REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director Planning and Development Department BY: SOPHIA PAGOULATOS, Planning Manager Planning and Development Department NADIA SALINAS, Project Manager Planning and Development Department SUBJECT ..Title Approve the Seventh Amendment to the consultant services agreement with Ascent Environmental, Inc., extending the contract performance period to December 31, 2024, for the South-Central Specific Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR). ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the City Council approve the amendment to the consultant services agreement with Ascent Environmental, Inc., to extend the contract performance period from December 31, 2023, to December 31, 2024, and to authorize the City Manager or her designee to sign the agreement. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Planning and Development Department proposes to extend the contract performance period of the consultant agreement with Ascent Environmental, Inc. to accommodate augmented review necessary to complete the EIR for the South-Central Specific Plan. BACKGROUND The City Council most recently acted on this item in October of 2022, approving a scope amendment of $211,310 for additional analysis including traffic, noise, air quality and utilities studies. A water supply assessment was also included. This amendment established a contract completion date of December 31, 2023. For more information on EIR background and milestones, see Exhibit A. The time extension is requested to provide augmented review for the remainder of the project. This includes an in-depth review of the administrative draft EIR and the Final EIR, including Response to Comments. Milestones of the updated timeline are as follows: * March-April: 45-Day Public Comment Period for Draft South Central Specific Plan EIR * April-July: Draft EIR Comment Analysis and Response to Comments * August-September: Planning Commission and City Council Hearings ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS This approval is not a project for the purposes of CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference was not implemented because this item is an amendment to an existing contract. FISCAL IMPACT None, contract amendment does not require additional funds. ATTACHMENTS: Seventh Amendment Consultant Service Agreement Exhibit A - EIR Background