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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 1987-13286 Revised 10/26/87 RESOLUTION NO. 13286 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING THE AGREEMENT WITH RECON (REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS) FOR THE PREPARATION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED STATE ROUTE 125 CORRIDOR, AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE SAID AGREEMENT FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITY The City Council of the City of Chula Vista does hereby resolve as follows: WHEREAS, on June 23, 1987, the City Council heretofore accepted the State Route 125 Corridor Interim Facility Route Alignment and Financing Alternatives Study and directed staff to hire a consultant to prepare an Environmental Impact Report on a four-lane interim street facility with the proposed SR-125 corridor alignment, and WHEREAS, on July 10, 1987, a request for proposals was solicited by the Environmental Review Coordinator for preparation of an EIR and six proposals were received in response to the request, and WHEREAS, an EIR selection committee was formed to evaluate the proposals based upon criteria which included demonstration of necessary qualifications, adequate technical and financial resources, experience, record of performance and ability to adhere to the proposed schedule, and WHEREAS, Recon and Keller Environmental were selected as finalists and after oral interviews conducted on August 25, 1987, Recon (Regional Environmental Consultants) was selected as the recommended consultant, and WHEREAS, the cost for preparation of the EIR is to be paid for from development impact fees collected from the EastLake and Bonita Long Canyon developments, and WHEREAS, the City Council approved certain amendments to the project at its meeting of October 13, 1987. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Chula Vista does hereby amend the Scope of Work to require that: 1. The Consultant invite the Sweetwater Valley Civic Association to participate in their meetings to elicit community input. 2. It state that the City is not asking in advance that any particular findings be made. 3. The last sentence of the first paragraph in Section M dealing with growth inducement be deleted. 4. Each alternative location for 125 shall be portrayed graphically and evaluated equally and thoroughly. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Chula Vista does hereby approve the Agreement as amended with Recon (Regional Environmental Consultants) for the preparation of an environmental impact report for the proposed State Route 125 corridor, dated the 13th day of October, 1987, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference as if set forth fully herein. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor of the City of Chula Vista be, and he is hereby authorized and directed to execute said agreement for and on behalf of the City. Presented by Appro~ed as to form by ~ I' / re 3430a ADOPTED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF bHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA, this 13th day of Octal}at 19 87 ., by the following vote, to-~wit: AYES: Councilmembers MalcoZm~ Cox, I~oore, iIader, iv[cCandliss NAYES: Counci 1 members ~one ABSTAIN: Councilmembers ~one ABSENT: Councilmembers ~one ~Chulo Vista City Clerk kTE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO ) ss. CITY OF CHULA VISTA ) I, JENNIE M. FULASZ, CMC, CITY CLERK of the City of Chula Visto, Colifornio, DO HEREBY CERTIFY thor the obove ond foregoing is o full, true ond correct copy of RESOLUTION N0. ].3286 ,ond that the same hos not been amended or repeoled DATED. ~ City Clerk CHULA VISTA CC-660 AGREEMEMT BETWEEN THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA A~D RECON (REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS) FOR THE PREPARATION OF DRAFT AND FINAL ENVIROMMENTAL IMPACT REPORTS AND CANDIDATE CEQA FINDINGS FOR STATE ROUTE 125, A PROPOSED FOUR-LANE INTERIM STREET FACILITY AND FUTURE FREEWAY ALIGNMENT THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into this 13th day of October , 19 87, between the City of Chula Vista, hereinafter referred to as the "City," and Recon (Regional Environmental Consultants), hereinafter referred to as the "COntractor." It is understood and agreed to by both parties as follows: WHEREAS, it has been determined that the project described in Exhibit "A," and incorporated herein by this reference as if set forth in full, could have one or more significant environmental irapacts, and WHEREAS, the City requested proposals for the preparation of the draft and final EIR and candidate CEQA findings from consultants on the list of qualified consultants adopted by the City, and WHEREAS, the City has reviewed the proposal(s) and determined after consultation with other City departmental staff that the proposal by the above noted contractor was most acceptable, and, WHEREAS, the proposal, and any modifications, are referred to in this agreement as Exhibit 'B" and are incorporated herein as if set forth in full, and, WHEREAS, the contractor has signed this agreement, and WHEREAS, the City has allocated the sum of $52,184 to reimburse the contractor for the preparation of the draft and final EIR and CEQA findings. NOW THEREFORE IT IS MUTUALLY AGREED TO AND BETWEEN THE CITY AND CONTRACTOR AS FOLLOWS: I. Employment of Contractor The contractor is hereby employed by the City to perform all of the professional services hereinafter defined and described in connection with the preparation of the draft and final SIR's and candidate CEQA findings for the project herein described. The contractor does hereby agree to perform said professional services herelnafter described and defined for the compensation herein fixed. II. Duty of Contractor The contractor shall, in a good, professional manner at their own cost and expense, furnish all of the labor, technical, administrative, professlonal and other personnel, all supplies and materials, machinery, equipment, The City will serve as the Contract Administrator and a representative may be contacted at the Public Services Building, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula -- Vista, CA 92010, or by telephone at (619) 691-5101. All public statements and releases to the news media shall be the responsibility of the City. The contractor shall not publish or release news items, articles or present lectures on the project, either during the course of the study or after its completion, except on written concurrence of the City. V. Compensation Schedule The fee of not to exceed $52,184 shall be paid to the contractor in accordance with the following schedule: A. 35% of the total fee upon the signing of this agreement by both parties and upon the request of the contractor. B. 35% upon determination by the City that the draft EIR is adequate for distribution and review and upon request of the contractor. C. 20% upon submission of the final EIR to the County of San Diego Planning Commission and upon request of the contractor. D. 10~ upon certification of the final EIR by the decision making authority of the County of San Diego, or upon denial of the project and upon the request of the contractor, but in no case later than _ 90 days after submission