Report No. 255-F Meeting Date: June 8, 2010

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1 Report No. 255-F Meeting Date: June 8, 2010 BOARD OF EDUCATION PASADENA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT PASADENA, CALIFORNIA Topic: Approval of Resolution 2096 Final Mitigated Negative Declaration And Mitigation Monitoring And Reporting Plan For the Sierra Madre Upper School Construction RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of Education adopt Resolution No Approving the Final Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan for the Construction of Sierra Madre Upper School. District Priority/Strategy: To ensure a clean, safe, and orderly environment that supports learning I. BACKGROUND: On August 25, 2009 the Board of Education approved Project Substitution Request # providing for the construction of a new middle school to replace the aging complex at the Sierra Madre upper campus, 160 North Canon Avenue, Sierra Madre. An Architect was selected and approved by the Board September 22, Part of the process of constructing a new school is an analysis called an Initial Study under the California Environmental Quality Act ( CEQA ). Upon advice of counsel, a Mitigated Negative Declaration was the vehicle chosen. The CEQA process was initiated in February and is now complete, with the 30-day public period having ended May 28, A final Mitigated Negative Declaration has been presented to the Board. II. STAFF ANALYSIS: Michael Brandman Associates was retained by PUSD to conduct an Initial Study of the project and to prepare the required and recommended form of CEQA study for the project contemplated. Based on the findings contained in the Initial Study, staff concluded that although the proposed construction could have a potentially significant effect on the environment (avian nesting during construction, hazardous materials, and construction noise), there would not be a significant effect on the environment in this case because mitigation measures will be implemented as part of the project. Following a 30-day Public Review period a final MND was prepared, which contains a written response to all written comments received during the comment period. Mitigation measures for the project are included in the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan approved as part of the final MND. Attachments: (a) Resolution No Approving the final Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan (b) Final Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan Available at the District Service Center or online at III. FISCAL IMPACT: This does not apply. Funding Code: N/A Board of Education Agenda June 8, 2010 Prepared by: Steve Brinkman, Chief, Facilities Originator: Stephen Brinkman, Chief, Facilities

2 RESOLUTION NO RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE PASADENA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT APPROVING ADOPTION OF A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PLAN FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SIERRA MADRE MIDDLE SCHOOL WHEREAS, the Board of Education previously approved the construction of a new middle school to replace the existing one on the Sierra Madre Upper campus at 160 North Canon Avenue, sierra Madre, California; and WHEREAS, District staff, in conjunction with Michael Brandman Associates, has prepared an Initial Study and a Mitigated Negative Declaration ( MND ) pursuant to CEQA to identify significant environmental impacts, if any, associated with District s construction of the Sierra Madre Middle School (the Project ); and WHEREAS, the MND was prepared pursuant to CEQA and the State CEQA Guidelines; and WHEREAS, the District, as the lead agency for the Project, provided copies of the draft MND ( Draft MND ) and Initial Study to the public for review and comment pursuant to Public Resources Code Sections and for the period of April 28, 2010 and May 28, 2010; and WHEREAS, the Board has carefully reviewed the Final MND and all other relevant information contained in the record for the Project; and WHEREAS, the Board has received and considered oral and written comments received from the public and other interested agencies regarding the Final MND; and WHEREAS, all other legal prerequisites to the adoption of this Resolution have occurred. NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of the District hereby finds, determines, declares, orders and resolves as follows: Section 1 - Recitals. That all of the recitals set forth above are true and correct, and the Board so finds and determines. Section 2 - Compliance with CEQA. That the Board reviewed and considered the information contained in the Final MND including without limitation, the Draft MND, Initial Study, comments from the public and interested agencies, and any comments made at the public meetings or contained in the administrative record for the Project. The Board hereby makes the following specific findings with respect to the Final MND: (a) That the Final MND prepared for the Project contains a complete and accurate reporting of the environmental impacts associated with the Project; and (b) That the Final MND has been completed in compliance with CEQA and the State CEQA Guidelines; and (c) That the Project as designed, and with incorporated mitigation measures, will not result in

