Approve work authorization with Kitchell for construction management services for the Walnut Park Library project located in South Davis in an amount not to exceed $567,692, determine the construction and operation of the proposed Walnut Park Library is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15332 of the CEQA Guidelines, approve the Walnut Park Library project, and direct staff to file a Notice of Exemption. (No general fund impact) (Pistochini)

Construction Management Work Authorization
On February 21, 2023, the Board approved Resolution No. 23-32, among other actions, accepting an $8,783,400 California State Library Building Forward grant for the construction of a new library to be located on a parcel within Walnut Park in South Davis, which the City of Davis and the County have long identified for a library site. The design of the new Walnut Park Library will be completed by summer 2024 and County staff will then begin the competitive solicitation process to find a contractor to build the Walnut Park library. Construction is targeted to begin in November 2024 and must be completed by March 31, 2026 pursuant to the grant requirements. Typically, the County will contract with a construction management firm for projects of this size and complexity. A construction management firm is responsible for overseeing the contractor, ensuring timelines are met, and protecting the County's interests. Best practice is to bring a construction management firm on the project when the design is 50% complete to perform a constructablity review and then remain on the project through bidding, construction, and project close-out. This allows an independent review of the design to minimize change orders and other issues that complicate and frustrate the construction process. The County is expected to achieve the 50% design document milestone in mid-January. The County developed a list of on-call contracts for construction management firms through a competitive solicitation, and believes Kitchell is the best qualified firm for this project. The work authorization will be appended to the on-call contract, and is included as Attachment A.

Notice of Exemption from California Environmental Quality Act
In consultation with Raney Planning and Management, Inc., County Planning staff prepared a memorandum to evaluate the Walnut Park Library Project to determine whether the proposed project is exempt from review under CEQA. The memorandum is included as Attachment B for reference. As demonstrated in the memorandum, County Planning staff determined the proposed project affirmatively meets all criterion for in-fill development projects and is exempt from CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines 15332, In-Fill Development Projects. The project is consistent with the City of Davis General Plan land use designation of Parks/Recreation, meeting Criterion 15332(a). The project would meet Criterion 15332(b) by being located within the Davis city limits on an existing grass sports field, and being surrounded by urban uses. The project does not support habitat for rare, threatened, or endangered species and the applicant would be required to comply with all applicable Yolo Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan (Yolo HCP/NCCP) Avoidance and Minimization Measures (AMMs). Thus, the project would meet Criterion 15332(c). Furthermore, the project would not result in any significant environmental effects related to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality. The project can be adequately served by all required utilities and public services. As such, the project would meet Criterion 15332(d) and 15332(e). It should also be noted that exceptions to the exemptions under CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 would not apply to the proposed project. Therefore, the proposed project would be considered exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15332, Class 32. A proposed Notice of Exemption is attached as Attachment C.

The General Services Department collaborated with the County Counsel's Office and the Department of Community Services for the development of the Notice of Exemption.  The General Services Department collaborates with the Library Department throughout this project.

The on-call contract with Kitchell is based on a Request for Qualifications.