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C.6

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Julia R. Bueren, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Date:	March 17, 2009

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Contract amendment with Condor Country Consulting for the Vasco Road Safety Improvement project Project No.: 0662-6R4254

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 03/17/2009

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Gayle B. Uilkema, District II Supervisor
Susan A. Bonilla, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Trina Torres, 313-2176

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: March 17, 2009
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director, or designee, to execute a contract amendment with Condor Country Consulting, effective March 1, 2009, to increase the payment limit by $250,000 to a new payment limit of $500,000 and extend the term from December 31, 2009 to December 31, 2010 to continue to conduct wildlife migration studies and provide additional environmental assessment services in support of the Vasco Road Safety Improvement project.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no impact to the County General Fund. This project is funded by Proposition 1B Funds (100%).

BACKGROUND:

The Vasco Road Safety Improvements Project is being implemented by the Contra Costa County Public Works Department (Dept.) as a result of many serious, often fatal, vehicle collisions along Vasco Road, near Byron, in East Contra Costa County. This is a high priority safety project that will affect transportation throughout the East County region and has substantial community backing.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

The Dept. originally entered into a Consulting Services Agreement (Contract) with Condor Country Consulting (Condor Consulting) on December 1, 2007, to provide Wildlife/Biological assessment services, including East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and Natural Community Conservation Plan (NCCP) requirements, for the Vasco Road Wildlife Movement Studies (Movement Study), near Byron, in East Contra Costa County.

Project funding has changed. The project is now federally funded; therefore, additional special environmental assessments and studies, including Archaeological/Cultural-Historical assessment, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) are required. The NEPA assessments and studies will require extra time to complete and are costly.

The Dept. has determined that Condor Consulting is qualified to conduct the additional necessary work. Condor Consulting will continue work from the original Movement Study Scope of Services, as well as conduct additional NEPA environmental assessment services for the entire project, as required by the NEPA Guidelines.

This amendment will also include a project name change on the contract. The project name will be changed from Vasco Road Wildlife Movement Studies to the Vasco Road Safety Improvement Project to encompass the entire project.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

Without board approval, continual wildlife movement studies and additional environmental assessments will not be completed in a timely manner, therefore the necessary NEPA and HCP/NCCP clearances will not be obtained; which may delay the design and construction of the project; and may jeopardize funding.