of the flnal EIR to the County of San Diego Plannlng commission. VI. Default of the Contractor This agreement may be terminated by the City for default if the contractor breaches this agreement or if the contractor refuses or fails to pursue the work under this agreement or any phase of the work with such diligence which would assure its completion within s reasonable period of time. Termination of this agreement because of a default of the contractor shall not relieve the contractor from liability of such default. VII. Payment upon Default of Contractor In the case of termination of this a~reement for default of the contractor, the contractor shall be entitled to payment of the reasonable value of the work and services performed after execution of this agreement and prior to its termination, less the a~gregate of all sums previously paid to the contractor for work and services performed under the agreement and less any increase or additional costs or expenses incurred by any damages suffered by the City by reason of such default. -3- VIII. City's RiZht to Terminate Payment, Documents A. Motwithsta~ding any other section or provision of this agreement, the City shall have the absolute right at any time to terminate this agreement or any work to be performed pursuant to this agreement. B. In the event of termination of this agreement by the City in the absence of default of the contractor, the City shall pay the contractor the reasonable value of th~ services actually performed by the contractor up to the date of such termination, less the aggregate of all sums previously paid to the contractor for services performed after execution of this agreement and prior to its termination. C. The contractor hereby expressly waives any and all claims for damage or compensation arising under this agreement, except as set forth herein, in the event of such termination. D. In the event of termination of this agreement, and upon demand of the City, the contractor shall deliver to the City, all field notes, surveys, studies, reports, plans, drawings and all other materials and documents prepared by the contractor in performance of this a~reement, and all such documents and materials shall be the property of the City; provided however, that the contractor may retain copies for their own use and the City shall provide a copy of all such documents to the project proponents. IX. Modifications of Agreement This agreement may be amended by reason of changes in the scope of the project as described herein and the amount of any adjustment (increase or decrease) shall be determined by negotiations to the mutual satisfaction of the contractor and the City. Amendments are not effective between the parties unless in writing and signed by both parties. X. Indemnity The City, its agents, officers and employees, shall not be held liable for any claims, liabilitles, penalties, fines or for damage to any goods, properties or effects of any person whatsoever, nor for personal injuries to or deaths of any of them, if caused by or resultinE from any negligent acts or omission of the contractor or its a~ents, employees or representatives. The contractor further agrees to indemnify and save free and harmless the City and its authorized agents, officers, and employees against any of the foregoing liabilities and any cost and expenses incurred by the City on account of any claim therefor. In the event that a court of competent jurisdiction should determine that the City has no authority to provide by agreement for the performance of the hereinabove set forth professional services, the contractor nevertheless a~rees to assume the foregoing obligations and liabillties by -4- which it is intended by beth parties that the contractor aErees to indemnify and to save the City harmless from all claims arising by reason of the work done by the contractor. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this agreement on the day and year first hereinabove set forth. ReEional [nvironmental Consultants RECOM President YORZOF C~.VIS~ Approved as to form: City Atto CASE NO. EIR-87-7 WPC 4387P -5- EXHIBIT "A" RECON SCOPE OF WORK FOR PREPARATION OF THE STATE ROUTE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT I. SCOPE OF WORK The scope of work will consist of a number of tasks, including the following: 1. Prepare the EIR addressing the issues and analysis procedures outlined below. 2. Provide 15 copies of the preliminary draft EIR and 15 copies of the appendices to the city. 3. Prepare one set of city requested revisions. 4. Provide 75 copies of the draft EIR and 35 copies of the appendices. 5. Provide 75 copies of the final EIR and 35 copies of the appendices. Changes in the final EIR will be shown in italics or other distinguishable type face. 6. Provide one reproducible master. 7, Prepare responses to comments, / 8, Prepare candidate findings and overriding considerations, if necessary. 9. Attend a pre-preparation public meeting. 10, Attend a presentation of the preliminary draft EIR to the Chula Vista City Council. 11. Attend a Sweetwater Planning Group meeting. 12, Attend one County of San Diego Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors hearing, The EIR will comply completely with the criteria, standards, and · procedures of the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970, as amended, and the Environmental Review Procedures of both the County of San Diego and the City of Chula Vista. The EIR will assemble available data, evaluate that information for adequacy, and provide an assessment of the probable short- and long-term cumulative impacts of the project. The draft and final EIR will provide an evaluation of all feasible miti- gation measures which could be carried out to reduce or eliminate adverse impacts of the proposed project. Addressment of each issue will be organized into three sections: existing conditions, impacts, and mitigation. In addition to the issues identified in the RFP, the report will provide a summary of environmental analysis and a discussion of alternatives, significant irreversible environmental changes, the relationship between short-term uses and long- term productivity, and growth inducement. It is RECON's policy to prepare EIRs in a concise manner. Technical support information necessary for conclusions drawn in the document are usually included as technical appendices, with clear summary statements presented in the body of the EIR. Since the purpose of an EIR is a public disclosure document which will assist decision makers, it is imperative that the EIR be easily understood and succinct. Of particular importance is a simple statement of potential impacts and a clear iden- tification of mitigation. The EIR will address both the proposed interim facility and the free- way as part of the evaluation o'f the various issues identified below. In addition, RECON will use th~ existing environmental information available in a number of documents, which are listed below. 