AgdaPkt 2010-02-01 clsd and regular

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7A Page 3 City staff intends to recommend that the City Council approve an initial contract with the selected lead consultant to help craft the approach for the CEQA process. This process would likely involve review of the Tier One topics, consideration of additional topics (i.e. "Tier Two" and "Tier Three"), and the development of pre-scoping informational meeting( s) and public workshop( s). The purpose of the pre-scoping informational meeting(s) is to provide the public an opportunity to understand the CEQA process so that they may participate in an informed and effective way. The purpose of the public workshop is to provide the community an opportunity to discuss the analysis presented in the Tier One Summary Reports. Following the initial contract, staff would return to City Council for confirmation of scope of work, sub-consultants, schedule, and contract amendments for the lead environmental consultant. Once the contract has been approved, staff and the environmental consultant would begin the CEQA process, pursuant to CEQA law. The first step in the CEQA process will include a pre-scoping informational meeting and public workshop. A Notice of Preparation (NOP) that reflects public input will then be prepared and circulated for public comment. In general, the CEQA process will emphasize considerable opportunity for community engagement and participation. ALTERNATIVES The Tier One Summary Reports have not identified any insurmountable issues. Therefore, per the City Council's direction of September 14, 2009, City staff will proceed with the review and processing of the Saltworks development proposal consistent with the provisions established in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), unless otherwise directed by the City Council. Additionally, if the City Council determines that additional review or analysis is necessary for one or more of the Tier One topics or alternative issues, the City Council may direct staff to conduct further study of the issue( s) prior to initiating CEQA review. City Discretion During CEQA Process In initiating the CEQA process, the City is not making any commitment to approve the project. The City retains full discretion to approve the project, to impose conditions on the project, to approve an alternative to the project, or to disapprove the project. Although any decision to approve the project cannot be made until after the City certifies an EIR, the City need not await the certification of the EIR in order to disapprove the project. FISCAL IMPACT The development proposal is subject to the Redwood City Planning Services cost recovery system. The applicant has submitted deposits to cover the cost of staff time needed for reviewing the development proposal. The applicant has also submitted funds to the City to cover the costs of any and all consultants. As additional consultants are hired or additional funds are necessary the applicant will be required to submit additional deposits. All costs for processing the Saltworks application are 100 percent reimbursable, and no City funds will be impacted by virtue of the process.