COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Planning and Building Department

DATE:

October 18, 2010

BOARD MEETING DATE:

November 2, 2010

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Jim Eggemeyer, Community Development Director

SUBJECT:

Amendment to Agreement with MIG for Preparation of North Fair Oaks Community Plan Update

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution waiving the Request for Proposals (RFP) process and authorizing the President of the Board of Supervisors to execute an amendment to the Agreement with MIG for the preparation of the environmental review required in connection with the North Fair Oaks Community Plan Update to increase the maximum amount expendable thereunder by $130,000, from $455,000 to an amount not to exceed $585,000, for the term September 15, 2009 through September 30, 2011.

BACKGROUND:

Pursuant to Resolution No. 70377 of this Board, dated September 15, 2009, the Board of Supervisors authorized the execution of an Agreement with MIG for the preparation of the North Fair Oaks Community Plan. Preparation of the North Fair Oaks Community Plan is funded by a combination of grant funding from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, funds from the Housing Department’s Housing and Community Development Trust Fund (which consists of State funds), and a grant from the City/County Association of Government’s El Camino Real Incentive Program. This funding includes the amounts necessary for environmental analysis.

DISCUSSION:

The preparation of the North Fair Oaks Community Plan Update by MIG is now well underway and Planning staff has undertaken to determine the optimal method for completing the required environmental review of the Update. Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) and its implementing Guidelines, the Update must be subjected to environmental review prior to adoption by the Board of Supervisors. Such review will entail preparation of either a negative declaration or an environmental impact report.

The Planning and Building Department has researched the various means by which this required environmental review of the Update may be completed and has concluded that this task can be most efficiently accomplished by amending the existing Agreement with MIG to include within its scope the completion of mandated environmental review and preparation of required environmental documents and to authorize expenditure of the funding necessary to complete these tasks.

The existing contract with MIG authorizes funding in the amount of $455,000 and requires MIG to complete all aspects of preparation of the North Fair Oaks Community Plan Update except for the environmental review. MIG has indicated that it can complete the environmental review (whether requiring a negative declaration or environmental impact report) for an amount not to exceed $130,000. Staff has determined that MIG has the requisite combination of competence and experience to complete the necessary environmental review. Staff has also made inquiry with other potential environmental consultants and determined that, in light of its familiarity with the project, MIG will be able to complete the environmental review of the North Fair Oaks Community Plan Update in a more expeditious and cost-effective manner than other potential consultants.

Therefore, staff recommends that this Board waive the RFP process and authorize execution of an amendment to the Agreement with MIG to include within the scope of the project environmental review of the North Fair Oaks Community Plan Update and to increase the maximum amount expendable under the Agreement by $130,000, from $455,000 to $585,000.

Approval of the amendment contributes to the 2025 Shared Vision outcome of a Livable Community because the North Fair Oaks Community Plan Update will include strategies for transit-friendly development, more affordable housing, economic development, and reduction of environmental impacts of transportation and development in North Fair Oaks.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2009-10
Actual

FY 2010-11
Projected

Percent of Completion of NFO Community Plan Update Work Plan

40%

90%

FISCAL IMPACT:

The proposed amendment to the Agreement increases the amount expendable thereunder by $130,000, from $455,000 to an amount not to exceed $585,000 to be drawn from FOCUS grant funds, and local matches from the Housing Department’s Housing and Community Development Special Trust Fund and C/CAG’s El Camino Real Incentive Program. All payments for work on the Community Plan Update, including environmental review, will come from the North Fair Oaks Plan Trust Fund, established by the Planning and Building Department to receive and disburse the funding from these sources. There is no Net County Cost impact associated with this Agreement.