REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL April 22, 2021 FROM: JENNIFER K. CLARK, Director Planning and Development Department BY: DREW WILSON, Supervising Planner Planning and Development Department SUBJECT ..Title Approve the third amendment to the consultant services agreement with Raimi + Associates for professional services related to the Central Southeast Specific Plan to extend the contract term length to December 31, 2021 with no increase in funding. ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends City Council authorize the Director of Planning and Development or designee to sign the Third Amendment to the Consulting Services Agreement with Raimi + Associates for professional services related to the Central Southeast Specific Plan to extend the contract term length to December 31, 2021 with no increase in funding. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In June 2017, after an RFP consultant selection process, the City entered into an agreement with Raimi + Associates to provide professional environmental planning services related to the Central Southeast Specific Plan. As the plan has progressed, it has benefitted from a robust public steering committee and consistent community engagement. Due to several state law changes and the evolving community discussions, the City subsequently entered into two amendments (in 2019 and 2020) to extend the contract term length with Raimi-this would be the third request to do so, with no additional funding. Although staff have experienced delays navigating the implications of Senate Bills 330, 743, and 1000 on this specific plan, the approval of this amendment will allow for the completion of a public review draft within the next few weeks. Additionally, a series of outreach events are currently scheduled through June to provide the community opportunities to learn about the plan and provide input. Adoption of the plan and the associated environmental document will be brought before the council by Fall 2021. More information on the scheduled outreach events can be found at www.fresno.gov/CESESP. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15478, this item does not qualify as a "project" for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference was not implemented because this is an amendment from an existing agreement. FISCAL IMPACT There are no budget impacts as there is no increase in funding. Attachments: 1. Raimi Third Amendment