COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Environmental Services Agency

DATE:

July 20, 2006

BOARD MEETING DATE:

August 1, 2006

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Marcia Raines, Director of Environmental Services Agency

SUBJECT:

Adoption of Resolution Regarding an Agreement with Thomas Reid Associates for Preparation of an Amendment to the San Bruno Mountain Habitat Conservation Plan

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution waiving the requirement for a request for proposals, and authorizing and directing the Director of the Environmental Services Agency to execute an agreement with Thomas Reid Associates, in the amount of $171,256, for the preparation of an amendment to the San Bruno Mountain Habitat Conservation Plan.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: This action fulfills the commitment to preserve and provide people access to our natural environment.

Goal(s): This action fulfills the goal of preserving and enhancing important natural resources through environmental stewardship.

BACKGROUND:

The San Bruno Mountain Habitat Conservation Plan (“HCP”) was adopted in 1982 for the purpose of providing for the protection of certain federally listed plant and animal species and to preserve and restore the ecological values on the Mountain. The County, the cities of Brisbane, Daly City and South San Francisco, the State Departments of Parks and Recreation and Fish and Game, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (“USFWS”), and several developers of property within the San Bruno Mountain Area, are signatories to the Plan. The USFWS issued a Section 10a Permit to allow the incidental take of protected species in association with development allowed by the Plan.

In June 2003, the County entered into a contract with Thomas Reid Associates, the Habitat Manager for San Bruno Mountain, for the purpose of preparing a comprehensive update to the Habitat Conservation Plan to provide protections for the recently listed Callippe silverspot butterfly and to update the plan generally to reflect changes in conditions on the Mountain and incorporate up-to-date techniques for habitat management. The contract, which had a term of two years and a contract limit of $130,000, was to be funded through a state HCP Planning Grant and a match by the County and the cities of Brisbane, Daly City and South San Francisco in the total amount of $33,334. During the scoping process for the amendment, and as a result of consultations with the USFWS, the scope of the amendment has changed to such an extent that both the form and the substance of the HCP amendment need to be substantially expanded. Thomas Reid Associates has prepared a substantial amount of work product that can be used to complete the amendment, including an administrative draft amendment, revised operating programs for several parcels, and a draft five year implementation plan. The original contract expired by its terms in June 2005.

DISCUSSION:

The scope of work for the proposed new contract with Thomas Reid Associates will build on the work already completed by Thomas Reid Associates, and take into account comments by USFWS and other interested parties. Specifically, the scope includes (1) preparation of the required notices, agendas, and other supporting documentation for public meetings necessary to complete the amendment process, (2) updating the Biological Opinion necessary to support the amendment to the Section 10A permit (3) preparation of administrative draft, draft and final versions of the HCP amendment documents, (4) a new Five Year plan for implementing the HCP, and (5) provision of data and other coordination as necessary with the selected environmental consultant. The budget for the scope of work is $171,256. The term of the agreement will be through December 31, 2007.

It is in the best interests of the County to waive the request for proposals process for the proposed agreement as Thomas Reid Associates has done considerable work to date with regard to the amendment process, and is intimately familiar with the HCP through its work as Habitat Manager. The resolution and form of agreement were prepared by the County Counsel’s office.

FISCAL IMPACT:

This action will require an expenditure of $171,256. The amount will be paid from funds specifically obtained for that purpose pursuant to a settlement agreement with the South San Francisco Redevelopment Agency in connection with the merger of four existing city redevelopment projects. No general fund monies will be required beyond $8,333 previously authorized by the Board.