COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AGENCY

DATE:

February 16, 2006

BOARD MEETING DATE:

March 7, 2006

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

4/5ths

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Marcia Raines, Director of Environmental Services

SUBJECT:

Agreement with Environmental Science Associates (ESA) for the Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report for the Pilarcitos Quarry Expansion

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt a Resolution:

A.

Authorizing the execution of an Agreement with Environmental Science Associates to prepare Draft and Final Environmental Impact Reports for the Pilarcitos Quarry expansion project.

B.

Authorizing an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) in the amount of $318,265 from Unanticipated Revenue to Contractual Services provided by Environmental Science Associates.

VISION ALIGNMENT

Commitment: Responsive, effective and collaborative government.

Goal 20: Government decisions are based on careful consideration of future impact, rather than temporary relief or immediate gain.

This Agreement contributes to the goal by providing the Board of Supervisors with sufficient information about potential impacts of this project upon which to make an informed decision regarding this land use request.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2005-06
Actual

FY 2006-07
Projected

Percent of compliance with California Environmental Quality Act requirements

100%

100%

BACKGROUND

The County will be entering into a multi-phase Agreement with Environmental Science Associates (ESA) to perform environmental consulting services to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) and a Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) and a Mitigation Monitoring Reporting Program for the expansion of an existing quarry located at 11700 Highway 92. The applicant has plans to expand mining operations onto a west-facing slope located adjacent to and immediately north of the current mining area in Phase 1. This expansion area is approximately 20.48 acres in size. The applicant has future plans (over a 20+-year period) to conduct additional mining operations on 287 acres of the total 593-acre project site.

DISCUSSION

ESA was selected to prepare the EIR after a Request for Proposal was distributed to 18 qualified firms, five of which submitted proposals and were interviewed. ESA was selected based on their understanding of the issues involved and their technical expertise with which to analyze those issues. ESA’s total bid was $318,265, and the Final EIR is expected to be completed in early 2007.

The services to be performed include the following:

1.

Project scoping/public outreach to foster public involvement in the EIR process and solicit input on the EIR content.

2.

Description of the environmental setting and evaluation of project impacts, focusing upon potential noise, transportation, vegetation/wildlife, land use/zoning, geology, hydrology, and visual impacts.

3.

Development of three project alternatives to be evaluated, including a No Action Alternative.

4.

Delivery of a Draft EIR to be circulated for public review and comment.

5.

Delivery of the Final EIR that includes responses to public comments.

6.

Attendance at key public hearings.

Under County CEQA procedures and the Planning fee schedule, the applicant will reimburse the County in full for the costs of the EIR consultant. Given the cost and size of this particular project, staff has agreed to allow the applicant to make these payments in five (5) equal installments which are timed in coordination with the consultant’s schedule of services. Continuation of the consultant’s services will be dependent upon the applicant’s payment of the next installment.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution and Agreement as to form.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The total amount of the proposed Agreement is $318,265. The entire amount is being paid for by the applicant, West Coast Aggregates, and the ATR will set up the appropriation in the Planning budget to pay for this Agreement. There is no Net County Cost impact.

Request for Proposal Matrix

Consultant List

1.

CAJA

2.

CH2M Hill

3.

Donaldson Associates

4.

EDAW, Inc.

5.

EIP Associates

6.

Environmental Resources Management

7.

ESA

8.

Golden State Environmental Consulting, Inc.

9.

Impact Sciences

10.

Jones and Stokes Associates, Inc.

11.

LSA Associates

12.

MHA Environmental Consulting, Inc.

13.

Mundie and Associates

14.

Pacific Mutual Consultants

15.

Richard Moorhouse Associates

16.

Sycamore Associates LLC

17.

Wagstaff and Associates

18.

Zitney and Associates

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL MATRIX

1.

General Description of RFP

San Mateo County Planning Division solicited proposals for the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the long-term expansion of the Pilarcitos Quarry.

2.

List key evaluation criteria

Oral communication, technical and analytical expertise, and service oriented.

3.

Where advertised

RFP was not advertised.

4.

In addition to any advertisement, list others to whom RFP was sent

See attached list (Attachment B).

5.

Total number sent to prospective proposers

18

6.

Number of proposals received

5

7.

Who evaluated the proposals

Planning staff members: Michael Schaller and Jim Eggemeyer.

8.

In alphabetical order, names of proposers (or finalists, if applicable) and location

Baseline Environmental Consulting, Emeryville

EIP Associates, San Francisco

Environmental Resources Management, Walnut Creek

Environmental Science Associates, San Francisco

Pacific Municipal Consultants, Davis