TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Greg Bown, Interim Chief Information Officer - Information Technology Services
REPORT BY: Suzanne Fowler, Staff Services Analyst
SUBJECT: Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 250136B with Environmental Science Associates
RECOMMENDATION
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Approve and authorize Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 250136B with Environmental Science Associates, to extend the term to June 30, 2026, for continued cultural resources technical services to support environmental review of the Mount St. Helena telecommunications tower replacement project for no additional cost. (No Fiscal Impact; Discretionary)
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BACKGROUND
On August 6, 2024, Agreement No. 250136B was approved for the Mount St. Helena telecommunications tower replacement project. Over the past several years the microwave equipment located on Mount St. Helena telecommunications tower has received substantial damage due to excessive ice buildup during the winter months. The current tower at maximum capacity could not safely support any form of ice protection. The microwave links at Mount St. Helena are critical in the operations of public safety radio throughout Napa County. A new tower will need to be constructed, and existing equipment moved over to the new tower. Once all equipment has been relocated, the original tower will be removed from the site. A Cultural Resource Survey was required by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The BLM required a choice of cultural contractor listed by the Northwest Information Center. Environmental Science Associates (ESA) was on the list of approved archeological consultants, had previously performed work with Napa County, and was recommended by the County’s Planning Building and Environmental Services Department. Due to the requirements to be a BLM contractor and familiarity with the Napa County processes, in addition to coordinating approval with the BLM and the Federal Communication Commission, ESA was the best vendor to perform the work.
Requested action: Approve and authorize Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 250136B with Environmental Science Associates (ESA), to extend the term at no additional cost to June 30, 2026, for continued cultural resources technical services to support environmental review of the Mount St. Helena telecommunications tower replacement project.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
Information Technology Services (ITS), Communications - Radio (Subdivision 42000-13) |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
A Cultural Resource Study is mandatory to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
This is a one-time expense; no future fiscal impacts are anticipated. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
Not approving the continued cultural study will place three critical microwave links in jeopardy each winter. This also creates a hazardous situation for technicians working at the site repairing damage due to inclement weather. |
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Additional Information |
The cultural study has almost been completed. This request is to extend the term for more time to complete the survey. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.