REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Amendment No. 2 to the Agreement with Raimi & Associates, Inc., for preparation of the El Camino Real Specific Plan [Council Pillar: Promote and Enhance Economic, Housing and Transportation Development]
Report
BACKGROUND
The City is in the process of preparing a Specific Plan for the El Camino Real corridor. The Specific Plan would help to implement the City’s General Plan goals and policies for the corridor by providing more detailed guidance for future land uses and urban design elements. The development of the El Camino Real Specific Plan is primarily funded by a Priority Development Area (PDA) Planning Assistance Grant that the City received from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) in March 2015. The grant included a performance deadline that required completion of the Specific Plan by June 30, 2020, which has now been extended by MTC to June 30, 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Following receipt of the grant, the City conducted a consultant selection process and selected a consultant team led by Raimi & Associates Inc. The City negotiated a scope for the consultant’s work and entered into a contract agreement with the consultant team to assist with preparation of the Specific Plan. MTC and the City Council both reviewed and accepted the schedule and scope of work for the Specific Plan and the project is on schedule for completion prior to the MTC performance deadline.
DISCUSSION
The consultant’s work performance to date is consistent with the approved scope and terms of their original Agreement with the City; however, the project has experienced unforeseen delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic that prevented key elements of public participation from taking place.
Staff is proposing Amendment No. 2 to the Agreement with Raimi & Associates Inc. to extend the term of the Agreement to September 30, 2021 to allow Raimi to be engaged through completion of the Specific Plan and subsequent implementation activities. The Agreement term extension will allow for the consultant to complete the outstanding tasks from the scope of work, which include: 1) circulation of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR); 2) holding the community open house to present the Draft Plan; and 3) preparing the final draft of the Plan following its adoption by City Council.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed amendment does not include changes to the existing project budget and, therefore, has no fiscal impact.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Finance Department and City Attorney’s office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov>.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 2 to the Agreement for the Performance of Services with Raimi & Associates, Inc., for preparation of the El Camino Real Specific Plan to extend the term of the Agreement.
Staff
Reviewed by: Andrew Crabtree, Director of Community Development
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Amendment No. 2 to Agreement with Raimi & Associates, Inc.
2. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement with Raimi & Associates, Inc.
3. Original Agreement with Raimi & Associates, Inc. (2017)