The Leinberger Center was originally constructed in 1992 and planned as a 142-bed minimum security facility. The current facility is in need of extensive repair; however, due to its construction type, upgrades and accommodations are prohibited. In addition, the building layout and design limit the County's ability to separate inmates within varying security classifications which causes significant ongoing issues.
The purpose of the project is to replace the existing antiquated Leinberger Center to better accommodate Yolo County's jail system needs. Project objectives address overcrowding, inability to properly house inmates with varying security classifications, lack of program space, severe construction deficiencies and other inmate and staff safety concerns. The proposed project would demolish the existing 16,050-square foot Leinberger Center along with the 3,282-square foot administrative buildings, and replace them with a newly constructed, multi-tiered 31,400-square foot facility containing 150 medium security beds, programming and housing support space and administrative offices. In addition, the proposed project would incorporate design features intended to avoid, minimize or reduce the potential for environmental impacts, including light and glare shielding, water conservation devices, solar power energy and solid waste recycling and composting programs. Project construction is anticipated to begin in 2018, with an estimated completion date of June 2020.
The consultant prepared an Initial Study (IS) for the Leinberger Detention Facility Project. The proposed project would incorporate design features intended to avoid, minimize or reduce the potential for environmental impacts. All potential impacts from the proposed project would be reduced to less-than-significant levels with the implementation of the mitigation measures identified in the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP). Under the CEQA, an Environmental Impact Report and consideration of alternatives is only required when a project may produce significant impacts. Accordingly, a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) has been determined to be the appropriate document for the proposed project.
The IS/MND was released on January 4, 2017 for a 30-day public comment period. Staff received four comment letters on the document. Full copies of the IS/MND were also submitted to the State Clearinghouse, distributed to local stakeholders, and posted at the Woodland Library and County offices. Although CEQA does not require a lead agency to prepare formal responses to comments on a proposed MND, staff has prepared responses to each letter, which are included as Appendix 2 in the Final IS/MND (Attachment A). In addition, after the review period for the IS/MND, the County received correspondence on February 14, 2018 from the United Auburn Indian Community of the Auburn Rancheria. The County has elected to include this correspondence in the Final IS/MND, as well.
The County Community Services Department staff also consulted interested Native American Tribes with a tribal or cultural affiliation to the project area on December 16, 2016, in accordance with AB 52 (Public Resources Code 21080.3.1(b). One response letter from the Yocha DeHe Wintun Nation was received within the 30-day statutory consultation period, which indicated that the tribe is not aware of any tribal or cultural resources near the project site. AB 52 compliance activities required under CEQA are deemed complete at this time.
As mentioned above, one response letter from the United Auburn Indian Community of the Auburn Rancheria (Community) was received on February 7, 2017 following the AB 52 consultation and CEQA review period (Attachment F). The County had provided a response to the Tribe on February 13, 2017 indicating that although the AB 52 consultation requirements no longer apply, the County would consider the Community’s concerns and comments regarding the project (Attachment G). The Community provided a response on February 14, 2017, which was then considered and responses incorporated into the Final IS/MND. Revisions are proposed to two mitigation measures related to cultural resources for clarity.
As mentioned above, with the implementation of the project design and MMRP, all potential impacts from the proposed project would be reduced to less than significant. In addition, staff believes that: 1) the comments are adequately addressed in the ISIMND, 2) the comments do not affect the conclusion that an MND is the appropriate document, and 3) there are no potential significant environmental effects as a result of this project.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: Based on the environmental evaluation identified in the Initial Study, the project was determined not to have a significant effect on the environment with the implementation of proposed mitigation measures. Therefore, the appropriate level of analysis for the project is the proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration. Approval and adoption of the Mitigation Negative Declaration will position this project to move forward through the next phases of the grant funding process, SB 863. |