2005 AGN OCT 18 I17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY OF COLTON AGENDA REPORT FOR COUNCIL MEETING OF October 18, 2005 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: Josefina M. Kenline, Principal Management Analyst SUBJECT: Approve the Agreement with LSA Associates, Inc6por2fted to prepare a Biological Assessment and Authorize the Budget Amendment in an Amount Not To Exceed $26,900. DATE: October 12, 2005 BACKGROUND: ITEM #17 During Fiscal Year 2004/05, LSA Associates, Inc. prepared a Biological Assessment for the City of Colton, which resulted in a Formal Section 7 Consultation from the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) for certain City of Colton Public Development Projects. These projects included: • Widening and adding curb and gutter to a .26 acre portion of San Bernardino Avenue just east of Eucalyptus Avenue. • Developing a 6.99 acre section of Hermosa Cemetery • Developing 4.15 acres at the North East Corner of Valley and Meridian. The Biological Assessment addressed how the City would protect the Delhi Sands Flower -Loving Fly (DSF), and ultimately resulted in the City receiving approval from USFWS to allow development in these areas. Staff is recommending that the City prepare another Biological Assessment to evaluate the remaining affected areas within City limits that are impacted by the DSF. The request comes after numerous unsuccessful meetings with the USFWS, to mitigate land for conservation and development. Staff advises that the City hire a biologist to prepare a Biological Assessment for remaining properties within the City of Colton that are considered by the USFWS to be impacted by the DSF. DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS: Staff advocates the use of a biologist so that the impact the DSF is having on Colton can be professionally assessed by a neutral individual who has expertise in the field. Staff is recommending that the City hire Denise Woodard, the same LSA Biologist used by the City on the above mentioned Section 7, to prepare another separate biological assessment for the remaining properties affected by the DSF. Ms. Woodward has proven to the City her competence and ability to perform the services needed, and thus is recommended to do this assessment. She is one of the few biologists with a certification from USFWS allowing her to work on DSF matters. Colton Municipal Code Section 3.08.140(E) authorizes the City Council, in limited circumstances, to award a professional services agreement to a consultant without a formal RFP process. Section 3.08.140(E) provides as follows: Competitive bidding,