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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-06-14 - AGENDA REPORTS - CEMEX BUDGET WILLDAN AGMT (3)Agenda Item: _�r_ CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT CONSENT CALENDAR City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: Tina Haddad DATE: June 14, 2005 SUBJECT: CEMEX BUDGET AND AGREEMENT WITH WILLDAN ASSOCIATES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT: Planning and Economic Development RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council transfer $200,000 from the Council Contingency (Account #2250-7401) to the Cemex operating account (Account #3110-8110 Project 06.00) for legal services. City Council authorize the City Manager, or designee to amend the professional services agreement with Willdan Associates, for environmental services to support legal activities associated with the Cemex opposition strategy, for an additional amount not to exceed $50,000, subject to City Attorney approval. BACKGROUND Currently, the City is a party to four legal suits related to Cemex Corporation's proposed sand and gravel mine in Soledad Canyon. These legal suits include: the Cemex vs. County ofLos Agelesn Interior, et al. (Endangered Species Act); City vs. Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors et of Appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (Consent Decree); City vs. U.S. Department n al. (CEQA); and City vs. Bureau of Land Management, et al. (NEPA). Additional funding in the amount of $200,000 will be needed to continue the City's legal efforts and attorney representation at subsequent meetings with government agencies. The requested funding will cover expenses incurred through the end of this fiscal year (FY 2004-2005). In addition to legal consultation, the City also requires environmental research consultation to continue our aggressive strategy to oppose the proposed mining project. The City has been contracting with Willdan Associates since 1999 for environmental research pertaining to the Cemex opposition effort. On September 10, 2002, the City Council approved of amending the APPROVED City's original agreement with Willdan to extend the contract amount for an additional $45,000, which brought the contract total to $221,000. On March 9, 2004 the City Council amended the agreement again for an amount not to exceed $50,000 for a total contract amount of $271,000. This requested amendment to the Willdan contract will increase the contract amount by an amount not to exceed $50,000. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS City Council not approve appropriation of additional funding to continue the legal effort and not approve amending the contract with Willdan Associates for environmental consultation as it relates to Cemex's proposed sand and gravel mine in Soledad Canyon. Other action as determined by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT The Council Contingency Fund currently has a balance of $574,706. If the City Council approves this request, the Council Contingency fund will have a remaining balance of $374,706 ($574,706 - $200,000 = $374,706).