SR-05-27-2014-3JCity Council Meeting: May 21, 2014
Agenda Item:
To: Mayor and City Council
From: David Martin, Director, Planning & Community Development
Subject: Environmental Consulting Service Contract for the Memorial Park
Neighborhood Plan
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a contract with AMEC Environment & Infrastructure, Inc., a Washington D.C.
based company, in an amount not to exceed $378,000 for environmental consulting
services related to the Memorial Park Neighborhood Plan with future year, funding
contingent on Council approval and budget adoption.
Executive Summary
The process for preparing the Memorial Park Neighborhood Park Plan (MPNP) was
initiated in Fall 2013, and is being funded by State of California Prop 84 Sustainable
Communities Planning Grant funds. The MPNP would implement the land use, urban
design, and transportation vision of the City's Land Use & Circulation Element (LUCE)
by developing standards and guidelines for an active and sustainable neighborhood
surrounding the city's future 17th Street Expo Light Rail Station.
A program level Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) is required in order to consider
adoption of the draft Memorial Park Neighborhood Plan that is currently being prepared.
Staff recommends contracting with AMEC to provide environmental consulting services
for the Memorial Park Neighborhood Plan for a fee not to exceed $378,000 to comply
with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Background
The MPNP area includes the immediate area around Memorial Park and the 17th Street
Expo Light Rail station (bounded by 17th Street, Euclid Court, Colorado Avenue, and
Interstate 10); an approximately 1 -mile stretch of the 17th Street right -of -way between
Pico and Wilshire; and a % -mile stretch of the Colorado Avenue right -of -way and
adjacent parcels from 20th Street to Lincoln. The area layout supports planning for
quality connections to destinations within a 5 -10 minute walk of the station, including
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connections to Memorial Park, Santa Monica College, UCLA Medical Center and St.
John's Hospital, communities directly across the freeway, and the industrial and creative
industry areas to the east and west.
The Memorial Park Neighborhood Plan process was initiated in 2013 and is being
informed by an ongoing robust outreach process and detailed existing conditions
analysis. The MPNP is not scoped with redesigning Memorial Park. The MPNP is
funded by a California Proposition 84 Sustainable Communities Grant.
Discussion
The objective of the MPNP is to implement the land use, urban design, and
transportation vision of the City's General Plan Land Use & Circulation Element (LUCE),
adopted on July 6, 2010, by developing standards and guidelines for an active and
sustainable neighborhood surrounding the city's future 17th Street Expo Light Rail
Station. The LUCE identified the area around Memorial Park as a lower -scale
neighborhood that would welcome a future Expo Light Rail station through greater
emphases on multi -modal access, place- making, local uses, and housing needs;
pedestrian- oriented development standards; infrastructure improvements; and open
space investment.
The tool for implementing this neighborhood- focused vision is the Memorial Park
Neighborhood Plan, which will provide a means of integrating the Expo Light Rail,
articulating the community's goals and values for an active and sustainable
neighborhood, and phasing implementation. Once the station becomes operational in
2016, the Exposition Light Rail Line will connect Santa Monica with Culver City, USC,
and Downtown Los Angeles.
The MPNP process was initiated in Fall 2013, and has included comprehensive
planning discussions with property owners, area businesses, youth organizations,
sports organizations, community facilities administrators, park users, City Boards and
Commissions, neighborhood groups, local schools, SMMUSD representatives, staff
from St. John's Medical Center, and an interdepartmental team of City staff. Several
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community workshops have also been held to gather public input on the MPNP,
including an outreach event focused on the MPNP area's youth.
Adoption of the MPNP will require an environmental clearance process to comply with
CEQA. Upon Council approval and in accordance with CEQA, AMEC will analyze the
potential environmental effects associated with the MPNP. The scope of environmental
consulting services as proposed by AMEC includes preparation of a Program EIR for a
fee not to exceed $378,000. It is anticipated that completion of the required CEQA
documentation can be accomplished within one year.
Consultant Selection
In July 2011, the City released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for environmental
consulting services. The RFQ was posted on the City's on -line bidding site and noticed
in the Santa Monica Daily Press in accordance with City Charter and Municipal Code
provisions. The RFQ sought qualifications from environmental consulting firms to
prepare environmental documents pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) and /or National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Thirty responses were
received and evaluated based on the criteria in SMMC 2.24.072, including past
experience, adequacy of the response, records of past performance, and demonstrated
thoroughness in work approach. The City selected 10 qualified firms to be placed on the
Pre - Qualified List based on these criteria.
On March 28, 2014, a Request for Proposals for preparation of a Memorial Park
Neighborhood Plan Program Environmental Impact Report (Program EIR) was issued to
three qualified firms on the City's Pre - Qualified list of environmental consultants. Two of
the three firms responded to the RFP with proposals. The submitted proposals were
reviewed by City staff. Evaluation of the submitted materials was based on the following
selection criteria in SMMC 2.24.072, including:
® Training, credentials and prior experience in preparing EIR's for specific plans
and area plans in the City of Santa Monica and other urban areas
® Competence and knowledge of CEQA/NEPA regulations
• Understanding of the Plan area - specific issues, project goals and approach
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• A flexible and accurate approach and working style that would allow for
preparation of a defensible Program EIR for the MPNP
• Ability of the team to successfully complete the full scope of work on time and
within budget
• Evidence of a productive and skilled team structure and sufficient resources (i.e.,
financial, staff, etc.)
• The firm's character and reputation in. preparing high quality EIR's in similar
municipalities
® A budget that reflects a fair, reasonable, and competitive price
Based on the above criteria as well as the firm's demonstrated knowledge and prior
experience in working with the City, strong record of preparing legally defensible
environmental documentation in the City and other jurisdictions in compliance with
CEQA, comprehensive scope of work, and its competitive and fair budget, AMEC is
recommended as the best bidder to provide environmental consulting services for the
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Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The contract to be awarded to AMEC Environment & Infrastructure, Inc., is for
$378,000. Funds in the amount of $318,000 are included in the FY 2013 -14 Capital
Improvement Program budget at account C017057.589000. Funds in the amount of
$60,000 are included in the approved FY 2014 -15 budget plan at account
01267.555061. Future year funding is contingent on Council approval and budget
adoption.
Prepared by: Rachel Kwok, Environmental Planner
Forwarded to Council:
Approved:
David Martin, Director Rod Gould
Planning & Community Development City Manager
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Reference:
Contract No. 9910
(CCS)