Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Second Amendment to an Agreement with Russell Resources for Environmental Consulting Services for Alameda Point Extending the Term for 15 Months and Adding $183,500 to the Budget. (Base Reuse 819099)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: John A. Russo, City Manager
Re: Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Second Amendment to an Agreement with Russell Resources for Environmental Consulting Services for Alameda Point Extending the Term for 15 Months and Adding $183,500 to the Project Budget
BACKGROUND
Russell Resources has provided crucial environmental consulting services regarding the Navy's remediation of the former Naval Air Station Alameda (Alameda Point) for the past ten years on behalf of the Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority (ARRA) and now on behalf of the City of Alameda. Russell Resources reviews, analyzes and comments on Navy documents; attends and represents the City at meetings with State and Federal environmental regulators, the Navy, and the Restoration Advisory Board (RAB); and provides professional expertise to City staff to allow full participation in the remediation decisions made by the Navy. Russell Resources also provides significant assistance to the City on environmental issues related to conveyance and development.
Russell Resources' original contract with the City of Alameda was approved on January 1, 2013 for $70,000, and expired June 30, 2013. The first amendment to the contract was approved on June 19, 2013 for $144,500. Russell Resources was previously under contract with the ARRA for a total of $789,100 since 2008.
DISCUSSION
Russell Resources has extensive familiarity with Alameda Point's environmental challenges. This knowledge is a crucial asset as the City moves forward with subsequent conveyances, as well as development plans, which are likely to include resolution of complex environmental issues. It is important that the City's consultant have full knowledge and history of issues at Alameda Point to interact effectively with the Navy, RAB, environmental regulators, the City Council, community, and staff on key environmental concerns.
Russell Resources' proposed scope of work for fiscal year 2014/2015 is summarized below:
· Review, and prepare comments on technical environmental documents published by the Navy, along with reports and work plans in support of the successful transfer and redevelopment of Alameda Point;
· Attend all Base Closure Team, RAB meetings and other technical meetings with the Navy, environmental regulators, and the City;
· Prepare a written summary of the highlights of RAB meetings for the City Council;
· Assist the City in facilitating future phases of conveyance and future development; and
· Draft a Site Management Plan for Phase 2 conveyance of Alameda Point to facilitate development consistent with the environmental conditions of the Alameda Point property; and facilitate its approval by the Navy and environmental regulators.
It is recommended that the Russell Resources contract be amended to extend the term for approximately 15 months and to add $183,500 to the project budget for a total of $398,000. The amended agreement would expire on June 30, 2015.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact to the City's General Fund. Funds for Alameda Point environmental services will come from the Base Reuse Department Lease Revenue budget (Fund 858 Division 819099).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a project 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, pursuant to CEQA Guideline section 15378.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to execute a second amendment to the agreement with Russell Resources for environmental consulting services for Alameda Point extending the term by 15 months and adding $183,500 to the project budget.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Ott, Chief Operating Officer - Alameda Point
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Fred Marsh, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Second Amendment to Consultant Agreement with Russell Resources