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6.1 C <br /> Page 1 <br /> REPORT <br /> To the Honorable Mayor and City Council <br /> From the City Manager <br /> November 22, 2010 <br /> SUBJECT <br /> Professional Services Agreement with David Powers and Associates for the Finger Avenue <br /> Project <br /> RECOMMENDATION <br /> Approve an agreement for environmental consulting services with David Powers and Associates <br /> for preparation of the 50, 80 and 88 Finger Avenue Project Environmental Impact Report (EIR). <br /> BACKGROUND <br /> On October 26, 2009, the City Council approved a Planned Development Permit and Vesting <br /> Tentative Map for the "Finger Avenue ProjecY', a nine (9) unit single-family residential <br /> development on 1.5-acres, located at 50, 80 and 88 Finger Avenue. As a result of a challenge to <br /> the environmental review associated with the project, the project applicant, petitioners, and the <br /> City entered into a July 29, 2010, court approved settlement agreement which governs the <br /> currently proposed environmental review. <br /> Provided that the applicant makes no significant project changes that would alter the scope of <br /> necessary environmental review, the environmental impact report (EIR) will evaluate the <br /> following potential environmental impacts related to the project: 1) aesthetics; 2) cultural <br /> resources; 3) Cordilleras Creek impacts relating to storm water runoff, geology, water quality, <br /> biology, erosion and bank stability (including impacts to the potential restoration of the creek <br /> related to the City's allowance of development within 25 feet of the creek bank pursuant to <br /> section 32.12 of the City's Municipal Code); 4) traffic safety; 5) parking; and 6) land <br /> use/neighborhood compatibility. <br /> By law, the City has the obligation to make an independent assessment of the work that is <br /> necessary for a complete and thorough environmental analysis. The environmental analysis for <br /> this project currently contemplates that up to five project alternatives may be evaluated: two <br /> alternatives required by the Settlement Agreement; the "No ProjecY' alternative required by the <br /> California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and potentially two additional alternatives defined <br /> by the City, including options related to the Court ordered alternatives in that there are multiple <br /> ways to express those alternatives. <br /> Staff recently held scoping interviews with two environmental consulting firms, David Powers and <br /> Associate and ICF International (formerly Jones and Stokes), to request proposals for an <br /> analysis of the potential environmental impacts associated with the Finger Avenue project <br /> consistent with the Settlement Agreement. David Powers and Associates was selected because <br /> their proposal best responded to the project's needs with respect to basic scope of work as well <br /> as a range of optional tasks that may or may not be required. Their proposal, including sub- <br /> 1 <br />