3 significant effects upon the environment; and (d) That there is no substantial evidence in the record supporting a fair argument that the Project may result in significant impacts to the environment; and (e) That the Final MND reflects the independent judgment and analysis of the District; and (f) The Board hereby adopts the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan, which includes the mitigation measures included in the Final MND that avoid or substantially lessen the environmental effect to levels below significance and authorizes the implementation of the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan; and (g) That any mitigation measures added to the Final MND subsequent to the circulation of the Draft MND, if any, are either minor changes to the Project and do not result in a fundamental reorganization of the MND, and/or the purpose of the mitigation measures are to reduce the effects on the environment that were already identified in the Draft MND as insignificant, and further that the mitigation measures do not have the potential to have a significant impact upon the environment; and (h) That any mitigation measures which have been changed or substituted subsequent to the circulation of the Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration, if any, are equivalent or more effective in mitigating the environmental impacts then the prior mitigation measures, and that the change and/or substitution of such mitigation measures and not itself cause any potentially significant effect upon the environment; and (i) That the Board has reviewed and considered the information in the Final MND before approving the Project. Section 3 - Location and Custodian of Records. The location and custodian of records with respect to all of the relevant documents and any other material which constitutes the administrative record for the Mitigated Negative Declaration are as follows: Stephen Brinkman, Pasadena Unified School District, 351 S. Hudson Avenue, Pasadena, CA Section 4 - Wildlife Findings. That the proposed Project will have no adverse impacts on wildlife as defined in Fish and Game Code Section 711.2, nor will it adversely impact the resources governed by the State Department of Fish and Game. Section 5 - Adoption of Final Mitigated Negative Declaration. That the Board hereby adopts the Final MND in the form presented to the Board in conjunction with this resolution, including the Mitigation Monitoring and reporting Plan. Section 6 - Notice of Determination. That the Board hereby directs District staff to file a Notice of Determination with the County of Los Angeles and the State of California within five (5) working days after the Board s adoption of the Final MND. Section 7. Approval of Projects. That the Project, as described and analyzed in the Final MND, is hereby approved.

4 APPROVED, PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of the District on the 8th day of June, 2010, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSTENTIONS: President of the Board of Trustees of the Attested to: Clerk of the Board of Trustees of the WITNESS my hand this 8th day of June, Robert Harrison, President Renatta Cooper, Vice President Elizabeth Pomeroy, Member Scott, Phelps, Member Ed Honowitz, Member Ramon Miramontes, Member Tom Selinske, Member

5 Notice of Availability and Intent to Adopt an Initial Study Mitigated Negative Declaration Project Name: Sierra Madre School Upper Campus Project Location: Regionally, the Sierra Madre School Upper Campus site is located in the San Gabriel Valley region of Los Angeles County, in the northern portion of the City of Sierra Madre. Specifically, the Project site is located directly north of East Highland Avenue, east of North Canon Avenue, south of East Laurel Avenue and west of Sierra Vista Park at 160 North Canon Avenue. The property consists of Assessor s Parcel Number (APN) Project Description: The current Sierra Madre School Upper Campus is located on an approximately eight (8) acre site. The Project site contains a total of 13 buildings and breezeways totaling approximately 40,410 square feet. Implementation of the Project will demolish all existing structures on-site and will develop a grouping of two-story, small-scale buildings, totaling approximately 72,114 square feet. The total increase in square footage compared to the original facilities is approximately 31,704 square feet. The main increase in square footage is within the proposed support facilities, consistent with a modern middle school. Included within the new facility will be a gymnasium that will available for joint use with the City of Sierra Madre. Environmental Effects Anticipated as a Result of the Project The Initial Study Mitigated Negative Declaration prepared for this Project determined that the Project would not create any significant environmental impacts with implementation of the recommended mitigation measures. The IS/MND did not identify significant impacts related to development and operation of the project after mitigation. Additionally, the property is not on the Cortese List of sites with hazardous materials pursuant to Government Code Section Public Review Period The (PUSD) is the Lead Agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for this Project, and is holding a 30-day public review period on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) beginning on or about April 28, 2010 and ending on May 28, 2010, during which time responsible agencies, the public, and interested parties are invited to comment on the IS/MND for the proposed Project. All comments and any questions should be directed to: Name: Address: Contact: 740 W. Woodbury Road, Pasadena, CA Steve Brinkman, Chief Facilities Planning at Locations Where The IS/MND May Be Reviewed: The IS/MND is available for review at the following locations in the City of Sierra Madre and PUSD: City of Sierra Madre, City Hall, 232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra Madre, CA Sierra Madre Public Library, 440 West Sierra Madre Boulevard, Sierra Madre, CA , 351 South Hudson Avenue, Pasadena, California Sierra Madre Elementary School, 141 West Highland Avenue, sierra Madre, California Page 1 of 2

6 Please submit your comments in writing to Mr. Steve Brinkman at 740 W. Woodbury Road, Pasadena, CA 91103, no later than 5:00 P.M. on May 28, For further information with this regard, contact Mr. Steve Brinkman at the at Public Meetings The Board of Education is scheduled to review the Project and the IS/MND at its meeting on June 8, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. and will be located at 351 S. Hudson Avenue, Pasadena, CA (Room 236). Page 2 of 2