar
Project - 8minutenergy, Moapa
River Indian Reservation, NV
•Fairgrounds Detention Basin -
Clark County Public Works,
Logandale, NV
•Copper Mountain III Solar
Facility - Sempra Generation,
Boulder City, NV
•US Army Corps of Engineers
404 Services - Jurisdictional
Delineations, Wetlands
Delineations, Permit
Applications, and Associated
Reports
•Brent Lane Drainage System
Project - Section 8, Las Vegas, NV
•Charleston Storm Drain -
Union Pacifi c Railroad to
Maryland Parkway Section 8,
Las Vegas, NV
•Gowan North - El Capitan
Branch– Ann Road to
Centennial Parkway Flood
Control Facility Section 8,
Las Vegas, NV
•Meadows Charleston Storm
Drain Project– Section 8,
Las Vegas, NV
•Las Vegas Wash Avian Surveys,
Las Vegas, NV
•Kyle Canyon DB Cleanup - Kyle
Canyon Detention Basin - City
of Las Vegas Department of
Flood Control, Las Vegas, NV
•Springs Preserve Cienega –
Section 8 - Las Vegas Valley
Water District, Las Vegas, NV
UES | 29
Staffing
EDUCATION
M.S., Applied Biology,
Arizona State University
(ASU), Tempe
M.S., Geographic Information
Systems, ASU, Tempe
B.S., Environmental Resource
Management/Wildlife Habitat
Concentration,
ASU, Tempe
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
15 LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
Approved BLM Environmental
Compliance Manager
Approved USFWS Authorized
Biologist for the Desert
Tortoise
Approved USFWS Desert
Tortoise Health Assessor
JUSTIN ROMANOWITZ
SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER
With more than 15 years of experience as an environmental consultant, Justin Romanowitz is a seasoned expert with a track record of providing exceptional results. He understands various sectors, such as project management, NEPA-guided biological surveys, and report writing. His geographic information systems (GIS) knowledge has been an invaluable advantage in his career, enabling him to handle complex projects and analyze data precisely. This, coupled with his training in field biology, with a concentration on wildlife studies, desert tortoises, birds, native flora, and invasive weeds, has made him an expert at coordinating and leading NEPA biological surveys and desert tortoise translocations for large-scale projects. Justin has been at the forefront of numerous successful projects, assessing the health of desert tortoises, identifying and locating salvage-restricted plant species, and ensuring compliance with environmental planning documents during construction projects throughout the southwestern United States. He is dedicated to utilizing cutting-edge technology to enhance team communication, information sharing, and project collaboration, making him an essential asset to any project in which he participates
PROJECT EXPERIENCE
•Fire Ecology Database & GIS
Analysis, Yosemite National
Park, CA
•Sprint Communications Fiber
Optic Easement Database and
GIS Analysis, Scottsdale, AZ
•Copper Mountain IV Solar
Project, Boulder CIty, NV
•Eagle Shadow Mountain
Desert Tortoise Translocation
Study, Moapa, NV
•Crescent Bay - Rare Plant
Survey, Las Vegas, NV
•Desert Conservation Program
Desert Upland Small Mammal
Survey, Boulder City, NV
•Hyperloop Test Site -
Environmental Permit
Adherence, Boulder City, NV
•I-11 Boulder City Bypass -
Environmental Compliance,
Boulder City, NV
•U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Clean Water Act Permitting
and Compliance, Las Vegas, NV
•Boulder Solar Project; Solar
Facility Surveys and Habitat
Assessments, Boulder City, NV
•Desert Conservation Program
Desert Tortoise Occupancy
Study, Boulder City, NV
•Silver State South Solar
Project Environmental
Monitoring, Primm, NV
•Bunkerville Detention Basin
Cacti and Yucca Salvage
Surveys, Bunkerville, NV
•Bunkerville Wetlands
Restoration, Bunkerville, NV
•Techren Boulder City Solar
Project Surveys and Habitat
Assessments, Boulder City, NV
•Townsite Solar Project; Solar
Facility*, Boulder City, NV
•Tule Springs Detention Basin
Construction Monitoring of
Burrows for the Western Owl -
City of Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
•Elk Habitat Selection Pattern
Study, Payson, AZ
UES | 30
Staffing
DAVID P. MICELI
BIOLOGIST, GIS ANALYST
David is a Project Biologist and GIS Analyst with over 13 years of professional experience in the Great Basin and surrounding region. He has held positions with the Bureau of Land Management, Nevada Department of Wildlife, Desert Research Institute, The Great Basin Institute, and private consultants.
David areas of expertise include biological compliance, geographic information systems (GIS), data management, habitat assessment, and sage-grouse mitigation. David drives the incorporation of cutting-edge technology and software to ensure efficient and consistent execution of projects. The majority of his environmental consulting experience has been geared toward permitting and implementation of mining, renewable energy, oil & gas, infrastructure, and commercial development projects in accordance with the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). As a Project Manager, David’s attention to detail and extensive background in field survey execution, data management, and technical writing provide a well-rounded skillset that bridges the gap between field and office, ensuring projects are executed to a high level of excellence.
