REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
July 20, 2017
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Interim Director
Public Works Department
BY: ANDREW J. BENELLI, PE, City Engineer/Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Traffic and Engineering Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
Approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Fresno and the State of California, San Joaquin River Conservancy, for Additional Environmental Impact Analysis on the River West Eaton Trail Extension (Council District 2)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Council authorizes the Public Works Director to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the State of California, San Joaquin River Conservancy (SJRC), for additional environmental impact analysis on the River West Eaton Trail Extension.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On June 15, 2017 the Council approved a professional services agreement with AECOM, Inc., to prepare a revised Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed River West Eaton Trail Extension. The San Joaquin River Conservancy, as the lead agency, is directing the preparation of the EIR through a separate contract with AECOM. A Memorandum of Understanding is necessary to formalize the roles and responsibilities of the City and the San Joaquin River Conservancy in the preparation of the additional analysis. The Memorandum of Understanding does not require any payments to be made between the City and the Conservancy.
BACKGROUND
The San Joaquin River Conservancy proposes to extend the Lewis S. Eaton Trail from where it now ends near the northwestern corner of Woodward Park, to Spano Park near the Palm Avenue and Nees Avenue intersection. The project will add 2.4 miles of multi-purpose trail with ancillary recreational support features to existing Lewis Eaton Trail. AECOM has been retained by the SJRC to prepare the EIR for the trail extension. On June 15th the Council approved a professional service agreement between the City and AECOM to revise a part of the EIR that addresses public access near Palm and Nees. The SJRC is the lead agency for the EIR and even though the City is now contracting directly with AECOM for additional work on the EIR, the work must be coordinated and routed through the SJRC. A Memorandum of Understanding is necessary to formalize the roles and responsibilities of the City and the SJRC in the preparation of the additional analysis.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this item does not qualify as a “project” as it is an administrative action that will not result in direct or indirect changes to the environment.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Not applicable because this is not a competitive bid.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Memorandum does not include payment to or from either agency.
Attachment:
Memorandum of Understanding