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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMND Dune Palms Widening CC 04 20 2010Ok �FO Y Qum& o _ s s CF`y OF TKQ'�4� COUNCIL/RDAMEETING DATE: April 20, 2010 AGENDA CATEGORY: ITEM TITLE: Consideration of a Resolution Certifying a BUSINESS SESSION: Mitigated Negative Declaration of an Environmental Impact and Associated Mitigation Monitoring Program CONSENT CALENDAR: for Environmental Assessment 2010-609 Prepared for the Dune Palms Road Widening Project; and a STUDY SESSION: Professional Services Agreement with RBF Consulting to Prepare the Plans, Specifications and Engineer's PUBLIC HEARING: Estimate of Probable Construction Costs for the Dune Palms Road Improvements, Project No. 2009-04 RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a Resolution certifying a mitigated negative declaration of an environmental impact and associated mitigation monitoring program for Environmental Assessment 2010-609 prepared for the Dune Palms Road widening project; and approve a Professional Services Agreement (PSA), in the amount not to exceed $110,294, with RBF Consulting to prepare the plans, specifications and engineer's estimate (PS&E) for the Dune Palms Road improvements, Project Number 2009-04. FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: The following is the project's approved funding and funding sources: RDA Project Area Number 2 Low/Mod Funds Total Funding Available: $1,812,199 $1,812,199 2� The following is the anticipated project budget: Administration: $64,837 Design: $129,674 Inspection/Testing/Survey: $126,432 Construction: $1,296, 743 Professional: $64,837 Contingency: $129,676 Total: $1,812,195 As illustrated, adequate funding is available to support staffs recommendation. CHARTER CITY IMPLICATIONS: The project is funded with Redevelopment Agency (RDA) project area funding. As such, the project will be bid as a prevailing wage improvement. BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW: In 2007, the RDA began purchasing properties located at the northeast corner of Dune Palms Road and Westward Ho for the purpose of developing affordable housing. The final parcel was purchased by the RDA in 2010. The RDA site now comprises over five acres, and the RDA is working on a conceptual plan for up to 100 new units affordable to low- and/or moderate -income households at that site. The proposed street improvements and road widening on Dune Palms Road are necessary to implement the roadway improvements for this area that are recommended in the City's General Plan. This portion of roadway is one of the few areas within the City where the roadway has not been brought up to the General Plan standards. In 1969, as a condition to obtain a variance to increase the number of units at the Vista Dunes Mobile Estates, the property owner dedicated the right of way for a 44-foot half street. The owner was required to install improvements, including curb and gutter, but never did so. Today, the roadway is deficient. The 2002 General Plan Update designated the roadway as a secondary arterial, which is to be two lanes in each direction. The Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) counted approximately 9,400 daily trips per day in this area in 2008 which is a substantial increase over the 1,400 daily trips that existed as of 1998 when the General Plan traffic counts were taken. Development in the area has created the need for the roadway improvement. The w.. 278 additional trips that will be generated by the proposed RDA's housing project will exasperate the need for these improvements. The improvements are also necessary to address inadequate drainage, and to improve safety by the installation of curb, gutter, and sidewalks. A site diagram is provided for the City Council's review as Attachment 1. The proposed road improvements include the construction of a new, second northbound lane on the east side of Dune Palms Road between Westward Ho Drive and the Whitewater Channel. The proposed improvements will construct Dune Palms Road to its general plan secondary arterial configuration and will include a new northbound travel lane, curb, gutter and a 6-foot wide, curb -adjacent sidewalk. Completion of the project will require relocating existing overhead power poles. The pole relocation will be completed by the Imperial Irrigation District (IID). In addition, several units and/or site improvements within the Dune Palms Mobile Estates are encroaching within the public right of way and will require relocation prior to the construction of the street improvements. On April 21, 2009 the City Council adopted Resolution 2009-033 approving the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 through 2013-2014 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and making certain findings pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 33445(a). The Dune Palms Road improvements are included within the adopted CIP and scheduled for funding during Fiscal Year 2009-2010. On December 15, 2009, the City Council authorized staff to distribute a Request for Proposal (RFP) to obtain professional engineering services to prepare the PS&E for the Dune Palms Road Improvements, Project 2009-04. The City received fifteen (15) proposals on January 26, 2010. Following its evaluation of the proposals, the consultant selection committee elected to interview five of the fifteen firms. Following the interviews conducted on March 19, 2010, staff unanimously recommends RBF Consulting be awarded a PSA (Attachment 2) to provide professional engineering services for the Dune Palms Road improvements, Project 2009-04. The Dune Palms Road improvements are subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The City is the lead agency and approval authority for the CEQA environmental document. An initial study/environmental assessment was conducted and a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) has been prepared for the project and is attached (Attachment 3) for the City Council's consideration. The following is a summary of the findings of the attached MND: 1. The proposed project will not be detrimental to the health, safety, or general welfare of the community, either indirectly, or directly, in that no significant impacts or unmitigatable impacts were identified by Environmental Assessment 2010-609. 2. The proposed project will not have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife population to drop below self sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of rare or endangered plants or animals or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory. The property has not been identified as a habitat for any endangered or threatened wildlife. 3. There is no evidence that the proposed project will have the potential for an adverse effect on wildlife resources or the habitat on which the wildlife depends. The property has not been identified as a habitat for any endangered or threatened wildlife. Furthermore, landscaping will be installed which may provide some habitat. 4. The proposed project does not have the potential to achieve short-term environmental goals, to the disadvantage of long-term environmental goals, as no significant effects on environmental factors have been identified by the Environmental Assessment. 5. The proposed project will not result in impacts which are individually limited or cumulatively considerable when considering planned or proposed development in the immediate vicinity, as development patterns in the area will not be significantly affected by the proposed project. If the project is approved as proposed, is will be in compliance with the La Quinta General Plan and in conformance with surrounding development. 6. The proposed project will not have environmental effects that will adversely affect the human population, either directly or indirectly, as no significant impacts have been identified which would affect human health, risk potential or public services. 7. There is no substantial evidence in light of the entire record that the project may have a significant effect on the environment. On April 14, 2010, City staff received one comment letter regarding the MND. The letter is from the Peterson Law Group. John Peterson, the author of the letter, does not identify his client, but from his comments it appears that he is representing Dune Palms Mobile Estates. A copy of the letter is submitted as Attachment 4. The Public Works Department and the City Traffic Engineer will address the matters raised in the letter during their presentation on this matter. In summary, with regard to the specific issues raised on page 2 of the letter, please note the following: (1) The improved roadway will provide for a safer access point for vehicles to turn into the Dune Palm Mobile Estates. The proposed new outside lane will be available for such turns without interfering with the operation of the inside (existing) lane. Therefore 280 the additional lane will serve as an acceleration/deceleration lane which will help to reduce rear end collisions. A shoulder will continue to exist adjacent to the outside lane. (2) The distance between the proposed roadway and residences/pool is a standard separation. The right of way was granted by the Owner of the Dune Palms Mobile Estate for the purpose of the roadway widening in 1969. This was in exchange for the variance granted for additional units at the Estate. However, it does appear that some of the coaches and ancillary structures attached to the coaches encroach into the area dedicated to the City. (3) Projected vehicle trips in this segment of roadway in 2020 are estimated to be approximately 19,000 vehicles per day which is well in excess of the capacity of a two lane divided road. The traffic, air quality, and noise impact of that level of traffic were studied in the City's 2002 General Plan EIR and found to be less than significant, provided that the recommended roadway improvements were made. FINDINGS AND ALTERNATIVES: The alternatives available to the City Council include: 1. Adopt a Resolution certifying a mitigated negative declaration of an environmental impact and associated mitigation monitoring program for Environmental Assessment 2010-609 prepared for the Dune Palms Road widening project; and approve a PSA, in the amount not to exceed $110,294, with RBF Consulting to prepare the PS&E for the Dune Palms Road improvements, Project Number 2009-04; or 2. Do not adopt a Resolution certifying a mitigated negative declaration of an environmental impact and associated mitigation monitoring program for Environmental Assessment 2010-609 prepared for the Dune Palms Road widening project; and do not approve a PSA, in the amount not to exceed $110,294, with RBF Consulting to prepare the PS&E for the Dune Palms Road improvements, Project Number 2009-04; or 3. Provide staff with alternative direction. Respectfully submitted, R 4mothy . on Public Wo s ctor/City Engineer 281 Approved for submission by: Thomas P. Genovese, City Manager Attachments: 1. Site Diagram/Vicinity Map 2. Professional Services Agreement 3. Environmental Assessment 2010-609 4. Letter from Peterson Law Group RESOLUTION NO. 2010-0 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, CERTIFING A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND ASSOCIATED MITIGATION MONITORING PROGRAM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2010-609 PREPARED FOR THE DUNE PALMS ROAD WIDENING PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2010-609 APPLICANT: CITY OF LA QUINTA WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of La Quinta, California, did, on the 20`h day of April, 2010, consider Environmental Assessment 2010-609 prepared for the Dune Palms Road widening project generally located on Dune Palms Road between Westward Ho Drive and the Whitewater Channel; and, WHEREAS, said Environmental Assessment complies with the requirements of "The Rules to Implement the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970" as amended (Resolution 83-63), in that the Planning Director has conducted an Initial Study (Environmental Assessment 2010-609) and has determined that although the proposed Project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because mitigation measures for EA 2010-609 incorporated into the Project approval will mitigate or reduce any potential impacts to a level of non -significance; and, WHEREAS, upon hearing and considering all testimony and arguments, if any, of all interested persons desiring to be heard, said City Council did find the following facts, findings, and reasons to justify certification of said Environmental Assessment: 1 . The proposed project will not be detrimental to the health, safety, or general welfare of the community, either indirectly, or directly, in that no significant impacts or unmitigatable impacts were identified by Environmental Assessment 2010-609. 2. The proposed project will not have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife population to drop below self sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of rare or endangered plants or animals or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory. The property has not been identified as a habitat for any endangered or threatened wildlife. w.. 23' Resolution No. 2010- Environmental Assessment 2010-609 City of La Quints Adopted: April 20, 2010 Page 2 of 3 3. There is no evidence before the City that the proposed project will have the potential for an adverse effect on wildlife resources or the habitat on which the wildlife depends. The property has not been identified as a habitat for any endangered or threatened wildlife. Furthermore, landscaping will be installed which may provide some habitat. 4. The proposed project does not have the potential to achieve short-term environmental goals, to the disadvantage of long-term environmental goals, as no significant effects on environmental factors have been identified by the Environmental Assessment. 5. The proposed project will not result in impacts which are individually limited or cumulatively considerable when considering planned or proposed development in the immediate vicinity, as development patterns in the area will not be significantly affected by the proposed project. If the project is approved as proposed, is will be in compliance with the La Quinta General Plan and in conformance with surrounding development. 6. The proposed project will not have environmental effects that will adversely affect the human population, either directly or indirectly, as no significant impacts have been identified which would affect human health, risk potential or public services. 7. There is no substantial evidence in light of the entire record that the project may have a significant effect on the environment. 8. The City Council has considered Environmental Assessment 2010-609 and said assessment reflects the independent judgment of the City. 9. The City has on the basis of substantial evidence, rebutted the presumption of adverse effect set forth in 14 CAL Code Regulations 753.5(d). 10. The location and custodian of the City's records relating to this project is the Planning Department located at 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, California. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of La Quinta, California, as follows: .. 266, Resolution No. 2010- Environmental Assessment 2010-609 City of La Quints Adopted: April 20, 2010 Page 3 of 3 That the above recitations are true and correct and constitute the findings of the City Council for this Environmental Assessment. 2. That the City Council certifies a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impact. Said determination is for the reasons set forth in this resolution and as stated in the Environmental Assessment Checklist, attached and on file in the Planning Department. 3. That Environmental Assessment 2010-609 reflects the independent judgment of the City. PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the La Quinta City Council held on this 201h day of April, 2010, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: DON ADOLPH, Mayor City of La Quinta, California ATTEST: VERONICA J. MONTECINO, CMC, City Clerk City of La Quinta, California (City Seal) APPROVED AS TO FORM: M. KATHERINE JENSON, City Attorney City of La Quinta, California ae„ 2SJ ATTACHMENT k y� r � tr - ' �r �+r�-^' I Ir `Tp—_1"�FI''�1 � i K• 1 4"� N ,.� j I �, v � (' � .I ii'.. WESiTnWAR,D'HO DR .- P14", ' •�y�'—p(y4, p�y'�r'��y� •;'Yf K ` 1. ' 'i ?a'1' '1'K.� ` ��ja+�i n Y' Y�-•r4 ._ S R, � l'� h+ Y 4_. }4 "a;'�f �:. -4g, M"" -4) � �1 tf ic�•���I .n��'r � �,J 3� � t~<�5, .. t8�" b� ffi /} a� I _ bN 1 Tx J},a:. � M4 h�'i'y._. p•.. 1 A K 1', 4 PMa� 3 ('S fk� t7 �Y�d 141Y YR. i� .yjE p ��` } ytj' )•. ~i;li •.... - ` - ' till Cite of L(t Ouinta. Dune Palms Road Widening ® RDA -owned Properties^d' 266 ATTACHMENT 2 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT THIS AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACT SERVICES (the "Agreement") is made and entered into by and between the CITY OF LA QUINTA, ("City"), a California municipal corporation, and RBF Consulting ("Consultant"). The parties hereto agree as follows: 1.0 SERVICES OF CONSULTANT 1.1 Scope of Services. In compliance with all terms and conditions of this Agreement, Consultant shall provide those services related to Dune Palms Road Widening Improvements, Project No. 2006-04, as specified in the "Scope of Services" attached hereto as Exhibit "A" and incorporated herein by this reference (the "services" or "work"). Consultant warrants that all services will be performed in a competent, professional and satisfactory manner in accordance with the standards prevalent in the industry for such services. 1.2 Compliance with Law. All services rendered hereunder shall be provided in accordance with all ordinances, resolutions, statutes, rules, regulations and laws of the City of La Quinta and any Federal, State or local governmental agency of competent jurisdiction. 1.3 Licenses, Permits, Fees and Assessments. Except as otherwise specified herein, Consultant shall obtain at its sole cost and expense such licenses, permits and approvals as may be required by law for the performance -of the services required by this Agreement. Consultant shall have the sole obligation to pay for any fees, assessments and taxes, plus applicable penalties and interest, which may be imposed by law and arise from or are necessary for the performance of the services required by this Agreement. 