1. Rancho San Miguel Master EIR 2. Bonita Miguel EIR 3. Bonita Meadows EIRs 4. SDG&E Interconnect, Miguel Substation to the International Border EIR. 5. Eastlake EIR AS indicated by the Chula Vista Environmental Coordinator, RECON anticipates that the preparation and processing of this EIR will not involve the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and that it need not be prepared in conformance with the Caltrans Environmental Handbook. Fur- thermore, there will be no 4(f) involvement with respect to Sweetwater Regional Park and no additional environmental effort necessary beyond that identified in this proposal as a result of an encroachment permit requirement from Caltrans. Since the County of San Diego is the lead agency for processing the EIR, RECON has proposed a review process which is somewhat different than that normally undertaken by the City of Chula Vista. This variation pertains to the inclusion of two preliminary draft EIR reviews: the first one by the City of Chula Vista and the second one by the County of San Diego. RECON anticipates that Caltrans and other agency review will take place during the public review period for the EIR, In addition as requested in the RFP, RECON has included preparation of response to comments and candidate findings; however, the County of San Diego normally performs these two tasks as the lead agency. Finally, RECON will prepare the EIR in the County of San Diebo General Plan Amendment format. The following discussion provides a scope of work for each individual issue in the EIR. A. TRAFFIC Scope of Work 1. The SANDAG Chula Vista traffic model for SR 125 and inter- connecting roads will serve as the basis for the traffic analysis. However, because the proposed project only includes a portion of SR 125, the existing model (prepared in 198zi} will be modified to delete the southerly portion from Otay Lakes Road to the international Border. This model is currently being revised; therefore, the modified model will reflect current land use information as it applies to the year 1995. As p~rt Of the data gathering, RECON will consult with both Caltrans and the County of San Diego. 2. With this revised model, RECON will conduct intersection capacity utilization analysis at seven intersections/inter- changes along the route. These are as follows: a. Sweetwater Road/SR 5q b. San Miguel Road c. Two unnamed intersections d. H Street e. Eastlake Parkway f. Otay Lakes Road 3. RECON will prepare a technical traffic report which will address traffic impacts based on the results of the modified traffic model and the ICU analysis. Significant impacts will be identified and appropriate mitigation measures will be specified. The technical report will be summarized in the body of the EIR. B, NOISE Scope of Work 3. The analysis of vehicular noise will be conducted for future traffic along SR 125. RECON will use the FHWA Noise Predic- tion Model and ultimate traffic volumes provided from the traffic study to develop and map noise contours for the highway. Where adopted tentative maps are available, RECON will use this information in calc~ilating the location of the contours. 2o The results of the noise study will be presented in a techni- cal report that will also describe the potential impact in terms of the City of Chula Vista~s standards and provide appropriate mitigation measures. Where adopted tentative maps are available, RECON will provide specific mitigation measures relative to noise barrier height and location. C. AIR QUALITY A detailed discussion of the climate/meteorology and existing air quality conditions in the San Diego Air Basin will serve as the founda- tion to address air quality. A table listing the mobile emissions resulting from the proposed project, along with a brief discussion of impacts and mitigation, will be included. RECON~s air quality analysis will include information which is required by the Air Rollution Control District in the air quality sections of environmental impact reports. / Scope of Work 1. Describe existing conditions and include a discussion of the relationship between the state and federal Ambient Air Qual- ity Standards, the revised Regional Air Quality Strategies (RAQS), and the State Implementation Plan. 2. Calculate projected air quality emissions for both the interim facility and the ultimate freeway design and include an air quality appendix to document the air quality compu- tations. Air emission sources addressed in this analysis will be for vehicles which would use the roadway. 3. Evaluate the effects of the proposed project in terms of the ability of the RAQ5 to attain targeted air quality strate- gieS. Consider whether this facility will exceed basinwide air pollutant levels through the facilitation of growth (the basis of which will come from the growth inducement section), will reduce emissions through shorter trips, or is a facility anticipated in the development of RAQ5 and therefore would not affect project basinwide air pollution. D. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES Scope of Work 1. RECON has prepared a Preliminary Report of Biological Resources for the State Route 125 Alignment. An updated biological survey will be conducted and a new survey report prepared for the proposed alignment in conformance with the City of Chula Vista and County of _San Diego biological survey guidelines. This will include surveying of specific loca- tions where data is out of date or not covered by RECONIs 1987/87 surveys. 2. Other biological areas of concern are least Bell's vireo (an endangered species) habitat along San Miguel Creek and other sensitive annual plant species that are only visible in the springtime. Prepare a revegetation plan for those wetlands that would be affected by the proposed project along Sweetwater River and San Miguel Creek and include as part of the biological miti- gation in the EIR. 3. The biological survey report will be summarized in the body of the EIR and provided in the appendices. E. CULTURAL RESOURCES Scope of Work / 1. RECON recently completed an archaeological reconnaissance of the proposed project. Field check all recorded archaeologi- cal sites which may be impacted by the proposed project. Since the EIR will be prepared in conformance with County guidelines, it will be subject to County regulations related to cultural resources. RECON will therefore prepare the County Cultural Resource Survey Form for the archaeological sites that would be impacted by the project. In addition as part of this form, RECON will perform an initial testing program for the archaeological sites 5Di- 6842, SDM-W-2128, and 5Di-7179. This entails completion of a surface collection, excavation of two test units per site area, and documentation of the results in the report. 2. Prepare a detailed assessment of potential impacts, and recommend mitigation measures. 3. Pr~epare a report describing field activities and resource management r'ecommendations. F.HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY Scope c~f Work 1. Through research, provide a discussion of drainage and hydrology and potential off-site effects from the proposed highway. 2. Provide a discussion addressing the impacts which could result from runoff, including sediment and pollutants and their potential effect. 3. Describe specific mitigation strategies which could reduce impacts to drainage and hydrology; e.g., retention/siltation basins. G. LANDFORM ALTERATION AND VISUAL QUALITY Scope of Work 1. Provide a detailed description of the topographic and visual features of the project area, as well as an inventory of designated scenic resources. 