Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Jim Eggemeyer, Director, Office of Sustainability
Subject: Agreement with Revell Coastal for South Coast Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Plan Project
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with Revell Coastal for consulting services to conduct a sea level rise vulnerability assessment and develop adaptation strategies for the southern coast of San Mateo County for the term of March 12, 2019 through June 30, 2020, in an amount not to exceed $200,000.
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BACKGROUND:
The South Coast of San Mateo County is known for its natural assets, its ocean views, farms and other working lands, redwood forests, State Route 1, and extensive parks and open space. Because of these assets and limited urban development, the South Coast is the most rural zone in the greater Bay Area. A large portion of the coast is protected open space held by public agencies or land trusts. Small towns, such as Pescadero, with historic and rural coastal character are dotted in between ranches and open space. However, sea level rise is expected to affect the people, property, economy, infrastructure, and ecosystems of south coast San Mateo County.
In 2015, the County launched Sea Change SMC, which is a County program addressing the issue of sea level rise. In 2018, Sea Change SMC released a Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment (Assessment) for the entire Bayshore and the North Coast (Half Moon Bay north). The County worked with a broad coalition of governments and community stakeholders to develop the Assessment. At that time, certain sea level rise data was not available for the South Coast, but that data will be available this fiscal year. The selected consultant, Revell Coastal, will utilize that data and complete the last phase of the County’s sea level rise vulnerability assessment for the South Coast of the County, from the southern city boundary of Half Moon Bay south to the County line.
DISCUSSION:
The County has already taken a leadership role in climate change adaptation, working with a broad coalition of governments across jurisdictional boundaries to assess and evaluate the impact of sea level rise. Staff released an RFP for the “South Coast Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Plan Project” (Project) on November 5, 2018 and closed the solicitation process on December 6, 2018. The County received two applications in response to the RFP, which were reviewed by a committee of individuals from County departments and the San Mateo Resource Conservation District with program and topic-area expertise. Based on that review, two applicants were invited to conduct in-person presentations and interviews. An interview committee of five individuals from the County and the San Mateo Resource Conservation District ranked Revell Coastal as the best overall proposal due to its qualifications, experience, vision, and approach for the overall Project, and its competitive price. Staff released a Notice of Intent and began contract negotiations on January 14, 2019.
The Project includes four key components that the Contractor will be responsible for implementing in the South Coast: (1) mapping sea level rise risks, (2) conducting a sea level rise vulnerability assessment, (3) developing an adaptation plan, and (4) providing support on community and stakeholder engagement in partnership with the San Mateo Resource Conservation District.
The Project will assist the County and stakeholders in better understanding sea level rise related vulnerabilities, developing adaptation solutions and engaging diverse communities, including high school students, along the South Coast of San Mateo County. Through this effort, local project concepts and strategies will be developed that will align with local and community needs and support progress towards a more resilient coast line.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
SHARED VISION 2025:
Approval of this resolution contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of an Environmentally Conscious Community by building preparedness for the protection of ecosystems and people in the face of climate change. Approval of this resolution also contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of Collaborative Community by identifying regional collaborative projects to reduce sea level rise impacts and preparing residents and communities for the impacts of sea level rise.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
|
2018-2019 |
2019-2020 |
|
Percentage towards completion |
15% |
100% |
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Number of people engaged |
50 |
150 |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is March 12, 2019, to June 30, 2020, in an amount not to exceed $200,000. The agreement is being funded by the Office of Sustainability and is included in the FY 2018-19 Recommended Budget.