Agenda Item No. 8
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council DATE: November 14, 2022 FROM: Matthew Bronson, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Greg Ray, Public Works Director/City Engineer SUBJECT: Award of Consulting Contract for Development Impact Fee Study
RECOMMENDATION
Award the contract for professional consulting services for the Development Impact Fee Study to Willdan Financial Services in the amount of $56,340 and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract on behalf of the City along with change orders not to exceed $10,000.
BACKGROUND
The City currently assesses a variety of development impact fees on new developments which are included in the City’s Master Fee Schedule. Development impact fees are a mechanism for new developments to provide funding for increases in the City’s infrastructure, facility, and service needs due to the development. The City has not adjusted these fees in 15 years despite the rising cost of addressing these needs.
The City solicited proposals from qualified consulting firms to prepare a Development Impact Fee Study and make recommendations to the Council on new and updated fees. The intent of this process is for the consultant to:
• Independently assess and evaluate the City’s proposed infrastructure and facility improvements and determine a reasonable build-out population • Provide a nexus and recommendation for new fees
• Propose a fair and reasonable fee structure that shall adequately fund capital costs of necessary infrastructure and facilities needed to serve new development in compliance with the Mitigation Fee Act (California Government Code Section 66000 et seq., also known as Assembly Bill 1600).
Proposals for the Development Impact Fee Study were opened on October 12, 2022. The City received proposals from Willdan Financial Services (Willdan) and DTA. A team consisting of staff from the Public Works and Community Development Departments reviewed and ranked the two proposals and determined that Willdan was the most qualified firm to conduct this work. The cost estimates are $56,340 from Willdan and $59,700 from DTA.
Staff is recommending award of contract to Willdan in the amount of $56,340. Pending this award, the preliminary work, data review and collection on this project is expected to begin in late November 2022. The actual project schedule will be determined following award of contract.
Staff Report: Award of Contract for Development Impact Fee Study Page 2 November 14, 2022
FISCAL IMPACT
The Development Impact Fee Study will be funded via a combination of funding from the General and Enterprise Funds. The total project cost is estimated at $56,340 and staff is recommending approval of the contract along with authority to execute change orders not to exceed $10,000.
ALTERNATIVES
The Council has the following alternatives to consider:
1. Award the contract for professional consulting services for the Development Impact Fee Study to Willdan Financial Services in the amount of $56,340 and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract on behalf of the City along with change orders not to exceed $10,000; or
2. Delay award of the project and provide additional direction to staff; or
3. Reject all proposals, modify the project, and re-advertise for proposals as soon as possible.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
The agenda was posted in accordance with the Brown Act.
Attachments
1. Willdan Proposal
City of
Grover Beach
October 11, 2022
Proposal for
Development Impact
Fee Study
Attachment 1
T 951.587.3500 800.755.6864 | F 951.587.3510 888.326.6864 | 27368 Via Industria, Suite 200, Temecula, CA 92590 www.willdan.com i October 11, 2022
Mr. Greg Ray
Public Works Director/City Engineer
City of Grover Beach
154 South Eighth Street
Grover Beach, California 93433
Re: Proposal to Prepare a Development Impact Fee Study for the City of Grover Beach Dear Mr. Ray;
Willdan Financial Services (“Willdan”) is pleased to present this proposal to the City of Grover Beach (“City”) to prepare a Development Impact Fee Study. Willdan’s project approach helps to ensure the preparation of an impact fee study that will withstand technical challenges and public scrutiny. Given Willdan’s unmatched impact fee experience, we are well positioned to serve the City and help achieve established long-term goals. Outlined below are the advantages and benefits that Willdan will provide to the City.
Direct ongoing experience with the City of Grover Beach. Since 2016, Willdan has provided professional consulting services to the City, specific to the Water and Wastewater Financial Analysis and Rate Study, as well as the Building User Fee Study. Where possible, we will leverage our knowledge of your operations and relationships with key staff to facilitate and expedite our data gathering and work, focusing less time on data gathering and more on analysis, allowing City staff to focus their time on direct City operations.
Unmatched experience implementing and defending fee programs. Willdan’s impact fee staff has assisted more than 100 California government agencies with the development and/or update of all fee types and is fortunate to be in a position that will provide a tremendous benefit to the City. Each project has required defensible documentation and thorough coordination of fee program changes for different agency departments and stakeholders within the business community. In some cases, Willdan has been required to negotiate fees with stakeholders and, on occasion, defend them in meetings and public forums.
We are particularly strong in advising our clients on the advantages and disadvantages of different fee schedule structures (citywide versus multiple-fee districts/zones; more versus fewer land-use categories; etc.) and methods of fee calculation that are based on the City’s and stakeholder priorities. Impact fees also need to be developed in compliance with the Mitigation Fee Act (California Government Code Section 66000 et seq., also known as Assembly Bill 1600) so that they are defensible and transparent.
