SR-417-011
Council Meeting: April 24, 2001 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute a
Contract with Rincon Consultants, Inc. to Prepare an Environmental Impact
Report for the proposed Civic Center Parking Structure.
INTRODUCTION
This report recommends that the City Council: (1) authorize the City Manager to negotiate
and execute a contract with Rincon Consultants, Inc., in an amount not to exceed
$205,000 including contingencies, to prepare an Environmental Impact Report for the
proposed Civic Center Parking Structure and (2) appropriate funding for preparation of the
Report.
BACKGROUND
Increased parking demand and the necessity to complete earthquake retrofitting of the
downtown parking structures require that the City move forward expeditiously with the
development of a new parking facility in the Civic Center. On March 27, 2001, the City
Council approved a preliminary financing plan for the project and authorized the hiring of a
project management firm for the project.
DISCUSSION
The Planning and Community Development Department has determined that an
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Environmental Impact Report (EIR) will be required to evaluate the proposed project. The
EIR will examine a number of environmental issues regarding the proposed project. Once
a draft of the EIR has been prepared, there will be a public comment period during which
interested persons can review and comment on the environmental analysis. The Planning
Commission and City Council will conduct public hearings before taking action on the
proposed project.
Three firms submitted proposals to prepare the EIR for the project. Staff recommends that
Rincon Consultants, Inc. be selected to prepare the EIR on the basis of their experience
with similar reports, methodology and approach to the project, experience and availability
of key project personnel, and reasonable fee proposal.
NEXT STEPS
Staff is currently soliciting proposals from design-build teams for design and construction
of the project. Once a design-build team has been selected, a schematic design will be
prepared and environmental review will be completed. The design process will include a
public design scoping meeting and a public design review meeting during the preparation
of schematic designs. Once schematic design and environmental review have been
completed, the project will come before the Planning Commission and City Council for
review.
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BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACT
Staff recommends that $205,000 be appropriated at CIP Account No. C01056201.589000
from the General Fund ?Major Capital Project? designation approved by the City Council on
February 27, 2001. These costs are eligible for reimbursement from the future lease
revenue bonds that are expected to be issued for this project.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with Rincon
Consultants, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $205,000, including contingencies, to
prepare an Environmental Impact Report for the proposed Civic Center Parking
Structure; and
2. Appropriate interim funding.
Prepared by: Suzanne Frick, Director
Andy Agle, Deputy Director
Planning and Community Development Department
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