04 Staff Report.Environmental Review Consultant
PREPARED BY: Jennifer Armer, AICP
Senior Planner
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Finance Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 11/17/2020 ITEM NO: 4
DATE: November 12, 2020
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Authorize the Town Manager to Execute Agreements for Environmental
Consultant Services with EMC Planning Group, Inc. and Raney Planning and
Management, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize the Town Manager to execute agreements for environmental consultant services
with EMC Planning Group, Inc. (Attachment 1) and Raney Planning and Management, Inc.
(Attachment 2).
BACKGROUND:
The Town’s environmental consultants provide services and expertise to support staff in the
review of development projects. These services include recommendations on the level of
environmental review required for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) and preparation of the required documentation, including initial studies, exemptions,
negative declarations, and environmental impact reports.
On July 20, 2020, the Town issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for environmental
consulting services. Proposals were due August 14, 2020.
DISCUSSION:
Staff sent the RFQ to 20 consultants with known qualifications associated with environmental
consulting services. Staff received proposals from seven firms and conducted interviews and
reference checks for three. At the conclusion of the RFQ review process, staff determined that
EMC Planning Group, Inc. (EMC) and Raney Planning and Management, Inc. (Raney) provide the
best fit, capacity, professional expertise, and cost for environmental consulting services for the
Town.
PAGE 2 OF 2 SUBJECT: Environmental Consulting Services DATE: November 12, 2020
DISCUSSION (continued):
EMC has been providing environmental review services for 42 years and has served as a
consultant to the Town for the past 10 years. EMC has prepared numerous environmental
documents for the Town.
Raney has extensive experience preparing environmental documents for agencies within
California over the last 20 years. Current and recent clients include Morgan Hill, San Jose, and
Cupertino.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the Town Council authorize the Town Manager to enter into
agreements (Attachments 1 and 2) with EMC and Raney for the reasons stated in this report.
COORDINATION:
This report has been coordinated with the Town Manager’s Office, Town Attorney’s Office, and
the Finance Department.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact as the cost for consulting environmental services is paid by the
applicant for a development proposal.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
Environmental Review is not required as this is not a project defined by the California
Environmental Quality Act.
Attachments:
1. Draft EMC Agreement
1. Draft Raney Agreement