Item 18 Staff Report Consider Hiring a Town Geotechnical Consultant to Review Projects as Needed1
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DATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
MEETING DATE: 12/04/00
ITEM NO.
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
November 29, 2000
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN MANAG
CONSIDER HIRING A TOWN GEOTECHNICAL CONSULTANT TO REVIEW PROJECTS
AS NEEDED
RECOMMENDATION:
Direct staff to prepare a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) that will be sent to prospective geotechnical consultants.
BACKGROUND:
At the Mayor's Meeting on November 1, 2000, the issue of evaluating geologic hazards was discussed and staff was
directed to prepare a report to the Council about hiring a geotechnical consultant to evaluate development proposals.
DISCUSSION:
It has been suggested that the Town hire a geotechnical consultant to evaluate soils and geotechnical reports or studies
and to evaluate sites and submit written recommendations to the Town when determined to be necessary. For example,
a steep site on College Avenue was recently evaluated to determine if the proposed building site was a feasible location
for a new home. The following General Plan goals and policies relate to this topic:
S.G.1.2 To minimize exposure to geologic hazards, including slope stability, subsidence, and expansive soils, and
to seismic hazards including ground shaking fault rupture, liquifaction and landsliding.
S.P.1.1 Ensure that reliable evaluations are made of the geologic conditions existing at all sites proposed for
development, especially where conditions indicate the possibility of weak soils or geologic structures.
S.P.1.2 Restrict new development and redevelopment based on the levels of acceptable risk and potential severity
of hazards.
The following implementing strategies from the General Plan support hiring a Town Geotechnical Consultant:
S.I.1.1 Geologic reports: Require geological investigations for any development for projects when warranted.
S.I.1.2 Geologic map: The Town shall update periodically its geologic map delineating known geologic hazards and
faults in the Town.
S.I.1.6 Require preparation of a report from an engineering geologist that reviews geologic soils and engineering
reports for developments in identified geologic hazard areas.
(Continued on Page 2)
PREPARED BY: PAUL L. CURTIS Sf
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Reviewed by: At' Attorney Revised: 11/29/00 9:55 am
Reformatted: 7/14/99
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MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: CONSIDER HIRING A TOWN GEOTECHNICAL CONSULTANT
November 29, 2000
The Town currently has contracts with a traffic engineer and environmental consultant. These consultants prepare reports
for the Town as needed. If the Council approves the hiring of a geotechnical consultant, the Community Development
Department will send a Request for Qualifications to prospective consultants. Staff will then select a consultant and will
return to the Council with a recommendation to enter into an agreement. All background information on the process and
on the consultant's qualifications and scope of services will be presented in that staff report. The cost of the consultants
time is paid by the project applicant prior to the service.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends proceeding with a process to hire.
Attachments:
None
PLC:SD:mdc
N:\DEV\SUZANNE\Counci I\GEOTECH
Town Council Minutes December 4, 2000
Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California
MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 20, 2000 (04.V)
Speaker Davis asked that his comments appear in the action only minutes.
Motion by Mr. Attaway, seconded by Mr. Blanton, that Council approve the Joint Town
Council/Redevelopment Agency Minutes of November 20, 2000, as appears in tonight's desk item.
Carried unanimously.
FIRE PREVENTION POLICY/HILLSIDE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS/REPORT (05.33)
Speaker Davis complained about Town's Fire Prevention Policy.
Motion by Mr. Attaway, seconded by Mr. Blanton, that Council accept status -update on Hillside
Development/Fire Prevention Policy. Carried unanimously.
PERSONNEL REGULATIONS/TOWN CODE AMENDMENTS/ORDINANCE INTRO (17.29)
The Town Clerk read the Title of the Proposed Ordinance.
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mr. Attaway, to waive the reading of the Proposed Ordinance.
Carried unanimously.
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mr. Attaway, that Council introduce the Proposed Ordinance
entitled, ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS AMENDING THE LOS GATOS
TOWN CODE, CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE III, DIVISION 6, PERSONNEL REGULATIONS.
Carried unanimously.
GEOTECHNICAL PROJECT CONSULTANT/REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (18.38)
Ray Davis asked that this service be implemented fully.
Motion by Mr. Attaway, seconded by Mrs. Decker, that Council direct staff to prepare a Request
for Qualifications (RFQ) that will be sent to prospective geotechnical consultants. Carried
unanimously.
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2000-2001 (19.28)
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mr. Attaway, that Council amend Town Council Meeting
Schedule for 2000-2001 Fiscal Year, canceling January 2, 2001 Council Meeting and adding January
8, 2000, regular Council Meeting. Carried unanimously.
SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS (20.28)
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mr. Attaway, that Council accept the schedule of public
hearings with the following changes and additions:
January 8, 2001 Pollard Road 1492 & 1440; Nina Court 130; Suview Drive 15350; Wooded View Drive 285.
January 16, 2001 College Avenue 65; Kensington Way; University Avenue 75; Pollard Road 1300.
February 5, 2001 Francis Oaks Way 15451; Francis Oaks Way 15491; Greenridge Drive 16084.
February 20, 2001 Blossom Hill Road & Placer Oaks Drive. Carried unanimously.
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS (21.28)
Mayor Pirzynski acknowledged the receipt of Council members' requests for committee and
commission appointments. Decisions will be made on December 18, 2000.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mr. Attaway, to adjourn this evening's meeting at 10:33p.m.
Carried unanimously.
ATTEST: Marian V. Cosgrove, Town Clerk
TC:D11:MM120400
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