2. Conceptually describe the anticipated visual impacts of the project on the existing topography. In particular, describe potential impacts resulting from the bridge crossing of Sweetwater River, including one photosimulation of the bridge and road in this area and one photosimulation of the road crossing of San Miguel Road. Include an analysis of the viewshed from Highway 54 and San Miguel Road. 3. Identify the most significant visual features within the project area and the overall change in the visual character of the area resulting from the roadway. 4. Provide detailed recommended guidelines which should be implemented in conjunction with the project to mitigate any potential impacts, such as landscaping. H.AGRICULTURE Scope of Work 1. Conduct an analysis of agricultural viability through an examination of soil capability and Storie Index along the proposed right-of-way from secondary sources. 2. Based on the quality of the soils (soil capability of I or II ! and a Storie Index of 90 or higher}, determine the potential impacts and identify appropriate mitigation measures if necessary. PALEONTOLOGY Scope of Work 1, Conduct a records search and map check for important geo- logical formations and known localities of paleontology resources, Conduct field checks and surveys .as appropriate. 3, Prepare a map showing the results of the research and field effort. 4, Prepare a technical report describing the results of the study, including a .determination of impacts and recommenda- tion of appropriate mitigation measures. This report will be summarized in the body of the EIR. LAND USE Scope of Work Within the existing conditions section of this topic, provide an inventory of existing and proposed land use designations and zoning classifications. Land Uses and Socioeconomics Land Jurisdictions Corporate Limits Special Districts Spheres of Influence Ownership Existing Land Uses Residential Commercial Industrial Institutional Recreation Agriculture Future Land Uses Comprehensive/General Plans 5pecific Plans 2. Prepare maps which identify existing and proposed zoning and general plan designations as well as any approved tentative subdivision maps. 3. Identify potentially significant impacts based on an analysis of the land use type and location as it pertains to other land uses, densities, traffic circulation, noise, valuable natural resources, and others, 4, Address mitigation strategies which will potentially reduce impacts identified. K, GEOLOGY AND SOILS Scope of Work 1. RECON will subcontract the geology and soils investigation to Woodward-Clyde. The tasks involved include the preparation of a preliminary geology and blasting feasibility study for areas not covered by previous development plans, which will describe the following: a. Geologic setting of the site. b. Potential geologic hazards, e.g., landslides, faults, and liquefaction. c. General subsurface conditions. d. Blasting considerations for the Sweetwater River Bridge abutment. 2. This report will appear as an appendix in the EIR and will be summarized in the body of the EIR. L. PROJECT ALTERNATIVES CEQA requires that in addition to the no project alternative, other project alternatives which could reduce the environmental impact should be addressed. The alternatives involved for this project pertain to its general location and detailed ramp configuration, Each alter- native location will be portrayed.graphically, Scope of Work 1. Route Location East of Sweetwater Reservoir. This alter- native would require rerouting the highway in a much differ- ent location than proposed, In reviewing this alternative, RECON will focus on topographic constraints and traffic circulation feasibility. Other issues, such as biology and archaeology, will be discussed in a general fashion based on secondary information sources. 2. Route Location Across Sweetwater Reservoir. This alternative will examine the potential environmental impacts associated with not only the route relocation but also the impacts to the reservoir and feasibility by the Sweetwater Authority, who has jurisdiction of the reservoir. Major environmental issues such as biology, land use, and archaeology will be addressed from secondary information sources ~n a summary. 3. Different Conflcjurations of San Mic, luel Off-Ramps, RECON will provide a detailed investigation of this alternative, including biological and archaeological surveys, to evaluate the environmental impacts of this concept, All the other issues identified in this proposal will be addressed in the same level of detail for this alternative. Measure, etc.). Factor in major economic trends as they relate to the construction industry or the specific region. 5. Based on the above, make a determination as to the growth inducement impact of the project. The discussion should address the growth aspects of location, type, amount, and pace. Numerous considerations come into play. What is the status of the project in adopted transportation plans? Does the project provide more.capacity than is needed? Is the project a required mitigation for development? Is new access provided to areas not now servec~? Is this new access local or regional? In general, this project can be considered as staged to facilitate growth. In general, the discussion will not portray growth impacts as either negative or positive; however, there are clearly both positive and negative aspects. N, CANDIDATE FINDINGS Section 15091(a} of the State CEQA Guidelines states: No public agency shall approve or carry out a project for which an EIR has been completed, which identifies one or more signifi- cant environmental effects of the project, unless the public agency makes one or more written findings for each of these significant effects, accompanied by a brief explanation of the rationale for each finding (p. 35). , The adequacy of fin~dings has been the focus of a great deal of attention in recent litigation. As EIRs become technically more profi- cient, findings are increasingly becoming the focus of concern and cri- tique. While it is not difficult to prepare legally defensible findings, rigor must be evident both in clearly identifying each significant impact identified in the EIR and comprehensive documentation that the findings are ".. , supported by substantial evidence in the record" (CEQA Guidelines, p. 36). The City of Chula Vista can be confident that RECON has the experience necessary to prepare defensible findings. Our experience with highly controversial projects for which we prepared the findings includes such projects as North City West. This project was challenged in court and the adequacy of the environmental process, including the findings, was upheld, The format used by RECON for the preparation of findings strictly follows the requirements and outline of Section 21081 of the California Public Resources Code and Sections 15091 and 15092 of the California Administrative Code. The process is an interactive one between the Environmental Review Coordinator of the City of Chula Vista and RECON and must take into consideration concerns addressed as part of the public review period. The findings will be prepared in three sections: {I) those environmental effects of the project which will be mitigated by measures incorporated into the project; (2] those impacts which are within the jurisdiction of another agency (e,g., APCD for