PROJECT EXPERIENCE
•Fort Cady California Corp., Fort
Cady Borate Project - Desert
Tortoise Surveys, San Bernardino
County, CA
•Bayswater E&B LLC - Coles
Levee 3D Seismic Oil & Gas
Exploration Project biological
surveys and monitoring,
Kern County, CA
•E & B Natural Resources Inc. -
Cuyama Valley 3D Phase I
& II Biological Surveys and
Compliance, Cuyama Valley, CA
•Venoco Inc. - Hames Valley 3D
Seismic Oil & Gas Exploration
Project - Biological Surveys
and Compliance, Paso Robles, CA
•Numerous Clients in the Oil &
Gas Industry, Protocol-level
Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizard
Surveys, Central Valley, CA
•Jindalee Resources Limited,
McDermitt Exploration Project
Environmental Assessment,
Malheur County, OR
•Occidental Petroleum Corp. -
Buena Vista 3D Seismic Oil &
Gas Exploration Project - PostActivity Long-Term Habitat Damage Assessment,
Paso Robles, CA
•Howard Hughes Village 29 -
Migratory Bird Nesting Survey,
Las Vegas, NV
•Nevada Gold Mines - Twin
Creeks Drone Pit Lake
Sampling, Humboldt County, NV
•Coeur Rochester Inc. - Duff y
Pond Restoration, Humboldt
County, NV
•Hecla Mining Company, Fire
Creek Restoration Work Plan,
Mineral County, NV
•Hecla Mining Company -
Humboldt Pit Lake Sampling,
Mineral County, NV
•Nevada Department of
Environmental Protection,
Walker River Geographic
Response Plan, Walker River, NV
EDUCATION
MS, Geography, University of
Nevada, Reno
BS, Environmental Science,
Loyola University, Chicago
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
13 LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
FAA Part 107 UAS Remote
Pilot
MSHA Part 48 Mine Safety
Training
Sage-Grouse CCS Verifi er –
Fieldwork and GIS (Sagebrush
Ecosystem Technical Team)
Burrowing Owl Site Clearance
(Arizona Department of Game
and Fish)
Introduction to Desert
Tortoise Surveying,
Monitoring, and Handling
Techniques (Desert Tortoise
Council)
Plants of the Great Basin
(Jerry Thiehm, UNR)
PFC Assessment for
Integrated Riparian
Management
(UNR Extension)
Vegetation Rapid
Assessment/Relevé (California
Native Plant Society)
UES | 31
Staffing
TED ROBERTS, MA, RPA
DIRECTOR OF CULTURAL RESOURCES
Ted Roberts has more than 23 years of archaeological consulting experience across all regions of the U.S., including projects in 20 states. A Secretary of Interior qualified archaeologist and historian, Ted has managed hundreds of projects ranging from small surveys and monitoring projects to multiyear data recovery efforts, all in support of clients’ goals. Areas of expertise include program and project management, technical writing, and cultural/ heritage resource regulatory compliance at the federal, state, and local levels. Formerly a cultural resources practice lead in New York City and Southern California, with specialties in the archaeological and regulatory environments of the American Southwest and Southeast U.S., Ted has abundant experience with project organization, implementation, and successful completion. He has developed and executed project budgets and schedules, prepared hundreds of winning proposals and productively coordinated and communicated with clients, agencies, shareholders, and Native American tribes. He has supervised permanent and temporary employees and developed and maintained efficiency and quality practices company-wide at multiple firms. Author of hundreds of technical reports, Ted routinely presents original research at conferences and is a published author in peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes. He prioritizes assisting clients reach compliance with local, state, and federal cultural resource regulations through innovative solutions to complex cultural resources challenges, actualizing accurate budgets, preparing dynamic proposals and technical reports, maximizing efficiency through streamlined project logistics and implementation, leveraging technological applications, staff development and mentorship, and emphasizing the importance of field operations and training.
PROJECT EXPERIENCE
•Murrieta Cultural/Paleo Class
III, Riverside County, CA
•California High-Speed Rail
Authority, Kern, Tulare, and
Fresno Counties, CA
•(PSEP) L2000 Blythe to Cactus
City Project - West Santa Ana
River Replacement Project -
and Various Other projects,
Riverside County, CA
•Ben Clark Training Center
(BCTC) Archaeological Survey
for Fuels Reduction, Riverside
County, CA
•Talbert Regional Park Cultural
Resources Survey City of Costa
Mesa, Orange County, CA
•Los Flores Force Main
Replacement Cultural
Resources Survey, Los FLores, CA
•Lost Canyons Development
Project, Ventura County, CA
•Archaeological Survey of 10K
acres and NRHP Eligibility of
Archaeological Sites at Fort
Irwin, San Bernardino, CA
•Archaeological Survey of 7K+
Acres at Fort Irwin National
Training Center, San Bernardino
County, CA
•Shark’s Tooth Survey of 566
acres - Bureau of Reclamation’s
Lower Colorado River MultiSpecies Conservation Program (LCR MSCP), Riverside County, CA
EDUCATION
BA, Anthropology, Wayne
State University
MA, Anthropology
(Archaeology), Northern
Arizona University
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
23 PARTIAL LIST OF PERMITS
& CERTIFICATIONS
Registered Professional
Archaeologist No. 67579909
California Bureau of Land
Management, Desert District
Cultural Resource Use Permit
(CRUP), Principal Investigator
NM SHPO (CPRC) Principal
Investigator/Project Director
NM BLM Southeast District
Principal Investigator
Secretary of the Interior’s
Professional Qualifi cation
Standards
Utah Public Lands Policy
Coordinating Offi ce – Principal
Investigator
Arizona Bureau of Land
Management Cultural
Resource Use Permit (CRUP),
Principal Investigator
Arizona Antiquities Act Blanket
Permit, Principal Investigator
No. 2023-081bl
UES | 32
Staffing
EDUCATION
MPH, Environmental and
Occupation Health, University
of Arizona, Tucson
BS, Environmental Science,
University of Arizona, Tucson
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
17 LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
Certifi ed Industrial Hygienist,
No. 10018
Certifi ed Safety Professional,
No. 23257
Certifi ed Hazardous Materials
Manager, No. 16092
EPA Lead-Based Paint Risk
Assessor, No. LBP-R-16117-3
CDPH Lead Inspector/Assessor,
No. LRC-00003337
Cal/OSHA Asbestos
Consultant, No. 16-5605
AHERA - Asbestos: Certifi ed
Building Inspector;
Management Planner;
Project Designer; Contractor/
Supervisor
Radon Measurement
Professional, No. 111690-RMP
OSHA 30-hour
MSHA 24-Hour Training
vertiDART
TOMOKAZU TANIUCHI, MPH, CIH, CSP, CHMM, CEM
SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER - OHS
Tomokazu (Tomo) Taniuchi has been working in the Environmental & Occupational Health and Safety Consulting field for the past 17 years. As Senior Project Manager for OHS, he is responsible for environmental and occupational projects, marketing, managing, and providing support to the team professionals. Tomo has experience in chemical exposure monitoring for workers, noise monitoring, and facility sound level mapping, indoor air quality investigations, accident investigation, hazard assessment, safety training, safety program development, Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments, mold and bacterial testing, asbestos and lead survey sample collection, and asbestos and lead abatement oversight. Tomo has worked with private businesses, insurance companies, manufacturing, and government municipalities.
