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RESOLUTION NO. 2016-238 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ACCEPTING BIDS AND AWARDING THE CONTRACT FOR “BRUSH CLEARANCE IN RICE CANYON” (CIP # OP225) (PHASE 2) TO HELIX ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $283,256 IN ACCORDANCE WITH MULTIPLE SPECIES CONSERVATION SUBAREA PLAN (MSCP) OF 2003 AND AREA SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES (ASMDs), AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
On November 7, 2016, the Director of Public Works received three sealed bids for the “Brush Clearance in Rice Canyon” project. The proposed resolution, if approved, would accept the bids and award the contract to Helix Environmental Planning, Inc. in the amount of $283,256.
Using a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the City of Chula Vista will be performing additional brush clearance behind homes around Rice Canyon.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Environmental Notice
Environmental Notice
The Project qualifies for a Class 4 Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land) of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the project was adequately covered in previously adopted Addendum to the Final EIR/EIS for Issuance of Take Authorizations for Threatened and Endangered Species, and the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Assessment prepared for the Chula Vista Multiple Species Conservation Program Subarea Plan, EA 03-01. Thus, no further environmental review or documentation is necessary.
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Environmental Determination
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed project for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the project qualifies for a Class 4 Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land) of the State CEQA Guidelines. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Director of Development Services has also determined that the project was adequately covered in previously adopted Addendum (dated January 2010) to the Final EIR/EIS for Issuance of Take Authorizations for Threatened and Endangered Species due to Urban Growth within the Multiple Species Conservation Program Planning Area, LDR No. 93-0287, SCH No. 93121073, dated January 1997, and the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Assessment prepared for the Chula Vista Multiple Species Conservation Program Subarea Plan, EA 03-01, SCH No. 20022051045, dated January 2003. Thus, no further environmental review or documentation is necessary.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
Fire behavior modeling has identified Rice Canyon as a fire hazard area. Rice Canyon presents a unique fire safety challenge as adjacent construction was completed prior to fuel modification requirements of 2013 California Fire Code (Chapter 49: Requirements for Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Areas). Subsequent to such construction, Open Space areas within the canyons have accumulated vegetative biomass proximate to residential structures.
The proposed project is the second phase of brush clearing within Rice Canyon. The first phase brush clearing contract provided a 60-foot swath from the property line toward the canyon that made it possible to create a sustainable fuel management program around Rice Canyon.
The objective of the 2014/2015 vegetation management project in Rice Canyon was to reduce the fuel load of native and non-native plant materials for fire safety within a 60-foot swath along the Rice Canyon rim, covering a total of 24.59 acres and having a perimeter of 22,393 linear feet. The vegetation management was conducted in accordance with the City’s MSCP and Area Specific Management Directives (ASMDs). Whereas the original project provided fuel load reduction within a 60-foot swath from the property line toward the canyon, this proposed expansion will further reduce fuel load in an additional 40-foot swath - beginning at the end of the initial 60-foot swath. The 40-foot swath will cover a total of 15.47 acres. This will further enhance sustainable fuel management around Rice Canyon.
Moreover, the bare areas in the entire 100-foot cumulative brush clearance area in Rice Canyon will be revegetated to stabilize the slopes and deter the growth of undesirable plant species.
Public Works prepared specifications and advertised the services on Friday, October 21, 2016. The Open Space Manager/City Forester held a mandatory pre-bid site meeting on Thursday, October 27, 2016 at 1800 Maxwell Road and at Rice Canyon to explain the project’s scope and time frame to prospective contractors.
On Monday, November 7, 2016, the Director of Public Works received three sealed bids. The following bids were received:
|
Name of Contractor |
Amount of Bid |
|
Helix Environmental Planning, Inc. |
$283,255.80 |
|
IO Environmental & Infrastructure, Inc. |
$292,121.00 |
|
S&B Engineering |
$334,966.00 |
The low bid submitted by Helix Environmental Planning, Inc. is within the project budget. The contractor has demonstrated experience in performing vegetation management in environmentally sensitive areas and has the capacity to complete the brush clearance within specified time frame.
Wage Statement
The project funding source is a FEMA Hazard Mitigation grant with a State of California prevailing wage requirement. Contractors bidding this project are required to pay prevailing wages to persons employed by them for the work under this project.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council members and has found no property holdings within 500 feet of the boundaries of the property which is the subject of this action. Consequently, this item does not present a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interests under California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18702.2(a)(11), for purposes of the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov’t Code §87100,et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any City Councilmember, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The City’s Strategic Plan has five major goals: Operational Excellence, Economic Vitality, Healthy Community, Strong and Secure Neighborhoods and a Connected Community. Brush clearance in Rice Canyon enhances the strength and security of residents in the neighborhood by creating the defensible space necessary for effective fire protection in the area. Fuel modification reduces the radiant and convective heat of a fire, and provides valuable defensible space for firefighters to make an effective stand against an approaching fire front.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Funds in the amount of $283,256 are available to complete the project. The funds comprise the following:
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no ongoing fiscal impact as this is a one-time grant. There is no increase to ongoing maintenance costs as this is a brush clearance project. Established annual budgetary allocation for brush clearance in the Open Space District will be used to maintain vegetation abatement in perpetuity in this project area.
ATTACHMENTS
(1). Rice Canyon Brush Clearance Map Series 0-4.
(2). Resolution. Rice Canyon Brush Clearance Contract.
Staff Contact: Sam Oludunfe.