emissions); and (3) those impacts which for social, economic, or other considerations make miti- gation measures infeasible. II. SCHEDULE RECON will accomplish the preparation of the draft EIR, final EIR, and other requirements of the RFP. The major milestones and time allocated to general task categories are identified below: Time Total Time Tasks (weeks) (weeks) Contract award ...... · Scoping meeting with the city 1.0 1,0 Pre-preparation public meeting ...... Conduct necessary review of existing information 2.0 3.0 Prepare draft EIR ~I.0 7,0 City staff review of draft EIR 2.0 9.0 Revise draft EIR 1,0 10.0 County review of draft EIR 2.0 12.0 Revise and finalize draft EIR 2.0 lz~,0 Chula Vista City Council presentation ...... Draft EIR at public review (assume qS-day review period); prepare candidate findings 7.0 21,0 Review by Sweetwater Planning Group ...... Prepare responses to comments 8 revise findings 2.0 23.0 Review and produce final EIR 1.0 2zl.0 San Diego County Planning Commission hearing ...... San Diego County Board of Supervisors hearing ...... I I I. COST WORK EFFORT Hours Rate Cost Prepare EIR 100 52/hr 5,200 Noise ~,8 60/hr 2,880 Traffic 60 55/hr 3,300 Biology 2~, 52/hr 1,2/18 Wetlands revegetation plan q0 52/hr 2,080 Cultural resources /I0 ~,5/hr 1,800 Archaeological excavation q0 55/hr 2,200 Archaeological excavation 130 ~15/hr 5,850 Geology and soils 12 52/hr 62~, Growth inducement 32 60 / hr 1,920 Other issues 98 52/hr LI,992 Prepare revisions ~0 52/hr 2,080 Meetings and hearings 52 60/hr 3,120 Response to comments 2~ 52/hr 1,2~8 Findings 2~ 52/hr 1,2~8 Report production 56 31/hr 1,736 Graphics 88 31/hr 2,728 Subtotal $q~, 25~ Expenses: Geotechnical Study (Wood~ard~Clyde) 3,500 Printing 2,580 Traffic model 1,750 Maps and graphics 100 TOTAL ~52,18~ III. PERSONNEL AND EXPERIENCE A. PERSONNEL Principal-in-CharcJe - John Larson Mr. John Larson will serve as principal-in-charge with respon- sibility for quality assurance and public hearings. He has over ten years~ experience in preparing, processing, and administering environ- mental documentation for numerous types of p~ojects. In his current position, he is responsible for the performance of professionals with expertise in a variety of fields, including water quality, air quality, archaeology, biology, noise, socioeconomics, and planning. As principal- in-charge, he will be responsible for compliance with legal and regula- tory requirements, review Of the EIR, and presentations at hearings. Mr. Larson has been directly responsible for the preparation of more than 50 environmental impact reports and assessments. He has the experience to perform the project coordination and general public contact as well as oversee the project in an overall cost-effective manner, He served in this capacity for the five-mile Calle Cristobal Assessment District EIR and the six-mile constraints study for State Route 56. Proiect Manager - Tom Held Tom Held will serve as project manager and will be responsible for the preparation of the EIR along with day-to-day contact for inter- face with the city and the traffic consultant working on the project. Mr. Held has been preparing and processing EIRs in San Diego County for five years. His early experience was with the County of San Diego, Department of Transportation, where he was responsible for a number of EIRs, including the evaluation of the county's growth management plan. Since he joined RECON, he prepared the EIR for the Calle Cristobal Assessment District, a five-mile-long major arterial road located in the City of San Diego on Lopez Ridge. Among the issues addressed for this controversial roadway were traffic, biology, archaeology, geology, topography and visual quality, and growth inducement. In addition, this project involved the preparation and processing of a Army Corps of Engineers 404 permit and Coastal Development Permit. Mr. Held has also prepared and processed the EIRs for Regents Park, a multi-use comfnercial mid-rise office development in University City; La Valencia Hotel Expan- sion EIR, located in La Jolla; Torrey Pines Expansion EIR; and Lusk Mira Mesa Business Park, which included a hotel within a crash-hazard zone associated with Miramar Naval Air Station. Other members of the staff who were not previously identified in the RECON Statement of Qualification to the City of Chula Vista include Allen Philpot, addressing growth inducement; Roberta Steele, biology; and Richard Swan, traffic. Both Mr. Philpot and Ms. Steele were previously employed in the Caltrans environmental section, while Mr. Swan was previously employed as a supervisor in the Traffic Planning and Research Department at San Bernardino County. A summary of the qualifications of each of these people follows, with resumes found in Appendix A. 18 Allen Ph)l_p. ot - Growth Inducement Mr. Philpot has an undergraduate degree in geography and has been responsible for a variety of land use and socioeconomic studies related to highway projects. During the last six years of his professional career with Caltrans, he was the FEIS coordinator for the State Routes 5 and 54/Sweetwater Flood Control Channel Joint Caltrans/U .S . Army Corps of Engineers EIS. In this role he managed production of all highway-related components for joint FHWA/USACE/Caltrans Final EIS/EIR. Mr. Philpot was also responsible for final modifications and c6mment response to the Draft EIS. A substantial part of this project i~volved coordination with responsible and cooperating agencies, technical study managers, and USACE staff. While at Caltrans, he also served as the environmental studies 'manager for the Interstate 5/Carmel Valley Road project° He prepared land use and socioeconomic studies for State Route 52/Interstate 805 to Santo Road and Interstate 15/40th Street Project. He is currently completing the Environmental Assessment for State Route 95 in Arizona alon9 the Colorado River. He has managed this project and been respon- sible for the land use/socioeconomic part of the study. Roberta Steele - BiolocJy Ms, Steele has a master's degree in biology, with a specialty in botany, While she was with Caltrans, she conducted mapping of least Bell's vireo critical habitat along the Sweetwater River between Sweet- water Reservoir and Cottonwood Golf Course. She has conducted field surveys for general habitat identification and sensitive species and has mapped the vegetation communities found throughout southern California. - She has also assessed project impacts, recommended mitigation measures, and written reports describing the results of the studies. Ms. Steele has prepared revegetation plans for riparian and other habitats based on wildlife requirements and regulatory concerns. As part of these studies, she has participated in the federal endangered species process and written bioassessments for USFWS Section 7 consultations. As part of these efforts, she coordinated with state and federal agencies, such as the U .S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Federal Highway Administration, U .S. Army Corps of Engineers, City of San Diego, County of San Diego, and Caltrans. Specific projects have included marsh restoration planning; vernal pool impact assessment and creation experiments; and native plant revegetation and restoration of riparian, chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and