Innovative methodologies. As Willdan operates nationally, we possess unique experiences in numerous jurisdictions dealing with multiple challenges. Our ability to produce studies that accommodate various options and viewpoints ensures fair-minded and sensible projects. Our methodology and approach to impact fees has proven to be effective for cities and counties, the development community, and the public. Utilizing focus groups, with established guidelines, during the study, fully informs the development community and the public of the justification of the impact fees, and their positive effect on community growth.
Best-in-class infrastructure financing team that can work immediately to prepare an impact fee program. The Willdan team begins a project by evaluating the agency’s existing fee program, if available, and current capital planning policies and funding programs. Not all capital projects are amenable to funding from impact fee programs, and we identify sources that complement fee revenues to fully fund the capital improvement program. The team’s Principal-in-Charge James Edison and Project Manager Carlos Villarreal are well respected by our clients for their skill in proactively organizing a clear, consensus-based project approach.
Mr. Gary Ray, City of Grover Beach
Proposal to Prepare a Development Impact Fee Study
October 11, 2022
Page ii
Successful project completion. Willdan has successfully completed many development impact fee studies, including most recently in the Cities of Bell Gardens, Cudahy, Fountain Valley, Gonzales, Hollister, Moreno Valley, Pomona, Pismo Beach, Riverbank, and Santa Clara. These fee programs were approved by their respective governing bodies. Furthermore, Willdan recently kicked off development impact fee engagements with the County of Santa Barbara and the Cities of Arroyo Grande, Carpinteria and Fillmore.
We are excited about this opportunity to use our skills and expertise to serve the City of Grover Beach. To discuss any aspect of this submittal, please contact Managing Principal James Edison, his information is provided in the table below.
Contact Information
Managing Principal
James Edison, JD, MPP
66 Franklin Street, Suite 300, Oakland, California 94607 Tel#: (510) 912-4687 | Email: [email protected]
We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
WILLDAN FINANCIAL SERVICES
Chris Fisher
Vice President / Director
Development Impact Fee Study iii
City of Grover Beach, CA
Table of Contents
Statement of Qualifications ...................................................................................................................................... 1 Firm Profile ............................................................................................................................................................... 1 Key Personnel .......................................................................................................................................................... 2 James Edison, JD, MPP .......................................................................................................................................... 3 Carlos Villarreal, MPP .............................................................................................................................................. 5 Acceptance of Terms and Conditions ...................................................................................................................... 7 Past Performance and References ....................................................................................................................... 8 Development Impact Fee Experience...................................................................................................................... 8 Client References .................................................................................................................................................. 10 Project Proposal and Work Scope ....................................................................................................................... 12 Project Understanding ........................................................................................................................................... 12 Project Objectives .................................................................................................................................................. 12 Summary of Approach ........................................................................................................................................... 13 Work Plan .............................................................................................................................................................. 16 Project Schedule .......................................................................................................................................................... 19 Cost of Services ............................................................................................................................................................ 20 Additional Information ............................................................................................................................................. 22 Project Management .............................................................................................................................................. 22 Quality Assurance / Quality Control Process ......................................................................................................... 23 Development Impact Fee Study 1
City of Grover Beach, CA
Statement of Qualifications
Firm Profile
Willdan Financial Services, a California Corporation,
is an operating division within Willdan Group, Inc.
(WGI), which was founded in 1964 as an engineering
firm working with local governments. Today, WGI is a
publicly traded company (NASDAQ ticker: WLDN).
WGI, through its subsidiaries, provides professional
technical and consulting services that ensure the
quality, value and security of our nation’s
infrastructure, systems, facilities, and environment.
The firm has pursued two primary service objectives
since its inception—ensuring the success of its clients and enhancing its surrounding communities.
Willdan has over 1,500 employees working in more
than a dozen states across the U.S. Our employees
include a number of nationally recognized subject
matter experts for all areas related to the broadest
definition of connected communities — a team who
will be committed to contribute their expertise
throughout the duration of the City of Grover
Beach’s Development Impact Fee Study.
Willdan has solved economic, engineering and
energy challenges for local communities and
delivered industry-leading solutions that have
transformed government and commerce. Today, we
are leading our clients into a future accelerated by
change in resources, infrastructure, technology, regulations, and industry trends.
Willdan Financial Services
Established on June 24, 1988, Willdan Financial Services (“Willdan”), is a national firm and one of the largest public sector economic and financial analysis consulting firms in the United States. Since that time, we have helped over 800 public agencies successfully address a broad range of infrastructure challenges.
Our staff of over 70 full-time employees supports our clients by conducting year-round workshops and on-site training to assist them in keeping current with the latest developments in our areas of expertise. Willdan assists local public agencies by providing the following services.
