HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-27-2006-5zORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 27, 2006
Action Agenda
Item No. Jr--Z
SUBJECT: Biological and Cultural Surveys of the Homestead Road Campus
DEPARTMENT: ERGD, Purchasing PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Stancil, 245-2590
Pam Jones, 245-2650
PURPOSE: To authorize the solicitation of proposals for surveys of biological, cultural and
archaeological resources on the 33-acre Homestead Road Campus owned by Orange County,
BACKGROUND: For several years now, new County park projects have included a set of
surveys to identify cultural and biological resources present on the site, so that this information
may be used in creating a design for a park master plan. The same has been proposed for the
Homestead Road County Campus, The property is the site of the County's Southern Human
Services Center, two buildings constructed by the Interfaith Council on a three acre tract leased
from the County, and the Seymour Senior Center, currently under construction. There are other
potential building sites for yet to be determined public facilities, The site also features a nature
trail that was completed with the assistance of an AmeriCorps volunteers in 2003, That trail links
with other footpaths on adjacent properties,
In preparation for the planned August 22, 2006 discussion of the master plan for construction at
this site, and to ensure that subsequent design and construction of County facilities does not
unwittingly destroy important natural or cultural resources on the property, it has been proposed
that the County conduct the following additional surveys of the property:
- A biological survey to determine if special plant and wildlife habitat or commtanities exist
on site. A survey of significant trees has already been completed for the entire site; and
- A cultural and archaeological survey to identify cultural resources, archaeological
remains and other cultural "matter" present on the site.
Orange County would seek qualified and experienced professionals to conduct these surveys,
The biological survey could be conducted in-house by the Land Conservation Manager and
biologists on the Commission for the Environment. The survey of cultural and archaeological
resources would likely require the services of one of a number of firms that perform these types
of surveys in the region.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The biological survey would be conducted in house and as such have no
additional cost to the County, The cultural and archaeological survey is estimated to cost up to
$15,000, although no definitive pricing can be cited until proposals are received. Funds
included in the 2006-2016 Capital Investment Plan for the Southern Human Services Center
could be used to support this expenditure.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the BQCC authorize staff to solicit
proposals for conducting the biological and cultural surveys of the Homestead Campus
property; and authorize the Manager to sign a contract for an amount up to $15,000 to carry out
the work.