HomeMy Public PortalAbout15. Agreement with Romo Planning Group for Professional Planning Consulting Services1►0
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File #: 4310
Claremont City Council
Agenda Report
TO: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
FROM: BRAD JOHNSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
DATE: J U LY 26, 2022
SUBJECT:
Item No: 15.
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH ROMO
PLANNING GROUP FOR PROFESSIONAL PLANNING CONSULTING SERVICES (FUNDING
SOURCE: DEVELOPMENT PROJECT APPLICANTS)
SUMMARY
The City of Claremont has utilized Romo Planning Group to provide professional planning services to
the City for several years. The Planning Division has numerous projects that require the use of
planning consultants to accomplish efficient processing of development applications. The current
contract planner assigned to Claremont manages complex development projects that may extend
over several years. Most recently, the services provided by Romo Planning Group have included the
management of the Clara Oaks Specific Plan and Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
The previous professional services agreement expired on June 30, 2022. To ensure the continuation
of processing development projects, staff recommends entering into a new agreement with Romo
Planning Group for professional planning consulting services.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a three-year
agreement with Romo Planning Group, with two optional one-year extensions in an amount not -to -
exceed $100,000 annually.
ALTERNATIVE TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there is the following alternative:
• Request additional information from staff.
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FINANCIAL REVIEW
The cost of services to be provided under the proposed agreement with Romo Planning Group will
not exceed $100,000 per year. All costs for the professional services rendered under this agreement
will be charged against Planning and/or Environmental Impact Report deposits that are collected
from applicants of development projects. The cost of the consultant services will not exceed the
amount of the deposits and fees collected from the developers.
The cost associated with the preparation of this report is estimated at $512 and is included in the
operating budget of the Community Development Department.
ANALYSIS
The Planning Division is responsible for processing development project applications received from
developers for projects proposed in the City. Many of these applications are complex and require the
use of an outside planning consultant to complement the work performed by Planning Division staff.
The contract planner provided by Romo Planning Group is currently managing the Clara Oaks
Specific Plan and Environmental Impact Report, as well as several other planning applications.
Additionally, the Planning Division anticipates other upcoming projects that will also require extensive
environmental review and project management.
After working with this consultant for several years, staff has determined that Romo Planning Group
is a qualified consultant based on the current work being conducted on several projects, work from
relevant projects in similar jurisdictions, strong professional experience, credibility, and previous work
completed for the City.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City's strategic and visioning documents
and finds it relates to City Council Priorities, Sustainability Plan, General Plan, and the 2022-24
Budget.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or
reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and Section 15060(c)(3) (the
activity is not a "project" as defined in section 15378). CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(2), (4), and
(5) excludes "continuing administrative ... activities," "government fiscal activities, which do not
involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical
impact on the environment," and "administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct
or indirect physical changes to the environment" from its definition of "project."
Additionally, under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), it is covered by the general rule that CEQA
applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.
Extending an existing contract to assist in compliance activities for the MS4 Permit will not have a
significant effect on the environment because the action will not result in or lead to a physical change
in Claremont. Therefore, no additional environmental review is needed.
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PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to
interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk's Office.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Brad Johnson Alex Cousins
Community Development Director Management Analyst
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