1.4 Familiarity with Work. By executing this Agreement, Consultant warrants that (a) it has thoroughly investigated and considered the work to be performed, (b) it has investigated the site of the work and fully acquainted itself with the conditions there existing, (c) it has carefully considered how the work should be performed, and (d) it fully understands the facilities, difficulties and restrictions attending performance of the work under this Agreement. Should Consultant discover any latent or unknown conditions materially differing from those inherent in the work or as represented by City, Consultant shall immediately inform City of such fact and shall not proceed except at Consultant's risk until written instructions are received from the Contract Officer (as defined in Section 4.2 hereof). Last revised 6-30-09 - 1 -..,, 287 1.5 Care of Work and Standard of Work. a. Care of Work. Consultant shall adopt reasonable methods during the life of the Agreement to furnish continuous protection to the work performed by Consultant, and the equipment, materials, papers and other components thereof to prevent losses or damages, and shall be responsible for all such damages, to persons or property, until acceptance of the work by City, except such losses or damages as may be caused by City's own negligence. The performance of services by Consultant shall not relieve Consultant from any obligation to correct any incomplete, inaccurate or defective work at no further cost to City, when such inaccuracies are due to the negligence of Consultant. b. Standard of Work. Consultant acknowledges and understands that the services and work contracted for under this Agreement require specialized skills and abilities and that, consistent with this understanding, Consultant's services and work will be held to a heightened standard of quality and workmanship. Consistent with Section 1.4 hereinabove, Consultant represents to City that it holds the necessary skills and abilities to satisfy the heightened standard of work as set forth in this Agreement. 1.6 Additional Services. In accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Consultant shall perform services in addition to those specified in the Scope of Services when directed to do so by the Contract Officer, provided that Consultant shall not be required to perform any additional services without compensation. Any addition in compensation not exceeding five percent (5%) of the Contract Sum may be approved by the Contract Officer. Any greater increase must be approved by the City Council. 1.7 Special Requirements. Additional terms and conditions of this Agreement, if any, which are made a part hereof are set forth in Exhibit "D" (the "Special Requirements"). In the event of a conflict between the provisions of the Special Requirements and any other provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of the Special Requirements shall govern. 2.0 COMPENSATION 2.1 Contract Sum. For the services rendered pursuant to this Agreement, Consultant shall be compensated in accordance with Exhibit "B" (the "Schedule of Compensation") in a total amount not to exceed One Hundred Ten Thousand, Two Hundred Ninety -Four Dollars and Zero Cents ($110,294.00) (the "Contract Sum"), except as provided in Section 1.6. The method of compensation set forth in the Schedule of Compensation may include a lump sum payment upon completion, payment in accordance with the percentage of completion of the services, payment for time and materials based upon Consultant's rate schedule, but not exceeding Last revised 1-19-10 - 2 - r�... 2 U O the Contract Sum, or such other methods as may be specified in the Schedule of Compensation. Compensation may include reimbursement for actual and necessary expenditures for reproduction costs, transportation expense, telephone expense, and similar costs and expenses when and if specified in the Schedule of Compensation. 2.2 Method of Payment. Any month in which Consultant wishes to receive payment, Consultant shall submit to City no later than the tenth (10th) working day of such month, in the form approved by City's Finance Director, an invoice for services rendered prior to the date of the invoice. Such invoice shall (1) describe in detail the services provided, including time and materials, and (2) specify each staff member who has provided services and the number of hours assigned to each such staff member. Such invoice shall contain a certification by a principal member of Consultant specifying that the payment requested is for work performed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. City will pay Consultant for all expenses stated thereon which are approved by City pursuant to this Agreement no later than thirty (30) days after invoices are received by the City's Finance Department. 3.0 PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE 3.1 Time of Essence. Time is of the essence in the performance of this Agreement. 3.2 Schedule of Performance. All services rendered pursuant to this Agreement shall be performed diligently and within the time period established in Exhibit "C" (the "Schedule of Performance"). Extensions to the time period specified in the Schedule of Performance may be approved in writing by the Contract Officer. 3.3 Force Majeure. The time period specified in the Schedule of Performance for performance of the services rendered pursuant to this Agreement shall be extended because of any delays due to unforeseeable causes beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of Consultant, including, but not restricted to, acts of God or of the public enemy, fires, earthquakes, floods, epidemic, quarantine restrictions, riots, strikes, freight embargoes, acts of any governmental agency other than City, and unusually severe weather, if Consultant shall within ten (10) days of the commencement of such delay notify the Contract Officer in writing of the causes of the delay. The Contract Officer shall ascertain the facts and the extent of delay, and extend the time for performing the services for the period of the forced delay when and if in his or her judgment such delay is justified, and the Contract Officer's determination shall be final and conclusive upon the parties to this Agreement. Last revised 1-19-10 - 3 - O 3.4 Term. The term of this agreement shall commence on April 21, 2010 and terminate on April 20, 2011 (initial term). This agreement may be extended for upon mutual agreement by both parties (extended term). Unless earlier terminated in .accordance with Sections 7.7 or 7.8 of this Agreement, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until completion of the services, except as otherwise provided in the Schedule of Performance. 4.0 COORDINATION OF WORK 4.1 Representative of Consultant. The following principals of Consultant are hereby designated as being the principals and representatives of Consultant authorized to act in its behalf with respect to the work specified herein and make all decisions in connection therewith: a. Brad Mielke, S.E., P.E., Senior Vice President b. Brad Donais, P.E., Vice President It is expressly understood that the experience, knowledge, capability, and reputation of the foregoing principals were a substantial inducement for City to enter into this Agreement. Therefore, the foregoing principals shall be responsible during the term of this Agreement for directing all activities of Consultant and devoting sufficient time to personally supervise the services hereunder. The foregoing principals may not be changed by Consultant and no other personnel may be assigned to perform the service required hereunder without the express written approval of City. 4.2 Contract Officer. The Contract Officer shall be Timothy R. Jonasson, P.E., Public Works Director/City Engineer, or designee, or such other person as may be designated by the City Manager of City. It shall be Consultant's responsibility to assure that the Contract Officer is kept informed of the progress of the performance of the services and Consultant shall refer any decisions, which must be made by City to the Contract Officer. Unless otherwise specified herein, any approval of City required hereunder shall mean the approval of the Contract Officer. 4.3 Prohibition Against Subcontracting or Assignment. The experience, knowledge, capability and reputation of Consultant, its principals and employees were a substantial inducement for City to enter into this Agreement. Except as set forth in this Agreement, Consultant shall not contract with any other entity to perform in whole or in part the services required hereunder without the express written approval of City. In addition, neither this Agreement nor any interest herein may be assigned or transferred, voluntarily or by operation of law, without the prior written approval of City. Last revised 1-19-10 -4- M. 4.4 Independent Contractor. Neither City nor any of its employees shall have any control over the manner, mode or means by which Consultant, its agents or employees, perform the services required herein, except as otherwise set forth. Consultant shall perform all services required herein as an independent contractor of City and shall remain at all times as to City a wholly independent contractor with only such obligations as are consistent with that role. Consultant shall not at any time or in any manner represent that it or any of its agents or employees are agents or employees of City. 4.5 City Cooperation. City shall provide Consultant with any plans, publications, reports, statistics, records or other data or information pertinent to services to be performed hereunder which are reasonably available to Consultant only from or through action by City. 5.0 INSURANCE AND INDEMNIFICATION. 5.1 Insurance. Prior to the beginning of and throughout the duration of the Work performed under this Agreement, Consultant shall procure and maintain, at its cost, and submit concurrently with its execution of this Agreement, personal and public liability and property damage insurance against all claims for injuries against persons or damages to property resulting from Consultant's acts or omissions rising out of or related to Consultant's performance under this Agreement. The insurance policy shall contain a severability of interest clause providing that the coverage shall be primary for losses arising out of Consultant's performance hereunder and neither City nor its insurers shall be required to contribute to any such loss. A certificate evidencing the foregoing and naming City and its officers and employees as additional insured (on the general liability policy only) shall be delivered to and approved by City prior to commencement of the services hereunder. The following policies shall be maintained and kept in full force and effect providing insurance with minimum limits as indicated below and issued by insurers with A.M. Best ratings of no less than A -:VI: Commercial General Liability (at least as broad as ISO CG 0001) $1,000,O00 (per occurrence) $2,000,O00 (general aggregate) Commercial Auto Liability (at least as broad as ISO CA 0001) $1,000,000 (per accident) Errors and Omissions Liability $1,000,000 (per claim and aggregate) Last revised 1-19-10 - 5 - 291 Workers' Compensation (per statutory requirements) Consultant shall carry automobile liability insurance of $1,000,000 per accident against all claims for injuries against persons or damages to property arising out of the use of any automobile by Consultant, its officers, any person directly or indirectly employed by Consultant, any subcontractor or agent, or anyone for whose acts any of them may be liable, arising directly or indirectly out of or related to Consultant's performance under this Agreement. If Consultant or Consultant's employees will use personal autos in any way on this project, Consultant shall provide evidence of personal auto liability coverage for each such person. The term "automobile" includes, but is not limited to, a land motor vehicle, trailer or semi -trailer designed for travel on public roads. The automobile insurance policy shall contain a severability of interest clause providing that coverage shall be primary for losses arising out of Consultant's performance hereunder and neither City nor its insurers shall be required to contribute to such loss. A certificate evidencing the foregoing and naming City and its officers and employees as additional insured shall be delivered to and approved by City prior to commencement of the services hereunder. Professional Liability or Errors and Omissions Insurance as appropriate shall be written on a policy form coverage specifically designed to protect against acts, errors or omissions of the consultant and "Covered Professional Services" as designated in the policy must specifically include work performed under this agreement. The policy limit shall be no less than $1,000,000 per claim and in the aggregate. The policy must "pay on behalf of" the insured and must include a provision establishing the insurer's duty to defend. The policy retroactive date shall be on or before the effective date of this agreement. Consultant shall carry Workers' Compensation Insurance in accordance with State Worker's Compensation laws with employer's liability limits no less than $1,000,000 per accident or disease. All insurance required by this Section shall be kept in effect during the term of this Agreement and shall not be cancelable without thirty (30) days written notice to City of proposed cancellation. The procuring of such insurance or the delivery of policies or certificates evidencing the same shall not be construed as a limitation of Consultant's obligation to indemnify City, its officers, employees, contractors, subcontractors, or agents. Last revised 1-19-10 - 6 - 29" 5.2 Indemnification. a. General Indemnification Provision. 1. Indemnification for Professional Liability. When the law establishes a professional standard of care for Consultant's Services, to the fullest extent permitted by law, Consultant shall indemnify, protect, defend and hold harmless City and any and all of its officials, employees and agents ("Indemnified Parties") from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities of every kind, nature and description, damages, injury (including, without limitation, injury to or death of an employee of Consultant or subconsultants), costs and expenses of any kind, whether actual, alleged or threatened, including, without limitation, incidental and consequential damages, court costs, attorneys' fees, litigation expenses, and fees of expert consultants or expert witnesses incurred in connection therewith and costs of investigation, to the extent same are cause in whole or in part by any negligent or wrongful act, error or omission of Consultant, its officers, agents, employees or subconsultants (or any entity or individual that Consultant shall bear the legal liability thereof) in the performance of professional services under this agreement. With respect to the design of public improvements, the Consultant shall not be liable for any injuries or property damage resulting from the reuse of the design at a location other than that specified in Exhibit C without the written consent of the Consultant. 2. Indemnification for Other Than Professional Liability. Other than in the performance of professional services and to the full extent permitted by law, Consultant shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless City, and any and all of its employees, officials and agents from and against any liability (including liability for claims, suits, actions, arbitration proceedings, administrative proceedings, regulatory proceedings, losses, expenses or costs of any kind, whether actual, alleged or threatened, including, without limitation, incidental and consequential damages, court costs, attorneys' fees, litigation expenses, and fees of expert consultants or expert witnesses) incurred in connection therewith and costs of investigation, where the same arise out of, are a consequence of, or are in any way attributable to, in whole or in part, the performance of this Agreement by Consultant or by any individual or entity for which Consultant is legally liable, including but not limited to officers, agents, employees or subconsultants of Consultant. 3. Standard Indemnification Provisions. Consultant agrees to obtain executed indemnity agreements with provisions identical to those set forth herein this section from each and every subconsultant or any other person or entity involved by, for, with or on behalf of Consultant in the performance of this agreement. In the event Consultant fails to obtain such indemnity obligations from others as required herein, Consultant agrees to be fully responsible according to the Last revised 1-19-10 - 7 - 29 terms of this section. Failure of City to monitor compliance with these requirements imposes no additional obligations on City and will in no way act as a waiver of any rights hereunder. This obligation to indemnify and defend City as set forth herein is binding on the successors, assigns or heirs of Consultant and shall survive the termination of this agreement or this section. 4. Indemnity Provisions for Contracts Related to Construction. Without affecting the rights of City under any provision of this agreement, Consultant shall not be required to indemnify and hold harmless City for liability attributable to the active negligence of City, provided such active negligence is determined by agreement between the parties or by the findings of a court of competent jurisdiction. In instances where City is shown to have been actively negligent and where City's active negligence accounts for only a percentage of the liability involved, the obligation of Consultant will be for that entire portion or percentage of liability not attributable to the active negligence of City. b. Indemnification Provision for Design Professionals. 1. Applicability of Section 5.2(b). Notwithstanding Section 5.2(a) hereinabove, the following indemnification provision shall apply to Consultants who constitute "design professionals" as the term is defined in paragraph 3 below. 2. Scope of Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Consultant shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless City and City's agents, officers, officials, employees, representatives, and departments ("Indemnified Parties") from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities of every kind, nature and description, damages, injury (including, without limitation, injury to or death of an employee of Consultant or subconsultants), costs and expenses of any kind, whether actual, alleged or threatened, including, without limitation, incidental and consequential damages, court costs, attorneys' fees, litigation expenses, and fees of expert consultants or expert witnesses incurred in connection therewith and costs of investigation, that arise out of, pertain to, or relate to, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, the negligence, recklessness, or willful misconduct of Consultant, any subconsultant, anyone directly or indirectly employed by them or anyone that they control. 