HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/5/2003 - STAFF REPORTS (18) DATE: February 05, 2003
TO: City Council
FROM: Directorof Planning&Zoning,and Directorof Procurement and Contracting
SUBJECT:
APPROVE CONTRACTING WITH TERRA NOVA PLANNING & RESEARCH, INC. FOR
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING AND DOCUMENTATION SERVICES NECESSARY
FOR THE PALM SPRINGS CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council approve contracting with Terra Nova Planning & Research, Inc. in the
amount of$55,780 for environmental consulting and documentation services necessaryfor
the Palm Springs Convention Center Expansion, final agreement to be in a form approved
by the City Attorney.
SUMMARY:
If approved, Terra Nova Planning & Research (Terra Nova) will prepare an Initial Study
followed by the preparation and circulation of a fully substantiated Mitigated Negative
Declaration, and provide support planning services for the proposed Convention Center
expansion project. A variety of technical studies are required to complete the Initial Study
including: traffic/circulation; air quality; and noise.
Planning Staff recommends using Terra Nova because this firm has experience preparing
environmental documents, has recently completed several local projects including an
environmental assessment of the Canyon South Golf Course remodel which led to a
Mitigated Negative Declaration, and has committed resources to fast track required
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documents.
The total contract amount is $55,780, inclusive of the technical studies costs.
BACKGROUND:
The Palm Spring Convention Center Phase II Expansion is a "Project" under the California
Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code Section 21080(a) and California Code
of Regulations Section 15378). CEQA applies to discretionary projects proposed to be
carried out or approved by a public agency, which may cause either a direct physical
change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the
environment, both within and beyond the project boundaries. To identify the impacts the
changes may have on the environment, an Initial Study will be prepared to determine how
significant the effects are, if any.
CEQA compliance must occur before a public agency approves a project. For public
agency projects, approval does not occur until the agency is legally committed to proceed
with the project. In order to meet both CEQA requirements and the strict construction
schedule for the Convention Center, the environmental contract services will conclude in
May, 2003, with the City Council taking action on the Mitigated Negative Declaration.
To assist Staff with fast tracking the CEQA process, a Request for Proposal (RFP) was
circulated on January 13,2003,to four local environmental consulting firms and one located
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in San Diego. On January 24, 2003, three consulting firm(s) submitted proposals. Terra
Nova was selected based on its amount of experience, professional qualifications, ability
to complete the project in the time frame outlined in the RFP, and demonstration of clear
understanding of the project.
Funds are available for this purpose in the Convention Center Phase II - Contractual
Services account, 4283-43200.
Director of Planning and Zoning
qp
Director of Procurement and Contracting
City Manager
REVIEWED BY DEPT. OF FINANCE
ATTACHMENT:
1. Minute Order
MINUTE ORDER NO.
APPROVING CONTRACTING WITH TERRA
NOVA PLANNING & RESEARCH, INC. IN
THE AMOUNT OF $55,780 FOR
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING AND
DOCUMENTATION SERVICES
NECESSARY FOR THE PALM SPRINGS
CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION,
FINAL AGREEMENT TO BE IN A FORM
APPROVED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that this Minute Order approving contracting with Terra
Nova Planning&Research, Inc. in the amount of$55,780 for environmental
consulting and documentation services necessary for the Palm Springs
Convention Center Expansion, final agreement to be in a form approved by
the City Attorney, was adopted by the City Council of the City of Palm
Springs, California in a meeting thereof held on the 5th of February, 2003.
PATRICIA A. SANDERS
City Clerk