Staff Report.Landscape Architecture Consultant
PREPARED BY: Sally Zarnowitz, AIA, LEED AP
Planning Manager
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: 06/15/2021
ITEM NO: 11
DATE: June 4, 2021
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Authorize the Town Manager to Execute an Agreement with W. Jeffrey Heid,
Landscape Architect, to Provide Services as Landscape Architecture
Consultant to the Town.
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize the Town Manager to execute an agreement with W. Jeffrey Heid, Landscape
Architect, to provide services as Landscape Architecture Consultant to the Town.
BACKGROUND:
In 1992, the Town adopted a Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) pursuant to State
requirements. As required by the State, landscape plans subject to review under WELO, are
required to be reviewed by licensed professionals. In 2011, the Town Council approved a
contract with W. Jeffrey Heid to serve as Landscape Architecture Consultant to review
landscape plans and to perform the irrigation audits required by the WELO.
The Town distributed a Request for Proposal in April 2021 and received three proposals from
Landscape Architecture Consultants. Through the selection process, Mr. Heid was chosen to
continue to serve as the Landscape Architecture Consultant for the Town, based on the quality
of the proposal, the cost to provide services, and past services provided.
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SUBJECT: Authorize the Town Manager to Execute an Agreement with W. Jeffrey Heid,
Landscape Architect, to Provide Services as Landscape Architecture Consultant
to the Town.
DATE: June 3, 2021
DISCUSSION:
The Landscape Architecture Consultant serves in a similar capacity to other Town peer review
consultants such as architect, arborist, geotechnical, and environmental consultants. Typical
Landscape Architecture Consultant tasks include the following:
• Working on special studies or projects, including: preparation of a checklist for required
content for landscape plans and irrigation reports for application packets; and
• Evaluating landscape and irrigation plans for development proposals for conformance
with the WELO, including review of: landscape water budget components; soil
assessment and management; landscape maintenance; identifying recommendations
and conditions of approval for landscape water reduction; and project monitoring.
Mr. Heid has been a licensed Landscape Architect in the State of California since 1982, and a
certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor since 1987. He has made it a priority to stay current with
updates to the WELO, including changes which are forthcoming from the Department of Water
Resources, with continuing education. Since 2011, he has performed over 125 landscape plan
reviews for the Town and has been providing auditing services for certain projects upon
request.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the Town Council authorize the Town Manager to execute an
agreement (Attachment 1) with W. Jeffrey Heid, Landscape Architect.
COORDINATION:
This report has been coordinated with the Town Manager’s Office, Town Attorney’s Office, and
the Finance Department.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The WELO reviews for development proposals are paid for by the project applicant. The typical
consultant review deposit for a single-family home is $2,000.00. The actual cost is based on the
scope of work and the consultant’s fee schedule (see Attachment 1, Exhibit A). An
administrative fee of 10 percent is also charged to reimburse the Town’s administration costs.
PAGE 3 OF 4
SUBJECT: Authorize the Town Manager to Execute an Agreement with W. Jeffrey Heid,
Landscape Architect, to Provide Services as Landscape Architecture Consultant
to the Town.
DATE: June 3, 2021
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
This is not a project defined under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and no further
action is required.
Attachment:
1. June 30, 2021 Heid Agreement with Exhibit A
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