REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
February 8, 2018
FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, AICP, Director
Development & Resource Management
THROUGH: MIKE SANCHEZ, AICP, Assistant Director
Development Services Division
BONIQUE EMERSON, AICP, Planning Manager
Development Services Division
BY: RALPH KACHADOURIAN, Supervising Planner
Development Services Division
SUBJECT
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RESOLUTION - Authorizing the City Manager or authorized designee to execute an agreement with the California High Speed Rail Authority for continued funding of the High Speed Rail Impacted Business Support Services Program in the amount of $1,611,774.00 beginning March 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019.
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On October 27, 2012, the City Council granted authorization to the City Manager to enter into a contract with the CHSRA to provide funding of approximately $4.6 million for a Local High-Speed Rail Business Support Services Program (Program). On June 20, 2013, the City entered into a contract with CHSRA (HSR12-05) to provide funding of the Program for a two year term from June 30, 2013, through June 30, 2015. Under this funding resource, the City entered into a separate business support services consulting contract with the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) effective on June 30, 2013, in the amount of approximately $1.2 million. The Program utilizes the funding by CHSRA to provide the City and the EDC with staff positions necessary to accomplish the Program goals by creating a dedicated team of individuals to provide high quality customer service to the property owners and businesses impacted by the High Speed Rail project who need to reconfigure existing sites or relocate their businesses to other parcels in an expeditious manner.
The proposed contract will provide continued funding of the High Speed Rail Impacted Business Support Services Program in the amount of $1,611,774.00 through December 31, 2019.
BACKGROUND
On October 27, 2012, the City Council granted authorization to the City Manager to enter into a contract with the CHSRA to provide funding of approximately $4.6 million for a Local High-Speed Rail Business Support Services Program (Program). On June 20, 2013, the City entered into a contract with CHSRA (HSR12-05) to provide funding of the Program for a two year term from June 30, 2013, through June 30, 2015. Under this funding resource, the City entered into a separate business support services consulting contract with the EDC effective on June 30, 2013, in the amount of approximately $1.2 million. The Program utilizes the funding by CHSRA to provide the City and the EDC with staff positions necessary to accomplish the Program goals by creating a dedicated team of individuals to provide high quality customer service to the property owners and businesses impacted by the High Speed Rail project who need to reconfigure existing sites or relocate their businesses to other parcels in an expeditious manner.
The EDC has been serving as liaison to affected businesses, providing site selection assistance on available parcels and sites for relocation, facilitating these businesses remaining in our community, and highlighting opportunities for their business growth and expansion. City staff has been providing zoning, land use, public utilities and infrastructure information and reviews; coordinating preliminary review meetings with businesses; and providing expedited entitlement reviews and processing of the various development permits. All of these services and project reviews are available free of charge to property owners and businesses impacted by the High Speed Rail project.
The CHSRA is constructing the first phase of the high-speed rail corridor with an alignment that follows a path within the city limits generally on the west side of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks from north of Herndon Avenue through downtown and south to Jensen Avenue, then curving toward an alignment on the west side of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad tracks crossing SR-99 to the City’s southerly sphere of influence boundary at American Avenue.
Through the partnership established between the City, the CHSRA Central Valley Division, and the EDC, the High-Speed Rail Impacted Business Support Services Program has been successful at ensuring businesses impacted either directly or indirectly by the High Speed Rail project are being assisted satisfactorily so that they remain viable within our community.
The Program utilizes key staff from the Development and Resources Management Department, the Public Works Department, Fire Department, the Department of Public Utilities, and staff from the EDC to ensure that everything is being done to support, retain and/or relocate impacted businesses within the City of Fresno.
Since 2013, the EDC has identified 234 businesses within the city limits directly impacted by the High Speed Rail project, with approximately forty-seven remaining businesses that still require some level of assistance. There may also be additional secondary impacted businesses not yet identified which may be indirectly impacted due to road closures/realignments, overcrossings and underpass construction activities, and additional land acquisitions due to project design changes. Once the new CHSRA contract is executed, the City and the EDC (as a City subcontractor) will be compensated for costs related to the work being performed under the Program. The services currently being provided by the City and EDC include:
• Outreach to and providing liaison services between the impacted businesses and the CHSRA and its Contractors to help simplify the relocation process.
• Providing guidance to impacted businesses, property owners and their agents on all aspects of the development review process including reviews required by other city departments and outside agencies.
• Connecting impacted businesses with private and governmental entities committed to responding to the needs of the business.
• Highlighting opportunities for business growth and expansion
• Providing a referrals data base of professional services via case management.
• Conducting weekly meetings on the activity status of the impacted businesses.
• Ensuring that displaced businesses impacted are relocated within the City of Fresno.
• Expediting permit processing (Site Plans, Conditional Use Permits, Rezones)
• Fast-tracking permits
• Providing relocation planning assistance (zoning and land use planning information)
• Expedited Inspections for accelerated occupancies
The recommended Council action will continue the successful efforts of the HSR Impacted Business Support Services Program.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this item does not qualify as a “project”; therefore it is exempt from the CEQA requirements.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because this item does not include a bid or award of a construction or service contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
The requested Council authorization will not have an impact to the General Fund as all funding for the HSR Impacted Business Support Services Program will be provided by the CHSRA.
Attachments:
Resolution
Approved Contract Agreement HSR12-05, dated June 2013
COF/CHSRA Budget Proposal
EDC HSR Business Support Program Client Activity and Projections Summary for 2018/19