(11)AR 102108 Duane Morita - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

ITEM #11 CITY OF COLTON AGENDA REPORT FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 21, 2008 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: David R. Zamora, Community Development Director SUBJECT: Approve First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Duane Morita to Increase Compensation in the Amount of $50,000 for Environmental Consulting Services to the Community Development Department. DATE: October 14, 2008 BACKGROUND: Since August, 2004, the Community Development Department has retained the services of Duane Morita, a professional Planning and Environmental Services Consultant to prepare environmental assessments for city development projects. His Scope of Services requires him to report to the Community Development Department one day per week to review development applications and determine the appropriate documents to be prepared under the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), prepare the appropriate CEQA documentation, and assist staff with review and preparation of comments for CEQA documents received from adjacent jurisdictions. Compensation for the Services is based on the actual amount of time spent on assigned projects at an hourly rate of ninety-eight dollars ($98.00). On November 6, 2007, the City Council approved a $50,000 Professional Services Agreement (PSA) for Mr. Morita, and those funds have now been exhausted. Staff is requesting approval of a First Amendment to the PSA with Mr. Morita for an additional amount of $50,000 to continue the preparation of environmental assessments/initial studies for current and future Development Applications received by the Department. ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION: The First Amendment to 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, Mr. Morita, acting on behalf of 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, Mr. Morita is responsible for the preparation of an Initial Study if that is the