Placerville approves $34,969 PlaceWorks contract to update Open Space and Conservation element

Carol Kendrick, Placerville’s director of development services, presented a recommendation to hire PlaceWorks (Folsom) to update the General Plan’s Open Space and Conservation element for approximately $34,969 and requested a $37,000 appropriation from the specified grant fund balance to cover the contract and staff time.

Kendrick said the action responds to state requirements under Assembly Bill 1889 (Room to Roam Act) and Senate Bill 1425, which require analysis of wildlife connectivity, equitable access and other open-space topics with deadlines the staff summarized in the report. Staff issued a Request for Proposal in August 2025 and received two proposals; PlaceWorks offered the required scope at a substantially lower cost than an alternative proposal from Dudek ($228,755). Kendrick said the contract includes minimal required outreach, CEQA compliance steps to follow during the General Plan update, and user-friendly deliverables.

A resident, Sue Rodman, called the assignment another state mandate and supported selecting the lower-cost vendor. Councilmember (speaker 11) moved and the council approved the staff recommendation by roll call (Councilmembers Carter, Noe, Yarbrough, Vice Mayor Gohberg and Mayor Clerici voted "Aye"). Staff noted the action is CEQA-exempt under the routine planning exemption cited in the staff report (section 15061(b)(3)).

Next steps: staff will execute the contract, commence the element update and return to council for required milestones and CEQA review during the General Plan update process.