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Planning and Building Department, Planning Division, Long Range Planning Unit, recommending the Board consider the following regarding the update to the General Plan Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element:
1) In accordance with Chapter 3.13, Section 3.13.030 of County Ordinance Code, Contracting Out, find that due to the occasional nature, the ongoing aggregate of work to be performed is not sufficient to warrant the addition of a permanent position(s); and
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement 5185 with Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions, Inc. to assist the County with updating the Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element, with a not-to-exceed amount of $215,142 and a term of three years effective upon execution.
FUNDING: General Fund, with a contribution of $50,000 from the El Dorado County Water Agency.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element (Safety Element) is one of the seven General Plan Elements mandated by the State of California, as required by Government Code section 65302(g)(3) and (g)(4). On May 14, 2019, (File No. 19-0600, Item No. 33), the Board adopted Resolution of Intention 068-2019 to amend the Safety Element in accordance with Government Code section 65302 (g)(3), which states: Upon the next revision of the housing element on or after January 1, 2014, the Safety Element shall be reviewed and updated as necessary to address the risk of fire for land classified as state responsibility areas, as defined in section 4102 of the Public Resources Code, and land classified as very high fire hazard severity zones, as defined in section 51177.
The Safety Element Update also requires the County to address climate adaptation and resiliency strategies in accordance with Government Code section 65302 (g)(4), which states: Upon the next revision of a local hazard mitigation plan, adopted in accordance with the federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-390), on or after January 1, 2017, or, if a local jurisdiction has not adopted a local hazard mitigation plan, beginning on or before January 1, 2022, the Safety Element shall be reviewed and updated as necessary to address climate adaptation and resiliency strategies applicable to the city or county.
Additionally, the Safety Element shall also contain general hazard and risk reduction strategies complementary with those of the local hazard mitigation plan and in accordance with Assembly Bill (AB) 2140 General Plans: Safety Element (Gov. Code § 65302.6). The update must also be written in accordance with Senate Bill (SB) 379, Land Use: General Plan: Safety Element to include a climate change vulnerability assessment, measures to address vulnerabilities, and comprehensive hazard mitigation and emergency response strategy.
The Planning Division is requesting to enter into a three-year Agreement with Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions, Inc. for the provision of services necessary to update the County’s General Plan Safety Element’s goals, objectives, and policies along with a detailed Climate Vulnerability Assessment Report and California Environmental Quality Act documentation. Long Range Planning (LRP) staff independently authored a Request for Proposals (RFP) document utilized for this contract. Upon completion of the RFP package, LRP staff utilized the then current list of consultants from the RFQ #17-918-020 process. LRP staff sent the RFP to 35 consulting firms with specializations in Land Development, Land Use Planning, Project & Program Management, and Environmental Services. Of this outreach effort, the County received four (4) proposals from Michael Baker International, Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions, Inc., Ascent Environmental, and Analytical Environmental Services (AES). LRP staff convened a panel of reviewers from Long Range Planning, Environmental Management, and the El Dorado Water Agency to review and conduct independent assessments of each proposal. LRP staff then summarized and compiled scores from the individual reviews, and selected Wood Environment and Infrastructure as the consultant with the most appropriate and complete proposal.
In accordance with Chapter 3.13, Section 3.13.030 of County Ordinance Code, the Planning Division is recommending the Board concur that due to the temporary and occasional nature of this project; it would be more feasible for the selected consultant to perform these services and would not warrant the addition of permanent staff.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board may choose not to approve the proposed Agreement. This would result in the Planning Division’s inability to update the General Plan Safety Element as required by State law.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
On May 14, 2019 (File No. 19-0600, Item No. 33), the Board approved and adopted Resolution of Intention 068-2019 to amend the County’s General Plan by updating the Safety Element as required by State law.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel and Risk Management has approved the proposed Agreement.
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost associated with this item. Funding for this project has been included in the Fiscal Year 2020-21 budget. The El Dorado Water Agency has offered $50,000 in support this effort. Funding for the remaining services will be included in subsequent years’ budgets accordingly.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair’s signature on two (2) original copies of the Agreement; and
2) The Clerk of the Board will return one (1) fully-executed original Agreement to the Chief Administrative Office, Procurement and Contracts Division, for further processing.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety: The updated Safety Element will improve communication and coordination on public safety goals and objectives between the County departments and divisions, outside agencies, and the public.
CONTACT
Rob Peters, Deputy Director of Planning
Planning and Building Department