3. Design Professional Defined. As used in this Section 5.2(b), the term "design professional" shall be limited to licensed architects, registered professional engineers, licensed professional land surveyors and landscape architects, all as defined under current law, and as may be amended from time to time by Civil Code § 2782.8. Last revised 1-19-10 - 8 - 294 5.3 Remedies. In addition to any other remedies City may have if Consultant fails to provide or maintain any insurance policies or policy endorsements to the extent and within the time herein required, City may, at its sole option: a. Obtain such insurance and deduct and retain the amount of the premiums for such insurance from any sums due under this Agreement. b. Order Consultant to stop work under this Agreement and/or withhold any payment(s) which become due to Consultant hereunder until Consultant demonstrates compliance with the requirements hereof. C. Terminate this Agreement. Exercise of any of the above remedies, however, is an alternative to any other remedies City may have. The above remedies are not the exclusive remedies for Consultant's failure to maintain or secure appropriate policies or endorsements. Nothing herein contained shall be construed as limiting in any way the extent to which Consultant may be held responsible for payments of damages to persons or property resulting from Consultant's or its subcontractors' performance of work under this Agreement. 5.4 General Conditions pertaining to provisions of insurance coverage by Consultant. Consultant and City agree to the following with respect to insurance provided by Consultant: 1. Consultant agrees to have its insurer endorse the third party general liability coverage required herein to include as additional insureds City, its officials, employees and agents, using standard ISO endorsement No. CG 2010 with an edition prior to 1992. Consultant also agrees to require all contractors, and subcontractors to do likewise. 2. No liability insurance coverage provided to comply with this Agreement shall prohibit Consultant, or Consultant's employees, or agents, from waiving the right of subrogation prior to a loss. Consultant agrees to waive subrogation rights against City regardless of the applicability of any insurance proceeds, and to require all contractors and subcontractors to do likewise. 3. All insurance coverage and limits provided by Contractor and available or applicable to this agreement are intended to apply to the full extent of the policies. Nothing contained in this Agreement or any other agreement relating to the City or its operations limits the application of such insurance coverage. Last revised 1-19-10 - 9 - ae.. 2 9 `3 4. None of the coverages required herein will be in compliance with these requirements if they include any limiting endorsement of any kind that has not been first submitted to City and approved of in writing. 5. No liability policy shall contain any provision or definition that would serve to eliminate so-called "third party action over" claims, including any exclusion for bodily injury to an employee of the insured or of any contractor or subcontractor. 6. All coverage types and limits required are subject to approval, modification and additional requirements by the City, as the need arises. Consultant shall not make any reductions in scope of coverage (e.g. elimination of contractual liability or reduction of discovery period) that may affect City's protection without City's prior written consent. 7. Proof of compliance with these insurance requirements, consisting of certificates of insurance evidencing all of the coverages required and an additional insured endorsement to Consultant's general liability policy, shall be delivered to City at or prior to the execution of this Agreement. In the event such proof of any insurance is not delivered as required, or in the event such insurance is canceled at any time and no replacement coverage is provided, City has the right , but not the duty, to obtain any insurance it deems necessary to protect its interests under this or any other agreement and to pay the premium. Any premium so paid by City shall be charged to and promptly paid by Consultant or deducted from sums due Consultant, at City option. 8. Certificate(s) are to reflect that the insurer will provide thirty (30) days notice to City of any cancellation of coverage. Consultant agrees to require its insurer to modify such certificates to delete any exculpatory wording stating that failure of the insurer to mail written notice of cancellation imposes no obligation, or that any party will "endeavor" (as opposed to being required) to comply with the requirements of the certificate. 9. It is acknowledged by the parties of this agreement that all insurance coverage required to be provided by Consultant or any subcontractor, is intended to apply first and on a primary, non-contributing basis in relation to any other insurance or self insurance available to City. 10. Consultant agrees to ensure that subcontractors, and any other party involved with the project that is brought onto or involved in the project by Consultant, provide the same minimum insurance coverage required of Consultant. Consultant agrees to monitor and review all such coverage and assumes all responsibility for ensuring that such coverage is provided in conformity with the requirements of this section. Consultant agrees that upon request, all agreements Last revised 1-19-10 - 10 - 296 with subcontractors and others engaged in the project will be submitted to City for review. 11. Consultant agrees not to self -insure or to use any self -insured retentions or deductibles on any portion of the insurance required herein and further agrees that it will not allow any contractor, subcontractor, Architect, Engineer or other entity or person in any way involved in the performance of work on the project contemplated by this agreement to self -insure its obligations to City, If Consultant's existing coverage includes a deductible or self -insured retention, the deductible or self -insured retention must be declared to the City. At that time the City shall review options with the Consultant, which may include reduction or elimination of the deductible or self -insured retention, substitution of other coverage, or other solutions. 12. The City reserves the right at any time during the term of the contract to change the amounts and types of insurance required by giving the Consultant ninety (90) days advance written notice of such change. If such change results in substantial additional cost to the Consultant, the City will negotiate additional compensation proportional to the increased benefit to City. 13. For purposes of applying insurance coverage only, this Agreement will be deemed to have been executed immediately upon any party hereto taking any steps that can be deemed to be in furtherance of or towards performance of this Agreement. 14. Consultant acknowledges and agrees that any actual or alleged failure on the part of City to inform Consultant of non-compliance with any insurance requirement in no way imposes any additional obligations on City nor does it waive any rights hereunder in this or any other regard. 15. Consultant will renew the required coverage annually as long as City, or its employees or agents face an exposure from operations of any type pursuant to this agreement. This obligation applies whether or not the agreement is canceled or terminated for any reason. Termination of this obligation is not effective until City executes a written statement to that effect. 16. Consultant shall provide proof that policies of insurance required herein expiring during the term of this Agreement have been renewed or replaced with other policies providing at least the same coverage. Proof that such coverage has been ordered shall be submitted prior to expiration. A coverage binder or letter from Consultant's insurance agent to this effect is acceptable. A certificate of insurance and/or additional insured endorsement as required in these specifications applicable to the renewing or new coverage must be provided to City within five (5) days of the expiration of coverages. Last revised 1-19-10 - II - 297 17. The provisions of any workers' compensation or similar act will not limit the obligations of Consultant under this agreement. Consultant expressly agrees not to use any statutory immunity defenses under such laws with respect to City, its employees, officials and agents. 18. Requirements of specific coverage features or limits contained in this section are not intended as limitations on coverage, limits or other requirements nor as a waiver of any coverage normally provided by any given policy. Specific reference to a given coverage feature is for purposes of clarification only as it pertains to a given issue, and is not intended by any party or insured to be limiting or all-inclusive. 19. These insurance requirements are intended to be separate and distinct from any other provision in this agreement and are intended by the parties here to be interpreted as such. 20. The requirements in this Section supersede all other sections and provisions of this Agreement to the extent that any other section or provision conflicts with or impairs the provisions of this Section. 21. Consultant agrees to be responsible for ensuring that no contract used by any party involved in any way with the project reserves the right to charge City or Consultant for the cost of additional insurance coverage required by this agreement. Any such provisions are to be deleted with reference to City. It is not the intent of City to reimburse any third party for the cost of complying with these requirements. There shall be no recourse against City for payment of premiums or other amounts with respect thereto. Consultant agrees to provide immediate notice to City of any claim or loss against Consultant arising out of the work performed under this agreement. City assumes no obligation or liability by such notice, but has the right (but not the duty) to monitor the handling of any such claim or claims if they are likely to involve City. 6.0 RECORDS AND REPORTS. 6.1 Reports. Consultant shall periodically prepare and submit to the Contract Officer such reports concerning Consultant's performance of the services required by this Agreement as the Contract Officer shall require. 6.2 Records. Consultant shall keep such books and records as shall be necessary to perform the services required by this Agreement and enable the Contract Officer to evaluate the cost and the performance of such services. Books Last revised 1-19-10 - 12 - 2g and records pertaining to costs shall be kept and prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principals. The Contract Officer shall have full and free access to such books and records at all reasonable times, including the right to inspect, copy, audit, and make records and transcripts from such records. 6.3 Ownership of Documents. Originals of all drawings, specifications, reports, records, documents and other materials, whether in hard copy or electronic form, which are prepared by Consultant, its employees, subcontractors and agents in the performance of this Agreement, shall be the property of City and shall be delivered to City upon termination of this Agreement or upon the earlier request of the Contract Officer, and Consultant shall have no claim for further employment or additional compensation as a result of the exercise by City of its full rights of ownership of the documents and materials hereunder. Consultant shall cause all subcontractors to assign to City any documents or materials prepared by them, and in the event Consultant fails to secure such assignment, Consultant shall indemnify City for all damages suffered thereby. In the event City or any person, firm or corporation authorized by City reuses said documents and materials without written verification or adaptation by Consultant for the specific purpose intended and causes to be made or makes any changes or alterations in said documents and materials, City hereby releases, discharges, and exonerates Consultant from liability resulting from said change. The provisions of this clause shall survive the completion of this Contract and shall thereafter remain in full force and effect. 6.4 Release of Documents. The drawings, specifications, reports, records, documents and other materials prepared by Consultant in the performance of services under this Agreement shall not be released publicly without the prior written approval of the Contract Officer or as required by law. Consultant shall not disclose to any other entity or person any information regarding the activities of City, except as required by law or as authorized by City. 7.0 ENFORCEMENT OF AGREEMENT. 7.1 California Law. This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted both as to validity and to performance of the parties in accordance with the laws of the State of California. Legal actions concerning any dispute, claim or matter arising out of or in relation to this Agreement shall be instituted in the Superior Court of the County of Riverside, State of California, or any other appropriate court in such county, and Consultant covenants and agrees to submit to the personal jurisdiction of such court in the event of such action. Last revised 1-19-10 - 13 - ro... 29a 7.2 Disputes. In the event of any dispute arising under this Agreement, the injured party shall notify the injuring party in writing of its contentions by submitting a claim therefore. The injured party shall continue performing its obligations hereunder so long as the injuring party commences to cure such default within ten (10) days of service of such notice and completes the cure of such default within forty-five (45) days after service of the notice, or such longer period as may be permitted by the Contract Officer; provided that if the default is an immediate danger to the health, safety and general welfare, City may take such immediate action as City deems warranted. Compliance with the provisions of this section shall be a condition precedent to termination of this Agreement for cause and to any legal action, and such compliance shall not be a waiver of any party's right to take legal action in the event that the dispute is not cured, provided that nothing herein shall limit City's right to terminate this Agreement without cause pursuant to Section 7.7. 7.3 Retention of Funds. City may withhold from any monies payable to Consultant sufficient funds to compensate City for any losses, costs, liabilities, or damages it reasonably believes were suffered by City due to the default of Consultant in the performance of the services required by this Agreement. 7.4 Waiver. No delay or omission in the exercise of any right or remedy of a non defaulting party on any default shall impair such right or remedy or be construed as a waiver. City's consent or approval of any act by Consultant requiring City's consent or approval shall not be deemed to waive or render unnecessary City's consent to or approval of any subsequent act of Consultant. Any waiver by either party of any default must be in writing and shall not be a waiver of any other default concerning the same or any other provision of this Agreement. 7.5 Rights and Remedies are Cumulative. Except with respect to rights and remedies expressly declared to be exclusive in this Agreement, the rights and remedies of the parties are cumulative and the exercise by either party of one or more of such rights or remedies shall not preclude the exercise by it, at the same or different times, of any other rights or remedies for the same default or any other default by the other party. 7.6 Legal Action. In addition to any other rights or remedies, either party may take legal action, at law or at equity, to cure, correct or remedy any default, to recover damages for any default, to compel specific performance of this Agreement, to obtain injunctive relief, or to obtain any other remedy consistent with the purposes of this Agreement. Last revised 1-19-10 - 14 - �. 300 7.7 Termination Prior To Expiration Of Term. This section shall govern any termination of this Agreement, except as specifically provided in the following Section 7.8 for termination for cause. City reserves the right to terminate this Agreement at any time, with or without cause, upon thirty (30) days' written notice to Consultant. Upon receipt of any notice of termination, Consultant shall immediately cease all services hereunder except such as may be specifically approved by the Contract Officer. Consultant shall be entitled to compensation for all services rendered prior to receipt of the notice of termination and for any services authorized by the Contract Officer thereafter in accordance with the Schedule of Compensation or such as may be approved by the Contract Officer, except as provided in Section 7.3. 7.8 Termination for Default of Consultant. If termination is due to the failure of Consultant to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement, City may, after compliance with the provisions of Section 7.2, take over work and prosecute the same to completion by contract or otherwise, and Consultant shall be liable to the extent that the total cost for completion of the services required hereunder exceeds the compensation herein stipulated (provided that City shall use reasonable efforts to mitigate such damages), and City may withhold any payments to Consultant for the purpose of setoff or partial payment of the amounts owed City as previously stated in Section 7.3. 7.9 Attorneys' Fees. If either party commences an action against the other party arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees and costs of suit from the losing party. 8.0 CITY OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES; NONDISCRIMINATION. 8.1 Non -liability of City Officers and Employees. No officer or employee of City shall be personally liable to Consultant, or any successor in interest, in the event or any default or breach by City or for any amount which may become due to Consultant or to its successor, or for breach of any obligation of the terms of this Agreement. 8.2 Conflict of Interest. No officer or employee of City shall have any personal interest, direct or indirect, in this Agreement nor shall any such officer or employee participate in any decision relating to the Agreement which affects his or her personal interest or the interest of any corporation, partnership or association in which she or he is, directly or indirectly, interested, in violation of any State statute or regulation. Consultant warrants that it has not paid or given and will not pay or give any third party any money or general consideration for obtaining this Agreement. Last revised 1-19-10 - 15 - 8.3 Covenant against Discrimination. Consultant covenants that, by and for itself, its heirs, executors, assigns, and all persons claiming under or through them, that there shall be no discrimination against or segregation of, any person or group of persons on account of race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, national origin or ancestry in the performance of this Agreement. Consultant shall take affirmative action to insure that applicants are employed and that employees are treated during employment without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, national origin or ancestry. 