Consent Agenda Item 3j
STAFF REPORT
Consent Agenda Item
DATE: April 20, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Katey Schmidt, Senior Planner
THROUGH: Amy Nilsen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Professional Services Agreements with Planwest Partners, Inc. for the Fortuna 2060 General Plan Update
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with Planwest Partners, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $846,036 for preparation of the Fortuna 2060 General Plan Update, including CEQA documentation through an Addendum to the certified Program EIR.
2. Approve the supplemental budget request in the amount of $200,000 for fiscal year 2025-
26. 3. Authorize the City Manager to execute amendments to the agreements that reduce costs and approve minor non-substantive amendments.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Every city and county in California is required to adopt a General Plan for its future development.
The contents of the Plan are defined by the California Government Code Section 65300 et. seq., and include the preparation of chapters (called “elements”) addressing land use, transportation, housing, open space, conservation, safety, noise, and environmental justice. A city or county without a general plan cannot lawfully regulate or approve land use, making zoning actions vulnerable to invalidation.
The Fortuna General Plan along with a Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) were adopted in 2010. The plan had a horizon year of 2030. As such, it does not meet the City’s need for a forward-thinking 30-year plan that addresses issues of the future of the city’s economy, as well as other state requirements. Therefore, the City of Fortuna issued Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for preparation of the Fortuna 2060 General Plan Update and the 2027–2035 Housing Element Update. Following evaluation of proposals and consultant interviews, staff recommend awarding both contracts to Planwest Partners, Inc. based on the firm’s qualifications, experience with California planning law, familiarity with the City, and demonstrated capacity to deliver legally compliant planning documents.
Based on City direction and interviews conducted on March 19, 2026, Planwest submitted a revised scope of work refining the project approach. Revisions include a phased work program, enhanced public engagement strategies, concurrent zoning updates, and preparation of a CEQA Consent Agenda Item 3j
Addendum to the City’s existing certified Program EIR rather than a new environmental impact report.
BACKGROUND:
The Fortuna 2060 General Plan Update will modernize the City’s long-range land use and policy framework through the year 2060, ensuring consistency with evolving State requirements related to housing, climate resilience, environmental justice, and public safety. The update includes revisions to all required General Plan elements, coordinated zoning code and map amendments, and updated implementation programs.
The City’s General Plan must include, but is not limited to the following:
• AB 32 (Greenhouse Gas Reduction)
• SB 375 (Sustainable Communities)
• AB 1358 (Complete Streets)
• AB 162 / SB 5 / AB 70 / AB 156 (Flood & levee protection laws) • SB 1207, SB 1241 (Fire hazard/Safety Element requirements) • SB 226 (Infill CEQA streamlining)
• SB 743 (VMT transportation impact standards)
• SB 1462 (Infrastructure financing tools)
• AB 1739 (Sustainable Groundwater Management)
• AB 52 (Tribal Consultation)
• SB 379 (Climate adaptation/Safety Element update)
• SB 32 (2030 GHG reduction target)
• SB 1000 (Environmental Justice Element—if applicable to Fortuna) • AB 747 & SB 99 (Evacuation route analysis & Safety Element updates) • SB 1035 (Periodic Safety Element review)
• SB 932 (Active Transportation Safety Integration)The General Plan Update will include preparation of an Environmental Justice (EJ) Element pursuant to SB 1000, if required based on identification of disadvantaged communities in accordance with state law. Consultant shall assist the City in confirming EJ applicability and developing EJ policies and programs as needed.
Consent Agenda Item 3j
PROCUREMENT AND SELECTION
An RFP was issued in January 2026 and evaluated using criteria identified in the RFP, including consultant qualifications, project understanding, approach, public outreach strategy, schedule, and cost. Following proposal review and interviews, Planwest Partners, Inc. ranked highest. The recommended consultant demonstrated strong familiarity with the City of Fortuna and extensive experience with General Plan updates throughout California.
SCOPE OF SERVICES
The General Plan Update scope includes project management, comprehensive public engagement (including neighborhood walking audits), existing conditions analysis, preparation of updated General Plan elements, concurrent zoning code and map updates, preparation of a CEQA Addendum, and support for Planning Commission and City Council hearings.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The total estimated cost for the Fortuna 2060 General Plan Update is $846,036 and will come from reserves. For fiscal year 2025-26 the total supplemental budget request is $200,000, with the remaining funds to be budgeted in the fiscal year 2026-27 budget during the regular budget process. These funds were reserved in the General Fund through the fiscal year 2025-26 budget process for this very purpose. Staff will continue to work with the consultant to reduce costs when possible and in addition staff have applied to the Community Development Block Grant program for $261,035 to fund a portion of the General Plan update and offset the total cost to the General Fund.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
Approve a $200,000 Supplemental Budget Request and authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with Planwest Partners Inc. for the Fortuna 2060 General Plan Update. Consent Agenda vote.
ALTERNATIVE TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
To not approve the contract. This would leave the Community Development staff without the necessary resources to complete a state-mandated General Plan, leaving the City without the ability to regulate or approve land use. It should be noted; no California jurisdictions prepare the General Plan “in house” due to its magnitude and complexity.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. General Plan 2060 Update Proposal from Planwest Partners
2. Supplemental Budget Request
3. Professional Services Agreements with Planwest Partners, Inc. for the Fortuna 2060 General Plan Update