To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: KATHERINE BUCK, ACTING WATERFRONT & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
TITLE
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APPROVE A CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH DUDEK FOR LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM AMENDMENT ASSISTANCE IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $500,000, PAID BY CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION GRANT FUNDS, FOR THE TERM MAY 5, 2026 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2028
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2023, the State enacted Senate Bill (SB) 272 requiring local jurisdictions to conduct sea level rise assessments for all properties with a Coastal Zoning designation. Pursuant to SB 272, the City must complete the assessment and obtain California Coastal Commission (CCC) approval of an amended Local Coastal Program (LCP) reflecting the results of the assessment by January 1, 2034. In 2025, staff submitted a proposal to the CCC’s LCP Local Assistance Grant program and was awarded $500,000 to conduct technical studies and prepare the Local Coastal Program amendment. In early 2026, staff conducted a request for proposal (RFP) process and selected Dudek as the preferred consultant to amend the City’s Local Coastal Program and prepare the documents necessary for local adoption and submittal to the CCC. Staff recommends that City Council approve the proposed Agreement with Dudek for consultant services to prepare the Local Coastal Program Amendment.
BACKGROUND
In 1980, the City adopted its Local Coastal Program to guide development within the Coastal Zone, including King Harbor and the coastal areas south of the Pier. In July 2019, the City completed a Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment for King Harbor in response to Assembly Bill (AB) 691. In 2023, the State enacted SB 272, which requires local jurisdictions to prepare a more comprehensive sea level rise assessment for all properties with a coastal zoning designation and obtain California Coastal Commission approval of an amended Local Coastal Program by January 1, 2034.
On February 18, 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution No. CC-2502-005 authorizing staff to apply for California Coastal Commission Local Coastal Program Local Assistance Grant funding. The City applied for, and was subsequently awarded, a $500,000 grant from the California Coastal Commission to support the technical studies and LCP updates necessary to bring the City into compliance with Senate Bill 272. On October 7, 2025, the City Council approved the Grant Agreement.
Consistent with the grant-funded work plan presented to City Council last year, staff prepared and released Request for Proposals No. 2526-004 to identify a qualified consultant to complete the Local Coastal Program Amendment. The City received three proposal submissions, with the proposal from Dudek scoring the highest. Dudek has past experience preparing similar sea level rise and LCP amendments with other cities including Dana Point, San Clemente, Pismo Beach, and Oxnard. In its proposal, Dudek proposes to incorporate all amendments to date into a modernized LCP that is easier to use for long-term planning and coastal development permit review based on their past experience working with CCC.
Dudek would serve as the prime consultant, with Moffatt & Nichol providing coastal engineering services and SWA providing public outreach support. According to the proposal, their team structure has demonstrated experience delivering all of the tasks in the scope of work including conducting sea level rise vulnerability assessments, facilitating public engagement, reorganizing LCP’s to improve readability and usability for staff, CCC representatives, and prospective developers, and delivering approved LCPs for cities.
Key Anticipated Work Milestones and Deliverables:
• Spring 2026: Project kickoff
• Spring 2026: Existing document review memoranda
• 2026 - Draft Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment
• Late 2026 - 2027: Administrative Draft Local Coastal Program Amendment
• 2027: Commission meetings, City Council hearings
• On or before December 2027: CCC Final Local Coastal Program Amendment submittal
• Throughout term: Public Outreach and stakeholder engagement
• On or before June 2028: Project close-out
Staff recommends Approval of the proposed Agreement with Dudek to amend the City’s LCP utilizing grant funding from the CCC.
COORDINATION
This item was coordinated with the Waterfront and Economic Development Department. The City Attorney’s Office approved the Agreement as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT
There are sufficient funds from the $500,000 California Coastal Commission Local Coastal Program Local Assistance Grant to support the contract.
ATTACHMENTS
• Agmt - Dudek
• Insurance - Dudek