Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: REGULAR AGENDA (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT FOR BUDGET WORKSHOP
FACILITATION
Date: July 9, 2024
Written by: Damien O'Bid, City Manager
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council approve by motion an agreement for facilitation of a budget workshop and authorize the City Manager to execute said agreement.
Background
During the budget workshops for the FY 24-25 budget, the City Council indicated that they were interested in exploring a 2 year budget, beginning with the FY 25-26 budget cycle. The timing would allow any new City Council members to participate in the 2 year budget process at the beginning of their terms.
The City Council also indicated that given the longer time horizon for the budget, it would be important to have a robust conversation about priorities upfront before moving into the more detailed strategic planning and budget workshops.
Analysis/Discussion
Given the well-received team building workshop conducted by Baker-Tilly (formerly Management Partners), staff began exploring options for a facilitated workshop format in preparation of the 2-year budget. Ultimately, staff developed the attached proposed scope of work in collaboration with staff from Baker Tilly.
While not specifically cited in the attached scope of work, it would be beneficial to ensure that questions around housing priorities be part of the interviews and workshop discussion, as well as a bigger picture discussion around mission and vision that will feed into the more operational goals and objectives. Staff confirmed that these could be included within the existing scope and fee.
Financial Considerations
The proposed work would be performed for $25,000, which is included in the adopted FY 24-25 budget. No additional appropriations are requested.
Environmental Issues
The proposed budget engagement process will not have any effect on the enviroment. Where it can be determined with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA review. This general rule can be applied to activities which could be subject to the CEQA process, but which logic dictates should not be subject to CEQA review. Therefore, based on the information provided above, the proposed resolution is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 14.03.021 of the CEQA Guidelines in that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant impact on the environment.