Title
Report regarding a resolution authorizing an amendment to the Consulting Services Agreement with Good City Company to assist with Project Administration of the General Plan Update for an additional $477,000, not to exceed a total authorization of $551,000 for a three-year term and allocation of $400,000 for augmented and city staff time and public outreach resources. (Marian Lee, Assistant City Manager)
label
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the Consulting Services Agreement with Good City Company to assist with Project Administration of the General Plan Update for an additional $477,000, not to exceed a total authorization of $551,000 for a three-year term and allocation of $400,000 for augmented and city staff time and public outreach resources.
Body
BACKGROUND
A General Plan is the local government’s long-term blueprint for the community’s vision of future growth. Each city is required by California law to have a General Plan to guide its future land use decisions. A report regarding the General Plan purpose, scope and approximate two-year planning process was presented to City Council on August 8, 2018. At that meeting, staff was given direction to proceed with that effort.
To assist the City team with the administration of the General Plan consultant selection process and form the General Plan Community Advisory Committee (GPCAC), staff solicited proposals and interviewed three professional planning firms to find a consultant that could essentially function as extended staff. Staff reached out to three consultants for general plan management assistance:
• Lisa Costa Sanders of Good City Company (formerly Neal Martin & Associates)
• Emmanuel Ursu of M-Group
• Barry J Miller Urban and Environmental Planning
Based on review of qualifications and relevant experience managing similar large-scale efforts for other cities and interviews conducted by the Assistant City Manager, Chief Planner and Principle Planner, staff retained the services of Lisa Costa Sanders of Good City Company. Ms. Costa Sanders also had excellent references. Based on this selection process, an agreement was authorized in an amount not to exceed $74,000. See Attachment 1 for company profile. See Attachment 2 for current approved professional services agreement.
To date, Ms. Sanders has assisted staff with the preparation and distribution of the Request for Proposal (RFP), management of the consultant selection process and GPCAC formation. Performance has been excellent and thus, staff is recommending retaining Lisa Costa Sanders of Good City Company for the duration of the General Plan and Zoning Code update process to augment City staff and assist with managing the consultant team that will prepare the General Plan as well as the GPCAC. Staff estimates, on average, a need of 20 hours per week, for a period of three years. This totals $477,000.
In addition to the above services, City staff will also assist in the preparation of the General Plan Update. Planning Division staff anticipates dedicating a senior planner at 50 percent time to help coordinate overall Planning Division design and direction for the General Plan effort. Other anticipated staffing needs include other department staff to assist with public outreach meetings and resources not included in consultant agreements. Staff is proposing a total of $400,000 for a period of three years.
STRATEGIC PLAN
The proposed General Plan Update project helps achieve the following goals/objectives of the City’s Strategic Plan:
• Priority #2 Quality of Life - New Climate Action Plan
• Priority #5 Economic Vitality - Continue progress on new General Plan
• Priority #6: Community Connections - Support active neighborhoods
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of Good City Company agreement and staff budget would result in allocating a total of $877,000 from the General Plan Reserve Fund to the General Plan budget. If the Raime + Associates contract is approved, there will be $2.64 million remaining in the General Plan Reserve Fund which is sufficient for this authorization. A Budget Amendment request has been completed (Budget Amendment Number #19.047).
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends City Council approve a resolution authorizing an amendment to the Consulting Services Agreement with Good City Company to assist with Project Administration of the General Plan Update for an additional $477,000, not to exceed a total authorization of $551,000 for a term of three years; and allocation of $400,000 for augmented and city staff time and public outreach resources.
Attachments:
1. Good City Company Profile
2. NMA Services Agreement