Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: February 18, 2025
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SUBMITTED BY: SUNAYANA THOMAS, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PREPARED BY: TAYLOR SAMUELSON, SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST
SUNAYANA THOMAS, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUBJECT: contract amendments WITH RINCON CONSULTANTS AND DUDEK for housing element consulting work and GENERAL FUND APPROPRIATION REQUEST ______________________________________________________________________
SUMMARY
Staff requests approval of contract amendments for Rincon Consultants and DUDEK to complete Housing Element work including state-mandated compliance efforts.
PROPOSED MOTION
Authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute $90,952 contract amendments for Rincon Consultants to complete work to submit a certified compliant Housing Element.
Authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute $44,500 contract amendments for DUDEK for Housing Incentive Overlay Zone modifications made in December 2024.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Approve the Proposed Motion
Other options brought by City Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Proposed Motion.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
The City Manager recommends approval.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statement:
Fiscal and Organizational Stability.
FISCAL IMPACT
No additional fiscal impact. The Community and Economic Development Department budget will absorb contract amendment costs.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The City of Fullerton began its 6th Cycle Housing Element update in 2020, working to achieve compliance with state housing requirements while balancing local priorities. The City initially engaged JHD Consulting, Design Engagency and DUDEK with a temporary project manager from CSG during a staffing gap, with all associated costs covered by grant funding. JHD Consulting terminated its contract with the City in 2021.
The City retained Rincon Consultants on short notice and at a higher cost due to the lapse in time and need for a new consultant to resume the Housing Element work, while also addressing significant gaps identified by HCD. The City engaged Rincon in 2022-23 to update the Site Inventory, revise Housing Element chapters, complete rezoning and finalize compliance documents.
The City contracted with DUDEK in 2020 for CEQA services and early Housing Incentive Overlay Zone efforts. They continued work through subsequent change orders from 2021 to 2024 to reflect HCD-mandated revisions, expanded site analyses, zoning updates, community meetings, economic analyses and other necessary tasks.
Evolving state regulations, HCD requirements and City Council-directed modifications have resulted in costs exceeding available funds despite securing grant funding. The requested change orders cover work completed during the adoption and submission process from November 2019 to January 2025.
Staff recommends approving the requested contract amendments and General Fund appropriation to cover completed work and ensure compliance with state housing mandates, given these circumstances.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Rincon Consultants Contract Amendment Request Attachment 2 – DUDEK Contract Amendment Memorandum
cc: City Manager Eric J. Levitt
Rincon and DUDEK Contract Amendment and Appropriations
February 18, 2025 - Page 2