REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL July 26, 2018 FROM: JENNIFER K. CLARK, AICP, Director Development and Resource Management Department BY: MIKE SANCHEZ, AICP, Assistant Director Development and Resource Management Department BONIQUE EMERSON, AICP, Planning Manager Development and Resource Management Department SUBJECT ..Title Action to extend a professional services agreement with the firm of AECOM Technical Services, (AECOM) through December 31, 2018 to complete the High Speed Rail Station Area Master Plan. ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends City Council take the following actions: 1. Authorize the Director of the DARM Department to extend a professional services agreement with the firm of AECOM through December 31, 2018. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY On August 25, 2011, the Council adopted a resolution amending the AAR to appropriate $900,000 from the CHSRA in the Public Works Department budget for preparation of the Master Plan. On March 29, 2012, the Council adopted a resolution to appropriate $120,000 from Fresno COG for the Master Plan and to transfer the funds from the Public Works Department to the DARM Department. In June of 2012, staff prepared the Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit proposals from teams of professional planners, architects, engineers and municipal finance consultants for preparation of the Master Plan. Eight firms submitted proposals and, after an extensive interview process, AECOM was chosen as the best firm to accomplish all needed tasks. On July 31, 2014, Council adopted the resolution appropriating $1,020,000 for the preparation of the Master Plan, $966,100 of which was consulting services and $53,900 was for miscellaneous City expenses. The Council also authorized the Director of the DARM Department to enter into a professional services agreement with the firm of AECOM in the amount not to exceed $966,068, utilizing funding from the CHSRA and Fresno COG. This contract expired on June 30, 2018 and this request will extend the contract for an additional six months to allow for completion of the plan. BACKGROUND Purpose of the Station Area Master Plan The Master Plan is intended to provide a vision for the Station Area that builds upon the City's existing (and proposed) plans and policies, while maximizing the long term benefits of this public investment. The Master Plan will identify strategies for future development while supporting the station's urban setting, operations, passenger access, parking and intermodal connectivity. The City desires a complete and inclusive Master Plan that prepares the City to take advantage of all potential benefits associated with the implementation of a major regional multi-modal transportation facility that will link Fresno to the economic centers of Northern and Southern California. This Master Plan will further implement and refine the Fulton Corridor Specific Plan, which anticipates and make some recommendations for the Station Area, but does not provide the level of needed detail that this Master Plan will provide. A final draft of the plan has been circulated to the High Speed Rail Authority for review. Staff hopes to release the final plan in the next few months and hold one final public meeting along with a Developer summit at the time of release. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this item does not qualify as a "project"; therefore it is exempt from the CEQA requirements. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference was not considered because this item does not include a bid or award of a construction or service contract. FISCAL IMPACT The requested Council authorization will not have an impact to the General Fund as all funding for Station Area Master Plan consulting services by AECOM will be provided by the California High Speed Rail Authority. Attachment: Consultant Contract Extension