9.0 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 9.1 Notice. Any notice, demand, request, consent, approval, communication either party desires or is required to give the other party or any other person shall be in writing and either served personally or sent by prepaid, first-class mail to the address set forth below. Either party may change its address by notifying the other party of the change of address in writing. Notice shall be deemed communicated forty-eight (48) hours from the time of mailing if mailed as provided in this section. To City: CITY OF LA QUINTA Attention: Thomas P. Genovese City Manager 78-495 Calle Tampico P.O. Box 1504 La Quinta, California 92247-1504 To Consultant: RBF CONSULTING Attention: Brad Mielke, S.E., P.E. Senior Vice President 74-130 Country Club Drive, Suite 201 Palm Desert, CA 92260-1655 9.2 Integrated Agreement. This Agreement contains all of the agreements of the parties and all previous understanding, negotiations and agreements are integrated into and superseded by this Agreement. 9.3 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended at any time by the mutual consent of the parties by an instrument in writing signed by both parties. 9.4 Severability. In the event that any one or more of the phrases, sentences, clauses, paragraphs, or sections contained in this Agreement shall be declared invalid or unenforceable by a valid judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any of the remaining phrases, sentences, clauses, paragraphs, or sections of this Agreement which are hereby declared as severable and shall be interpreted to carry out the intent of the parties hereunder. 9.5 Authority. The persons executing this Agreement on behalf of the parties hereto warrant that they are duly authorized to execute this Agreement on Last revised 1-19-10 - 16 - behalf of said parties and that by so executing this Agreement the parties hereto are formally bound to the provisions of this Agreement. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the dates stated below. CITY OF LA QUINTA a California municipal corporation Thomas P. Genovese, City Manager Date ATTEST: Veronica J. Montecino, CMC, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: M. Katherine Jenson, City Attorney CONSULTANT: RBF CONSULTING B Name: Brad Mielke, S.E., P.E. Title: Senior Vice President Date: to yd/o Last revised 1-19-10 - 17 - Exhibit A Scope of Services Consultant's scope of work to related to Dune Palms Road Widening Improvements, Project No. 2009-04 is attached and made a part of this agreement. Last revised 6-30-09 18 Scope of Work Program Task 1: Project Management. RBF will manage project duties for the duration of the project in order to assure a cost-efficient, quality process. As the prime contractor, our staff will provide a suite of disciplines to effectively coordinate and communicate leading to project approval. Within this task, RBF will do the following: • Prepare and maintain the quality control plan • Prepare monthly project documentation and invoicing • Prepare and maintain the project schedule for design approval activities • Prepare and maintain utility coordination files and schedule. All utility coordination and correspondence will be organized in a utility coordination binder. RBF will take an aggressive approach to ensure the timely resolution of issues. Note: This budget assumes that the project design phase will take no more than 12 months. If this project phase lasts longer, the budget for project management will be adjusted to accommodate additional meetings, monthly documentation, etc. Coordination with City of La Quinta. RBF will prepare for and attend monthly meetings with the City of La Quinta and La Quinta RDA regarding the design processing, resolution of issues, strategy development, etc. In addition, RBF will coordinate with the Environmental Consultant hired by the City to prepare the CEQA clearance on the RDA site as well as for the proposed street widening. This coordination will be critical in ensuring that the project design does not exceed a 35% design prior to the acceptance and approval of the environmental document. Project Coordination and PDT Meetings. RBF will prepare for and attend meetings of the Project Development Team (PDT). RBF assumes ten (10) PDT and three (3) utility only coordination meetings. Each utility will be met with individually and may be combined with regularly scheduled PDT meetings. Agency Coordination. RBF will coordinate with appropriate agencies through PDT meetings, an agency scoping meeting, and direct contact. Concerns and issues expressed by agency representatives will be documented in a database to ensure that expressed concerns are recorded, communicated to the full PDT, and addressed. The following agencies are likely to be among those included in the coordination effort: City of La Quinta, La Quinta RDA, CVWD, IID, Time Warner, Gas Company and Verizon. Deliverables: Meeting Agendas& Minutes Updated Schedules Coordination with City and Interest Parties Utility Correspondence Binder Task 2: Topographic Base Mapping. RBF will provide field topographic survey to collect existing features within the proposed widening section as indicated by the exhibit in the RFP. The topographic data collection shall include, but not limited to, all features within the F a Dune Palms Road Improvements 0 .. 3- Scope of Work Program ROW and beyond to locate any existing facilities, included at a minimum, any existing utility manholes (manhole dip elevation for both storm drain and sewer), pullboxes, mail boxes, landscaping, existing sidewalk, curb, driveways and any other features that may be affected with the construction of a sidewalk. The limits of the topographic base mapping will extend to 150' west of the existing centerline of Dune Palms Road, 200' north of the intersection of Westward Ho and to Highway 111 on the south limits of the project (topographic information only from the centerline of the channel to Highway 111). As requested by City Staff, RBF will obtain topographic and elevation information for the area from Dune Palms Road to Roudel Lane, which covers both the existing RDA parcels as well as the full Dune Palm Mobile Estates parcel. Deliverables: Topographic Base map Utility Base map Task 3: Base Mapping and Utility Coordination Following the field data collection and processing, RBF will prepare a base map containing additional information such as street right of way lines, parcel lines (including APN number, owner name, business name and address), and underlying easements, if readily available through recorded maps. RBF will review existing utility information available from the City and contact utility owners to identify major facilities located in the project area. This information will be shown on the project base maps, and be used to determine significant impacts to facilities and the cost estimates resulting from those impacts. With IID, RBF will coordinate with IID Staff with the relocation immediately to the north of the channel, to position the relocated pole line to the east outside of the proposed future bridge footprint in an effort to minimize the utility relocations necessary for the bridge project. Utility Information Requests and Coordination Utility company information and contacts will be assembled and compiled in a matrix format. An initial utility information request letter will be mailed and followed up with a phone call. RBF will request information for existing and proposed improvements planned by the utility owners in the project area. Dates of contacts, mailings and document receipts will be logged into the matrix. A follow-up mailing will include sending copies of the Utility Base Map to the utility owners, showing known utilities and requesting verification of existing facilities. RBF will provide the necessary notifications via phone calls, email and letter to ensure that the utility companies provide known facility information and are aware of all necessary relocation as a result of the project. The relocation will also include anticipated relocations necessary for the future bridge crossing of the Coachella Valley Stormwater Channel. Utilities to be notified will include: electrical, gas, telephone, cable, water, and sewer. K0 Dune Palms Road Improvenmats R ".•oi2c[ Nunth�, Scope of Work Program Utility Coordination Documentation From the start of the project, all utility information including project contacts, correspondence dates, meeting minutes and other coordination will be maintained in a three ring binder. The first sheet on the inside cover will contain a matrix of each utility company, contact name, and dates of milestone coordination efforts. A copy of the final utility coordination binder will be provided to the City at the project bidding phase of the project. Utility Potholine Exhibit and Field Data Collection RBF will show the location of utilities to be potholed, if any, on the utility sheets and submit the sheets to the City for verification and approval. Prior to initiating potholing activities, RBF will prepare an exhibit showing the proposed locations for potholes. The exhibit will show the RBF recommended number and locations for potholing to sufficiently identify known underground utilities within the construction limits. RBF will collect pothole data based on the City approved pothole location exhibit. All pothole information will be placed on the utility base map for future use and reference. Depending on the final City Staff approved number of potholes, potholing will be bill per each basis according to the fee proposal. For the purposes of this proposal, RBF has assumed ten (10) pothole locations. RBF will review record drawings and proposed future utility improvements as provided by the Utility companies as mentioned above. This information will be placed on the utility base file. Deliverables: Parcel Base Map Utility Base Map Utility Coordination Utility Correspondence Binder Utility Pothole Exhibit Utility Potholing Data Collection Task 4: Initial Notification to California Fish and Game. RBF will submit an initial notification to the California Fish and Game Department on the proposed slope reconstruction. Fish and Game will then send out a "Operation by Law" letter clearing the project to perform the proposed reconstruction improvements to the existing slope protection. Deliverable: Initial Notification Submittal Coordination with Fish and Game Task 5: Legal and Exhibits. As requested in the RFP, RBF will prepare the necessary legal descriptions for the dedication of street right of ways within the project corridor. These location currently include the dedication from the Desert Sands Unified School District for the right of way along the western portion of Dune Palms Road between Westward Ho Drive and the Whitewater Stormwater Channel, and the La Quinta Redevelopment Agency land on the east side of Dune Palms Road directly to the south of Westward Ho Drive. Both of the legal M U Dune Palms Road Improvements 0 3.7 Scope of Work Program descriptions will provide the necessary street right of way width per the City's General Plan secondary arterial street configuration of 88 feet full width or 44 feet half width. RBF will coordinate with and obtain a current title report from a title company for each parcel affected by the proposed project. RBF will also prepare two grant deed documents for the transfer of the land for the street right of way. Deliverables: Legal and Exhibit for School Site (one legal) Legal and Exhibit to RDA Parcels (one legal) Title Report for Each Project Parcel Conveyance Documents (2) Task 6: Right of Way Exhibit RBF will prepare an exhibit for the use in coordinating the relocation of encroaching units and/or improvements within the Dune Palms Mobile Estates. The exhibit will provide survey accuracy in the location of the right of way lines as well as indicate probable encroachments with the street right of way. The exhibit will be prepared at a scale of 1" = 40' and will be presented on a 24" x 36" sheet. Based on this exhibit, RBF will provide a recommendation, placed in a memo format, on prior rights determination. Deliverables: Right of way Exhibit for Mobile Estates Prior Rights Determination Recommendation Memo Task 7: Geotechnical Report. Assisting RBF with this task, Landmark Consultants will conduct a field investigation, performing laboratory tests, and conducting analyses to develop geotechnical parameters and recommendations for the design and construction of the proposed roadway pavement. Field Investi ag tion. The goals of this task are to document observations of subsurface conditions and collect soil samples for laboratory testing. We propose to obtain 3 borings staggered throughout the widening area for this task. Large bulk samples will be collected for the near -surface soil. Relatively undisturbed and disturbed samples will be collected at approximately 5-foot intervals. The California sampler will be used alternating with the Standard Penetration Test (SPT) sampler. Three disturbed samples from each of the two deep borings will also be collected for grain -size distribution; results of the grain -size distribution will be used for scour analysis. Laboratory Testing. The field boring logs will be reviewed and analyzed to select bulk and undisturbed samples for laboratory testing. The tests will include but are not limited to in -situ moisture and density, maximum dry density, San equivalent and R-value. F 0 Dune Palms Road Improvements 0 Ptmr" 2Dp ;-frn n V8 Scope of Work Program Additional tests may be necessary depending on the subsurface conditions. All tests will be conducted in general accordance with Caltrans Test Methods and/or ASTM Standards. Report Preparation. We will provide one copy of the preliminary report and following review and comments will submit four (4) hard copies and a PDF copy of the final report. The report will include the boring logs, laboratory test data, geotechnical recommendations, subsurface conditions, earthwork and grading recommendations and pavement design. Deliverable: Field Data Collection on Soil Conditions (Staggered locations throughout the widening section) Geotechnical Report (I preliminary and 4 final copies) PDF Copy of Final Report Task 8: Street Improvement Plans. RBF will prepare roadway improvement plans including a project title sheet, typical cross sections, construction details, horizontal alignment layout plans, vertical alignment profiles, grading, drainage, and cross sections of the proposed roadway improvements and submit to the Project Development Team for review and comment. The plans will include notes and labels for the required perimeter block wall along the mobile home estates site and notes for any manhole modifications to the existing sewer manhole located at the northeast corner of the channel and Dune Palms Road. RBF does not anticipate this manhole of sanitary sewer line will need to be relocated for the future bridge crossing. Additionally, the existing water main in this area appears to be at the correct location horizontally and vertically for the future bridge crossing, therefore no relocation plans for the water main will be necessary at this time. This task includes the preparation of the following plan sheets: A. Project Title Sheet along with pertinent CIP construction notes and location maps. B. Typical Sections for the roadway at intervals that adequately represent changes in roadway cross-section. The typical sections will identify existing and proposed improvements. C. Construction Details for items such as curb ramps, curb & gutter transitions, and other items as necessary to provide the Contractor with adequate information to properly construct the roadway. D. Layout Plan and Vertical Profile Sheets for all roadway improvements. The street layout plans will also include removals and grading requirements based on the approved geometry. RBF is under the assumption that the City will wish to slurry seal the full street width to eliminate the existing striping pattern and provide a clean surface for the proposed striping layout. These plan sheets will also show the locations of the proposed perimeter walls, per the City of La Quinta Standard details. a pone Palms Road Improvements D 3�� Scope of Work Program E. Slope Protection Plan for the removal and replacement of the existing slope protection located at the northeast corner of the Coachella Valley Stormwater Channel and Dune Palms Road. These improvements will be shown on a plan sheet in accordance with CVWD standards. The plan sheet will be submitted to the City and CVWD for review and approvals. F. Signing and Striping Plans for all necessary traffic signing and striping along Dune Palms Road including the portion of street to the north of Westward Ho Drive to remove the right turn only signs and pavement markings. The plans will be prepared in accordance with the City's and Caltrans' latest Standard Plans and Specifications. G. Intersection Storm Drain Plan for the proposed catch basin at the southeast corner of Dune Palms and Westward Ho. This catch basin will connect into the existing storm drain line in the west side of Dune Palms. The storm drain plan will be prepared one plan and profile sheet, at a scale of 1"=40'. In addition to the above mentioned plans, RBF will prepare roadway cross sections identifying existing and proposed ground at 25 foot intervals over the length of the proposed widening for the purpose of earthwork calculations. The 35% concept review will contain proposed geometry information (plan and profile) as will as utility conflicts, existing topography and right of way limits. RBF will prepare final roadway plans in conformance with the approved concept plans and submit to the City for review at 85% and 100% completion. Mylar plan sheets will be submitted after the approved of the 100% plan submittal package. Deliverables: Improvement Plans at 35% 85%, 100%, Preliminary Final and Mylar. Task 9: Specification and Bid Document. RBF shall prepare construction specifications, using the City provided "boilerplate" for the contract documents and general provisions. Technical specifications shall be prepared for construction of each item of work in the Project. In addition, RBF will fill out the bid schedule, matching the item number with their corresponding specification and line item in the Engineers Estimate. Prior to the publication of the final package, RBF will review the document. Specifications will be provided starting with the 85% plan submittal. RBF will prepare the following items for the Bid Document: Project Description including all major work items, working days, liquidated damages based on Caltrans Specifications, contractor submittals prior to mobilization, special traffic control requirements or coordination, all