DATE: April 9, 2024
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Daniel C. Cederborg, County Counsel
SUBJECT: Specialized Legal Services Agreement with Downey Brand, LLP - Friant Ranch
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Make a finding that it is in the best interests of the County to suspend the competitive bidding process under Administrative Policy No. 34 for specialized legal services which are unique to Downey Brand, LLP; and
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute Specialized Legal Services Agreement engaging the law firm of Downey Brand, LLP to assist the County in the preparation of the Partially Recirculated Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report (State Clearinghouse No. 2007101016) prepared for the "Friant Ranch Project," located approximately five miles north of the Fresno city limits and 21 miles east of the city of Madera, within the Friant Community Plan Area and the Friant Ranch Specific Plan Area, effective upon execution through December 31, 2025, with the option to extend for two additional one-year terms, total not to exceed $150,000, to be reimbursed by project applicant.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions, which will engage the law firm Downey Brand, LLP (Downey), under the direction of the County Counsel, to provide legal advice to the County relating to the Partially Recirculated Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report (PRRDEIR) (State Clearinghouse No. 2007101016) prepared for Environmental Impact Report Application No. 5481, General Plan Amendment Application No. 511, Amendment to Text No. 363, and Amendment Application No. 3751, also known as the Friant Ranch Project (Project). Downey is able to provide a level of specialization and experience with the environmental review process which is not available within the County Counsel's Office.
The Project is located in Supervisorial District No. 5.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may decline to enter into the recommended Speci...
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