Title
Planning and Building Department recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Second Amendment to Agreement 236-S1710 with Ascent Environmental, Inc., changing the Contract Administrator, extending the term of the contract by an additional three years with a revised expiration of October 5, 2022 and increasing the compensation amount by $100,000 for a total not-to-exceed amount of $400,000, with no change to the scope of work.
FUNDING: Applicant Funded.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Pursuant to Agreement for Services #236-S1710, Ascent Environmental Inc. (Ascent) has been in contract with the County to assist the Planning and Building Department in providing on-call planning and environmental services for specific plan projects since October 6, 2016. The first Amendment to Agreement for Services #236-S1710, dated April 25, 2017, involved a change in Contract Administrator, increased the total amount of compensation to $300,000, and expanded the scope of work to include planning and environmental services for other development project applications.
This Second Amendment includes changing the Contract Administrator to Rommel (Mel) Pabalinas, Planning Manager, extending the term of the contract by three years to expire on October 5, 2022, and increasing the compensation amount by $100,000 for a total not-to-exceed amount of $400,000.
Ascent is currently assisting the Planning and Building Department in processing several major development applications, including Central El Dorado Hills Specific Plan, Village of Marble Valley Specific Plan, Lime Rock Valley Specific Plan, and Montano De El Dorado Phase 1 and 2 Commercial Development (Projects). Approximately $65,000 of the $300,000 not-to-exceed amount has been expended. This amendment would allow the Department to finalize the Projects with Ascent’s assistance. In addition, the County could rely on Ascent for additional planning and environmental services for current and anticipated development projects on an on-call basis.
ALTERNATIVES
The current Agreement for Services #236-S1710 expires on October 5, 2019. Should the Board decide not to approve this Second Amendment, existing staff would have to absorb the additional work needed to complete the processing of the existing Projects. Existing County planning staff is currently fully tasked. An increased staff workload would cause delays to other applications currently being processed and future development projects as they arise.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel and Risk Management
CAO RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The Planning and Building Department expects to spend $100,000 of the $400,000 in Fiscal Year 2019-20. Sufficient appropriations for this Amendment are included in the Department's Fiscal Year 2019-20 Budget, and will be included in budget requests for future fiscal years. However, all expenditures will be reimbursed by developer funding. There is no change to Net County Cost associated with this item.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain the Chair’s signature on two originals of the Second Amendment to Agreement 236-S1710 with Ascent Environmental, Inc.; and
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed original of the Second Amendment to Agreement 236-S1710 with Ascent Environmental, Inc. to the Planning and Building for transmittal to the Consultant.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Good Governance: Evaluate requests and recommendations based on complete assessment of the best available information, with the goal of reaching well informed decisions.
CONTACT
Tiffany Schmid, Planning and Building Director
Planning and Building Department