PROJECT EXPERIENCE
•China Lake Naval Base
Asbestos and Lead-Based
Paint Survey, Ridgecrest, CA
•Lead Compliance Plan and
Oversight, San Bernardino, CA
•Walker Cabin Limited
Hazardous Materials Survey,
Lake Isabella, CA
•Mocettini Cheese Barn Limited
Hazardous Materials Survey,
Davenport, CA
•Commercial Building Limited
Asbestos & LBP Inspection,
Sacramento, CA
•CSU Maritime Academy
Coeffi cient of Friction Test and
Glow Testing, Vallejo, CA
•Don Bosco School Hazardous
Materials Survey, Rosemead, CA
•UNLV Tonopah Residence Hall
- Asbestos, Las Vegas, NV
•Monte Carlo Theater
Asbestos and Lead Inspection,
Las Vegas, NV
•Colorado River Commission
of Nevada - Limited Indoor
Air Quality Inspection,
Las Vegas, NV
•728 S Boulder Hwy - Phase II
ESA, Las Vegas, NV
•PNC-BBVA Due Diligence,
Various Locations, AZ, CA, CO & NM
•McDonald’s USA - Asbestos
Inspection, Various Locations,
NV & CA
•Project NEON - Limited
Hazardous Material Surveys,
Clark County, NV
•Initial and Post Sewage
and Fungal Remediation
Inspections at Clark County
Detention Center, Clark
County, NV
•City of Las Vegas Municipal
Courthouse Subservice
Investigation, Las Vegas, NV
•Asbestos Abatement
Oversight - Clark County
Family Courts - Building C,
Las Vegas, NV
•Camp Lee Canyon Limited
Asbestos and Lead Based Paint
Investigation, Las Vegas, NV
•St. Rose Dominican Rose
de Lima Campus - Limited
Hazardous Material Surveys,
Clark County, NV
UES | 33
Staffing
EDUCATION
MBA, California State
University, San Bernardino
BS, Civil Engineering,
San Diego State University
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
38 LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
Professional Civil Engineer
•CA No. 43612
•NV No. 013546
•AZ No. 39163
•CO No. 0037454
•PA No. 070975
•NM No. 16190
•NC No. 040447
Professional Geotechnical
Engineer, CA No. 2271
Certifi ed Environmental
Manager & Assessor (CEM),
NV No. 2410
Certifi ed Nuclear Density
Gauge Technician
ICC No. 5003405
•Structural Masonry
•Structural Steel and
Welding
•Spray-Applied Fireproofi ng
QSP/QSD/QISP No. 22010
OSHA 40-hour
DEAN STANPHILL, PE, GE, CEM
PRINCIPAL GEOTECHNICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEPARTMENT MANAGER Dean Stanphill has 38 years of relevant experience on geotechnical and environmental projects throughout the western United States. His expertise includes providing forensic engineering, expert witness, permitting, surveying, regulatory compliance, CEQA, and design level services for landfills throughout the United States and internationally. His previous clients have included municipalities and private entities in a variety of environmental projects, such as landfills, bridges, airports, water and wastewater treatment facilities, commercial and industrial centers, and residential developments.
His other notable projects include working with municipalities to obtain EPA Grant Funding for Brownfields Assessments and providing professional services for renewable energy projects, including geothermal, solar, and wind energy. Dean is currently the contractor selected to administer the City of Reno USEPA Brownfield Grant. In this capacity, Dean has handled a wide variety of public related projects that involve issues such as in-situ contamination, asbestos and lead based paint, and vapor intrusion. Dean also specializes in looking at property re-use to enhance project and community sustainability.
PROJECT EXPERIENCE
•Happy Farms Distribution
Facility CEQA Documentation,
Arvin, CA
•Verde School Road and
Forrester Road Bridges -
Hazardous Materials Study,
Imperial County, CA
•Irwindale Brew Yard
Development EIR, Irwindale, CA
•MND for Renewable Natural
Gas Pipeline, Kern County, CA
•IS/MND (Hydrology and Water
Quality Section) - Central Point
Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA
•Long Boat Solar Project
Environmental Services in
Support of CEQA, Hinkley, CA
•BENA Landfi ll Renewable
Natural Gas Pipeline - CEQA
Documentation, Kern County, CA
•Gaylord Pacifi c Resort
Hotel and Convention
Center - Environmental Site
Assessments, Chula Vista, CA
•Duke Energy - 1000-Acre Solar
- Multiple CEQA-based Studies
and Remediation Services,
Hinkley CA
•Forrester Road Bridge
Replacement - Environmental
Site Assessment, Imperial
County, CA
•Santa Clarita Christian Church
Hydrology and Storm Water
Drainage evaluation,
Santa Clarita, CA
•CR&R Environmental Services -
Phase I & II ESAs, Anaheim, CA
•Southwest Gas Sedimentation
Improvement Project,
Lake Tahoe, CA
•Republic Services - Rainbow
Environmental Services -
Design of Infi ltration Gallery
for Stormwater Runoff ,
Huntington Beach, CA
•University of California Irvine
- Evaluation of Stormwater
Runoff and Disposal, Irvine, CA
UES | 34
Staffing
EDUCATION
BS, Bioengineering, University
of California, Riverside
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
1 LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
OSHA
•HAZWOPER 40-hour
•10-hour
ACI No. 02223444, Concrete
Field Testing Technician –
Grade I
Certifi ed Nuclear Density
Gauge Technician
ISABEL RAMOS
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST
Isabel is a dedicated and driven Environmental Professional in training with a Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering. She possesses a strong foundation in scientific principles and analytical skills that are highly relevant to the environmental field. Through coursework in biotechnology, quantitative biochemistry, and biophysics, Isabel has developed a solid understanding of environmental processes and their implications. Her exceptional analytical skills allow her to effectively assess complex data and draw meaningful conclusions. Additionally, Isabel’s ability to collaborate effectively in teams, manage projects, and utilize laboratory techniques for environmental research showcases her well-rounded skill set. With a commitment to sustainability and attention to detail, Isabel is well-equipped to contribute meaningfully to the environmental industry. Moreover, she is fluent in both English and Spanish, further enhancing her ability to communicate and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
