For Water Subcommittee Meeting March 26, 2026
TO: Water Subcommittee Members
APPROVAL: Sachin Chawla, Director of Utilities
FROM: Nicole Hemmans, Senior Administrative Analyst
Title
Staff Requests the Water Subcommittee Review and Provide Feedback on Amendment No. 3 to the Professional Services Agreement with Enplanners Inc., in the amount of $11,155, for additional Environmental Survey Services Associated with the Dr. June Hayes and Deborah Roberston Habitat Nature Center, formally known as the Rialto Habitat Nature Center (RHNC) Project. (ACTION).
Body
RECOMMNEDATION
Staff recommends that the Water Subcommittee Review and Provide Feedback on Amendment No. 3 to the Professional Services Agreement with Enplanners Inc., in the amount of $11,155, for additional Environmental Survey Services Associated with the Dr. June Hayes and Deborah Roberston Habitat Nature Center, formally known as the Rialto Habitat Nature Center (RHNC) Project.
BACKGROUND
On June 15, 2022, the Rialto Utility Authority (RUA) entered into a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Enplanners, Inc. to provide environmental consulting services related to the preparation of an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) and supporting technical studies for the RHNC project. Following the initial engagement, the Authority approved to expand the scope of services to support additional needs identified:
Amendment No. 1 (September 12, 2023) expanded the scope of work to include additional CEQA Plus documentation, technical studies, and tribal consultation assistance associated with the RHNC Project.
Amendment No. 2 (April 28, 2025) authorized additional regulatory permitting and processing services required to obtain approvals from resource agencies necessary for implementation of the RHNC Project.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
As the project progresses through environmental review and permitting, additional biological surveys are required. Amendment No. 3 authorizes Enplanners, Inc. through its subcontractor Carlson Strategic Land Solutions (CSLS), to conduct focused coastal California gnatcatcher (CAGN) surveys for the project area due to the presence of designated critical habitat within proximity to the project site.
The scope of work includes:
1. Literature review of prior reports and databases.
2. Protocol breeding season surveys conducted between March 15 and June 30.
3. Preparation of a results report to be submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
4. Project Management and Coordination with City Staff.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The requested action is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a Project means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
Approval of the proposed action also complies with the following City of Rialto Guiding Principles, General Plan Goals and Policies:
Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed the staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
The proposed amendment will increase the contract amount by $11,155 for a total not-to-exceed contract amount of $271,741. This will require a new appropriation in Fund 5680 Account No. 56807860-52011.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
There is no impact on the capital improvement budget with this action.