Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Agriculture Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hanford to hire consultant for agricultural mitigation feasibility study (up to $189,277)
Summary
Council authorized staff to proceed with a contract not to exceed $189,277 to Rincon Consultants to prepare an agricultural mitigation program and feasibility study required by the General Plan and CEQA mitigation measures, with an outreach component to developers and farmers.
City staff told the council that the Hanford General Plan (adopted in April 2017) and its environmental impact report require the city to adopt an agricultural mitigation program that addresses conversion of high-quality farmland under CEQA. Staff circulated a request for proposals on Sept. 24, 2025 and received two proposals by the Oct. 29, 2025 deadline.
A staff review committee scored submittals on merit, understanding of the project, prior performance and presentation. Based on that scoring process staff recommended Rincon Consultants Inc. to prepare a regional or city-specific agricultural mitigation program and feasibility study for an amount not to exceed $189,277.
Staff said the project will include outreach to affected stakeholders, including developers and farmers, because the program will guide future mitigation measures, easements and in-lieu fee calculations. Council discussed CEQA triggers and the purpose of the program: to minimize conversion of prime agricultural land and provide an approved mitigation path for future projects.
Vice Mayor House moved to award the contract; Councilman Martinez seconded the motion during general business. Council supported moving forward and asked staff to include outreach as part of the consultant's workplan.