PROJECT EXPERIENCE
•Vineland Elementary School
DTSC Compliance,
Bakersfi eld, CA
•Sunnydale Elementary School
DTSC Compliance,
Sunnydale, CA
•Marshall Elementary School
DTSC Compliance, Fowler, CA
•1209 M Street - Phase II ESA,
Bakersfi eld, CA
•EHF VOR - Phase I ESA,
Shafter, CA
•McCutchen and Ashe Road
Development - Phase I ESA,
Bakersfi eld, CA
•171 N. 2nd Street - Phase I & II
ESA, Grover Beach CA
•30501 South Tracy Boulevard
Initial Study, Tracy, ca
•197 W Grand Ave - Phase II
ESA, Grover Beach, CA
•889 Oak Street - Phase II ESA,
Bakersfi eld, CA
•1209 M Street - Phase I ESA,
Bakersfi eld, CA
•Redlands Landfi ll Stormwater
Services, Redlands, CA
•203-215 Victory Boulevard
Phase II ESA, Burbank, CA
SECTION D
QUALIFICATIONS AND REFERENCES
UES | 36
UES has a strong history of providing environmental
services to municipalities and other public agencies
throughout California. We have delivered work
under both project-specific and on-call contracts
and are currently qualified with the Cities of
Chino, Hemet, Irvine, Ontario, Santa Ana, and
Rancho Cucamonga to perform CEQA-based
services on an on-call basis. The following projects
demonstrate our capabilities, with client references
who can attest to our performance related to services described in the RFQ’s Scope of Work.
IRWINDALE BREW YARD
DEVELOPMENT EIR
IRWINDALE, CA
The UES team is preparing an Environmental Impact
Report (EIR) in the City of Irwindale for the Brew Yard Development Project, which aims to adopt a Specific
Plan, create industrial and commercial lots, issue a
Conditional Use Permit for quarry reclamation, and
secure various approvals. Our environmental services focus is to prepare an EIR that provides for sustainable mitigating components of the Specific Plan.
Our Project Manager, Brent L. Moore, CEP, and Kurt
Schlyer, our Principal Environmental Planner, are
working with team members of the City to analyze
resources, align with the City’s vision, address issues proactively, maintain effective communication, and
ensure on-time, on-budget project execution.
Start/End Dates: 8/2023 - Ongoing
Key Personnel:
Brent L. Moore, CEP - Project Manager
Dean Stanphill, PE, GE, CEM - Principal Engineer
Reference:
Brandi Jones, Senior Planner
City of Irwindale
Community Development Department
5050 Irwindale Avenue, Irwindale, CA 91706
p. 626.430.2260 | e. [email protected]
QUALIFICATIONS AND REFERENCES
UES | 37
CITY OF COACHELLA
AIRPORT BUSINESS PARK EIR
COACHELLA, CA
The City of Coachella is in the process of completing
an Environmental Impact Report for the Airport Business Park development project. Situated in a Heavy Industrial zone, the proposed project would require
a Zoning Amendment to MC – Mixed Commercial to
allow for the development of approximately 49 acres
with industrial and storage uses, office buildings, a
restaurant, and a gas station, as well as an Imperial
Irrigation District power facility. Located adjacent
to State Route 86 to the east and north of Airport
Boulevard, the currently undeveloped site would
bring approximately 698 new employees to the City.
Having worked on the Project IS/MND, UES team
member Anna Choudhuri is developing the EIR for
the related project.
Start/End Dates: 2022 - Ongoing
Key Personnel:
Anna Choudhuri, Project Manager
Reference:
Larry Larson
Haagen Company
Indio Grand Marketplace
82227 US Highway 111, Suite A-2, Indio, CA 92201
p. 760-289-6634 | e. [email protected]
CITY OF HEMET
PROJECT 69 IS/MND
HEMET, CA
The proposed project would subdivide a 60.86-
acre site into four parcels. Each parcel would be
developed with an industrial warehouse facility (four
warehouse buildings total) with a combined gross
floor area of approximately 1,101,894 SF. The proposed project would include parking, infrastructure, and landscape improvements corresponding to each
building. Additionally, a large infiltration basin is
proposed along the western Project boundary with
an approximate area of 171,762 SF. As a UES team
member, Anna will be provide peer review services
for the IS/MND and associated technical reports.
Start/End Dates: 11/2023 - 6/2024
Key Personnel:
Anna Choudhuri, Project Manager
Reference:
Monique Alaniz-Fletzer
Community Development Director
City of Hemet
445 E Florida Avenue, City Hall, Hemet CA 92543
p. 915.765.2375 | [email protected]
CARNEGIE LIBRARY EXPANSION
BEAUMONT, CA
UES is collaborating with the Beaumont Library
District and architects on the design and planning
of all aspects of this historical library’s expansion,
which includes more parking; sidewalk level main
entrance; ADA accessibility of the library interior;
central HVAC; security surveillance cameras; fire
suppression system; expansion and modernization
of public restrooms; upgrading electrical wiring;
updating technology infrastructure; retrofitting
earthquake safety; large community room with full
kitchen for public use; engaging educational spaces;
more extensive collections; small study rooms;
Friends of the Library Bookstore and Gift Shop;
central located elevator and staircase; computer
training lab; professional audiovisual studio; café
area; gated reading garden; lounge and seating;
and local history and ready rooms. The design will
mitigate the impact on all aspects of the project to
a less-than-significant extent. UES is preparing the
Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/
MND) and the following environmental technical
studies: Visual Impact Study; Air Quality Assessment;
Biological Assessment; Cultural Resources Report;
Section 106 Architectural Inventory and Evaluation
Report; Traffic Impact Report; Geotechnical Report;
Phase I ESA; and Phase II ESA.