Willdan Financial Services
Professional Services
User fee studies
Cost allocation studies
Utility rate and cost of service studies
Real estate economic analysis
Feasibility studies
Municipal advisory services
Arbitrage rebate and continuing disclosure
Economic development strategic plans
Development impact fee establishment and analysis
District administration services
Property tax audits
Tax increment finance district formation and
amendment
Housing development and implementation strategies
Debt issuance support
Long-term financial plans and cash flow modeling
Development Impact Fee Study 2
City of Grover Beach, CA
Key Personnel
Our management and supervision philosophy for the project team is very simple: staff every position in sufficient numbers with experienced personnel to deliver a superior product and convey results to decision makers in meetings, on time and on budget. With that philosophy in mind, we have selected experienced professionals for the City of Grover Beach’s engagement. We are confident that our team possesses the depth of experience that will successfully fulfill the desired work performance.
City of Grover Beach Project Team
Key Team Member Project Role Responsibility to the Engagement James Edison, JD, MPP
Managing Principal Principal-in-Charge
Ensure client satisfaction, flow of communication, and management of the project
Technical guidance
Project oversight
Quality assurance & control
Meeting and presentation attendance
Carlos Villarreal, MPP
Principal Consultant Project Manager
Collect, interpret, and disseminate key data
Day-to-day contact
Production of key elements of the analyses
Model development
Report preparation
Meeting and presentation attendance
Resumes and Organizational Chart
Provided on the pages that follow are resumes for the project team, as well as an organizational chart that outlines the reporting relationship for the proposed project team.
Development Impact Fee Study 3
City of Grover Beach, CA
Education
Juris Doctorate,
University of
California, Berkeley,
School of Law
Master of Public
Policy, Goldman
School of Public
Policy, University of
California, Berkeley
Bachelor of Arts,
magna cum laude,
Harvard University
Professional
Registrations
Member of State Bar,
California
Affiliations
Council of
Development Finance
Agencies
CFA Society of
San Francisco
Congress for the
New Urbanism
Urban Land Institute
Seaside Institute
International Economic
Development Council
25 Years’ Experience
James Edison, JD, MPP
Principal-in-Charge
Mr. James Edison specializes in the nexus between public and private, with expertise in publicprivate partnerships, and the benefits of economic development to municipalities and state, provincial, regional, and national governments. He possesses deep expertise in land use economics, with a specialty in finance and implementation, including fiscal impact and the public and private financing of infrastructure and development projects, both in the U.S. and internationally. Mr. Edison’s public-sector experience includes local and regional economic impact studies; fiscal impact evaluations; new government formation strategies; and the creation of impact fees, assessments, and special taxes to fund infrastructure and public facilities. He has conducted numerous evaluations of the economic and fiscal impact of specific plans and consulted on a wide variety of land use planning topics related to community revitalization and the economic and fiscal impacts of development.
As a former bond attorney, Mr. Edison understands the legal underpinnings and technical requirements of public financing instruments and has advised both public and private clients on the use of individual instruments, and the interaction between those instruments and the needs of developers and project finance.
Related Experience
City of Fillmore, CA – North Fillmore Specific Plan Nexus Study: Mr. Edison is currently assisting the City with an analysis of development impact fees needed to finance public facilities necessary for the development of the North Filmore Specific Plan. Public facilities included in this analysis include water, sewer systems, recycled water, and streets.
City of Pismo Beach, CA – Development Impact Fee Update: Mr. Edison served in the role of principal-in-charge of an update to the City’s impact fee program. The program included the following facilities: police, fire protection, park and recreation improvements, water system improvements, wastewater, traffic, and general government/administrative facilities. Prior to fee program adoption, a stakeholder meeting was held to inform the public about the project, and to solicit feedback from the development community.
City of Morgan Hill, CA – Development Impact Fee Update: Mr. Edison was the principal-incharge of the update of the City’s existing nexus study, which included general government, fire, police, parks and recreation, library, and storm drain fee categories. The project scope included stakeholder outreach.
County of Riverside, CA – Comprehensive Impact Fee Update: Mr. Edison led the effort to establish a comprehensive fee program for the County, including facilities fees for fire, police, parks, criminal justice, libraries, and traffic. He prepared the technical and analytical documents necessary to calculate the fee and establish the necessary nexus to collect it, as well as presented the fees during public hearings to the County Board of Supervisors. Furthermore, Mr.
Edison is currently leading an update to the County’s development impact fees for 2030.
City of Murrieta, CA – Master Facilities Plan and Development Impact Fee Calculation Report Update: Mr. Edison served as the principal-in-charge of the City’s study to update their Master Facilities Plan and Development Impact Fee Calculation Report, to ensure that new development pays the capital costs associated with growth.
