REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL October 22, 2020 FROM: JENNIFER K. CLARK, Director Planning and Development Department BY: DANIEL ZACK, Assistant Director Planning and Development Department SUBJECT ..Title Approve a Consultant Services Agreement with De Novo Planning Group for environmental assessment services related to the proposed Southeast Fresno Regional Park and Soccer Complex in an amount not to exceed $100,000. ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends Council authorize the City Manager, or designee, to approve a Consultant Services Agreement with De Novo Planning Group for environmental assessment services related to the proposed Southeast Fresno Regional Park and Soccer Complex in an amount not to exceed $100,000. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Southeast Fresno Community Economic Development Association (SEFCEDA) is proposing to partner with the City of Fresno and other organizations for the development and construction of a regional park and soccer complex on a City-owned site a located at 2155 S. Peach Avenue. On June 30, 2020, the Fresno City Council approved funding for an environmental assessment of the proposed facility. Staff recommends that Council enter into a contract with De Novo Planning Group for these services. De Novo's scope of work will include several technical studies that will be used in the completion of an Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND). BACKGROUND On October 30, 2006 the US National Park Service transferred title of a 49-acre site located at 2155 S. Peach Avenue to the City of Fresno under a Property Title Transfer Agreement that commits the City of Fresno to build a park and recreation facilities there. Due to funding limitations and other conflicting priorities, the City of Fresno has not yet developed this site. SEFCEDA is proposing to partner with the City of Fresno and other organizations for the development and construction of a regional park and soccer complex on the site. On June 30, 2020, the Fresno City Council approved the allocation of $90,000 toward the proposed park. $24,500 was to be used for the design work and the preparation of a Proposition 68 Grant Application, while $65,500 was to be used for the completion of the environmental assessment. The additional funds needed for the environmental work will come from General City Purpose funds. City staff received proposals from three qualified firms: LSA, Crawford & Bowen, and De Novo Planning Group. De Novo's proposal was lowest in cost and had the quickest timeline in order to meet the Prop 68 grant application deadlines, therefore staff is recommending that Council authorize the City Manager, or designee, to enter into a Consultant Services Agreement with them for these services. De Novo's scope of work will include several technical studies that will be used in the completion of an Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND). The technical studies will include traffic, water supply, cultural, noise, biological resources, air quality, and a Phase 1 environmental site assessment. De Novo's projected project cost is $98,274, with a not-to-exceed amount of $100,000 in the contract. Once the Notice to Proceed is issued, it will take De Novo 65 calendar days to complete all technical studies and produce an Administrative Draft IS/MND, with approximately 40 days after that to produce the final document. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS The approval of this Agreement is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference was not implemented because only De Novo could meet the grant timeline required by the request for proposals. FISCAL IMPACT Funding for this item is appropriated in the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget. Attachment: Consultant Services Agreement