TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Kelvin Parker, Community Development Director
DATE:January 27, 2026
SUBJECT: Environmental Review Services Amendment for Downtown Thousand Oaks Project (CI 5540)
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve First Amendment to professional services agreement (Contract No. 13917-2025) with CSG Consultants, Inc. (CSG) of Orange, CA, for the preparation of the environmental documents for the Downtown Thousand Oaks Project (CI 5540), in the amount of $196,582, increasing the total not-to-exceed amount to $544,342.
2. Approve budget appropriation and expenditure in an amount not to exceed $196,582 in FY 2025-26 from A/C #001-0000-311-1000 (General Fund – Fund Balance) to A/C #001-3570-612-8300 (CI 5540, General Fund – Improvements Other than Buildings).
3. Find that the approval of a professional services agreement is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guideline Section 15378(b)(5) (CCR, Title 14, Chapter 3, Article 20).
LEVINE ACT ITEM: Yes
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
$196,582 Increase to Adopted FY 2025-26 General Fund Capital Budget. A $196,582 increase to the Adopted FY 2025-26 General Fund Capital Budget is requested for CI 5540 Downtown Thousand Oaks Project for additional costs associated with the preparation of the environmental documents.
BACKGROUND:
Since the adoption of the Downtown Core Master Plan (DCMP) in 2018, the creation of an activated, pedestrian-friendly, public space has remained a key community and City Council priority. In June of 2025, City Council endorsed the revised conceptual plan for the “Downtown Project” (Project) and authorized staff
Environmental Review Services Amendment for Downtown Project (CI 5540) January 27, 2026
to pursue entitlement for the Project. One of the main tasks during the entitlement phase for new developments is the preparation of environmental analyses and documents, in compliance with CEQA.
On February 14, 2025, the City advertised the Request for Proposals/Qualifications (RFP/Q) in the Thousand Oaks Acorn newspaper and on the City’s procurement website, and sent the RFP/Q to environmental consultants registered with the City. Proposals were due by March 6, 2025.
Community Development Department staff selected CSG based on their experience, competence, approach, training, credentials, professional qualifications, resources, staffing availability, proposal value, and timelines. CSG was determined to be the most appropriate firm for the work required, given the quality of their proposal, thoughtful approach, and experience preparing Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) for projects similar to the Project. The CSG scope of work includes the preparation of an EIR in compliance with CEQA to analyze the Project’s reasonable and foreseeable impacts on environmental factors as defined by CEQA.
CSG serves as the prime consultant in partnership with the following sub- consultants, included within the original scope of work:
Michael Baker International – to prepare the Air Quality Evaluation, Biological Resources Assessment, Energy Analysis, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Analysis, and Noise and Vibration Analysis;
PD Solutions – to prepare the Wildfire Evacuation Study; and CRM Tech – to prepare the Cultural Resources Analysis and conduct the required Tribal Consultation.
On March 25, 2025, City Council approved a professional services agreement with CSG for the preparation of an EIR document in compliance with CEQA for the Project, for a term ending March 31, 2027, for $302,400 and additional services of $45,360 for a total not-to-exceed amount of $347,760.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The original scope of work included $45,460 for “additional services” to account for unforeseen changes and supplemental technical studies. Subsequent Project developments exceeded this allocation due to the need for unanticipated technical studies, revisions to the originally approved scope of work, increased analytical complexity, and schedule impacts that extended the anticipated Project timeline.
Therefore, an amendment to Contract No. 13917-2025 (Attachment #1) is requested for $196,582 to cover overextended and remaining Project tasks.
As described in the amended scope of work, additional work includes accommodating evolving Project requirements. Additional technical analyses are Environmental Review Services Amendment for Downtown Project (CI 5540) January 27, 2026
required, including extended cultural resource studies and Phase I and II environmental site analyses, along with more complex modeling to assess impacts from potential off-site activities, phased construction, refined Project boundaries, and different uses. The Administrative Draft EIR will undergo multiple rounds of revisions to incorporate staff and City Attorney comments while maintaining robust analysis at both project and program levels. Finally, increased internal coordination meetings will be conducted throughout the remaining contract period to support these expanded efforts.
These amendments are intended to ensure that the Scope of Work remains comprehensive, responsive to Project changes, and aligned with regulatory and procedural requirements.
Due to the current Project’s ongoing status and the consultant’s extensive work on the Project to date, staff recommends City Council approve Amendment No. 1 to the existing Agreement so that CSG can complete the work commenced. The Draft EIR is expected to be released for public comment in late winter 2026 and the final tasks of the EIR process are anticipated for completion by late spring 2026.
Top Ten Council Priorities FY 2025-26
The recommended City Council action and staff efforts are in alignment with City Council’s FY 2025-26 Top Ten Priorities #2 – Contemplate funding strategies for project design and construction and provide direction | Consider key design and engineering decisions for phased development of Downtown Project | Consider targeted alterations to Thousand Oaks Boulevard within the downtown core | Complete environmental review and prepare for public hearing | Continue robust ongoing community engagement.
CIP PROJECT PRIORITY (as outlined in FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27 CIP Program Budget)
Priority One – Essential projects which address health and safety, legal and regulatory requirements, as well as City Council‘s Top Priorities projects.
LEVINE ACT (California Government Code § 84308):
This item is subject to the Levine Act. City Councilmembers who have received a campaign contribution of more than $500 (aggregated) within the preceding 12 months from a party or their agent/representative, or a financially-interested participant involved in this proceeding may do either of the following: (1) disclose the contribution on the record and recuse themselves from this proceeding; or if applicable (2) return the portion of the contribution that exceeds $500 within 30 days from the time the official knew or should have known about the contribution, and participate in the proceeding.
Environmental Review Services Amendment for Downtown Project (CI 5540) January 27, 2026
All parties and their agents/representatives must disclose on the record of this proceeding any aggregated contribution of more than $500 made to any Councilmember within the preceding 12 months. Councilmembers are prohibited from accepting, soliciting, or directing a campaign contribution of more than $500 (aggregated) from a party, their agent/representative, or a financially-interested participant during a proceeding and for 12 months following the date a final decision is made. In addition, a party, their agent/representative, or a financially- interested participant is prohibited from contributing more than $500 (aggregated) to a Councilmember during a proceeding and for 12 months following the date a final decision is made.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
A. Create a more equitable, accessible, safe, welcoming, and inclusive government and community regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, language, education, and/or socio-economic status.
C. Operate City government in a fiscally and managerially responsible and prudent manner to ensure that the City of Thousand Oaks remains one of California's most desirable places to live, work, visit, recreate, and raise a family.
I. Maintain a strong local employment base geared toward retaining high quality businesses; sustain a healthy business community; and, diversify the local economy, with a specific emphasis on small businesses and high technology/biomedical jobs.
J. Implement high quality revitalization projects within Thousand Oaks Boulevard and Newbury Road Areas; develop a pedestrian-oriented, viable, and self- sustaining "Downtown;” and, continue to support production of long-term affordable housing.
PREPARED BY: Justine Kendall, Senior Planner
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – First Amendment to Contract No. 13917-2025 cdd:410-30\JK\ H:\COMMON\Administration & Special Projects\Contracts-POs-Task Orders\Contracts et al\CSG - Downtown TO Plan\Contracts\Amendment 1\Staff Report