RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA, AWARDING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT IN THE NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $489,270 TO NICHOLS CONSULTING ENGINEERS, CHTD. FOR PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR PROJECT APPROVAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL
DOCUMENT PREPARATION ASSOCIATED WITH ACTIVE SANTA MARIA SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROJECT.
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted an Active Transportation Plan (ATP) in January 2021; and
WHEREAS, on December 7 , 2022 , the California Transportation Commission adopted 2023 ATP Statewide and Small Urban & Rural Components of the Active Transportation Program, Cycle 6, awarding grant funding in the amount of $7,721,000 to the City of Santa Maria; and
WHEREAS, the City issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for ATP Project Approval and Environmental Document preparation Professional Services within the City, and notified firms that specialize in this work, including those firms who had expressed interest, as well as those who had previously completed work for the City; and
WHEREAS, on April 4, 202 4, the City received one proposal from a firm that performs this work; and,
WHEREAS, City staff independently reviewed and scored the firm’s proposal based on specific criteria in the RFP; and,
WHEREAS, City staff determined that Nichols Consulting Engineers, Chtd. (NCE) satisfied the requirements of the RFP and was deemed a qualified firm to provide the needed Professional Services to prepare Project Approval and Environmental Documents; and,
WHEREAS, the firm will provide services to fulfill the requirements of the RFP and relevant document preparation, public outreach, engagement, and education as defined by the City; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Maria determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA ) ( CCR, Title 14, Chapter 3 (CEQA Guidelines), Article 20, Section 15378). In addition, CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 includes the general rule that CEQA applies only to activities that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment , the activity is not subject to CEQA . Any subsequent discretionary projects resulting from this action will be assessed for CEQA applicability.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, California, as follows:
1. The Professional Services Agreement for Project Approval and Environmental Document preparation Professional Services is awarded to NCE, for a term of one year, with a not-to-exceed amount of $489,270. The Agreement also allows for time extensions if mutually agreed to between the City and NCE; and
2. That the City Manager, or designee, is authorized to execute the Professional Services Agreement upon receipt of information required by the RFP.
3. The Chief Deputy City Clerk is hereby authorized to make minor changes herein to address clerical errors, so long as substantial conformance of the intent of this document is maintained. In doing so, the Chief Deputy City Clerk shall consult with the City Manager and City Attorney concerning any changes deemed necessary.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Santa Maria held this 16th day of July 2024.
ATTEST:
Chief Deputy City Clerk
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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City Attorney
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
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Department Director
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Interim City Manager