Start/End Dates: 9/2023 - Ongoing
Key Personnel:
Brent Moore, CEP - Project Manager
Kurt Schyler, Principal Planner
Reference:
Luren E. Dickinson, Director
Beaumont Library District
125 E. 8th Street, Beaumont, CA 92223
p. 951.845.1357 | e. [email protected]
Qualifications and References
UES | 38
U.S. ARMED SERVICES YMCA
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
SAN DIEGO, CA
UES staff conducted an environmental review
under NEPA for this project, which involves renovating and expanding the existing school and childcare facilities on the U.S. Armed Services YMCA
facility. Numerous buildings on the site are to be
removed and replaced with expanded facilities and
associated increase in parking spaces, improved
water and sewer system connections, and utility
improvements. Although not on the project site,
there are several wetland areas and natural habitats
for biological resources (such as the California Gnat
Catcher) along the site’s boundaries. The NEPA analysis had to account for such resources and analyze potential impacts to these from project construction
and facility operation.
Start/End Dates: 11/2023 - 4/2024
Key Personnel:
Anna Choudhuri, Project Manager
Cagnei Duncan, Environmental Scientist
Reference:
Larry Larson, Haagen Company
Indio Grand Marketplace
82227 US Highway 111, Suite A-2, Indio, CA 92201
p. 760-289-6634 | e. [email protected]
LYNWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
DEMOLITION & RECONSTRUCTION
CEQA DOCUMENTATION
LYNWOOD, CA
UES is preparing a Memorandum with Findings to
warrant a CEQA exemption and then prepared and
filed a CEQA Notice of Exemption for this 400,000 SF
project, involving the demolition of 120 classrooms
and reconstructing 70 new ones. We meticulously
adhered to State and Local requirements, determining the necessary level of documentation for the three project phases. This involves coordinating with
District staff, consultants, and state/local agencies,
attending key meetings, and reviewing Project
Documents at different design phases to assess
impacts on character-defining features. Challenges
include community engagement, a fast-tracked
schedule, and effective communication about the
CEQA process with the neighboring community. Our
approach fosters positive relations and open communication, which are essential for project success while excelling in meeting tight deadlines with
uncompromising quality. We are mindful of potential community objections during the process and proactively anticipate and address them confidently.
Start/End Dates: 9/2023 - Ongoing
Key Personnel:
Brent Moore - Project Manager,
Kurt Schlyer - QA/QC
Austin Moore - Environmental Planner
Reference:
Daniela Navarro, Purchasing Department
Lynwood Unified School District
11321 Bullis Road, Lynwood, CA 90262
p. 310.886.1600 x8290 | e. [email protected]
Qualifications and References
UES | 39
QUALIFICATIONS THAT SUPPORT
A RECORD OF SUCCESS
As demonstrated throughout this proposal, UES has
the environmental team necessary to fulfill the City’s
project needs, and we are continually growing. We
have an accomplished management staff of CEQA
experts with over 140 years of combined experience
across California. Moreover, we have in-house
Resource Specialists to draw upon whose capabilities cover all disciplines of study required for CEQA compliance. The list below demonstrates relevant
projects, including on-call contracts, completed by
individuals who now work for the UES team, and
the matrix on the following page highlights the
breadth of expertise of our Resource Specialists. The
City will benefit from our comprehensive understanding of environmental requirements, depth of analysis, and need to strive for consensus among
key stakeholders.
• Boyle Heights (city of Los Angeles) Community Plan
Update EIR
• California State University Northridge Equity
Innovation HUB IS/MND California State University
Northridge
• California State University Extension Finding of
Consistency
• California State University Northridge, New Student
Housing Finding of Consistency
• City of Anaheim – Lincoln Avenue Widening ISMND;
On-Call
• City of Beaumont Medical Office Building CE
• City of Belvedere - Belvedere General Plan
Update MND
• City of Coachella Airport Business Park EIR
• City of Coachella Empyreal Battery Storage ISMND
(private client)
• City of Coachella Encanto Housing Project IS/MND
• City of Costa Mesa – Harbor Blvd. Improvement
Project, CEQA/NEPA
• City of Cypress, various projects
• City of Eastvale, Jurupa Community Services
District, Eastvale Community Center IS/MND
• City of Forest Lake, On-Call, various
• City of Huntington Beach – Rogers Senior Center, CE
• City of Ione, Charles Howard Park Improvement
IS/MND
• City of Lawndale Maverick Fuel Station Technical
Reports and Housing Analysis
• City of Long Beach, 5900 Cherry Avenue ISMND
• City of Newport Beach – Fire Station No. 2, ISMND;
Community Center ISMND
• City of Palmdale 2035 General Plan EIR
• City of Palmdale Maverick Fuel Station ISMND
• City of Palmdale, Climate Action Plan (CAP) IS/MND
• City of Palm Springs, First Palm Springs Commerce
Center EIR
• City of Palm Springs RIOS Project IS/MND
• City of Pittsburg, Bay Point BART Master Plan EIR
• City of Santa Ana – Warner Ave. Widening EIR Peer
Review, FEIR; Well 32 ISMND; On-call
• City of Thousand Oaks Redevelopment EIR
• City of Victorville, Victorville Old Town/Mid Town
Specific Plan IS/MND, Project Manager
• County of Imperial, East Brawley Geothermal EIR
• County of Marin, Spirit Rock Meditation Center
Master Plan Amendment IS/MND
• County of Merced, Natural Gas Pipeline IS/MND
(confidential client)
• County of Nevada, Rincon del Rio CCRC EIR
• County of Placer, Amazing Facts Ministry EIR
• County of Riverside Avue 54 and Jackson St. MultiFamily Development IS/MND, CEQA • County of Riverside Bermuda Dunes Self Storage
IS/MND
• Los Angeles Unified School District, Cienega
Elementary School Redevelopment Project EIR
• Orange County Water District, Prado Dam EA/EIR
• State of California High Speed Rail Authority Fresno
to Bakersfield Revised Draft EIR/Supplemental
Draft EIS
• Southern California Association of Governments,
Regulatory Compliance Strategies Study
• Town of Colma, General Plan Update EIR
• University of Riverside North District
Development EIR
• University of California Riverside Mobility Hub and
Central Campus Linkages EIR
