SR-12-16-2014-3GCity Council Meeting: December 16, 2014
Agenda Item:
To: Mayor and City Council
From: David Martin, Planning and Community Development Department Director
Subject: Amendment to Provide Additional Scope of Work for the Downtown
Specific Plan Environmental Impact Report
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a third modification to Contract No. 9687 in the amount of $120,000 with AMEC
Environment & Infrastructure, Inc., a professional environmental consulting company
based in Washington D.C., to provide additional environmental consulting services for
the Downtown Specific Plan Environmental Impact Report. This will result in a two -year
amended contract with a new total amount not to exceed $891,000.
Executive Summary
On January 22, 2013, the City entered into Contract No. 9687 with AMEC Environment
& Infrastructure, Inc. in the amount of $601,000 to prepare the Downtown Specific Plan
Program EIR in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The
initial contract was funded by a grant from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan
Transportation Authority. Council modified the contract on March 18, 2014 in the
amount of $170,000 for additional scope of work to respond to community, Planning
Commission and Council requests and to support completion of the Downtown Specific
Plan and Program EIR. On November 26, 2014 the City Manager's office executed a
contract extension allowing AMEC to continue to provide services through December,
2015. Ongoing interdepartmental meetings subsequent to release of the draft
Downtown Specific Plan have provided increased interest in analyzing the impacts and
potential benefits of a broad one -way street network in Downtown. A contract
modification of $120,000 is requested to evaluate the performance of a broad one -way
street network including impacts to automobile flow, bus operations, existing and future
bike facilities, pedestrian access, and wayfinding. This amendment would include
incorporation of one -way streets as an alternative in the Downtown Specific Plan
Program EIR.
Background
On August 1, 2012, the City of Santa Monica was awarded grant funding by the Los
Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) in the amount of
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$601,000 to complete environmental clearance for the Downtown Specific Plan (DSP).
A program level Environmental Impact Report (Program EIR) is required by State of
California law in order to consider adoption of the draft DSP.
On January_ 22, 2013, the Council accepted the Metro grant for preparation of the DSP
Program EIR and approved a contract with AMEC for $601,000 to prepare the DSP
Program EIR. On March 18 2014 Council authorized a first modification to Contract No.
9687 in the amount of $170,000 to allow AMEC to conduct additional work necessary to
respond to Community, Planning Commission and Council requests and to complete
the Downtown Specific Plan and Program EIR. On November 26, 2014 the City
Manager's office executed a contract extension allowing AMEC to continue to provide
services through December, 2015
The Council has reviewed components of the Downtown Specific Plan and the CEQA
parameters to be studied in the EIR at public meetings on February 28, 2012, Jul. 9
2013 and August 13 2013.
Discussion
The draft Downtown Specific Plan (DSP) builds on the foundation of work provided by
the Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE) and outlines a path to improve multi -
modal circulation and reduce single occupancy vehicle trips through a combination of
land use and management strategies, capital improvements, and operations policies.
The DSP is part of implementing the LUCE's citywide goal of eliminating new vehicle
trips in the congested evening peak hour (no net new p.m. peak hour trips). Preserving
and enhancing the pedestrian environment is a cornerstone of the DSP, building on the
success of the area as a local, regional, and international destination for walkers.
The DSP's blueprint for improving circulation and access for all modes of transportation
includes dozens of action items including short-, medium -, and long -term items that will
provide a more comfortable pedestrian realm, improve traffic flow, increase visibility and
options for parking, and address vehicle trips through transportation demand
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management strategies including the development of a TMO (Transportation
Management Organization).
To improve automobile flow, the DSP explores a host of strategies that would distribute
cars directly and efficiently to their destinations. Analysis includes evaluation of focused
one -way street options and their effect on the streets and circulation system as a whole.
The analysis includes a 4th Street southbound and 5th Street northbound couplet
between Colorado Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard. Modeling results shows limited
benefits to automobile flow, and those benefits do not appear to substantially contribute
to the overall network in a way that would offset the losses in direct access, efficient
transit function and comfortable pedestrian travel.
Following the release of the draft DSP, on -going communications and interdepartmental
meetings have provided additional interest to study a broader one -way street network.
The study would evaluate system performance from a number of perspectives, provide
information on potential benefits, explore strategies that could improve the pedestrian
experience and ensure access to parking structures, and include information that
addresses navigability challenges for visitors unfamiliar with the Downtown that are
typically associated with a one -way street network.
This contract modification would provide resources for AMEC to complete additional
circulation studies, synthesize data produced by the studies, include the results as an
alternative in the EIR and attend meetings and hearings in conjunction with the study.
The circulation studies would include assessment of the performance of a potential one -
way street network and its effects on automobile flow, level of service, existing and
future bike facilities, pedestrian access, wayfinding and legibility, trip length, vehicle
miles traveled, and impact on Big Blue Bus operations. Completion of the DSP EIR is
required by State law prior to consideration of adoption of the final DSP, and provides
an important public information and review process that complements the three years of
outreach that has been conducted for the Downtown Specific Plan.
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Contractor Selection
On September 25, 2012, a Request for Proposals for preparation of a Downtown
Specific Plan Program Environmental Impact Report (Program EIR) was issued to three
qualified firms on the City's Pre - Qualified list of environmental consultants. Based on
the selection criteria in SMMC 2.24.072 as well as the firm's demonstrated knowledge
of the City and CEQA, strong record of preparing legally defensible environmental
documentation in the City and other jurisdictions, comprehensive scope of work, and
flexible approach, AMEC was selected as the best bidder to provide environmental
consulting services for the DSP.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The contract modification amount to be awarded to AMEC Environment & Infrastructure,
Inc. is $120,000 for an amended contract total not to exceed $891,000. Funds are
available in the following accounts:
S010210.589000
01267.555060
Prepared by: Travis Page, Senior Planner
Approved:
X II\ r
vid Martin
Director, Planning and Community
Development
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$70,000
$50,000
Total $120,000
Forwarded to Council:
Rod Gould
City Manager
Reference:
Amended Contract No. 9687
(CCS)