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78 Page 2 downtown projects are proposed, developers will not have to do anv additional environmental work, or at the most must prepare minor supplemental analysis. In the long run this EIR will save developers time and money, and thereby facilitate and expedite development in the downtown. EIR Consultants In the interest of time and costs, the City directly contracted with a traffic engineering firm who is currently writing the traffic section of the EIR.2 Now the City is ready to select a "master" EIR Consultant who will coordinate and write all sections of the EIR excluding the traffic and engineering sections. The City originally requested proposals from five EIR firms, but only two firms responded with proposals. Of the two, Wagstaff and Associates was the lowest at $248,3803. Planning staff has worked with this firm in the past and finds that the consultant does quality work. Please see Attachment 1: EIR Preparation Task List and Cost Estimate. Due to time and calendar constraints, staff was not able to prepare and attach the consultant's contracts to this staff report. However, after consultation with the City Attorney's and Manager's Office, staff recommends that the City Council authorize staff to begin work with the Wagstaff and Associates up to a cost of $60,000. (Staff has a signed letter of agreement with the Consultant. See Attachment 2 ). Subsequently, staff will then submit the contract to the City Council for full authorization as a consent calendar item at its meeting on March 27. Such a process would save time and we can then begin work almost immediately on the EIR. The City will also eventually need to hire an Engineering Consultant who will write the EIR's section on public utilities and will specifically recommend needed infrastructure improvements to support growth in the Downtown. This study will need to be very thorough and thus requires significant engineering analysis. The City is currently reviewing proposals from three consultants and will be bringing back a recommendation and contract to the City Council. It is anticipated that staff will also present this item to the City Council on March 27 under the consent calendar. It is estimated that it will take approximately 5 months from the approval of the agreements to complete the draft EIR with public hearings beginning sometime in the summer. In the meantime, staff is working with the Urban Design consultant, Freedman Tung & Bottomley, (FTB) to prepare the final draft Downtown Precise Plan. Urban Design Consultants This report also recommends that additional money be added to the scope of services with FTB for the Downtown Precise Plan. The original scope was created over two years ago. 2 The City Council approved a contract with Korve Engineers on January 9, 2006 3 Includes a contingency fund of 15% 1:2006 STAFF REPORTS_02-2006_Precise Plan EIR 2 ~ -----.." .-." ... ._. ....~_.-._. '--"----'--..- .'-- ,.---- <---.- .....--..,.....-..-..........-..-. -- .