Qualifications and References
UES | 40
UES RESOURCE SPECIALISTS - KEY AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Team Member
Name and TitleYears of ExperienceCEQA/NEPA DocumentsAir QualityBiological ResourcesCultural & Paleontological ResourcesEconomic/Market StudyGeological IssuesGreenhouse Gas AssessmentHazardsHealth Risk AssessmentHistorical Resource AssessmentMineral ResourcesNoiseParking StudyTechnical StudiesTransportation & Circulation FactorsWater ResourcesUtility/Sewer Study Brent L. Moore, CEP, Director of Permitting,
Planning, & Environmental Science 39 Anna Choudhuri Director of Permitting, Planning,
& Environmental Services - Southern California 23 Dean Stanphill, PG, PE, CEM
Principal Environmental and Geotechnical Engineer 38 John Gifford, LLB
Principal - Major Projects 30 Kurt Schlyer
Principal Environmental Planner/Project Manager 20 Austin Moore
CEQA Project Manager/Environmental Planner 15 Dwight Smith, PE, PG, CHG
Principal Hydrogeologist 32
Andrew Butsavich
Environmental Department Manager 23
Justin Ramonowitz
Senior Project Manager 14
David Miceli
Biologist, GIS Analyst 12
Ted Roberts, MA, RPA
Director of Cultural Resources 23
John Gorczyk, PhD, RPA
Senior Archaeologist / Principal Investigator 20 Tomo Taniuchi, CIH, CSP, CHMM, CEM, CHST
Sr. Project Manager - OHS/Industrial Hygienist 17 Brett Bottenberg, PE, CEM
Senior Environmental Manager 25
Jacquelene Betancourt
Staff Geologist 2
Isabel Ramos
Environmental Scientist 1.5
Cagnei Duncan
Environmental Scientist 1
Qualifications and References
SECTION E
FEE SCHEDULE
UES | 42
FEE SCHEDULE
UES appreciates the opportunity to present our fees
to perform Environmental Consulting Services for
the City of Santa Fe Springs’ On-Call program. In this
section we provide a fee schedule for all services
proposed, including hourly rates for our staff and
costs considered direct expenses.
BILLING PRACTICES
Our services are performed on a time and materials,
not-to-exceed basis for the actual work performed.
We typically bill our client one month after services
are provided; however, billing can also be available
upon request. If any, reimbursable costs are included
in our bid. However, in special cases, we may need
to contact a third-party for their services. In such
cases, we contact our client to discuss and negotiate prior to services being performed. Additional billing practices are listed under Other Costs on the
following page.
UES | 43
2024 GENERAL SCHEDULE OF FEES
Fee Schedule
OTHER COSTS
Mileage (normal use) .................................................................................................................................................. IRS standard rate / mile Printing and travel expenses.................................................................................................................................................................... at cost Subcontracts, vehicle rentals, fuel, equipment rentals, and purchased services..................................... Cost plus 8 percent (8%) Field Vehicles (4x4) ......................................................................................................................................................................... $150.00 / day Field Per Diem..........................................................................................................................................................................Varies by location Garmin GPS..........................................................................................................................................................................................$10.00 / day GPS Trimble Unit ............................................................................................................................................................................. $125.00 / day LCD Projector ................................................................................................................................................................................... $200.00 / day Digital Video Camera ........................................................................................................................................................................$50.00 / day * Field rates for double-time and night work will include a 20% premium. All rates will increase by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment Cost Index (ECI) every January after contract initiation. 2024 GENERAL SCHEDULE OF FEES
DESCRIPTION RATE/FEE
Project Director $225 / hour
Senior Project Manager $175 / hour
Senior Project Engineer $175 / hour
Project Archaeologist $155 / hour
Project Engineer $145 / hour
Senior Environmental Planner / Biologist / Archaeologist / Environmental Scientist $145 / hour Project Environmental Planner / Biologist / Archaeologist / Environmental Scientist $135 / hour Geologist II $135 / hour
Geologist I $125 / hour
Senior CAD/GIS Technician $150 / hour
Project Administrator II $105 / hour
Project Administrator I $100 / hour
Senior Technical Writer $85 / hour
Senior Project Administrator $75 / hour
Senior Clerical Staff $75 / hour
Administrative Staff $60 / hour
Learn more at TeamUES.com
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.
ITEM # 29
CITY OF SANTA FE SPRINGS
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: René Bobadilla, P.E., City Manager
BY: Cuong Nguyen, Director of Community Development
SUBJECT: APPROVE AN APPROPRIATION ADJUSTMENT AND AWARD
PROFESSIONAL GRANT CONSULTING SERVICES TO STEARNS,
CONRAD & SCHMIDT CONSULTING ENGINEERS, INC. (SCS
ENGINEERS)
DATE: August 22, 2024
RECOMMENDATION(S):
It is recommended that the City Council:
1) Approve an appropriation adjustment to recognize the $350,000 Equitable Community Revitalization Grant (ECRG) from the Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC).
2) Award a contract to SCS Engineers for professional grant consulting services for the ECRG Round 2 Cleanup Workplan Assistance (CWA); and 3) Take such additional, related action that may be desirable.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the requested appropriation will recognize the grant award of $350,000 under General Fund, OP State Funding revenue account (No.10103199-442000) and appropriate the same amount into the Community Development Administration, Contractual Services expenditure account (No.10103199-542050).
