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BACKGROUND The City identified the Augustin Bernal Downhill-Only Mountain Bike Trail as one of its top trail priorities during the 2019 Trails Master Plan update process. The trail is intended to provide mountain bikers with an alternative downhill route to avoid conflicts between hikers and mountain bikers since the bikers go downhill at higher speeds. City Council approved the allocation of$130,000 in the FY 2019/20 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to design and construct the project. In summer 2019, City staff reached out to mountain bikers, designers, and other agencies that had experience with trail construction, such as the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD). Based upon input regarding what the users desired as features of the trail, and what was required to construct a trail, staff advertised a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in early 2020 for only the environmental services required to construct the trail. After review of the Statements of Qualification (SOQ) submitted in response to the RFQ, and interviewing the firms that submitted an SOQ, the City selected Dudek as the firm most qualified to provide the required environmental services. On August 4, 2020, staff recommended City Council approve a professional services agreement with Dudek for the environmental services in the not-to-exceed amount of$45,810. At the time the agreement was approved, staff planned on first obtaining the required environmental clearance, then advertising for bids to hire an experienced trail designer/builder to both design and construct the trail. This plan was based upon a recommendation from EBRPD staff regarding how to construct the trail. However, as the environmental services unfolded, it became clear that the trail design would need a more significant level of detail for the environmental analysis than the potential designer/builder could provide. Dudek also offers trail design services so on November 17, 2020, staff recommended City Council approve an amendment to the agreement with Dudek for the necessary design services in the not-to-exceed amount of$22,680. DISCUSSION The design and environmental documentation for the trail were prepared by Dudek in accordance with the agreement and amendment. As part of the process, Dudek expressed concern about the potential for the trail project to harm habitat of the Alameda whipsnake, a species listed as "threatened" and known to exist in the area. City staff and Dudek met with the United States Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) to discuss the potential impact. It was determined that acceptable mitigation for the project would consist of closing nearby "unofficial" trails and restoring native plantings on the "unofficial" trails. The project trail is different from the "unofficial" trails as it is being designed to mitigate the potential for soil erosion and will address safety concerns associated with the "unofficial" trails. While some new trail will be constructed as part of the project, closing down the "unofficial" trails will reduce the overall quantity of trail and reduce the potential for impacts to whipsnake habitat. Normally, the City's projects out for bid require the bidder to prepare and implement a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) which conforms with Federal and State Page 2 of 3