of section 4000, and bid schedule. rk Dune Palms Road P NombE, rmprovemi nts a �7 a 310 Scope of Work Program Deliverables: Special Provisions for the Project Prepare Bid Schedule Review final Bid Package and Provide comments Task 10: Engineers Estimate. RBF will prepare a preliminary cost estimate of the proposed improvements based upon the approved preliminary design plans, utilizing the current edition of the Caltrans Contract Cost Data Book and recent bid information from area bids for unit costs. The preliminary cost estimate will include construction items, private property improvements, utility relocations, right-of-way, and water quality measures. Based on the final design plans, RBF will prepare a final opinion of probable construction costs estimate, with each bid item entry matching the corresponding Bid Schedule and Specification. The final cost estimate will be utilized by the City staff for evaluation and comparison of the Contractor's bid results. Deliverables: Engineers Estimate at Plan Submittal Stages (35%, 85%, 100%, Prelim Final and Mylar) Task 11: Services During Bidding. The City will complete the bid documents, advertise the project for bidding and distribute the plans to prospective bidders. The City's project coordinator will be the designated person to receive contractor inquiries. RBF's project manager and project staff will assist the City as requested during the bidding. The work may include answering questions, providing consultation and interpretation of the construction documents, and assisting the City in preparation of addenda to the PS&E during the advertisement period. RBF will attend the pre -bid and pre -construction meetings unless otherwise notified by the City. At the request of the City RBF will attend the bid opening and provide analysis of bids. For this task RBF assumes 16 total hours, to be billed on a Time and Material basis. Deliverables: Attendance at Pre -Bid Meeting (As requested) Attendance at Pre -Construction Meeting (As requested) Task 12: Post Design Services. RBF's project manager and project staff will be available to assist the City during the construction process. A budget amount has been prepared to provide a minimal amount of post design services. This budget may require adjustment depending on the level of Consultant involvement required during construction. Upon written request by the City, the Consultant shall provide the following construction support services: A. Assist the City during construction by responding to Request for Information (RFI), clarifying drawings, and generally assisting the City to ensure that the project is constructed in accordance with the plans and specifications. B. Provide advice and technical support for construction change orders. a Dune Palms Road improvements a w.. 311 Scope of Work Program For this task RBF assumes 16 total hours, to be billed on a Time and Material basis. Deliverables: Respond to RFI Questions Provide technical support as necessary The following tasks are Optional items as recommended by RBF Consulting. Task 13: Right of Way Services (OPTIONAL TASK). If requested by City Staff, RBF with the assistance from Overland Pacific and Cutler (OPC) will provide the services to assist the City in the negotiations with the Dune Palms Mobile Estates owners on the encroachment of mobile units and hard improvements within the street right of way. Depending on the decision by City Staff on making the encroachment eligible for relocation, the following is the scope of work tasks that Overland Pacific Cutler (OPC) would provide to the City on a requested basis. Appraisal Services 1. OPC will mail a notification letter and acquisition policies brochure to the property owner, requesting permission to conduct an on -site inspection of the property, advising them of their right to accompany the appraiser at the time of the inspection, and requesting information regarding the property appraised which could influence the appraised value. 2. Appraiser will review title information pertaining to respective ownerships and will review drawings and other pertinent information relative to the parcel. 3. Appraiser will inspect each property personally with the owner (if possible) and document the inspection with photographs for use in the report. 4. Appraiser will inventory all improvements affected by the proposed taking including notes on their manner of disposition (i.e., pay -for and remove vs. move back). 5. Appraiser will perform market research to support the selected appraisal methodologies and will document and confirm comparable sales information. 6. Appraiser will prepare a narrative appraisal report that conforms to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). The appraisal study and report are intended to serve as an acquisition appraisal and will be prepared in a summary format consistent with the specifications for narrative appraisal reports. 7. OPC will receive and analyze the completed appraisal reports. Acquisition Services — Mobile Home Owner 1. Establish and maintain complete and current ownership files in a form acceptable to the client. 2. Receive and analyze title information, approved appraisal reports and descriptions in sufficient detail to negotiate with mobile home owners and other parties. 3. Prepare all offer letters, summary statements, and lists of compensable items of fixtures and equipment, in accordance with state or federal regulations and approval of client. 4. Present written purchase offers to owners or their representatives in person, when possible. Secure receipt of delivery of offer as practical and present and secure tenant information statements, as applicable. a Dune Palms Road Improvements D >r G]z: CC Numha'r 8001i-0- 0 312 Scope of Work Program 5. Notify relocation agent of initiation of negotiations within 2 business days and provide appraisal information, occupant contact information, and tenant information as necessary. 6. Follow-up and negotiate with each property owner, as necessary; prepare and submit recommended settlement justifications to client for review and approval; review any independent appraisal secured by property owner and coordinate reimbursement of appraisal fees (up to $5,000) with client. Ongoing negotiations and settlement discussions will continue for 8 weeks after the initial offer or until we reach settlement or impasse. 7. Prepare and assemble acquisition contracts, deeds and related acquisition documents required for the acquisition of necessary property interests. Legal descriptions to accompany easements or to accompany partial acquisition deeds are not included in this Scope of Work. 8. Maintain a diary report of all contacts made with property owners or representatives and a summary of the status of negotiations indicating attitude of owners, problem areas, and other pertinent information. Copies of all applicable written correspondence will be maintained in files. 9. Transmit executed acquisition documents to client. Each transmittal package shall include a fully executed and properly notarized deed(s), fully executed acquisition contract with attachments, and a brief settlement memorandum which summarizes the pertinent data relative to the transaction. Escrow Coordination Services Assist the escrow/or provide internal escrow services: 1. Open escrow and coordinate execution of closing instructions providing for title insurance coverage at the settlement amount. 2. Provide escrow officer with fully executed acquisition contract and bill of sale. 3. Review settlement statement for accuracy. 4. Coordinate deposit of acquisition price and estimated closing costs with escrow. 5. After the closing, review the title insurance policy for accuracy. Title Clearance Services 1. Work in conjunction with escrow officer to facilitate the clearance of title matters as set forth in the settlement memorandum and escrow instructions. 2. Coordinate payment of taxes due and release of liens. 3. Secure full reconveyance instruments from lien holders of record. 4. Coordinate lost instrument bonds as may be necessary. 5. Coordinate and facilitate recordation of corrective deeds to clear vesting issues. 6. Secure subordination agreements from conflicting easement holders. Relocation Plan Preparation Services 1. Interview all potentially affected occupants to determine relocation needs. The interview queries business needs, special licensing or zoning needs, needed permits, information on trade areas, special moving requirements, etc. The interview also queries household information such as: the number, ages and gender of all occupants, income of the household, distance to employment and utilized neighborhood services, special needs of the household, etc. 2. Research the marketplace for available replacement locations and/or establish rent schedules for compiling project costs. 3. Compile statistics on available housing and business replacement sites. 4. Calculate potential project costs. 5. Present draft relocation plan to client. M_ d Dune Palms Road Improvements 0 ul.r[ Muni^er 20�,3 ,;� o 31; Scope of Work Program 6. Distribute plan to project participants and make it available for public inspection. 7. Make any needed revisions brought up during the public inspection period. 8. Participate in adoption presentation meeting. Relocation Assistance Program Implementation Services 1. Secure basic case information and set up case file; maintain the necessary case documentation and contact diary throughout the course of our involvement with the claimant. 2. Conduct initial in-depth field interview with claimant: Document rent, income, family size, names/ages of occupants and determine relocation needs, preferences and special requirements; provide general information notices and brochure; explain relocation process, rights and benefits available. 3. Provide on -going advisory assistance to minimize hardships on claimants, including referrals to and coordination with community service resources, public housing and other public services as needed. 4. Document rent with rental agreement, receipts, or economic rent if needed. 5. Document/verify income using pay stubs, budget worksheets, tax returns, certification, and/or cash affidavit as necessary. Use rent -to -rent method if income cannot be verified. 6. Assist with the reconciliation of FF&E ownership among owner and tenant. 7. Create rent schedule for project as appropriate and if authorized by client. 8. Search for and document comparables for each claimant: provide initial referrals and three sets of additional housing referrals every 4-6 weeks, as necessary; search for available non- residential sites until OPC recommends at least one appropriate site or determines that no such site exists. Provide with any referral, an evaluation form which requests feedback as to the suitability of the site referral, and attempt to secure response from claimant. 9. Prepare letter of eligibility based on most appropriate comparable or rent schedule, and seek authorization of client. 10. Deliver letter of eligibility to claimant, discuss findings and impacts to occupants' particular needs. Amend the letter of eligibility one additional time if the economics of the comparable's availability changes over the course of our assignment. 11. Prepare and deliver 90-day notices to vacate no later than 12 weeks after general information notices have been delivered. 12. Arrange for transportation to view replacement sites if needed; assist claimants with their selection of a replacement site, with lease offers, with review of rental agreements, and with move bids or fixed moving payment. 13. Inspect selected site to ensure it meets decent, safe, and sanitary requirements. 14. Monitor the replacement site escrow and explain the relocation process to agent and escrow officer as necessary. 15. Review and discuss claimants' moving plans, build -out specifications and personal property inventory and coordinate eligibility limitations in advance of physical move. 16. Verify vacation of the displacement site and secure a certificate of abandonment. 17. Determine eligibility for proposed amount of relocation benefits, including actual and reasonable moving payments, rental/purchase differential payments, re-establishment payments, and fixed payments as applicable. 18. For residential moves, secure and process an advance claim to assist with the move, and a second final claim incorporating the moving costs and rental/purchase differential payment once family has moved to selected displacement site. For non-residential moves, secure and process moving assistance, re-establishment, in -lieu, or settlement claims ensuring that no item was duplicated in the acquisition process. D Dune Palms Road Improvements 0 314' Scope of Work Program 19. Each claim will be signed by the claimant, supported by appropriate back-up (written bids, schedules, receipts, etc.), and will be reviewed by OPC's project manager for recommendation before submitting to client for approval. Each claim check will be delivered to claimant in person (as feasible) and a receipt of payment will be secured. Supplemental Relocation Assistance Services (optional service) 1. Provide support to client for claimant appeals. 2. Provide additional site referrals beyond that which was presented in Scope of Work. 3. Continue to work with claimant beyond 180 days from general information notice. 4. Administer periodic payments of relocation benefits. 5. Security or dual consultant services which may be necessary in hostile/violent households. 6. Translation services (other than Spanish) if needed by OPC and requested by client or claimant. 7. Section 8 administration or processing services where OPC aids in the application process on behalf of claimants or is converting conventional units to Section 8 units. Task 14: IID Coordination on Undergrounding (OPTIONAL TASK). Based on the RDA decision on underground of the overhead distribution facilities, RBF will coordinate with IID on the location of the conduit system and provide the necessary references to the IID developed plans in the overall street improvement plans and project specifications. Additionally, RBF will provide a bid schedule showing the IID conduit and structure work as an Alternate Bid Item. This task also includes the review and comment on the IID plans with IID Staff. Deliverables: Coordination with IID staff on the Underground Plans Review and Comment on Underground Plans Preparation of the necessary special provisions and bid schedule items Placement of cross reference notes in improvement plan set. Task 15: Legal and Exhibit Mobile Home Managers House (OPTIONAL TASK). RBF will prepare the necessary legal description for the acquisition of the home site at the southwest corner of the mobile home park. RBF will also verify that all improvements associated with this site will be contained within the proposed acquisition site area. Following City approval of the legal description and exhibit, RBF will prepare the Grant Deed document necessary for the land transfer for the City's use. Deliverables: Legal and Exhibit for Mobile Home Park Managers House (one legal) Conveyance Document D Dune Palms Road improvements 0 Exhibit B Schedule of Compensation Payment shall be on a "Fixed Fee" basis for the Base Contract Amount in accordance with the Consultants Schedule of Compensation attached herewith for the work tasks performed in conformance with Section 2.2 of the Agreement. Total compensation for all work under this contract shall not exceed One Hundred Ten Thousand, Two Hundred Ninety -Four Dollars and Zero Cents ($110,294.00) except as specified in Section 1.6 - Additional Services of the Agreement. Base Contract Amount: Reimburseable Budget: Optional Task 3A: Optional Task 13: Optional Task 14: Optional Task 15: Total Not to Exceed Fee: $ 66,736.00 $ 5,700.00 $ 9,276.00 $ 23,670.00 $ 2,276.00 $ 2,636.00 $110,294.00 The project includes optional tasks. The Consultant shall not proceed with any optional task unless authorized in writing by the City of La Quinta. Last revised 6-30-09 19 316 u> r� O W � W J O N W dam age OOP Z apr rtrw O020 4a a� W D U O f9 f9 f9 fA fA !9 f9 f9 i9 f9 fA fA k9 N f9 fA LL O o p o 0 o n LL Co'1 N � Q' OJ W m M N ON OK N p M p eA O OO W W m ILL N v o Q o' x m p 19 o W a N Z N O OW W b OW O O N a � N LL p � N Q _O OW 0 yn p M W W O W O ON OW � � ON OK OW M d LL IA W g N 19 N 0 t7 O N b x o m o o m m o m o 0 0 0 LL � m O N N Q Q N 0 x m � w o w m m n m m b o ow m o cni r N LL f9 e9 f9 W rW N w x gyp mm O w w � e9 N w 1i N q 4 d Y O C Od N 4 N Q Q N N n N O O N_ O G o f oUp a c mJm m o 0 n E m y ° x _ U E O W J C b L C X W is K N d t0 1` 0 01 O N m d O U7 Exhibit C Schedule of Performance Consultants Project Schedule is attached and made a part of this agreement. Consultant shall complete services presented within the scope of work contained within Exhibit "A" in accordance with the attached project schedule. Last revised 6-30-09 20 318 O W ' y a U q a 4 y u c o c � w c b 4 E m m mo LIV O IA IT (O (O YEN sae N a 'N a N In N N a in C � u a m c E rc j W j n b d N p m W_ W b 6 a y > c U '> rc E e e W i7a` a '. (O {O N p M l0 V_ 1� N n OLJ L0 O• � '.O .W �_ a N a7 NO N iry N � IA � f7 N 1� N f � N t7 iV lO E O E a W � a W a v p1 rn '>' E.A $ U K a U b b Z! o T W Y L C 6 N O m OI i I 319 Exhibit D Special Requirements NONE. Last revised 6-30-09 21 ATTACHMENT 3 Environmental Checklist Form Project title: EA 2010-609, Dune Palms Road Widening Project 2. Lead agency name and address: City of La Quinta 78-495 Calle Tampico La Quinta, CA 92253 3. Contact person and phone number: Les Johnson 760-777-7071 4. Project location: The east side of Dune Palms Road, from south of Westward Ho Drive to the Whitewater Channel. 5. Project sponsor's name and address: City of La Quinta 78-495 Calle Tampico La Quinta, CA 92253 6. General Plan Designation: Medium Density 7. Zoning: Medium Density Residential Residential S. Description of project: (Describe the whole action involved, including but not limited to later phases of the project, and any secondary, support, or off -site features necessary for its implementation. Attach additional sheets if necessary.) The City proposes to widen Dune Palms Road to its ultimate General Plan width as a Secondary Arterial roadway between Westward Ho Drive and the Whitewater Channel. The road is built out on its west side. The proposed widening project will complete the widening on its east side. The widening will consist of the addition of a 12 foot travel lane, curb, gutter and a 6 foot sidewalk. The width of the improvements will total approximately 20 feet. The length of the improvements is approximately 1,200 linear feet. Therefore, the project involves a total of 24,000 square feet of roadway area. All of the land involved in the project has been disturbed. The northern 600t feet consists of a mix of developed and vacant properties. The six lots immediately south of Westward Ho Drive are owned by the City's Redevelopment Agency, and are currently vacant, although they have previously been developed in single family homes that have since been removed. The seventh lot consists of an existing church, which will remain and is fully developed. All of these frontages have been impacted by the shoulder of Dune Palms Road. The southern 600t consists of the frontage of the Dune Palms Mobile Home Park, and a single family home. A single family home occurs on the south end of the widening area. Its frontage on Dune Palms, consisting of front yard and driveway areas, will be included in the widening. The mobile home park improvements appear to encroach into the public right of way, and include four mobile homes and common area recreational facilities (pool area). The engineering for the project will include verification of the right of way and the determination of whether these encroaching structures will need to be removed or relocated prior to initiation of the proposed project. The City may acquire the single family home and the encroaching units within the mobile home park. All driveway approaches for all developed properties in the project area will be included in the widening project. 