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Chief Administrative Office, Parks Division, recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement 2072 with Whitney Environmental Consulting, Inc., doing business as Foothill Associates (Consultant), for a term effective upon execution by both parties and to expire effective two years thereafter, in an amount not to exceed $70,932 to provide regulatory services for the permitting of the Sacramento Placerville Transportation Corridor-El Dorado County natural trail from Latrobe Road to Missouri Flat Road.
FUNDING: Accumulative Capital Outlay Fund.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Chief Administrative Office, Parks Division, recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement 2072 with Whitney Environmental Consulting, Inc., doing business as Foothill Associates (Consultant), for a term effective upon execution by both parties and to expire effective two years thereafter, in an amount not to exceed $70,932 to provide regulatory services for the permitting of the Sacramento Placerville Transportation Corridor-El Dordao County (SPTC-EDC) natural trail from Latrobe Road to Missouri Flat Road.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On May 3, 2016 the Board approved and authorized the Chair to sign Agreement 438-S1611 with Whitney Environmental Consulting, Inc., doing business as Foothill Associates to provide services that addressed the mitigation measures to conduct the biological, wetland, and cultural resources within or adjacent to the Sacrament Placerville Transportation Corridor associated with implementing and maintaining the natural trail. County staff and the Consultant walked the natural trail corridor to identify design solutions for the natural trail. The Consultant completed the studies and the assessment reports have been received.
The next phase of the natural trail is obtaining the regulatory permits. Outlined in Exhibit A, Scope of Work, in Agreement 2072, the Consultant will submit a Pre-Construction Notification to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), pursuant to the requirements for requesting authorization under the Federal Clean Water Act Section 404 Nationwide Permit 42 for the 16-mile natural trail corridor segment Latrobe Road Crossing to the western boundary of Railroad Park and then east of Railroad Park to Missouri Flat Road. Additionally, the Consultant will work with the Corps while it conducts a National Historic Preservation Act, Section 106 consultation to avoid unnecessary harm to cultural resources listed on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places as well as consultation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under Section 7 of the Federal Endangered Species Act. The Consultant will prepare and submit a 401 Water Quality Certification Application to the Regional Water Quality Control Board as well as a Streambed Alteration Notification to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. With both agencies, the Consultant will act as a liaison during the application review process and respond to questions, provide additional information and correspondence as needed. The final phases of the natural trail design will be with the Consultant providing support to County staff in the design refinement of the natural trail from El Dorado Road to Missouri Flat, excluding the Railroad Park. Upon completion of the refined natural trail alignment, the Consultant will quantify Oak Woodland and Elderberry impacts for the assessment area.
The Procurement and Contracts Division completed a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process for Community Development Agency (CDA) in February 2017 for a variety of project support services. A multi-jurisdictional panel evaluated and ranked each Statement of Qualifications and established, based on category of service, a short list of acceptable service vendors. Whitney Environmental Consulting, Inc dba Foothill Associates was ranked fifth and determined to be highly qualified to provide the environmental support services required in this Agreement. This consultant has completed all the studies and CEQA for the SPTC-EDC rail corridor through contract for services with El Dorado County Parks Division and SPTC-JPA, as well as CDA to complete the Class I trail studies and pedestrian over crossing and CEQA document. The RFQ process was conducted in accordance with Procurement Policy C-17.
The Parks Division of the Chief Administrative Office is recommending the Board approve Agreement 2072 with Whitney Environmental Consulting Inc., dba Foothill Associates to provide the services necessary to submit all regulatory applications with appropriate governmental agencies for the permitting of the SPTC-EDC natural trail from Latrobe Road to Railroad Park and Railroad Park east to Missouri Flat Road.
ALTERNATIVES
If the Board does not approve this contract, the project will not move forward.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Community Development Agency - Department of Transportation
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Regional Water Quality Control Board
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The cost for this phase of the SPTC project has been budgeted in the FY 2017-18 Accumulative Capital Outlay fund, and unspent funds will be re-budgeted in future years to cover the approved contract cost. There is no change in the Net County Cost.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Following Board approval, the Board Clerk will return one fully executed original of the Agreement to Procurement and Contracts for distribution and administration.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Vickie Sanders, Parks Manager
(530) 621-7538