Jul 302012
Curtis Williams (Director of Planning) has released the Request for Proposals (RFP) the City prepared to secure the services of a consultant to implement the City Council motion of June 4. The motion had two parts: 1) conduct an independent evaluation of CPI Hazardous Materials, and 2) provide input on Zoning and Fire Code issues. The RFP was issued on July 13th
Summary of key features –
…..schedule – work would start at the end of August, and be completed by next February. Adherence to the schedule requires the full cooperation of CPI ; their legal representative at the June 4th meeting promised this; we shall see if they follow through and agree with the terms required for full disclosure of their materials to the consultant within the confidentiality clauses of the contract.
…..work involved – two tasks: one to assess the risks associated with the hazardous materials at CPI (to be completed within 90 days of start of work), and the second to advise the City on Zoning and Fire Code issues.
…..meetings with residents – first task involves at least 2 meetings with residents.
…..independence from industry and a track record working with public groups : The qualifications state: “….The City of Palo Alto is seeking an experienced hazardous materials consultant who can demonstrate his/her technical competence to complete the required analyses and his/her impartiality and independence from local industries (and industry in general) that use such materials.” The proposal response is to ” Include a list of clients and/or related projects completed during the past five years….AND…List experience working with public agencies and in public communications, such as neighborhood or community meetings, and advising Planning Commissions, City Councils, and or other local government policy-makers.”
Here is a reference for some background on the 2006 toxic fume release and risks to residents from the extremely hazardous materials at CPI.