Item 6-M

Council Meeting: July 13, 1999
Santa Monica, California

TO: Mayor and City Council

FROM: City Staff

SUBJECT: Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute a Contract with Culbertson/Adams Associates, Inc. for Preparation of Separate Environmental Impact Reports for the Virginia Avenue Park Expansion Project and for the Airport Park on Non-Aviation Land at Santa Monica Airport

 

 

Introduction

This report recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with Culbertson, Adams & Associates, Inc. for the preparation of environmental documents in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the Virginia Avenue Park Expansion Project and in compliance with CEQA for the Airport Park on non-aviation land at Santa Monica Airport. The contract amount shall not exceed $148,085 including $10,495 in contingency funds.

Background

Virginia Avenue Park Expansion - The Virginia Avenue Park Expansion project is a major element of the City=s strategy to enhance the Pico neighborhood and address the recreational needs of the community. The community design process for the initial expansion site at the northwest corner of Pico and Cloverfield Boulevards was completed in February, 1999. As this concept planning process was nearing completion, City Council approved the purchase of two parcels located adjacent to the existing park to the west. In order to incorporate these two new parcels into the concept design for the park expansion, Takata Associates, the project architect, has augmented its consultant team to include the architectural firm of Koning Eizenberg Associates. A working group comprised of representatives from the Recreation and Parks Commission, Virginia Avenue Park Advisory Board, Planning Commission and neighborhood youth representatives has been formed and has begun holding public meetings with the community, city staff and the consultant team to direct the incorporation of these two new parcels into the proposed concept plan. Once a concept plan for the park expansion is approved by the City Council in late fall 1999, environmental review must be performed. This may include the need to amend the Federal Environmental Assessment required by NEPA for the purchase of the sites since CDBG funds are intended to be used for the construction phase of the project.

Airport Park Project - In July 1997, the City Council conceptually approved the Airport Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study. Funds for the necessary environmental review were budgeted in FY98-99. The project includes 5 acres of play fields with lawn areas, playground equipment and restrooms, an off leash dog area and parking, all in the area immediately north of Airport Avenue. It also includes streetscape improvements to Airport Avenue.

As part of the City Council=s conceptual approval, staff was directed to analyze including artist live/work space at the airport in the EIR. A study of the feasibility of developing live/work/affordable studio space for artists throughout the community is underway. This study will evaluate the feasibility of locating these uses along Airport Avenue. Staff recommends that an evaluation of the environmental issues associated with specific artist live/work space identified in this study be performed separately from the EIR for the Airport Park.

Discussion

City staff issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to seven firms for the preparation of the two environmental documents and received proposals from two teams - Culbertson Adams and Associates (with Kaku Associates and Mestre Greve Associates as subconsultants) and The Chambers Group (with Kaku Associates and LFR Levine-Fricke as subconsultants). The proposals were reviewed by staff from the Departments of Community and Cultural Services, Planning and Community Development, Resource Management and Environmental and Public Works Management. Based upon this review and the receipt of positive references, it is recommended that the City negotiate with Culbertson, Adams & Associates, Inc. to prepare these two EIR=s.

Culbertson, Adams & Associates, Inc. is a full service planning consulting firm that specializes in the preparation of environmental documents. Since their establishment in 1981, the firm has worked for many governmental agencies including the cities of Los Angeles, Malibu, Irvine and Newport Beach. They have assembled a team of experienced traffic engineers and noise consultants who are very familiar with issues in Santa Monica.

In addition to proceeding with the EIR for the project, staff is preparing a Request For Proposals (RFP) for design services for implementation of the park project. A recommendation on the selection of a design team for the improvements will be brought to Council in Fall 1999.

Budget/Financial Impact

Funds are available in the amount of $148,085 in the following CIP accounts:

Account number Amount
01-740-511-20096-8900-99188 $17,193.50 (includes $3115.00 in contingency)
19-740-511-20096-8900-99188 $46,626.50
01-740-511-20099-8900-99666 $84,265.00(includes $7380.00 in contingency)
TOTAL $148,085.00

 

Recommendation

Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with Culbertson, Adams & Associates, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $148,085 including $10,495 in contingency funds, for preparation of environmental analysis required in accordance with CEQA and NEPA for the Virginia Avenue Park Expansion and in accordance with CEQA for the Airport Park on non-aviation land at Santa Monica Airport.

Prepared by:

Barbara Stinchfield, Director
Karen Ginsberg, Assistant Director
Department of Community & Cultural Services

Jeff Mathieu, Director
Bob Trimborn, Airport Manager
Resource Management Department

Suzanne Frick, Director
Planning and Community Development Department