321 9. Surrounding land uses and setting: Briefly describe the project's surroundings: Lands to the west beyond Dune Palms Road are developed, and include sports fields and parking areas of the La Quinta High School. Lands to the north occur in the City of Indio, and consist of single family homes. Lands to the east are partially developed, and lands to the south consist of the Whitewater River. 10. Other public agencies whose approval is required (e.g., permits, financing approval, or participation agreement.) City of La Quinta Redevelopment Agency -2- �1 3�� ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED: The environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project, involving at least one impact that is a 'Potentially Significant Impact" as indicated by the checklist on the following pages. Aesthetics Biological Resources Hazards & Hazardous Materials Mineral Resources Public Services Utilities / Service Systems Agriculture Resources Cultural Resources Hydrology/ Water Quality Noise Recreation Air Quality Geology /Soils Land Use / Planning Population / Housing Transportation/Traffic Mandatory Findings of Significance DETERMINATION: (To be completed by the Lead Agency) On the basis of this initial evaluation: I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. X I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions in the project have been made by or agreed to by the project proponent. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required. I find that the proposed project MAY have a "potentially significant impact" or "potentially significant unless mitigated" impact on the environment, but at least one effect 1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and 2) has been addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed. I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, because all potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION pursuant to applicable standards, and (b) ha . been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECL I ATION, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed i�xn o used project, nothing further is required. -,-Z 10 Date EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS: 1) A brief explanation is required for all answers except "No Impact" answers that are adequately supported by the information sources a lead agency cites in the parentheses following each question. A "No Impact" answer is adequately supported if the referenced information sources show that the impact simply does not apply to projects like the one involved (e.g., the project falls outside a fault rupture zone). A "No Impact" answer should be explained where it is based on project -specific factors as well as general standards (e.g., the project will not expose sensitive receptors to pollutants, based on a project -specific screening analysis). 2) All answers must take account of the whole action involved, including off -site as well as on - site, cumulative as well as project -level, indirect as well as direct, and construction as well as operational impacts. 3) Once the lead agency has determined that a particular physical impact may occur, then the checklist answers must indicate whether the impact is potentially significant, less than significant with mitigation, or less than significant. "Potentially Significant Impact" is appropriate if there is substantial evidence that an effect may be significant. If there are one or more "Potentially Significant Impact" entries when the determination is made, an EIR is required. 4) "Negative Declaration: Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated" applies where the incorporation of mitigation measures has reduced an effect from "Potentially Significant Impact" to a "Less Than Significant Impact." The lead agency must describe the mitigation measures, and briefly explain how they reduce the effect to a less than significant level (mitigation measures from Section XVII, "Earlier Analyses," may be cross-referenced). 5) Earlier analyses may be used where, pursuant to the tiering, program EIR, or other CEQA process, an effect has been adequately analyzed in an earlier EIR or negative declaration. Section 15063(c)(3)(D). In this case, a brief discussion should identify the following: a) Earlier Analysis Used. Identify and state where they are available for review. b) Impacts Adequately Addressed. Identify which effects from the above checklist were within the scope of and adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and state whether such effects were addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis. c) Mitigation Measures. For effects that are "Less than Significant with Mitigation Measures Incorporated," describe the mitigation measures which were incorporated or refined from the earlier document and the extent to which they address site -specific conditions for the project. 6) Lead agencies are encouraged to incorporate into the checklist references to information sources for potential impacts (e.g., general plans, zoning ordinances). Reference to a previously prepared or outside document should, where appropriate, include a reference to the page or pages where the statement is substantiated. 7) Supporting Information Sources: A source list should be attached, and other sources used or individuals contacted should be cited in the discussion. 8) This is only a suggested form, and lead agencies are free to use different formats; however, lead agencies should normally address the questions from this checklist that are relevant to a project's environmental effects in whatever format is selected. 9) The explanation of each issue should identify: a) The significance criteria or threshold, if any, used to evaluate each question; and b) The mitigation measure identified, if any, to reduce the impact to less than significance .4- 324 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact L AESTHETICS -- Would the project: a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a X scenic vista? (La Quinta General Plan Exhibit 3.6 "Image Corridors") b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock X outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway? (Aerial photograph; Site Inspection) c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and X its surroundings? (Application materials) X d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area? (Project description) — I. a)-c) The proposed project will not impact a scenic vista. The improvement project consists of the paving of a travel lane, and the installation of curb, gutter and sidewalk, all of which will occur at ground level. No vertical structures are planned, and no view blockage will occur. The proposed project will have no impact on any scenic resource. There are no significant trees, rock outcroppings or historic buildings on or in the vicinity of the proposed improvement project. The proposed project will have no impact on the existing visual character of the area. The proposed road widening will expand the area of paved surface of Dune Palms Road, consistent with the City's standard roadway cross section, as it occurs on the west side of the street. There will be no change in the visual character of the area. d) The road widening will have no impact on light or glare. The roadway widening project will not, in and of itself, increase traffic, which would be the primary source of light in the area. It is expected that traffic will increase over time, which is why the roadway is being widened. The increase in traffic was analyzed in conjunction with the City's 2002 General Plan Update, and the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) studied that increase. The added headlights from the increasing traffic will occur in a north - south direction, onto the roadway, and not into surrounding land uses. The City will install street lights along the improvement area as required by it Public Works standards, but these will occur in the right of way, and will be directed downward and into the street, not onto surrounding land uses. -5- 325 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact II. AGRICULTURE RESOURCES: Would the project: a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique X Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, to non- agricultural use? (General Plan EIR p. 111-21 fE) - i I--X b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a Williamson Act contract? (Zoning Map) _ c) Involve other changes in the existing enviromnent which, due to their location X or nature, could result in conversion of Farmland, to non-agricultural use? (General Plan Land Use Map; Site Inspection) J 11. a)-c) The widening area occurs in an area of the City which is urbanized. No agricultural activities occur within several miles of the proposed project. The land is not designated as Prime or Unique Farmland, nor is it designated Farmland of Statewide Importance. There are no Williamson Act contracts on or adjacent to the property. The area to be widened is within the standard 88 foot street width designated on the City's General Plan of Roads, and surrounding lands are designated for Medium Density Residential, and have been for a number of years. The widening of Dune Palms has no potential to result in the conversion of farmland, as no farmland occurs in the area. -6- 3`'6 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact III. AIR QUALITY: Would the project: a) Conflict with or obstruct X implementation of the applicable air quality plan? (General Plan EIR) b) Violate any air quality standard or contribute substantially to an existing or X projected air quality violation? (General Plan EIR) c) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for X which the project region is non - attainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard (including releasing emissions which exceed quantitative thresholds for ozone precursors)? (General Plan EIR) d) Expose sensitive receptors to X substantial pollutant concentrations'? (General Plan EIR) e) Create objectionable odors affecting a X substantial number of people? (Application materials) f) Generate greenhouse gas emissions either directly or indirectly, that may have a significant X impact on the environment? (Project description) g) Conflict with an applicable plan, policy or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing X the emissions of greenhouse gases'? (Project description) 111. a) The roadway widening will have no impact on the implementation of air quality management plans. The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) implements air quality regulation in the City and region. The SCAQMD 2007 Air Quality Management Plan and 2003 PMIO State Implementation Plan are the applicable documents for this project. Both plans were developed using the City's General Plan land uses and roadway standards. The widening project is consistent with the General Plan designation for Dune Palms of Secondary Arterial. The widening of the road is therefore consistent with the SCAQMD's adopted plans. b)- c) The proposed roadway widening will affect approximately 24,000 square feet of land, in a linear work area of approximately 20 feet in width, and approximately 1,200 feet in length. The area of the widening project consists of vacant, previously disturbed lands on the northern half of the project area, and landscaped frontages on the sotheru -7- 327 half of the project area. The widening project will result in air emissions associated with the grading of the area, and with the construction of the roadway. The Tables below illustrate the potential emissions which will result from the construction of the roadway. Table 1 Fugitive Dust Potential (oounds oer dav) Total Acres to be Factor Total Potential Dust Disturbed at Buildout* (lbs./day/acre) Generation (lbs./day) 0.55 26.4 14.5 Source: Table A9-9, "CEQA Air Quality Handbook," prepared by South Coast Air Quality Management District, April 1993 As shown in Table 1, the grading of the project area will result in 14.5 pounds per day of fugitive dust. This is well below the SCAQMD threshold of 150 pounds for PMIO, and 55 pounds for PM2.5. The grading of the roadway will therefore have less than significant impacts associated with fugitive dust. Table 2 Grading - Related Exhaust Emissions Summary CO NOx ROG sox PMto PMrs CO2 Equipment Emissions Workers' Vehicle Emissions 31.80 3.47 71.18 2.72 8.60 0.45 0.08 0.01 3.43 0.11 3.05 0.09 7,750.40 580.17 Total Construction Emissions 35.27 73.89 9.06 0.09 3.54 3.14 8,330.57 SCAQMD Thresholds of Significance 550.00 100.00 75.00 150.00 150.00 55.00 N/A Table 2 depicts the emissions associated with the equipment which will be used to grade the site. The analysis assumes the use of 2 graders, l crawler tractor, I scraper, l backhoe and one water truck operating for an 8 hour period daily, and 10 workers per day during the grading operation. As shown in the Table, the grading activity will not exceed any of the SCAQMD thresholds of significance, and impacts are therefore expected to be less than significant. -9- 3 2 8 Table 3 Aggregate Construction - Related Emissions Summary CO NOx ROG SOx PM10 PM2.5 CO2 Equipment Emissions 11.45 19.26 3.10 0.02 1.34 1.20 1,818.40 Workers' Vehicle Emissions 3.47 2.72 0.46 0.01 0.11 0.09 580.17 Asphalt Paving Emissions - - 0.48 - - - Total Construction Emissions 14.91 21.98 4.03 0.03 1.45 1.29 2,398.57 SCAQMD Thresholds of Significance 550.00 100.00 75.00 150.00 150.00 55.00 N/A Table 3 illustrates the air emissions during the paving of the roadway. For purposes of this analysis, it was assumed that the paving will require 3 days, and that 2 rollers, 1 paver and 2 tenders would be used in this process. It was also assumed that there would be 20 worker trips per day. As shown in Table 3, the paving activity will not exceed any SCAQMD thresholds of significance, and impacts will be less than significant. d) The widening of Dune Palms is not expected to result in pollutant concentrations to sensitive receptors, insofar as construction equipment will be moving throughout the project site, and will not be idle due to congestion. In addition, SCAQMD requirements prohibit the idling of diesel equipment for long periods. Finally, the roadway widening may have the effect of marginally decreasing air pollutant concentrations; insofar as the increase in capacity will assure better traffic movement during peak traffic flows. e) The widening of Dune Palms will have no impact on odors. The widening project will not generate any new land use which will emit odors. The paving of the roadway, expected over no more than a three day period, may result in asphalt or equipment odors during that time. However, the odors will occur for a very short time period, and will dissipate quickly. f) & g) The widening of Dune Palms will result in the generation of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) during the grading and paving of the roadway. The widening will have no direct long term impact on GHGs, insofar as the widening of the roadway will not generate any new vehicle trips, or create any new land uses. As described in the Tables above, the project will generate 8,330.57 pounds per day of carbon dioxide during grading. It is estimated that grading will occur for a period of approximately 60 days. As a result, the project will generate 499,834 pounds of carbon dioxide, or 224.9 metric tons. The paving of the roadway has the potential to generate 2,398,57 pounds per day of carbon dioxide. It is estimated that the paving process will take approximately 3 days. As a result, the project will generate 7,196 pounds of carbon dioxide, or 3.2 metric tons. The SCAQMD has not adopted any thresholds of significance for GHG emissions, except for industrial projects for which it is the lead agency. For those projects, it uses a threshold of 10,000 metric tons per year. For commercial and residential project, SCAQMD staff has referenced a possible threshold of 3,000 metric tons per year as representing a significant increase in GHG emissions. 329 That threshold was not adopted by the SCAQMD Board, and is the subject of ongoing discussions of a working group. Given these two figures, The roadway widening will generate 228.1 metric tons in one year, and is well below both the industrial threshold and the commercial/residential threshold which is under discussion. The proposed widening will therefore have less than significant impacts on GHGs. Potentially Less Than Less'rhan No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES -- Would the project: a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either X directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (General Plan MEA, p. 78 ff.) b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any X riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations or by the California Department of Fish and Game or US Fish and Wildlife Service? (General Plan MEA, p. 78 ff.) c) Have a substantial adverse effect on X federally protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means? (General Plan MEA, p. 78 ff.) d) Interfere substantially with the X movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites'? (General Plan MEA, p. 78 ff) e) Conflict with any local policies or _ X ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance? (General Plan MEA, p. 73 ff), f) Conflict with the provisions of an X adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan? (General Plan MEA, p. 78 ff.) 1f- 331 IV. a) The proposed road widening will have no impact on species of concern. The proposed roadway widening will impact an area of 20 feet in width, and 1,200 feet in length, along an existing roadway. The northern half of the widening area consists of disturbed land which has been significantly impacted by its use as an unpaved shoulder to the existing Dune Palms Road. No native habitat occurs in this area, No significant vegetation occurs in this portion of the project area, and no species of concern is expected to occur there. The southem.half of the widening area is currently developed with ornamental landscaping, boundary fencing and structures. No native habitat occurs in this area, and no species of concern are expected to occur in this area. b)-O The project area does not contain any riparian habitat or other native community. There will be no impact to riparian habitat or native communities as a result of the road widening. There are no wetlands within or adjacent to the widening area. The project area is 20 feet wide and 1,200 feet in length, and surrounded by development. It does not contain natural habitat. As a result, it is completely unsuitable as a wildlife corridor. There will be no impact associated with the movement of native species as a result of the proposed road widening. The proposed road widening will have no impact on policies relating to the preservation of biological resources, insofar as no ordinance exists which would apply to the proposed project site. The proposed project area is within the area covered by the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan. The project area is not in a conservation area under the MSHCP, and as such is required, if a qualifying project, to pay a mitigation fee. The City will comply with the requirements of the Plan. There will therefore be no conflict with the Plan, and no impact is expected. 