oak habitats including planting and monitoring. More specifically, her experience includes monitoring and main- taining a riparian revegetation site on the San Diego River at Interstate 15; setting up plots and collecting initial data for growth rate studies for a riparian revegetatien site in the San Diego River at Morena Boule- vard; designing a revegetation plan for a least Bell's vireo mitigation site at Hellins Lake for State Route 52 and surveying along the river to choose appropriate sites; assisting in designing a least Bell's vireo mitigation site on the San Luis Rey River for State Route 76 through the narrows, evaluating the suitability of mitigation sites, and mapping riparian vegetation in the narrows area; designing a small oak/cottonwood revegetation site for a drainage area on 1-15 near Escondido; and helping _ 19 supervise a California Conservation Corps (CCC) crew planting willows and other native vegetation on various sites along 1-15 near the San Luis Rey River. Other riparian work included mapping of riparian vegetation in proposed least Bell's vireo critical habitat on Sweetwater River between Sweetwater Reservoir and Cottonwood Golf Course, a literature review of riparian vegetation in San Diego County, and herbicide spraying of tamarisk in Sentenac Creek. Traffic - Richard Swan Mr. Swan has a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering. He has si~ years' experience in traffic studies with four of those years as a supervisor in the Traffic Planning and Research Department at San Bernardino County. While he was with the county, he was responsible for traffic forecasting, traffic operations, and traffic planning. As part of these studies, Mr. Swan forecasted future traffic using gravity models. He also conducted a special project which included the develop- ment and maintenance of a traffic control devices inventory over 4,500 miles of roadway on an annual basis. More recently he has prepared a variety of traffic studies for land development projects for EIRs. These range from industrial projects to mixed-use commercial/residential projects. These analyses have included accident history, intersection capacity utilization, roadway capacity, trip generation and distribution, and signal warrants. Project examples include the 1,400-acre Bear Valley Annexation in Escondido, the highly controversial Hosp Grove project for the City of Carlshad, and the 960-acre Rancho Coronado projects in San Marcos. B. PROJECT EXPERIENCE The following project abstracts are representative of RECON's specific experience relative to roadway projects. RECON has prepared and processed many other EIRs for large general plan amendments and specific plans which included major segments of prime and major circulatio~ element roads. Tllese project descriptions were provided to the City of Chula Vista previously as part of RECON's qualifying SOQ. E)raft Environmental Impact Report for the Calle Cristobal/Camino Santa Fe Assessment District Client: VTN Jurisdiction: City of San Diego RECON prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the City of San Diego concerning the formation of the Calle Cr~stobal/Cam~no Santa Fe Assessment District (the District). The District would finance the design and partial construction of approximately five miles of Calle Cristobal and Sorrento Valley Boulevard, about 0.6 mile of Camino Santa Fe, and two highway bridges across I_opez Canyon. The proposed Calle Cristobal runs along the top of Lopez Ridge between Penasquitos Canyon to the north and Lopez Canyon to the south, while the 0.6-mile segment of Camino Santa Fe would extend across Lopez Canyon to intersect with Calle 2O Cristobal. Penasquitos and Lopez canyons are considered environmentally sensitive and major topograpilic features by the Mira Mesa Community Plan. Environmental issues addressed in the DEIR include biological and cul- tural resources,I~ topographic alteration, visual quality, noise, traffic, and growth inducement. State Route 56 Assessment District Constraints Stud~ Client: Turrini and Brink Jurisdiction: City of San Diego I'n preparing a constraints analysis for the six-mile segment of proposed State Route 56 from Interstate 5 to Carmel Valley Road, RECON addressed archaeology, historic resources, biology, geology and soils, and land use information. These data were used in developing preliminary roadway alignments as well as fine-tuning the proposed alignment. Quartzite - Parker - Topock (SR 95) - Osborne Wash - North, Phase III Client: Arizona Department of Transportation RECON is currently preparing an environmental assessment lEA) for 1.5 miles of relocation and complete reconstruction of existing SR 95. This road is located south of Parker Dam along the Colorado River in Arizona. The tasks involved include archaeological and biological assessments, consideration of water quality impacts from filling in the Colorado River, and socioeconomic analyses. In addition to NEPA compliance, the project will require the Army Corps of Engineers 404 permit processing. Interstate 5/State Route 54 and Sweetwater Flood Control Channel EIS/EIR This EIS/EIR was prepared under the direction of Allen Philpot in compliance with NEPA and CEQA, Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, the California Coastal Act, and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, The lead agencies included the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Caltrans. The proposed project consisted of a 3.2-mile flood control channel combined with a new multi-lane freeway (State Route 54) along the Sweetwater River from Interstate 805 to Inter- state 5o In addition, the project provided for the reconstruction and widening of about one mile of Interstate 5. The project also contained substantial recreation and wetlands mitigation. State Route 52/I-805 to Santo Road EIS/EIR This project was managed by Allen Philpot and conducted in compliance with NEPA, CEQA, E.O. 11988 (Floodplain Management), and E.O. 11990 (Wetlands}. The project was the construction of a new 5.5-mile, six-lane freeway (State Route 54) in San Diego from Interstate 805 across Kearny Mesa to Santo Road in Tierrasanta. Among the issues addressed was a detailed analysis of the growth-inducing effects of the project. Interstate 15140th Street Project EIS/EIR The environmental processing for the project included compliance with NEPA, CEQA, and Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act. The project, which was coordinated by Allen Philpot. consisted of 2.2 miles of a multi-lane freeway between Interstates 8 and 805 through the Mid-City community of San Diego. North County Transit Dist~rict Wes~sion .Fa_ci!i. ty Expansion Plan EA Client: Ruhnau McGavin Ruhnau Jurisdiction: City of Oceanside RECON prepared an Environmental Assessment for the expansion of the North County Transit District's (NCTD) Western Division maintenance facility. The facility is located on 3.8 acres at the western end of the San Luis Rey River Valley near the Oceanside Municipal Airport. The proposed 6.02-acre expansion site is situated immediately northwest of the exist- ing site and is bounded by Via Del Monte on the north, Via Del Norte on the east, and Jones Road on the west. The proposed expansion is designed to alleviate existing overcrowded