(8)AR 080310 RBF Consulting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Staff Report to the Mayor and City Council Agency Chair and Board Members Professional Services Agreement with RBF Consulting August 3, 2010 Page 2 On October 27, 2009, the Council and Redevelopment Agency authorized a reduction in the contract with MBA in the amount of $35,000, and authorized a new Professional Services Agreement in the amount of $35,000 with PBS&J for the HCP services. ISSUES/ANALYSIS Dr. Thomas McGill, Consultant, is a leading expert in the preparation of Habitat Conservation Plans for the Delhi Sands Flower -Loving Fly (DSF). Dr. McGill was the key staff member working for Michael Brandman Associates before moving to PBS&J. His move prompted the move of HCP services from MBA to PBS&J. Staff believes Dr. McGill is the best qualified resource to complete the HCP. Some work on the HCP was completed by Dr. McGill while he was with PBS&J, but he has since moved to RBF Consulting. Staff has provided notice of termination of the agreement with PBS&J, and recommends that the City Council ratify that action and move the remaining $23,800 on that contract to fund the majority of the contract with RBF for completion of the HCP, and recommends adding $12,000 for an on-site habitat assessment survey of the property during DSF flight season. In mid-September, following the assessment, Dr. McGill and City Staff will meet with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ("USFWS") staff to review findings and strategize conservation options for the HCP. RBF will then prepare a final draft HCP and work with USFWS to determine a final conservation plan. Once finalized and accepted, RBF will prepare and present a 10 (a) application, which, when approved, will delineate the habitat areas to be conserved and allow development to occur in the WVSPA. The Consultant is confident that this work will be completed by December, 2010. The additional $12,000 for the habitat assessment by a qualified biologist with a USFWS Permit will allow the HCP to contain the most recent data from the current flight season, which is often required by USFWS. Since the flight season is short, this will help move the HCP toward completion by the end of this year. FISCAL IMPACTS The remaining $23,800 from the PSA with PBS&J will be used to fund the RBF Contract, from 879-9000-9700-2350, with $12,000 in funds from 886-9000-9000-2350, RDA Professional Services. ALTERNATIVES 1. Not approve the PSA with RBF, which could slow the efforts to negotiate a satisfactory HCP with UFWS. 2. Provide alternative direction to staff.