To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: BRANDY FORBES, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
TITLE
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APPROVE FIRST AMENDMENT TO CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH FEHR & PEERS, INC. TO EXTEND THE TERM THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2021 FOR PREPARATION OF VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED (VMT) ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY TO GUIDE THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) TRANSPORTATION IMPACT ANALYSIS OF PROJECTS IN THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH AS REQUIRED BY CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE BILL 743 FOR THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $54,930 FOR THE TERM OF APRIL 21, 2020 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2021.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On April 21, 2020 the City Council approved an agreement with Fehr and Peers, Inc. to provide consulting services and assistance with developing Vehicles Miles Traveled (VMT) methodology for traffic impact analysis under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), as required by SB 743. VMT will replace Level of Service (LOS) in assessing potential traffic impacts for new projects subject to CEQA.
The initial term of the contract went through June 30, 2021. The staff review of documents and timing for Planning Commission hearing notice and consideration created a brief delay in City Council consideration. To ensure that the consultant is available for any follow up from City Council consideration, the contract is being extended for that service. The new term will be through August 31, 2021.
BACKGROUND
Senate Bill 743, certified by the State in December 2018 to modify the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Section 15064.3, requires that a project’s effect on automobile delay (i.e., Level of Service) shall not constitute a significant environmental impact under CEQA. Instead, Vehicle Miles Travelled (VMT) shall be the primary transportation impact criteria for transportation analysis. While lead agencies have discretion in the adoption of their preferred VMT methodology and thresholds of significance, beginning on July 1, 2020, the provisions of §15064.3 of the CEQA Guidelines requiring calculations of VMT instead of Level of Service (LOS) will apply statewide regardless of whether those local methodologies are in place.
This requirement will substantially change how the transportation impacts of projects are analyzed in the City of Redondo Beach, as the typical intersection LOS traffic study process can no longer be used to assess transportation impacts in a CEQA document. It is important that the City select a VMT methodology and thresholds of significance that not only meet the legal requirements, but also address the City’s unique land use and circulation patterns (i.e. large volumes of pass through commuter trips along commercial corridors and a high percentage of residents commuting out of the City for jobs (jobs/housing ratio)).
Although the City does have the discretion to continue to require LOS analysis outside of the CEQA process, the City needs to determine how and when the VMT analysis would be required for CEQA review.
At their April 21, 2020 meeting, the Redondo Beach City Council approved a contract with the consultant Fehr and Peers to assist Redondo Beach in developing the best VMT methodology to match the City’s circumstances. Fehr and Peers proposed a VMT methodology to the Redondo Beach City Council at their November 10, 2020 meeting, and the City Council agreed to move forward with the metrics and methodology proposed. The final step in the scope of work with Fehr and Peers is to ensure and that the methodology is properly reflected in the Circulation Element of the General Plan and in the Redondo Beach Municipal Code regarding Environmental Review Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act. As well, the scope entails the adoption of the Transportation Impact Study Guidelines to reflect the VMT methodology agreed to by the City Council.
The initial term of the contract was through June 30, 2021. The staff review of documents and timing for Planning Commission hearing notice and consideration created a brief delay in City Council consideration. To ensure that the consultant is available for any follow up from City Council consideration, the contract is being extended for that service for an extra two months. The new term will be through August 31, 2021.
COORDINATION
The preparation of the contract amendment has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost of the services outlined in the consulting services agreement is not changing, and will remain at $54,930 which includes reimbursables. Since a major component of the project addresses the impacts and revisions to the Circulation Element of the General Plan, the funds utilized for the proposed consulting services agreement are the General Plan Maintenance Fund.
APPROVED BY:
Joe Hoefgen, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
First Amendment Fehr and Peers VMT Analysis
Original agreement Fehr and Peers April 21, 2020