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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-10-27 City Council (3)City of Palo Alto City Manager’s Report TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL ATTN:POLICY AND SERVICES COMMITTEE FROM: CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: POLICE AGENDA DATE: OCTOBER 27, 1998 CMR:405:98 SUBJECT: DRAFT SCOPE OF SERVICES FOR REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL TO SOLICIT A CONSULTANT TO ASSIST THE POLICE AND PLANNING DEPARTMENTS IN ANALYZING NOISE PROBLEMS. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Policy and Services Committee review the proposed scope of services for the selection of a consultant to assist the City in the measurement and analysis of noise problems and for use in Planning decisions and enforcement of current City ordinances. BACKGROUND At the Policy and Services Committee meeting on July 14, 1998, members of the committee requested that staff return to the committee with the scope of services prior to the issuance of the request for proposal (RFP). The City is committed to the mitigation of current noise sources and to the prevention of adverse levels of noise generated by future developments. The Palo Alto Municipal Code Sections 9.10, which regulates various noise sources, levels, and hours of allowance, is used by the Police Department for enforcement purposes, and by Planning Department staff for development compliance. The land use permit process provides Planning staff with an opportunity to analyze the compatibility of a particular land use with the surrounding noise environment and to apply recommended standards for average noise levels that are used to determine where mitigation measures may be required. The complexity of certain noise complaints and proposed future developments have required expertise, specialized measurement equipment, and analysis that exceed the capabilities of both the Planning and Police Departments. Consultant services would be used to measure and CMR:405:98 Page 1 of 3 analyze existing noise problems that exceed technical capabilities of staff, and to address concerns related to new developments. DISCUSSION The attached scope of services is a request for a professional noise consultant with a background in measuring and analyzing noise problems; in developing and interpreting noise ordinances; and in assisting staffin the resolution of noise problems and the noise related issues associated with new development. Staff intends that the consultant will assist in the project of drafting a revision of the City’s noise ordinance according to the Comprehensive Plan goals. The Planning and Police Departments are seeking a noise consultant/firm who will respond to various projects as requested, on either an hourly or a per-project basis. The consultant would also be used to collect data on noise generated by aircraft flying over Palo Alto enroute to San Francisco International Airport. As part of the agreement, the consultant may be called upon to testify in front of various City organizations. RESOURCE IMPACT Funds ($37,850) for this project are available in the 1998-99 Police Department budget. POLICY IMPLICATIONS Enforcement of the noise ordinance and consideration of noise sources for new developments is consistent with City policies. City personnel would have assistance in the application of general noise ordinances and the planning of future noise related issues. TIME LINE After approval by the Policy and Services Committee of the attached scope.of services, the RFP will be issued in mid-November. Staff anticipates that a consultant will be selected and able to begin work by January or February 1999. CMR:405:98 Page 2 of 3 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT This is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). ATTACHMENTS A.Draft Scope of Services for Selection of Consultant to Assist in Analyzing Noise Problems PREPARED BY: APPROVED BY: CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: Agent Patty Lum, Staff Assistant Chief of Police EMIL~-HARRISON Assistant City Manager CMR:405:98 Page 3 of 3 Attachment A Draft scope of services for selection of consultant to assist in an analysis of noise problems and used in planning decisions and enforcement of current City ordinances. Project Background The City of Palo alto is dedicated to the mitigation of noise problems. Due to the increase in the complexity of noise related issues, the Police and Planning Departments are seeking a noise consultant/fn’m to assist in interpretation and mitigation of noise related problems. Scope of Work The Police and Planning Departments are seeking a noise consultant/firm who will respond to various projects as requested, either on an hourly or a per-project basis. As part of the agreement, the consultant may be asked to testify for various City organizations. Planning Department Work Tasks will include: General interpretation and applicationof Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapter 9.10, (see attached). Noise measurement and ambient noise level monitoring, to ensure that use-permit conditions, and other discretionary actions by the Department, are properly made and followed. Evaluation of the potential for increased noise levels and ways to reduce noise impacts when reviewing new developments and activities in palo Alto. Evaluation of current noise complaints, determination of compliance with municipal codes and use permits, and recommendations for actions that mitigate or reduce noise. Review of consultant reports that are submitted as part of the application materials for discretionary permits. Collection of noise data generated by aircraft flying over Palo Alto enroute to San Francisco International Airport. Police Department Work Tasks will include: General interpretation and application of Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapter 9.10, (see attached). The training of Police personnel on noise measurement equipment, readings, and ordinances. The ability to provide noise measurement devices as needed for more complicated projects. The use of sophisticated equipment, as needed, for measurements and analysis of data. Assistance in the preparation of reports for specific cases. Examples may include: 1)Chronic, ongoing noise complaints. 2)Commercial noise sources 3)Noise sourcewith alternating noise levels over time, which complicates the measurement process. 4) A complaint that may cause the revocation of a use permit. Expert testimony in fi’ont of various city organizations during the process of conditional use permit reviews and/or criminal prosecution. Target Schedule The following are approximate key dates for this study: City issues RFP: November 16, 1998 Optional bidders conference: December 1, 1998 Proposals due: December 15, 1998 Award of contract: January 1999 Responders should provide bids based on either an hourly and/or per project response tee.