12- Potentially Less Than Less Than I No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact V. CULTURAL RESOURCES -- Would theproject: a) Cause a substantial adverse change in X the significance of a historical resource as defined in ' 15064.5? (General Plan MEA p. 123 ff.) b) Cause a substantial adverse change in X the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to It 5064.5? (General Plan MEA p. 123 ff.) c) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique X paleontological resource or site or unique geologic feature? (General Plan MEA p. 88 ff.) d) Disturb any human remains, including X those interred outside of formal cemeteries? (General Plan MEA p. 123 ff.) J V.a) The area to be widened consists of a narrow strip of land, 20 feet wide by 1,200 feet in length. There are no historic resources on any portion of this area. The structures in the Dune Palms Mobile Home Park section are not historical resources. Lands to the north are vacant, and contain no historic structures. The widening project will have no impact on historic resources. b) The area to be widened has either been constructed upon (mobile home park and single family home), or has previously been developed and impacted by its use as a shoulder to the existing Dune Palms Road. No archeological resources are expected to occur on the site, as the previous disturbances would have uncovered or destroyed them. The widening project will have no impact on archaeological resources. c) The widening project occurs well north of the historic boundary of ancient Lake Cahuilla, which is the only paleontologically sensitive geologic feature in the City. The soils outside the boundary of the ancient lake are too young geologically, and are composed of sands and fine sands, which are not conducive to fossilization. As a result, no impacts to paleontological resources are expected as a result of the widening proj ect. d) The area proposed for road widening is not a part of a known burial ground, nor is it adjacent to a known burial ground. California law requires that any human remains found when excavations occur be reported to law enforcement. Further, law enforcement is required to determine if the remains have the potential to be culturally significant to local Native American Tribes, and to contact the Tribes if they are determined to be so. These requirements of State law assure that there will be no impact to human remains as a result of the widening project. 13- 303 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact VI. GEOLOGY AND SOILS -- Would the project: a) Expose people or structures to potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving: i) Rupture of a known earthquake fault, X as delineated on the most recent Alquist- Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the area or based on other substantial evidence of a known fault? (General Plan MEA Exhibit 6.2) _ ii) Strong seismic ground shaking? X (General Plan MEA Exhibit 6.2) _ iii) Seismic -related ground failure, X including liquefaction? (General Plan MEA Exhibit 6.3) iv) Landslides? (General Plan MEA Exhibit X 6A) b) Result in substantial soil erosion or X the loss of topsoil? (General Plan MEA Exhibit 6.5) c) Be located on expansive soil, as X defined in Table 18-1-B of the Uniform Building Code, creating substantial risks to life or property (General Plan MEA Exhibit 6.1) — d) Have soils incapable of adequately X supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative waste water disposal systems where sewers are not available for the disposal of waste water? (General Plan Exhibit 8.1) _. VI. a) The area to be widened is not located in an Alquist Priolo Earthquake Zone, as none occur within City limits. However, the site will be subject to significant groundshaking in a seismic event. The City will require that all roadway construction be completed according to best engineering practices, to assure that the roadway survives strong seismic activity. As the site is level, flat and not in an area susceptible to liquefaction (see below), the widening is not expected.to require special construction techniques -14- .._ 334 beyond this to maintain its integrity. No impact associated with ground shaking is expected. The site is not susceptible to liquefaction. Liquefaction occurs when unconsolidated soils mix with a high groundwater table or perched groundwater, generally at a depth of less than 50 feet. The soil loses its consolidation and can cause structures, and roadbeds, to fail. The widening project does not occur within a liquefaction hazard area, as identified in the General Plan. As a result, no impact associated with liquefaction is expected. The widening project occurs in an area which is flat and generally level. The area is in the center of the City, and no adjacent to any slope. No impact associated with landslides or rock fall will result from the completion of the widening project. b) The widening project will be subject to the potential for soil erosion due to wind and water during its construction. The City will implement PMIO Management Plans for the construction of the roadway, consistent with its standards for all projects, to assure that wind erosion is controlled. The City will also implement best management practices relating to storm water management during the construction process, to assure that storm water is not polluted by soils from on site or up stream sources. These City requirements will assure that the impacts associated with soil erosion will be less than significant. c) The City's soils are not expansive, as they consist of sands and silty sands. d) The widening of Dune Palms will have no impact on septic or sewer systems, as roadway widening will not require septic or sanitary sewer service. -15- 335 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact VII. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS --Would the pro'ect: a) Create a significant hazard to the X public or the environment through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials? (Application materials) b) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through X reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the enviromnent? (General Plan MEA, p. 95 ff.) c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle X hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within one -quarter mile of an existing or proposed school'? (Application materials) d) Be located on a site which is included X on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result, would it create a significant hazard to the public or the environment? (Application materials) e) For a project located within an airport X land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area? (General Plan land use map) t) For a project within the vicinity of a X private airstrip, would the project result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area? (General Plan land use map) g) Impair implementation of or physically X interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan? (General Plan MEA p. 95 ff) h) Expose people or structures to a X significant risk of loss, injury or death involvine wildland fires, including where l6- 3�S nt urbanized areas wildlands are are i or where residences are intermixed with residences wildlands? (General Plan land use map) —� VII. a) The widening of Dune Palms will have no impact on the transport, use or disposal of hazardous materials. The road widening will not change traffic patterns in the area, and any use of Dune Patens to transport materials now, would continue. Should a spill occur, as would occur now, the Fire Department would implement its hazardous materials response procedures, which are currently in place. b) During the widening process, the equipment to be used may result in a spill of gasoline, diesel fuel or other chemical compound used in these vehicles and equipment. Such a spill would be small, and would be handled in one of two ways. The City will require the installation of best management practices relating to NPDES requirements as part of the construction process. These practices will include the collection of materials spilled in the construction area, and their proper disposal so that they do not contaminate surface waters, should a spill occur during a rain event. Should a spill be of a larger nature, the City will, as a matter of policy, contact the Fire Department, and properly remediate the spill. These standard procedures will assure that impacts associated with the release of chemicals and oils at the site will be less than significant. c) The proposed widening project will occur on the east side of Dune Palms Road. The La Quinta High School occurs on the west side of Dune Palms Road. As described in response to questions a) and b) above, the addition of a travel lane will have no impact on the transport of hazardous materials, if they occur. The procedures required to remediate a spill will be implemented, should one occur, regardless of the widening of the roadway. Therefore, the roadway widening will not impact the potential associated with hazardous materials near a school. d) The area proposed for widening is not listed on any County, State or federal list of hazardous materials site. No impact will occur. e) & f) The widening project is located several miles northwest of the Jacquie Corchran Airport, and three miles south of the Bermuda Dunes Airport. There are no other airstrips in the vicinity. The widening project will have no impact safety at either airport. g) The proposed widening project will result in a beneficial impact as relates to emergency response, insofar as it will provide additional travel way, and allow easier response for emergency personnel. The City's fire station at Adams Street and Fred Waring Drive, one mile north of the widening project, will benefit from the improved circulation created by the widening. h) The proposed widening project will have no impact on wildland fires. This section of Dune Palms Road occurs in the City's urban core, and is not located near any wildland, hillside or conservation area. There is no potential for wildland fires as a result of the proposed widening project. -17- 337 Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant w/ Mitigation Less Than Significant Impact No Impact VIII, HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY -- Would the project: a) Violate any water quality standards or X waste discharge requirements? (General Plan EIR p. III-187 ff.) _ b) Substantially deplete groundwater X supplies or interfere substantially with groundwater recharge such that there would be a net deficit in aquifer volume or a lowering of the local groundwater table level (e.g., the production rate of pre- existing nearby wells would drop to a level which would not support existing land uses or planned uses for which permits have been granted)? (General Plan EIR p. 111-187 ff.) —_ c) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including X through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, in a manner which would result in substantial erosion or siltation on - or off -site? (General Plan EIR p. III-197 ff.) d) Substantially alter the existing drainage X pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, or substantially increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner which would result in flooding on - or off -site? (General Plan EIR p. III-187 ff.) _ e) Create or contribute runoff water which X would exceed the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources of polluted runofP(General Plan EIR p. 111-187 ff.) _ _I t) Place housing within a I00-year flood X hazard area as mapped on a federal Flood Hazard Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate Map or other flood hazard delineation map? (General Plan EIR p. 111-187 ff.) g) Place within a I00-year flood hazard X area structures which would impede or redirect flood flows? (Master Environmental Assessment Exhibit 6.6) — 18 336 VIII. a) & b)) The proposed road widening will have no impact on water quality standards or waste discharge requirements. As stated above, the City will implement best management practices to assure that surface waters are protected from hazardous materials and other pollutants during the construction process. The widening process will not require domestic water service, as it involves only the widening of the roadway. c) - e) The City will design the roadway to accommodate the 100 year storm flows within the right of way, which is the City's standard. The design will better control storm flows than in the current condition, since the current lack of curb and gutter allows sheet flows across the roadway and onto downstream property. The road widening project will therefore result in a beneficial impact as relates to flooding on downstream properties. Design of the roadway will also include best management practices to assure that storm waters do not leave the roadway carrying pollutants, thereby protecting off -site properties from polluted runoff. O-g) The site is not located in a flood zone as designated by FEMA and therefore, no impact is expected. �Ja 19- Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact IX. LAND USE AND PLANNING - Would the project: a) Physically divide an established X community? (Aerial photo) b) Conflict with any applicable land use I plan, policy, or regulation of an agency X with jurisdiction over the project (including, but not limited to the general plan, specific plan, local coastal program, or zoning ordinance) adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect? (General Plan Exhibit 2.1) c) Conflict with any applicable habitat X conservation plan or natural community conservation plan? General Plan MEA p. 74 ff.) IX. a) The widening of Dune Palms Road will occur on a 20 foot wide by 1,200 foot long parcel, on lands which are vacant, or represent the frontage of existing development. The proposed widening will not divide an established community. b) The proposed widening will result in Dune Palms Road being constructed to its General Plan roadway designation of Secondary Arterial. The proposed widening is therefore consistent with, and implements the General Plan. All construction will be to City standards and specifications. No impact associated with conflicts with City plans, policies or regulations will occur. c) The project site is within the boundaries of the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan, and will be subject to the regulations associated with that Plan. No impact is expected. -20- of., 340 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact X. MINERAL RESOURCES -- Would the project: a) Result in the loss of availability of a X known mineral resource that would be of value to the region and the residents of the state? (Master Environmental Assessment p. 71 ff.) b) Result in the loss of availability of a X locally -important mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local general plan, specific plan or other land use plan? (Master Environmental Assessment p 71 ff.) X. a) & b) No mineral resources are expected to occur within the widening project area. There are no significant mineral resources in the vicinity of the widening project. No impact will occur. -2134i Potentially Less Than Less 'Chan Significant w/ Significant LNoSignificant Impact Mitigation Impact XI. NOISE Would the project result in: a) Exposure of persons to or generation X of noise levels in excess of standards established in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies? (General Plan MEA p. I I I ff.) b) Exposure of persons to or generation X of excessive groundbome vibration or groundbome noise levels? (General Plan MEA p. I l l ff.) c) A substantial permanent increase in X ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project? (General Plan MEA p. I I ff.) d) A substantial temporary or periodic X increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project? (General Plan MEA p. 111 fr) e) For a project located within an airport X land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? (General Plan land use map) _ t) For a project within the vicinity of a X private airstrip, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? (General Plan land use map) XI. a) & c) The roadway improvements will result in a four lane road, built to its ultimate width. The north half of the project area is currently vacant, and will not be impacted by noise. The south half of the project area is currently occupied by a mobile home park and a single family home. These are both sensitive receptors, which require 65 dBA CNEL noise levels in exterior back yard areas. The mobile home park includes an existing perimeter fence which would remain or be replaced, depending on whether its location occurs in the right of way for the widening project. The General Plan EIR projected that in the year 2020, Dune Palms Road will experience Level of Service „_ 342 (LOS) A, with a volume to capacity ratio of 0.15. Traffic on Dune Palms will therefore continue to be light, and will generate noise levels of 65 dB at approximately 50 feet from the centerline of Dune Palms. The existing perimeter fence surrounding the mobile home park, at a height of 6 feet, will provide noise attenuation of approximately 6 dB. Therefore, the noise levels outside the mobile homes closest to Dune Palms will be approximately 59dB, well below the City's standard. The single family home's rear yard occurs on the east side of the lot, at least 100 feet from the right of way, and is fully shielded by the mass of the existing home. Noise levels at the single family home will be well below the City's 65 dB standard. Xl. b)& d) The widening of Dune Palms Road will result in temporary vibration and elevated noise levels associated with the heavy equipment which will be used to grade and pave the roadway. The peak noise level for construction equipment ranges from 70 to 95 dBA at a distance of 50 feet. The grading activities on the project site will cause temporary increases in noise levels above the City's standards, but these increases will be temporary and periodic. The project is estimated to last between 90 and 100 days. However, not all of the construction period will involve heavy equipment. Construction noise is regulated by the Municipal Code to occur during the noisier day time hours, which helps to lower the potential impacts. The fence surrounding the mobile home park will provide attenuation of noise levels. Since the heavy equipment will be working on a long narrow project, it will be moving up and down on the site. However, the construction process has the potential to cause annoyance and short term disturbance of the residents in the immediate area. This impact can be mitigated to less than significant levels, with the following mitigation measures. L All heavy equipment shall be equipped with properly functioning mufflers. 