City of Gonzales
PUBLIC WORKS / CITY ENGINEER DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: February 20, 2024
FROM: Patrick Dobbins, Public Works Director/City Engineer THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Harris & Associates Agreement - Assessment Engineering Services for California Breeze Subdivision
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council Authorize the Execution of a Consulting Services Agreement between the City of Gonzales and Harris & Associates to provide Assessment Engineering services for the California Breeze Benefit Assessment District and the California Breeze Parks and Open Spaces Assessment District, for a not-to-exceed fee of $42,000, which includes a contingency budget of $3,350.
BACKGROUND
The City has eight assessment districts, formed in accordance with the provisions of the Lighting and Landscaping Act of 1972 or the Benefit Assessment Act of 1982. These districts provide funds for maintenance of specified improvements. The districts are:
1. California Breeze Subdivision Benefit Assessment District
2. California Breeze Subdivision Parks and Open Spaces Assessment District
3. Canyon Creek Subdivision Benefit Assessment District
4. Canyon Creek Subdivision Parks and Open Spaces Assessment District
5. Industrial Business Park Benefit Assessment District
6. Industrial Business Park Parks and Open Spaces Assessment District
7. Cipriani Subdivision Benefit Assessment District
8. Cipriani Subdivision Parks and Open Spaces Assessment District
AGENDA
ITEM
20 The two California Breeze Districts were the first assessment district established by the city in 1993. The formation documents for these Districts did not include an annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustment to the Maximum Annual Assessment amount (the other six Districts all allow for an annual CPI adjustment). Therefore, the assessments for these two districts have not kept up with inflation and the city General Fund has been subsidizing the negative cash flow for the last several years.
REVIEW & ANALYSIS
Staff requested Harris & Associates to provide a proposal to prepare an Engineers Report and undertake a Proposition 218 process for the two California Breeze Assessment Districts services. Their January 30, 2024 letter proposal is attached and their not-to-exceed fee is $38,650.
Over the last nine years, Harris & Associates has prepared the Engineer Reports for the city’s eight assessment Districts. Harris & Associates is on the city’s on-call engineering consultant list as approved at the February 6, 2023 City Council Meeting.
Therefore, City staff recommends awarding a Consulting Services Agreement to Harris & Associates to prepare an Engineers Report and undertake a Proposition 218 process for the two California Breeze Subdivision Assessment Districts.
Explain Recommendation and How it 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: Going through a successful Prop 218 process to increase the assessments for the two California Breeze Assessment Districts will provide for the property owners to fully fund the costs for the specified maintenance efforts.
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
Explain: Collection of the assessments provides funds for the maintenance of a variety of improvements that enhance the quality of life in the subdivisions.
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 Explain: See above Vision.
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 Yes No X N/A
Explain: Collection of the annual assessments enables the city to maintain improvements vital to public safety and the ongoing well-being of portions of the City’s housing stock.
ALTERNATIVES
1. The Council could decide not to increase the maximum assessment amount or add an annual CPI adjustment. This isn’t recommended as the annual assessments aren’t covering the District expenses, so the city General Fund is used to close the funding gap.
2. The Council could direct staff to obtain additional proposals for this contract. This isn’t recommended as Harris Associates has been the Assessment District Engineer for the last nine years and they have all the pertinent information needed for this contract.
BUDGET IMPACT
This $42,000 contract will be funded by the two California Breeze Assessment Districts if the Proposition 218 process to increase the maximum assessment amount and add an annual CPI adjustment is successful.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council Authorize the Execution of a Consulting Services Agreement between the City of Gonzales and Harris & Associates to provide Assessment Engineering services for the California Breeze Benefit Assessment District and the California Breeze Parks and Open Spaces Assessment District, for a not-to-exceed fee of $42,000, which includes a contingency budget of $3,350.
Attachments:
1. Harris & Associates Letter Proposal
2. Consulting Services Agreement