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Fe Springs has been awarded a grant from the Department of Toxic Substance Control (“DTSC”) to complete a CWA for the following four (4) brownfield sites:
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT– MEETING OF AUGUST 22, 2024
Site Names Site Addresses
Former Chevron Site 12171 Telegraph Rd.
MC&C III southeast corner of Telegraph &
Bloomfield
Parking Lot Site North of Telegraph Rd., and East of
Norwalk Blvd.
Sculpture Garden South of Telegraph Rd., and West of
Norwalk Blvd.
This grant, totaling up to $350,000, is designated to cover eligible environmental activities and associated costs in accordance with the ECRG Round 2 Guidelines. On March 18, 2024, the City received an award letter alongside the ECRG Agreement from DTSC. It is important to note that the funding window for this grant spans 24 months from the execution date of the agreement (3/24/26).
On April 24, 2024, the RFP was posted on the City’s website and sent electronically to qualified firms that had expressed interest. The deadline for submitting proposals was May 23, 2024 and the City received proposals from the following two firms:
Company Address
1. SCS Engineers 3900 Kilroy Airport Way, Suite 100
Long Beach, CA 90806
2. Alisto Engineering Group 515 South Flower St., 18th Floor Los Angeles, CA, 90071
The evaluation of the two proposals was conducted based on several criteria, including qualifications, reputation for integrity and competence, and proposed fees. On June 17, 2024, a virtual interview was held with both firms. The interview panel comprised one staff member from the Community Development Department and one from JWA Urban Consultants. These interviews allowed the panel to ask each firm additional questions about their submitted proposal. After the interviews, the firms were ranked and their scores are provided on the following page.
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT– MEETING OF AUGUST 22, 2024
Applicant’s Score
Consultants
Evaluation Criteria
Max
Points Alisto SCS
Qualifications:
a. Thoroughness and understanding of the tasks to be
completed
b. Background and experience
c. Knowledge of the City as it relates to the project.
d. Experience of personnel assigned to the work
e. Communication Skills
50 38.5 44
Reputation for integrity and competence:
a. Positive Reference Checks
b. Work Samples
35 30 33.5
Proposed Fees 15 14 13
Total 100 82.5 90.5
ANALYSIS
Through this RFP process, the City has selected SCS Engineers, a firm that demonstrates a strong understanding of property environmental assessment. SCS Engineers has extensive experience with brownfield grants, having successfully worked on eight (8) ECRG grants in Rounds 1 and 2. Additionally, SCS Engineers possesses strong local knowledge and experience, particularly in Santa Fe Springs. Their familiarity with DTSC/ECRG guidelines allows for expedited project evaluation and execution, ensuring that both the community's needs and the City's intended use are met.
ENVIRONMENTAL
N/A
DISCUSSION
After awarding the contract, the consultant will, at a minimum, provide the following services:
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT– MEETING OF AUGUST 22, 2024
1. Coordination Meetings: Conduct meetings as needed for timely communication, scheduled regularly and held either in-person or virtually with no maximum limit on frequency.
2. Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments or Preliminary Endangerment Assessments: Utilize historical data and conduct additional studies to understand contamination levels, reviewing existing ESA/PEA data for adequacy and updates as necessary.
3. Preliminary Mitigation Strategy: Develop a strategy for contamination treatment, considering environmental impacts and regulatory requirements.
4. Community Engagement Strategy: Implement a comprehensive strategy to engage all community segments, ensuring ongoing consultation.
5. Grant Management and DTSC Reporting: Manage grant implementation, complete required reports to DTSC, and ensure compliance with guidelines.
SUMMARY
Upon approval of the recommended actions by the City Council, the City will accept the proposal from SCS Engineers and award a contract for professional grant consulting services for ECRG Round 2 CWA. All proposed tasks must be completed and reported to DTSC within 24 months from the execution date of the Agreement (3/24/26).
ATTACHMENT(S):
A. Professional Services Agreement
ATTACHMENT A
CITY OF SANTA FE SPRINGS
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
WITH
STEARNS, CONRAD & SCHMIDT CONSULTING
ENGINEERS, INC.
This Professional Services Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and effective as of August 22, 2024 (“Effective Date”), by and between the City of Santa Fe Springs, a California municipal corporation, (“City”) and Stearns, Conrad & Schmidt Consulting Engineers, Inc., dba SCS Engineers, a Virginia 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 until the services described herein are completed, unless sooner terminated pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.
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”). Consultant shall complete the Services according to any schedule of performance set forth in Exhibit A.
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.
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 City Manager 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 and the schedule of payment as set forth in Exhibit B, attached hereto incorporated herein by this reference as though set forth in full, based upon actual time spent on the above tasks
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, REV012024 Page 2 of 16 SCS Engineer
unless such additional services are authorized in advance and in writing by the City Manager 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 monthly 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 REV012024 Page 3 of 16 SCS Engineer
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.
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. Any modification or reuse of such documents for purposes other than those intended by this Agreement shall be at CITY's sole risk and without liability to CONSULTANT. With respect to computer files, Consultant shall provide to the City, upon written request, a copy of all computer files and data either on a storage media or via file share download at City's discretion. 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.
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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 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.
D. For design professional services pursuant to Civil Code section 2782.8, to the fullest extent permitted by law, Consultant shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the City and any and all of its officials, employees, agents, and volunteers (“Indemnified Parties”), at Consultant’s sole expense, from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities, damages, costs, and expenses, including attorney’s fees and costs, to the extent they arise out of, pertain to, or relate to the negligence, recklessness, or willful misconduct of Consultant. Consultant’s duty to defend shall consist of reimbursement of defense costs incurred by the City in direct proportion to the Consultant’s proportionate percentage of fault. Consultant’s percentage of fault, for both indemnity and defense, shall be determined, as applicable, by a court of law, jury, or arbitrator. In the event any loss, liability, or damage is incurred by way of settlement or resolution without a court, jury or arbitrator having made a determination of the Consultant’s percentage of fault, and the parties cannot mutually agree on Consultant’s percentage of fault, the parties agree to mediation with a neutral third-party to determine the Consultant’s proportionate percentage of fault for purposes of determining the amount of indemnity and defense cost reimbursement owed to City.
