For City Council Meeting May 13, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: John Rossi, Interim Utilities Director
Toyasha Sebbag, Assistant to the City Manager
Title
Request the City Council/Rialto Utility Authority to: (1) Approve Contract Amendment No. 2 with Enplanners, Inc., in the Amount of $72,925, for a Revised Total Contract Amount not to Exceed $260,586, to Provide Regulatory Permitting and Processing Services for the Dr. June Hayes and Deborah Robertson Habitat Nature Center Project, and (2) Authorize the City Manager, or Designee, to Execute any and all Documents.
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council/Rialto Utility Authority:
1) Approve Contract Amendment No. 2 with Enplanners, Inc., in the amount of $72,925, for a revised total contract amount not to exceed $260,586, to provide regulatory permitting and processing services for the Dr. June Hayes and Deborah Robertson Habitat Nature Center Project; and,
2) Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute any and all documents.
BACKGROUND
The City of Rialto is advancing development of the Dr. June Hayes and Deborah Robertson Habitat Nature Center, a key environmental and community initiative supported by $5 million in federal grant funding. The project involves the creation of two habitat lakes utilizing treated effluent from the City's wastewater treatment plant to enhance habitat, water quality, and open space.
In 2022, the City entered into a professional services agreement with Enplanners, Inc. to prepare environmental documentation, including an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) under CEQA-Plus requirements. In 2023, Contract Amendment No. 1 expanded the scope to address additional CEQA-Plus and permitting needs.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
As the project moves toward implementation, regulatory permitting with multiple agencies is required. Contract Amendment No. 2 authorizes Enplanners, Inc., in partnership with subconsultant Carlson Strategic Land Solutions (CSLS), to prepare and process the following regulatory permits:
Task 1: Permit applications for diversion of treated effluent to fill the lakes (CDFW Lake/Streambed Alteration Agreement, RWQCB WDR).
Task 2: Permit applications for long-term lake maintenance and habitat support (including Long-Term Maintenance Agreements).
Task 3: Application processing and coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), and potentially the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Task 4: Coordination, strategic meetings, and support for Operations and Maintenance Plan development.
Task 5: Project management and City coordination by Enplanners.
These services are required to obtain final regulatory approvals necessary for the release of federal grant funds and environmental clearance under CEQA-Plus.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed 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
This action is consistent with Guiding Principle 3 in the General Plan:
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 amendment and approved it as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
The cost of Amendment No. 2 is $72,925, to be billed on a time-and-materials basis. The revised total not-to-exceed contract amount, including the original agreement and previous amendments, is $260,586. Funds are available in Account No. 56807860-52011.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
There is no Capital Improvement Budget impact associated with the proposed action.
Licensing
Prior to execution of the Professional Services Agreement Amendment, the vendor shall pay a Business License tax, as well as any additional Administration and State fees that might be required.