For City Council [February 12, 2019]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Sean Grayson, Interim City Administrator
FROM: Robb Steel, Assistant City Administrator/Development Services Director
Title
Request City Council to Approve a Professional Service Agreement for Biological Services for Habitat and Species including the Delhi Sands Flower Loving Fly for the Rialto Gateway Plaza parcel for maximum amount of $42,200.
Body
BACKGROUND:
The City contracted with a consultant to provide a Delhi Sands Flower Loving Fly (DSF) Two-Year Protocol Survey for the Rialto Gateway Plaza. The Gateway Plaza includes the 15-acre site located between the former Wal-Mart site and the Rialto Marketplace (Exhibit A). The City must perform a two-year protocol survey prior to development on any habitat area for the DSF. The prior year surveys showed no signs of the species on the property. However, if the City does not develop the site before the next mating season, the City must perform the protocol survey each year until development occurs. Rather than perform a study every year until development occurs and accept risk of a change in results, staff suggests preparation of a constraint level habitat assessment to remove the site from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) designated habitat area. A copy of the two-year protocol survey is attached as Exhibit B. A picture of the DSF is included as Exhibit C.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
The City received a scope of services (Exhibit D) from Rocks Biological Consulting Services ("Rocks"). Rocks Biological Consulting Services established a relationship with Rialto when they partnered with the City to develop a plan to mitigate presence of the burrowing owl in the Renaissance Specific Plan. The plan was aggressive and innovative. After several meetings with the City and Rocks, the USFWS accepted the plan. Rocks Biological Consulting has also established a relationship with USFWS and the firm has a biolog...
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