conditions at the maintenance facility as well as to provide for future expansion of the district's fleet. Issues covered by the EA include alternatives to the proposed action and environmental impacts associated with the project, such as air quality, noise, traffic, and parking. Environmental Assessment for the Atchison, Tppeka, & Santa Fe Railway_ Switchi_n9 Yard Relocation Project, Oceanside, California Client: City of Oceanside, Community Development Commission, Redevelop- ment Division Jurisdiction: City of Oceanside The City of Oceanside has been pursuing the relocation of the AT&SF switching yard for several years. This EA, which was done in conjunction with the redevelopment of downtown Oceanside, addressed the environmental impacts associated with tl~e relocation of tl~e switching yard from down- town Oceanside (a 22-acre site) to Camp Pendleton (a 16.5-acre site), one mile to the north. RECON has been involved in many projects related to the redevelopment of Oceanside, and the completion of this EA was a critical factor in Oceanside's receiving a $2.4 million grant from the Urban Mass Transit Administration (UMTA) to fund the switchyard reloca- tion. The relocation not only removes the visual blight associated with the existing switchyard but also makes the land available for use in the redevelopment efforts by the City of Oceanside. EXHIBIT B Proposals Submitted by Cost Cost 1. Keller $53,897 2. Recon 52,184 3. P & D Technologies 85,350 ~ 4. Barrett Consulting Group 39,900 5. Affinis 29,222 6. RBR and Associates 78,334 WPC 4376P i TO: Chula Vista City Council 276 Fourth Avenue Chula Vista, CA 92010 FROM: George J. Kost, President Sweetwater Valley Civic Association SUBJECT: Selection of an environmental consultant to prepare an EIR for the proposed alignment and construction of Route 125 DATE: October 13, 1987 Enclosure A: Copy of Page 28 of the minutes of the Chula Vista City Council meeting, June 23, 1987 Enclosure B: Kost notes of presentation to Council on June 23, 1987 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND Because of the importance of the 125 alignment, this letter provides background events leading up to the subject matter under consideration on this date. This letter also makes certain recounnendations that the Council should seriously consider for adoption. 1. The State Route 125 Corridor Interim Facility Route alignment and Financing Alternatives Study (draft) was dated 5/12/87; received by SVCA on 6/15/87. 2. At a Chula Vista Council meeting held on 6/23/87, Kost appeared before the Council and about midnight, presented the general argument noted in the Chula Vista Council minutes on Page 28 dated 6/23/87 (Enclosure A). The rough notes read to the Council are attached as Enclosure B. 3. Case #EIR-87-7 Route 125 Corridor dated 7/9/87 was issued proposing the following: Proposed Interim Route 125. "Extends from South Bay Parkway R-54 and Sweetwater Road in a southeasterly direction to Otay Lakes Road. CalTrans concurred. o Full width grading and drainage for the entire alignment, except through the Bonita neighborhood, which would be graded one-half width." QUESTION: Why one-half width through Bonita? Isn't this going to be full width at a later date? . o Four lanes with a concrete barrier separating traffic. ° Cost of grading and drainage through Eastlake, Unocal and Central Savings would be borne by the developers." Page 2 October 13, 1987 4o Chula Vista Council minutes of September 15, 1987, Item 5: "Resolution- Approving Memorandum of Understanding for the location of State highway Route 125 between the State of California, Department of Transportation (CalTrans), the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), the County of San Diego, the City of San Diego and the City of Chula Vista". Based upon my letter dated September 14, 1987, Subject: Memorandum of Understanding, State Route 125, this item was pulled from the consent calendar and continued. In essence, this letter recommended that the Memorandum of Understanding "should specify that first and foremost in the study will be the minimal disruption of people and their lifestyle. In addition, the Sweetwater Valley Civic Association should be represented on the Location Development Team because we in Bonita will be most affected in the short and long term and should have a direct voice in the alignment of SR-125." 5. The Chula Vista Council agenda for October 13, 1987, Item 7, "Resolution- selection of an environmental consultant to prepare an EIR for the proposed alignment and construction of Route 125." COMMENTS: Item I, Scope of Work - Please add Item 13, attend a Sweetwater Valley Civic Association meeting. Item I-A, Traffic, Para. 2.c. (Two unnamed intersections). In addition to intersections/interchanges on San Miguel Road, we may have two more roads coming through Bonita. This certainly will disrupt the lifestyle of 13,400 people living in Bonita. Item I-M, "Growth Inducement". The last sentence of the first paragraph, "However, the project cannot induce growth where it is already lanned" COMMENTS: This statement baffles me. It assumes that plans are set in concrete and cannot be changed. I always understood that a plan was a flexible road map that takes in consideration assumptions visualized when the initial plan was drafted. These assumptions are not always right or events cause unforseen assumption changes. That is why we update plans periodically, to reflect changes. Item III, Cost. COMMENTS: The direct people-related items are noise, traffic and ~rowth inducement. These three items reflect a cost of about $8100 or 140 hours of consultant effort out of 858 total hours, or 16% of the overall effort. This is the major problem I see in the original Draft and the EIR now proposed; ~.e., we don't face up to the issue that people and lifestyle are most important. People in Proctor Valley and elsewhere in Bonita are not about to have their homes bulldozed or made less desirable because of a four to eight lane highway running through their area. This was reflected by the Sweetwater Valley Civic Association meeting on October 7, 1987, when the Directors voted against the one-half cent sales tax because part of the tax was to finance a portion of 125 running from SR-54 and Sweetwater Road through Proctor Valley. Politically, this would be inadvisable. Page 3 October 13, 1987 6. Please forgive me for this lengthy letter. However, the alignment of 125 is probably the most important aspect facing the people of Bonita for years to come. It can change the aesthetic face of Bonita, and affect the health and semi-rural environment. The name "Bonita" would become a misnomer and would better fit the name "Junction 4XXX" of South Bay. 7. RECOMMENDATIONS: A. The EIR study should devote at least equal time and money for a full review of the Route Location east of Sweetwater Reservoir. The future growth planned by Unocal United Enterprises, Eastlake and Otay is east of Proctor Valley and is planned for well over 100,000 people. There would be the least disruption and destruction of existing homes by placing 125 through these planned developments for a north/south route. There is noneed to have turn-offs into the Sweetwater Valley with 905, Otay Lakes/Telegraph Canyon Roads and "H" Street for east/west connections to 125 and 805. For those