TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Brian D. Bordona - Director of Planning, Building and Environmental Services
REPORT BY: Brian D. Bordona - Director of Planning, Building and Environmental Services
SUBJECT: Update to the 2005 Baseline Data Report (BDR)
RECOMMENDATION
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Approve and authorize Agreement No. 250315B with Environmental Science Associates (ESA) to update the Napa County 2005 Baseline Data Report to inform the General Plan Update and related Environmental Impact Report with an effective date of February 4, 2025 (Fiscal Impact: $1,613,971 Expense; General Fund; Budgeted; Discretionary).
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BACKGROUND
On August 6, 2024, the Board received a presentation on the Baseline Data Report (BDR) and authorized the Director of Planning, Building and Environmental Services (PBES) to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the preparation of an update to the BDR.
The intent of the BDR update is to provide current information and analysis on the state of the environmental and regulatory baseline in the County and is essential to create a strong, scientific, and fact-based foundation for the upcoming General Plan Update (GPU) and supporting Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The August 6th staff report contains further details of the BDR update and its role as the first significant step in the GPU process (see attached).
Based on direction from the Board, staff released an RFP for consulting services on August 16, 2024. On September 30, 2024, staff received three proposals from consulting firms. The proposals were reviewed and evaluated by the following County staff:
• Director of Public Works;
• Director of Planning, Building and Environmental Services;
• Public Information Officer;
• Assistant Director of PBES;
• Deputy Director of PBES;
• Deputy County Counsel;
• Planning Manager; and
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Coordinator for PBES.
County staff reviewed the proposals based on the following criteria:
1. Project Approach
2. Understanding of Project and Local Issues
3. Experience and Success on Similar Projects
4. Qualifications of Personnel
5. Project Schedule
6. Pricing/Rate Proposal
The County evaluation team unanimously recommends Environmental Science Associates (ESA) provide services to update the Baseline Data Report.
With over 300 employee-owners in Northern California, ESA provides a deep bench of technical experts to deliver a comprehensive, data-rich BDR. Since the 1970s, ESA has provided environmental documentation support under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and technical analyses in Napa County. They are familiar with the local natural resources and socioeconomic factors in the County, in addition to existing County data, policy documents, GIS mapping. ESA has supported the CEQA documentation and technical analysis for several recent County projects including the 2023 Safety Element and 2024 Housing Element Update. Their experience is further supplemented by teaming partners: BAE Urban Economics (BAE), Fehr & Peers, and Raimi + Associates (R+A), each with a history of successful engagements with the County.
In addition, ESA worked on the Napa River Restoration Project, including the Rutherford, Oakville, and Oak Knoll reaches; and vineyard erosion control plan applications for over twenty-five vineyards in unincorporated Napa County, including several EIRs. Their experts also bring their experience supporting Napa County Public Works Department and Flood Control and Water Conservation Districts with bridge replacement projects (e.g., Oakville Road Bridge) and the Countywide Stream Maintenance and Watershed Management Program.
Given ESA’s experience working on GPUs and EIRs, there’s a strong understanding of the relationship between the BDR, and the data needs of those documents. This allows the team to focus efforts and project resources on those topics and issues essential to the GPU and EIR, weed out those that are not, and streamline the presentation of information. This streamlining will also make it easier to find, use, and periodically update with new information. They have strategically structured their management team with both long-range planning and CEQA practitioners, to ensure that the BDR not only meets immediate project requirements but also positions the County for seamless and successful execution of the upcoming GPU and Program EIR.
ESA also possess the ability to create dynamic tools to report out and manage information, having the vision and know how to apply dynamic web applications that are easy to understand, sort, and maneuver based on the need of the given user. Their GIS and Technology team has relevant experience and tools to create a BDR that consolidates the latest information on changes in environmental, social, and economic conditions, and local and State policy. By integrating advanced data management and visualization tools, they can create a BDR that is a vital, user-friendly resource for decision-making and community engagement. Their team's experience with large-scale planning and data collection efforts, such as the California High-Speed Train Project and the Caltrans Middle Mile Broadband Network, underscores our ability to manage complex data systems and deliver innovative solutions tailored to the County's needs.
Staff recommends this initial contract with ESA to complete this first significant step in the GPU process. The project total is $1,403,453 with a 15% contingency for a grand total of $1,613,971, which falls well under the $2 million budgeted in the County’s adopted FY24/25 budget. Please see the attached scope of work for details related to the substance of deliverables, community outreach and web presence, timelines, etc.
The BDR update process will begin in February 2025 and is scheduled to be completed in the spring/summer of 2026. Staff will be returning to the Board this summer to provide an update on the progress of the BDR; discuss the issuance of an RFP to select a consultant to update the General Plan and EIR; and receive direction on the composition, formation and appointment of a steering committee to facilitate public input to the GPU.
Requested Action:
1. Authorize and approve Agreement No. 250315B with Environmental Science Associates for services and technical expertise to update the Baseline Data Report in the amount of $1,613,971 with an effective date of February 4, 2025.
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? |
General Fund 1000, Org 1700004 |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
An update to the Baseline Data Report is recommended to reflect significant changes since 2005, including wildfire, housing, and the economy; and to incorporate new issues regarding climate change, environmental justice, and groundwater sustainability to inform the General Plan Update. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
Yes |
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Future fiscal impact: |
The BDR update project is anticipated to be complete in FY25/26 and is not anticipated to require additional funding. However, expenditures for the update the General Plan and related EIR preparation are likely to continue into FY28/29. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
The update of the BDR and General Plan would be delayed but would likely need to begin no later than 2026. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) Section 15378 (State California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.