(13)AR 110607 Duane Morita - Laserfiche WebLink

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ITEM #13 CITY OF COLTON AGENDA REPORT FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 6, 2007 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: David R. Zamora, Community Development Director SUBJECT: Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Duane Morita in the Amount of $50,000 for Environmental Consulting Services for the Community Development Department DATE: October 29, 2007 BACKGROUND: The Community Development Department is requesting City Council approval of a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Duane Morita to continue providing environmental consulting services for new project development applications. Mr. Morita has been providing consulting services to the Community Development Department since August of 2004, when the City Manager approved a Letter of Agreement for Professional Services in the amount of $25,000. Subsequent amendments to the agreement were approved by the City Council on April 20, 2005 ($15,000) and on October 4, 2005 ($50,000). All of the contract funds have been exhausted and a new agreement is required in order to allow Mr. Morita to proceed with the preparation of CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) documents for development projects currently under review. Mr. Morita prepares Environmental Assessments/Initial Studies that are required by state and local guidelines for compliance with CEQA. Under the Scope of Services, he is required to report to the Community Development Department one day per week to prepare and process environmental assessments for the more complex development projects proposed in the City. Compensation for the Services is based on the actual amount of time spent in preparing the initial studies at an hourly rate of ninety-eight dollars ($98.00). Staff is requesting approval of a new PSA in the amount of $50,000. ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION: The PSA will allow the Consultant to continue providing professional environmental services to the Community Development Department for new development applications requiring the preparation of an environmental assessment/initial study. The Community Development Department represents the City of Colton as the Lead Agency for most development applications for permits or other entitlements for public and private use. As the Lead Agency, the Community Development Department must determine if a proposed activity is a project subject to CEQA. In some cases, the Community Development Department may determine that the proposed project is "Exempt' from CEQA and will prepare and file a Notice of Exemption (NOE) when the project has been approved. If a project is not determined to be Exempt from CEQA, the preparation of an Initial Study will be required. The preparation of an Initial Study can be very time consuming and requires the Consultant to review and analyze reports, studies, files, data, and prior environmental documents in order to adequately prepare the environmental assessment of proposed projects. Once completed, the Initial Study is circulated to the public and Responsible Agencies for comments. If the public or any outside agency submits comments to the