City of Gonzales
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: August 18, 2025
FROM: Taven Kinison Brown, Community Development Director THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 2025-65 - Agreement with Placeworks Inc. for the 6Th Cycle Housing Element
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2025-65, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales authorizing the City Manager to sign a Consultant Services Agreement between the City of Gonzales and Placeworks Inc., for Implementation of 6th Cycle Housing Element Programs.
BACKGROUND
Placeworks Inc. has been under contract helping the City get the Housing Element over the finish line since January.
On August 18, 2025, the Housing Element itself, as well as zoning implementation of a new Workforce Overlay District and other items to comply with the State, went to the City Council for approval. This will also allow the State to recognize our compliance with State Housing Element law.
The agreement attached to this report and Resolution will have Placeworks Inc. develop eight (8) implementation programs identified in the 6th Cycle Housing Element.
REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
Consultant Services Agreement
AGENDA
ITEM
14 The Consultant Services Agreement format is standard for the City for projects where City development review services need to be supplemented on a project-specific or task-specific endeavor. In this case, consultant services are deemed necessary for processing the swift implementation of the 6th Cycle Housing Element. We have previously secured funding through the State of California-issued REAP 2.0 Grant for these activities.
Staff was also alerted by AMBAG in the week of June 9, 2025, that with so many national funding opportunities drying up, and state financial resources stretched, that we need to use and encumber those previously awarded grant monies without delay. AMBAG also acknowledged that the same REAP 2.0 grant can be used to offset the Community Development Director’s efforts to bring forward implementation of the 6th Cycle Housing Element, such as the writing of this staff report, resolution and contract, as well as the public noticing, staff report, resolutions and ordinances for adoption of the 6th Cycle Housing Element.
The new Scope of Work includes nine (9) tasks to implement eight (8) programs specified in the 6th Cycle Housing Element and Program Management. The Placeworks Inc. budget proposed for these significant items is $46,745. The Consulting Services Agreement and its Scope of Work and Budget exhibits are attached to the resolution accompanying this report.
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: While ministerial in nature, consulting services agreements support the Vision because they allow the City the breadth to process important development projects that can bring the housing, jobs and economic development necessary to further the Vision.
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.
Explain: Please see the Vision above. Staff has previously secured grant funding (resources) to offset these consultant expenses in a revenue neutral manner to the city budget.
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.
Explain: Please see the Vision above. Staff has previously secured grant funding (resources) to offset these consultant expenses in a revenue neutral manner to the city budget.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety Yes No X N/A
• Housing X Yes No N/A
• Recreation Yes No X N/A
• Environment Yes No X N/A
• Education Yes No X N/A
Explain: Please see the Vision above.
ALTERNATIVES
The Council could opt not to approve the Consulting Services Agreement, yet this would preclude efficient cost recovery and project management for implementation of the 6th Cycle Housing Element.
City staff would potentially be unable to absorb the additional workload associated with creating and implementing the numerous programs incumbent of the City’s 6th Cycle Housing Element.
BUDGET IMPACT
There is no budget impact associated with approving the Consulting Services Agreement with Placeworks Inc. as expenses will be recovered through the REAP 2.0 grant already awarded to the City. City staff time to implement components of the housing element and administrative oversight activities are also reimbursable through the grant, thereby avoiding impact to the City budget and helping to offset some staff time.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2025-65, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales authorizing the City Manager to sign a Consultant Services Agreement between the City of Gonzales and Placeworks Inc., for Implementation of 6th Cycle Housing Element Programs.
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 2025-65