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.
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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 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 REV012024 Page 6 of 16 SCS Engineer
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 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 REV012024 Page 7 of 16 SCS Engineer
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 averse 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.
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
To Consultant: Stearns, Conrad & Schmidt Consulting
Engineers, Inc.,
dba SCS Engineers
3900 Kilroy Airport Way # 100
Long Beach, CA 90806
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 REV012024 Page 8 of 16 SCS Engineer
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.
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 REV012024 Page 9 of 16 SCS Engineer
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.
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.
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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 CONULTANT
Jay Sarno, Mayor Name:
Title:
Date: Date:
ATTEST: CONSULTANT
Fernando Munoz, Deputy City Clerk Name:
Title:
Date:
APPROVED AS TO FROM:
Ivy M. Tsai, City Attorney
Attachments: Exhibit A Consultant’s Proposal
Exhibit B Fee Schedule
Exhibit C Insurance Requirements
EXHIBIT A
CITY’S REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
EXHIBIT B
CONSULTANT’S PROPOSAL
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.
Umbrella or excess liability insurance. Consultant shall obtain and maintain an umbrella or excess liability insurance policy with limits that will provide bodily injury, personal injury and property damage liability coverage at least as broad as the primary coverages set forth above, including commercial general liability, automobile liability, and employer’s liability. Such policy or policies shall include the following terms and conditions:
A drop-down feature requiring the policy to respond if any primary insurance that would otherwise have applied proves to be uncollectible in whole or in part for any reason;
Pay on behalf of wording as opposed to reimbursement; Concurrency of effective dates with primary policies; Policies shall “follow form” to the underlying primary policies; and Insureds under primary policies shall also be insureds under the umbrella or excess policies.
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.
ITEM # 30
CITY OF SANTA FE SPRINGS
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: René Bobadilla, P.E., City Manager
BY: Ivy M. Tsai, City Attorney
SUBJECT: ORDINANCE NO. 1149 RELATING TO CITY COUNCIL
REORGANIZATION
DATE: August 22, 2024
RECOMMENDATION(S):
It is recommended that the City Council:
1) Read by title only, and waive further reading, Ordinance No. 1149:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SANTA FE SPRINGS ADDING SECTION
30.22 TO CHAPTER 30 (CITY COUNCIL) OF TITLE III (ADMINISTRATION) OF
THE SANTA FE SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO CITY COUNCIL
REORGANIZATION
2) Take such additional, related, action that may be desirable.
FISCAL IMPACT
N/A
BACKGROUND
Pursuant to request by the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem, Ordinance No. 1149 has been drafted to establish a procedure for the rotation of the City Council and appointment of a Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem. The ordinance provides for the selection of a Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem at the first meeting of December in nonelection years or at the first meeting immediately following the certification of election results in election years. The order of appointment is as follows based on recent rotation: 1) Rounds, 2) Zamora, 3) Rodriguez, 4) Martin, and 5) Sarno.
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT – MEETING OF AUGUST 22, 2024 Ordinance No. 1149 Relating to City Council Reorganization
As members leave the City Council, they will be removed from the order of appointment and the names of new City Council members will be added at the bottom of the order of appointment, Where the names of two or more new City Council members are added to the order at the same time, their respective positions on the order of appointment shall be determined based upon which person received the highest number of votes in the municipal election immediately preceding.
ENVIRONMENTAL
N/A
SUMMARY/NEXT STEPS
If moved forward by the City Council, Ordinance No. 1149 will be placed on a future City Council agenda for a second reading and adoption.
ATTACHMENT(S):
A. Ordinance No. 1149
ITEM STATUS:
APPROVED:
DENIED:
TABLED:
DIRECTION GIVEN:
ORDINANCE NO. 1149
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SANTA FE SPRINGS ADDING SECTION 30.22 TO CHAPTER 30 (CITY COUNCIL) OF TITLE III (ADMINISTRATION) OF THE SANTA FE
SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION WHEREAS, Government Code section 36801 provides that the City Council may, following the declaration of election results and the installation of elected officials, choose one of its number as Mayor, and one of its number as Mayor Pro Tempore; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to establish a rotation for City Council reorganization and selection of a Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA FE SPRINGS DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 30.22 is hereby added to Chapter 30 of Title III of the Code of Santa Fe Springs to read as follows:
§ 30.22 CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION.
(A) The City Council shall reorganize by selecting one of its number as Mayor, and another of its number as Mayor Pro Tempore, on the following occasions:
(1) At the first meeting of December in nonelection years; or (2) At the first meeting immediately following the certification of election results in election years.
(B) Persons shall be appointed to the position of Mayor in accordance with the following order of appointment:
(1) Rounds
(2) Zamora
(3) Rodriguez
(4) Martin
(5) Sarno
(C) Persons shall be appointed to the position of Mayor Pro Tempore in the same order for the period of time immediately preceding their appointment as Mayor.
(D) As members leave the city council, the order of appointment shall be deemed modified by adding the names of new council members at the bottom of the order of appointment, and deleting the name of the retiring member or members therefrom. Where the names of two or more new council members are added to the order at the same time, their respective positions on the order of appointment shall be determined based upon which person received the highest number of votes in the municipal election immediately preceding.
SECTION 2. Any provision of the Code of Santa Fe Springs inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance, to the extent of such inconsistencies and no further, is hereby repealed or modified to that extent necessary to effect the provisions of this Ordinance.
SECTION 3. If any section, subsection, phrase, or clause of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, such decision will not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this Ordinance and each section, subsection, phrase, or clause thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, phrases, or clauses may be declared unconstitutional.
SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify the passage and adoption of this ordinance and shall cause the same to be published in the same manner required by law.
This ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days from and after its passage.
PASSED and ADOPTED this ___ day of _______, 2024, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
___________________________
ATTEST: Jay Sarno, Mayor
_____________________________
Fernando Muñoz, Deputy City Clerk