REVIEWED BY: Ray Severn, Community Development Director q

On September 26, 1997, the City requested proposals from qualified consultants (botanists, biologists, or native plant specialists) for Biological Resource Mitigation Monitoring of the Carpinteria Bluffs Bermant Corporate Office Building Project, located at 6267 Carpinteria Avenue (APN 01-180-19). The 3.7 acre site zoned Industrial Research Park (M-RP) is currently under development for a 53,000 s.f. office building.

The Planning Commission on October 25, 1996 approved the development project and mitigated negative declaration. The Architectural Review Board approved formal project design and landscape plans on November 13, 1996. A Grading Permit was issued on May 8, 1997 and subsequent Building Permit was issued on June 27, 1997.

A condition of approval for the Bermant Corporate Office Building Project (95-744-DP) requires that a Mitigation Monitoring Program be instituted and adhered to as the project proceeds. The Biological Resources Mitigation Monitoring Program incorporates a "Creek Restoration and Maintenance Plan" which was developed by the applicant (Bermant) and approved by the City (October 25, 1995). The maintenance program is bonded to continue for a period of five (5) years.

Four proposals were received by the submittal deadline of October 13, 1997. One consultant who is on-target with the scope and anticipated costs of the proposed monitoring needs to be selected for the five year duration of the monitoring program.

The selected Botanist, Biologist, or Native Plant Specialist will review the approved Landscape Plan and evaluate:

• The Coastal Sage Scrub Habitat Plant Species List to determine if other species should be added (such as California Sage Scrub) and if any species should be deleted.
• The accuracy of the developer applicant’s claims and plans to achieve re-establishment of a Coastal Sage Scrub area (100 % of the 38,000 s.f. area) as determined by Derrik Eichelberg, the developer’s landscape architect on 5/30/97.
• Identify any conflicts between planting large box specimen Sycamore and Torrey Pine trees and make recommendations on any tree location changes and or planting changes beneath the specimen trees that may be appropriate.
• Following a determination of any need to revise the approved Landscape Plan, the selected Botanist, Biologist, or Native Plant Specialist shall review the developer-applicants’ proposed planting methodology and timing.
• The consultant will meet with the developer and City staff to finalize appropriate planting methodology and timing and will then be available to inspect the actual planting upon receipt of one week’s notice to be given to City staff by the developer-applicant when the landscape planting is to commence.

The consultant will also budget for any re-inspection and post planting establishment inspections as recommended.

Bond release is contingent on the accuracy of the developer applicant’s claims and plans to achieve re-establishment of a Coastal Sage Scrub of 100 % of the 38,000 s.f. area within five years.

The City of Carpinteria has requested proposals from qualified consultants for Biological Resource Mitigation Monitoring for the Carpinteria Bluffs Bermant Corporate Office Building Project, located at 6267 Carpinteria Avenue (APN 01-180-19). A selection must be made from the proposals received.

In reviewing the proposals, staff noted that all of the consultants represented were extremely qualified. However, it is apparent that the scope of the project and level of reporting were interpreted differently by the consultants. Staff recognizes that differences in interpretation may have played a part in the consultants’ budgeting for the proposal. However, "the required tasks" were delineated in the Request for Proposal.

The proposals submitted by VJS Biological and Dougal House more closely resemble what staff anticipated as the response to the Request for Proposal. The consultants are similarly qualified as revegetation specialists, with like experience, and validated references. However, VJS Consulting’s bid (a not-to-exceed budget of $4,500) is less than half the cost of Dougal House’s $11,160.

This Biological Resources Mitigation Monitoring Program has been developed in compliance with CEQA requirements and the approved Mitigated Negative Declaration for the project.

Public Resources Code Section 21081.6 requires public agencies to adopt a reporting or monitoring program to ensure that mitigation measures adopted pursuant to CEQA are implemented.

Request for Proposals dated September 26, 1997

Proposal submitted by VJS Biological Consulting

Proposal submitted by Dougal R. House

Proposal submitted by Hunt & Associates

Proposal submitted by Dames & Moore

Andrew Bermant, Bermant Development Co.

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Rays@silcom.com