HomeMy WebLinkAbout25C - ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING SERVICES
REQUEST FOR
COUNCIL ACTION
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE:
CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY:
APRIL 17, 2006
TITLE:
CONTRACT AWARD WITH JONES AND
STOKES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING
SERVICES
APPROVED
D As Recommended
D As Amended
D Ordinance on 151 Reading
D Ordinance on 2nd Reading
D Implementing Resolution
D Set Public Hearing For
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CI Y MANAGER
CONTINUED TO
iA
FILE NUMBER
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Direct the City Attorney to prepare and authorize the City Manager and
Clerk of the Council to execute an agreement with Jones and Stokes to
provide environmental training and assistance related to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) in an amount not to exceed $25,000.
DISCUSSION
Environmental planning services are a core service provided by the
Planning Division to private developers, staff within the Planning and
Building Agency and staff in other departments, such as the Public Works
Agency, Community Development Agency and Parks, Recreation and Community
Services. For the last several years provision of environmental planning
services were centralized within the Environmental Coordinator position.
The recent loss of the incumbent in that position has precipitated a re-
evaluation of how environmental services are provided. In an effort to
have the ability to provide these services in a more broad-based and
flexible way, staff recommends that the members of the professional
planning staff in the Planning Division receive training in order to
develop stronger environmental planning skills and develop the ability to
provide environmental analysis for both private development projects, as
well as City-initiated projects. Initial training and a period of
coaching following the training are recommended in order to develop in-
house expertise among all of the professional Planning staff. The
environmental consulting firm of Jones and Stokes is recommended to
provide these services.
Staff is recommending a sole source agreement with Jones and Stokes due
to the technical expertise that they have in both environmental services
and training. Jones and Stokes is a leading environmental planning firm
with special expertise in teaching and coaching. Its staff are regular
instructors of the UCLA Extension annual CEQA training and they are the
authors of the popular CEQA Deskbook.
25C-1
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Contract Award for
Environmental Services
April 17, 2006
Page 2
Presently, Jones and Stokes is not under contract with the City on any
other project. At this time, staff recommends that Jones and Stokes be
awarded the contract for environmental services and training. The total
amount would be $25,000. This contract amount would provide for the
initial training as well as six months of coaching and consultation by
Jones and Stokes staff.
Environmental Impact
The awarding of a contract for environmental training and consultation is
statutorily exempt from CEQA.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds in the amount of $25,000 are available in the Planning and Building
Agency account for other contractual services (account no. 11-505-6291).
APPROVED AS TO FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS:
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Ex tlve Dlrector
Planning and Building Agency
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Francisco Gutierrez
Executive Director
Finance & Management
Services Ag~~i>-
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25C-2