2. No vehicle shall be allowed to idle for more than 5 minutes within 50 feet of the mobile home park or the single family home in the southern half of the project area. 3. Any staging areas or storage areas for stationary equipment shall be located in the north half of the project area, on currently vacant City property. Stationary equipment shall be oriented so as to direct noise in an easterly direction. 4. All construction activities shall occur in strict compliance with the construction hours allowed in the Municipal Code. e) & f) The project site is not located within the noise contours of any airport or airstrip. -23- ti. 3 Potentially Less "Phan Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact XIL POPULATION AND HOUSING — Would the project: a) Induce substantial population growth X in an area, either directly (for example, by proposing new homes and businesses) or indirectly (for example, through extension of roads or other infrastructure)? (General Plan, p. 9 ff.) b) Displace substantial numbers of X existing housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere? (General Plan, p. 9 ff., project description) c) Displace substantial numbers of X people, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere? (General Plan, p. 9 ff., project description) Xll. a) The proposed roadway widening will not induce population growth. The widening project is consistent with the General Plan roadway designation of Secondary Arterial, and the widening of the roadway is designed to respond to growth, not induce it. This area of the City is mostly built out, and only limited growth can occur in the area. As previously stated, traffic volumes on Dune Palms are not expected to increase significantly over time. The widening project will improve safety on the roadway, but will not induce growth. b) & c) The widening of Dune Palms Road may require the removal or relocation of four mobile homes, and recreational facilities in the mobile home park common area, which appear to be encroaching into the City's the right of way. The engineering for the project will verify whether the structures are encroaching into the right of way, and if so, whether they will need to be removed. In addition, the widening of the roadway may result in the need for the City to purchase the single family home at the southern end of the project area. Assuming that they do need to be removed, the four mobile home units and one single family home do not represent a substantial number of units, and the removal of those units would not necessitate the construction of replacement housing elsewhere, particularly since housing is available throughout the community, either in traditional construction, or in other mobile home parks in the general vicinity. Should removal and/or relocation of these units be necessary, the City will follow all legally required steps. State law requires that the City pay fair market value for any property which it needs to acquire to provide public improvements. As of this writing, it does not appear that the City would be required to acquire any real property at the mobile home park, since the right of way was already granted to the City's predecessor, the County, as a condition of a variance the park owner previously _Zq. �.. 344 obtained. Upon incorporation of the City, the County's interest in the right of way passed to the City. As of this writing, it has not been determined whether it will be necessary to acquire the mobile homes if they encroach in the right of way. The single family home does not encroach into the right of way, but its access may be affected by the widening project. Should safe access for this home not be possible, the City will be required to acquire the property at fair market value. In the event that the City must acquire any structures, the City would be required to compensate the owner(s) of the structures. In addition, if the City is legally required to acquire the mobile homes or the single family home, the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Properties Act would require that the City relocate, at its expense, qualifying residents of these units. Should the residents of the affected units qualify for relocation, the City would be required to prepare a relocation plan, and implement it prior to the initiation of the roadway widening project. 25 California Code of Regulations Section 6090 requires that an agency acquiring a residential unit pay the resident actual reasonable moving expenses. 25 California Code of Regulations Section 6102 and 6104 also require that replacement housing payments be made to qualifying residents, if relocation is necessary. To the extent applicable, the City will follow these State requirements. In light of all the circumstances, any impacts associated with the potential removal of encroaching structures will be less than significant. -25- 34 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact XIIL PUBLIC SERVICES -- a) Would the project result in substantial I adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for any of the public services: _ Fire protection? (General Plan MEA, p. 57) X Police protection? (General Plan MEA, p. 57) X Schools? (General Plan MEA, p. 52 ff.) — X Parks? (General Plan; Recreation and Parks X Master Plan) Other public facilities? (General Plan MEA, X p. 46 ff.) XIIL. a) The widening of Dune Palms will have no impact on public facilities. The roadway widening will facilitate better access and response for the Fire and Police Departments, by providing a second travel lane northbound. The widening will also improve access to the adjacent La Quinta High School, allowing for better traffic flow during the more congested morning and afternoon pick up times. The widening will have no impact on parks or other public facilities. -26- 340 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact XIV. RECREATION -- a) Would the project increase the use of X existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated? (Project description; General Plan Exhibit 5.1) b) Does the project include recreational X facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment? (Project description) XIV. a) & b) Widening of Dune Palms will have no impact on either the use of parks or recreational facilities. _27- 341 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significantwl Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact XV. TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC -- Would the project: a) Cause an increase in traffic which is ' X substantial in relation to the existing traffic load and capacity of the street system (i.e., result in a substantial increase in either the number of vehicle trips, the volume to capacity ratio on roads, or congestion at intersections)? (General Plan EIR, p. I11-29 ff.) _ b) Exceed, either individually or X cumulatively, a level of service standard established by the county congestion management agency for designated roads or highways? (General Plan EIR, p. 11I-29 ff.) c) Result in a change in air traffic X patterns, including either an increase in traffic levels or a change in location that results in substantial safety risks? (No air traffic involved in project) _ d) Substantially increase hazards due to a X design feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment)? (Project description) e) Result in inadequate emergency X access? (Application materials) f) Result in inadequate parking capacity? I X (Project description) I g) Conflict with adopted policies, plans, X or programs supporting alternative transportation (e.g., bus turnouts, bicycle racks)? (Project description; MEA Exhibit 3.10) XV. a)-g) The widening of Dune Palms will result in four travel lanes, curb gutter and sidewalk, all meeting the City's standard for Secondary Arterials. Although Dune Palms currently operates at acceptable levels of service, the widening will improve traffic safety, particularly for northbound traffic, and provide pedestrian access through the installation of a curb -adjacent sidewalk. These improvements will result in beneficial impacts for residents in the area. -28- 34B The widening will not increase volumes on Dune Palms, and as such will have no impact on level of service. The widening of Dune Palms will have a beneficial impact on safety features and existing hazards, by providing a completed street with a concrete sidewalk, and eliminating the need for pedestrian to walk on the unpaved shoulder. The widening will have no impact on parking capacity, insofar as a roadway improvement does not require parking. The roadway improvement will have a beneficial impact on alternative transportation, by providing a sidewalk for bicyclists and pedestrians, and improvements for transit vehicles, should a bus route be planned here in the future. -29- 349 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact XVL UTILITIES AND SERVICE X SYSTEMS. Would the project: a) Exceed wastewater treatment X requirements of the applicable Regional Water Quality Control Board? (General Plan MFA, p. 58 ff.) b) Require or result in the construction of X new water or wastewater treatment facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental effects? (General Plan MEA, p. 58 ff.) c) Require or result in the construction of X new storm water drainage facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause Significant environmental effects? (General Plan MEA, p. 58 ff.) —i d) Have sufficient water supplies X available to serve the project from existing entitlements and resources, or are new or expanded entitlements needed? (General Plan MEA, p. 58 ff.) c) Result in a determination the i wastewater treatment provider That serves or may serve, the project that it has adequate capacity to serve the project's projected demand in addition to the provider's existing commitments? (General Plan MEA, p. 58 ff.) I) Be served by a landfill with sufficient X permitted capacity to accommodate the projects solid waste disposal needs? (General Plan MEA, p. 58 ff) g) Comply with federal, state, and local X statutes and regulations related to solid waste? (General Plan MEA, p. 58 ff.) XVI. a)-g) The widening of Dune Patens will have no impacts on utilities and service systems. Existing utilities located beneath the roadway will remain. Power poles will be -30- 3JU relocated within the new right of way. These activities are required by the City's standards, and will assure that utilities are not impacted. The proposed widening will require neither water nor sanitary sewer service, and as such will have no impact on these services. The proposed widening will not require solid waste services, and will generate very little solid waste, insofar as the proposed roadway widening occurs on lands which are vacant or developed with landscaping. Any construction waste generated by the project will be disposed of through approved haulers, and taken to an approved construction waste disposal facility, according to the requirements of State law. -31- �•.. 35 Potentially Significant Less Than Significant w/ Less Than Significant No Impact Impact Mitigation Impact XVII. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE -- a) Does the project have the potential to X degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self- sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory? b) Does the project have the potential to X achieve short-term, to the disadvantage of long-term environmental goals? - c) Does the project have impacts that are i X individually limited, but cumulatively considerable? ("Cumulatively considerable" means that the incremental effects of a project are considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects)? d) Does the project have environmental X effects which will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly? XVII. a) The project site contains no significant biological, historic or archaeological resources. The roadway improvements installed in conjunction with the widening of Dune Palms will encompass an area of 24,000 square feet, on lands which have been significantly impacted previously. XVII. b) The widening of Dune Palms is a long teen goal of the General Plan, insofar as the proposed improvements will bring this currently substandard roadway to its ultimate, General Plan designation of Secondary Arterial. XVII. c) The widening of Dune Palms will have no cumulative impacts. The widening is occurring in response to growth in the area, not to stimulate growth, and will result in beneficial improvements for traffic in the area. XVII. d) The construction process could have short term noise impacts, which could affect human beings. The mitigation measures included in this document, however, assure that impacts will be reduced to less than significant levels. -32- •• 35 XVIII. EARLIER ANALYSES. Earlier analyses may be used where, pursuant to the tiering, program EIR, or other CEQA process, one or more effects have been adequately analyzed in an earlier EIR or negative declaration. Section 15063(c)(3)(D). In this case a discussion should identify the following on attached sheets: a) Earlier analyses used. Identify earlier analyses and state where they are available for review. General Plan EIR, 2002. b) Impacts adequately addressed. Identify which effects from the above checklist were within the scope of and adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and state whether such effects were addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis. Not applicable. c) Mitigation measures. For effects that are "Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated," describe the mitigation measures which were incorporated or refined from the earlier document and the extent to which they address site -specific conditions for the project. Not applicable. -33- 353 ATTACHMENT 4 PETERSON LAW GROUP PROFESSIONAL GORPORATION SUITE 5270 707 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90017 TELEPHONE (213) 236-9720 FAGETYULE (213) 236-9724 April 14, 2010 Les Johnson, Planning Director City of La Quinta Planning Department 78495 Calle Tampico La Quinta, California 92253 Email: ljohnson@la-quinta.org Facsimile: (760) 777-1233 Via Facsimile and Email Re: Comments Re: Dune Palms Road Widening Proicet Environmental Assessment 2010-609 (Westward He to Whitewater Channel) Request for Environmental Impact Report Dear Mr. Johnson: Please communicate these comments to the Honorable Members of the City Council and ensure this letter finds a place in the official record related to the above -referenced matter. A Mitigated Negative Declaration is not appropriate because there is at least a fair argument that the proposed project will have a significant impact on the environment. The proposed road widening project will have a significant environmental impact. An Environmental Impact Report should be required instead of a Mitigated Negative Declaration. Within the area where Dune Patens Road is proposed to be widened are Horizon High School, the Jehova's Witnesses' church, and our client the Dune Patens Mobile Estates mobile home park ("Dune Palms"). The proposed road widening and increased traffic capacity will have a significant effect on the environment. It will negatively impact on the ease and safety of ingress and egress from Dune Palms, and will cause danger to children and other residents of Dune Palms, as well as churchgoers and students. "[I]f a lead agency is presented with a fair argument that a project may have a significant effect on the environment, the lead agency shall prepare an EIR even though it may also be presented with other substantial evidence that the project will not have a significant effect. CEQA Guidelines Section 15064 (14 Cal. Code Regs. 15064); and see No Oil v. City of Los Angeles, 13 Cal.3d 68 (1975). "`Environment' means the physical conditions which exist within the area which will be �. 354 Les Johnson, Planning Director City of La Quinta April 14,2010 Page 2 of 2 affected by a proposed project, including land, air, water, minerals, flora, fauna, noise, objects of historic or aesthetic significance." Cal. Pub. Resources Code §21060.5. A project may have a "significant effect on the environment" if it has the potential to degrade the quality of the environment or the environmental effects of a project will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly. Cal. Pub. Resources Code §21083. Specific impacts upon Dune Palms and its residents include: (i) removal of the shoulder to the present one -lane road, which currently allows cars to slow outside out of the travelled lane, will make it dangerous to turn into Dune Palms; (ii) the proposed lane addition will move high- speed traffic up to twelve feet closer to the Dune Palms' residences, caretakers' house and swimming pool, significantly increasing noise and air pollution impacts on residents; and (iii) reasonably foreseeable increases in both traffic volume and speeds will significantly increase noise and air pollution impacts on the residents. The proposed road widening project will thus have direct and indirect physical changes on the environment. The economic and social impacts upon the residents of Dune Palms, including the potential need for them to move, reduced safety and quality of life establish that the physical impacts of the proposed project will be significant. For the foregoing reasons, the proposed project should not proceed under a Mitigated Negative Declaration, and we ask that the City require preparation of an Environmental Impact Report. JSP:js