City of Gonzales
PUBLIC WORKS / CITY ENGINEER DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: January 18, 2022
FROM: Patrick Dobbins, Public Works Director/City Engineer THROUGH: René L. Mendez, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 2022-09, Approve On-Call Consultant List for Professional Planning Services & Award Contracts to Harris & Associates and HR & Associates
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council Adopt Resolution No. 2022-09, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Establishing a Three-Year On-Call Consultant List for Planning Services, and Authorizing Execution of Non-Exclusive Agreements with Harris & Associates for an Amount not to Exceed $120,000 for Planning Support and Staff Augmentation Services and HR & Associates for an Amount not to Exceed $35,000 for Planning Support Including Preparation of LAFCO Applications for Proposed Annexations.
BACKGROUND
The City engages consulting firms to perform a variety of professional services to assist staff with reviewing and processing land development applications, delivering Capital Improvement Projects and to support related efforts in the Planning and Public Works Departments. With the recent vacancy of the Community Development Director position, staff determined it was appropriate to seek qualifications from consulting firms that perform planning services due to the number of current and expected development applications.
REVIEW & ANALYSIS
Staff released the attached Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Professional Services on November 23, 2021. The RFQ indicated staff was seeking the following services:
AGENDA
ITEM
19 • Planning support for land development applications • Preparation of CEQA/NEPA documents including supporting technical studies • Capital Project permitting
• Staff augmentation
A preproposal meeting was held on December 2nd, where staff provided an overview of the RFQ, discussed current and upcoming development projects, and responded to questions. Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) were received from eight consulting firms by the December 16th deadline. City staff reviewed the submitted SOQs and deemed them all responsive and recommend the following actions:
1. Establish the following On-Call Consultant List for planning services for the next three years (firms are listed in alphabetical order):
• Denise Duffy Associates
• Dudek Consulting
• EMC Planning
• Harris & Associates
• HR & Associates
• Kimley-Horn
• LSA
• Rincon Consultants
2. Approve a $120,000 agreement with Harris & Associates for planning support and staff augmentation services.
3. Approve a $35,000 agreement with HR & Associates to prepare the LAFCO annexation applications needed for the Sphere of Influence Development Projects.
It is anticipated that the need for planning contract services will decrease once the vacant Community Development Director position is filled.
How Recommendation Supports the Vision
Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small-town charm.
Explain: The use of consultant staff and expertise will help deliver Capital Improvement Projects and assist with the review of development projects.
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Mission The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community. X Yes ____ No____ N/A
Explain: The use of on-call consultants to augment City staff capabilities greatly helps with keeping our projects on track.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful and friendly manner to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents and the promotion of business, recreational, housing and employment opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner. X Yes ____No ____ N/A Explain: Establishing an updated on-call list of consulting firms is a best practice for obtaining competitive and responsive professional services.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety X Yes No N/A
• Housing X Yes No N/A
• Recreation X Yes No N/A
• Environment X Yes No N/A
• Education X Yes No N/A
Explain: See above.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Direct staff to seek additional Statement of Qualifications from other firms
2. Amend or modify staff recommendation.
BUDGET IMPACT
The agreements with Harris & Associates and HR & Associates will be funded by deposits made by project applicants.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council Adopt Resolution No. 2022-09, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Establishing a Three-Year On-Call Consultant List for Planning Services, and Authorizing Execution of Non-Exclusive Agreements with Harris & Associates for an Amount not to Exceed $120,000 for Planning Support and Staff Augmentation Services and HR & Associates for an Amount not to Exceed $35,000 for Planning Support Including Preparation of LAFCO Applications for Proposed Annexations.
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 2022-09