desiring to visit Bonita, they can utilize Otay Lakes Road or Corral Canyon. Let's not destroy the Sk~eetwater Valley by making it a highway to 805 and 54. B. Consider people and lifestyle above all other factors, i.e., flora, fauna, archeological, paleontological, etc. All are important but the well-being of people comes first. If you destroy the lifestyle and the semi-rural environment of Bonita, it will destroy many of the other factors noted above, especially the flora and fauna. C. The Sweetwater Valley Civic Association and other Sweetwater groups should be given the opportunity to become directly involved in the EIR studies or any other studies affecting Bonita. We live here now and hopefully will be here in the distant future. Any poor planning will impact us more than any other area. Intelligent planning now will prevent problems faced by Los Angeles and North County where people are talking and taking action to bring about moratoriums. D. The political aspect of disrupting the lifestyle of residents in Bonita cannot be overemphasized. Our political leaders must carefully listen to us who live here and not take unwarranted and short-sighted action which will haunt them in the future. 8. SUMMARY. Intelligent planning now will benefit not only the residents of Bonita, but also residents of Eastlake and future builders. Can you imagine a four to eight lane road running through Eastlake if you were an Eastlake homeowner? If I were a politician with a possible long term career ahead of me, I would be gravely concerned about disrupting the jewel of South bay. This jewel also provided a regional park utilized by thousands of people from surrounding areas who also will be adversely affected by the proposed 125 alignment. Page 4 October 13, 1987 cc: Mayor Gregory Cox Councilman Len Moore Councilwoman Gayle McCandliss Councilman David Malcolm Councilman Tim Nader Mr. Pete Flores Mr. George Kremple, Director of Planning Ms. 01ga Briseno, San Diego Union Mr. Brad Fikes, Chula Vista Star News Mr. Richard Pena, Bonlta Style Ms. Laura Preble, Evening Tribune ENCLOSURE B June 23, 1987 ITEM 6, ROUTE 125 - CRULA VISTA DRAFT t. Premature ° General Plan Amendment (CV) - Dec. ° ~weetwater Valley Traffic Study ° ~weetwater Valley Traffic Study Committee received draft on 6/15/87- not enough time to study ° Citizens of Bonita not given a chance to provide input. 2. Input ° No input by Bonita organizations ° Not informed of meetings Not included on the study team although Bonitans will be most affected. 3. Alignment studies - Route 125 from the northerly boundary of Eastlake I to Route 54 was dictated by the following constraints: ° Alignment on Tentative Map for Eastlake I Business & Village Center ° 69-inch aqueduct on west and severe rocky terrain on east in Proctor Valley and from Eastlake I to San Miguel Road. ° Proposed County Park north of San Miguel Road to the Sweetwater River on the east and the Bonita Golf Course on the west. Question: Where are the people, lifestyle and semi-rural environment constraints? 4. ew Freeway alignment - Interchange at San Miguel Road and 54; South- off; north - on. Question: What impact will the southbound off-ramp have in Bonita Road/ Sweetwater Road, etc.? How many trips will this add? 5. Alignment of Rt. 125 easterly of San Miguel Mountains and Sweetwater Reservoir - "It is our understanding that this alignment would not be cost effective as severe grading would have to be done and traffic would not be well served." Question: I don't see anything in this statement that addresses the needs of the residents of Bonita - especially those who live along the 125 corridor. Cost effectiveness does not necessarily mean people effectiveness. 6. Environmental Analysis - More attention is paid to the cacti and animal life than the people life. 7. Chula Vista is currently preparing an update to the General Plan which will include a circulation plan for the area of benefit EAST of 1-805. Question: Why not wait until completion of the plan? 8. Impact Fee Ordinance - "The Ordinance would apply to all new development i within the area of benefit within the City of Chul~ Vista and future ~ annexed." !  Question: What does this mean? Can this include Bonita residents if annexed? 9. Reconmendations ° Delay approval of Draft until the General Plan Amendment and the S.V.T.S. is completed. o Further explore the easterly alignment around San Miguel Mountain with special emphasis on people and their general welfare, rather than have "cost effectiveness" be the primary issue. t ! o Mold hearings to review Draft so that Bonita residents, civic and planning organizations can voice their concerns, opinione, etc. Minutes - 28 - June 23, 1987 An in-depth engineering and financing alternatives analysis of a four-lane interim street facility within the SR-125 corridor between Otay Lakes Road and SR-54 has been completed, and a report with recommendations submitted to the City. One of the recommendations for implementation is the early preparation of an Environmental Impact Report for the interim four-lane facility with the cost paid by Development Impact Fees collected from the EastLake and Bonita Long Canyon Developments. Since a large segment of the proposed street improvement is within the County of San Diego, it will be necessary to have their cooperation in the preparation of the EIR. Staff stated this is a result of a study, working with staffs of CALTRANS, County and Chula Vista, as well as major property owners of area. This merely accepts the study and forwards it to the County. Public input by the County will be incorporated. George Kost, 3609 Belle Bonnie Brae Road, Bonita, Member of Sweetwater Civic Association and also representing the Business Industry Association Traffic Task Force, appeared to recommend that Council delay approving the draft until the General Plan Amendment and the Sweetwater Traffic Study is completed; (2) to further explore the easterly alignment around San Miguel Mountain with special emphasis on people and their general welfare, rather than to allow cost-effectiveness to be the primary issue; and (3) hold hearings so that Bonita residents, civic and planning organizations can voice their concerns and opinions. Staff explained that the City will have to fund the EIR, that this will be a three or four year project, that public input is appropriate, and that the Board of Supervisors will have to deal with this broadly when they adopt the route. Councilwoman McCandliss stated that City Council should not at this time accept the report and make positive statements about it, as the Civic Assosication and the Planning Group needs time to consider the matter. Council statements would be forwarded at the time of public hearing. Mayor Cox suggested to docket this matter for the latter part of October for a Council Conference. MSC (McCandliss/Moore) to offer the resolution and to appropriate $100,000 for the staff and consultant to prepare the EIR, that the study be transmitted to the County with the statement that there are community groups that wish to provide comment and that, at the time the public hearing is held, the City of Chula Vista may be making other comments; and, further, that the City Council set this matter for a Council Conference to discuss in more detail. Councilman Malcolm voted no.