City of Alameda, CA – Comprehensive Impact Fee Update: Mr. Edison led the Willdan team that updated the City of Alameda’s impact fee programs, as well as created a separate impact fee program for Alameda Point, the former Alameda Naval Air Station.
City of Santa Clara, CA – Parks Fee Update: Mr. Edison served as principal-in-charge of the City’s park impact fee update. This project included a demographic analysis and estimation of the cost of acquiring and improving public park land.
Development Impact Fee Study 4
City of Grover Beach, CA
City of Fremont, CA – Comprehensive Impact Fee Update: From May 2013 through April 2015, Mr. Edison led the Willdan team in the successful update of the impact fee programs for the City of Fremont. The effort included an update of the City’s transportation impact fee program and capital improvement program. Willdan was re-selected to update the City’s impact fee program through a competitive bid process in early 2020. Mr. Edison is currently overseeing this project as well.
City of Pacifica, CA – Park Fee Update: Mr. Edison served as project manager to update the City’s park fee to include new costs and to impose fees for home expansion/remodels, in addition to new development. Mr. Edison is currently managing a park in-lieu fee study for the City.
J. Edison
Resume Continued
Development Impact Fee Study 5
City of Grover Beach, CA
Education
Master of Public
Policy, Goldman
School of Public
Policy, University of
California, Berkeley
Bachelor of Arts,
Geography, University
of California, Los
Angeles; Minor in
Public Policy and
Urban Planning
Areas of Expertise
Fiscal Impact Analyses
Development Impact
Fees
Public Facilities
Financing Plans
GIS Analysis
16 Years’ Experience
Carlos Villarreal, MPP
Project Manager
Principal Consultant Carlos Villarreal has been selected to serve in the role of project manager due to his experience documenting nexus findings for development impact fees, preparing capital improvement plans, facilitating stakeholder involvement, and analyzing the economic impacts of fee programs. He has supported adoption of fee programs funding a variety of facility types.
Related Experience
City of Pismo Beach, CA – Development Impact Fee Update: Mr. Villarreal served in the role of project manager for the City’s impact fee project. The program included: police, fire protection, park and recreation improvements, water system improvements, wastewater, traffic, and general government/administrative facilities. Prior to fee program adoption, a stakeholder meeting was held to inform the public about the project, and to solicit feedback from the development community.
City of Carpinteria, CA – Development Impact Fee Update: Mr. Villarreal served in the role of lead analyst to update the City of Carpinteria’s impact fees, which included highways and bridges, streets and thoroughfares, traffic control, parking, storm drain, general government, aquatic, park and recreation, and open space. The City has engaged Willdan again to update their impact fees and Mr. Villarreal is serving in the role of project manager.
City of McFarland, CA – Impact Fee Study Update: Mr. Villarreal served as project manager updating the City’s development impact fee program. The study comprehensively updated the City’s fee program, incorporating new facility master planning and infrastructure costs necessary to facilitate expected development in the City through 2040. The fees were adopted by the City Council in 2020.
County of Riverside, CA – Comprehensive Impact Fee Update: Mr. Villarreal served as the lead analyst in the effort to establish a comprehensive fee program for the County, including facilities fees for fire, police, parks, criminal justice, libraries, and traffic. He assisted in the preparation of the technical and analytical documents necessary to calculate the fees and establish the necessary nexus. Mr. Villarreal is once again serving on the project team to update the County’s impact fees through 2030.
County of San Benito, CA – Comprehensive Impact Fee Study: As project manager, Mr.
Villarreal assisted the County with the preparation of an updated and expanded impact fee program. The study included updates to the following fees: capital improvements, road equipment, fire mitigation, and park and recreation.
City of Soledad, CA – Development Impact Fee Study Update: Mr. Villarreal managed the update of the City’s impact fee program, specifically changes in demographics, growth projections, project costs, and facility standards. In particular, the City had to revise its capital facilities needs to accommodate a much lower amount of growth than what was projected before 2007. The resulting fees funded new development’s share of planned facilities, while not overburdening development with unnecessary costs.
City of Morgan Hill, CA – Development Impact Fee Update: Mr. Villarreal served as lead analyst assisting with an update to the City’s existing nexus study, including general government, fire, police, parks and recreation, library, and storm drain fee categories. The project scope included stakeholder outreach. The City engaged Willdan again to update the study and Mr.
Villarreal served in the role of project manager.
City of Oroville, CA – Impact Fee Study Update: Mr. Villarreal served as project manager for a study updating the City’s development impact fee program, including parks, law enforcement, general government, fire suppression, and traffic facilities. The fee program was adopted by the City Council in 2015. The City engaged Willdan again to update the 2015 study, and Mr. Villarreal served in the role of project manager.
Development Impact Fee Study 6
City of Grover Beach, CA
County of Stanislaus, CA – Impact Fee Study Update: Mr. Villarreal served in the role of project manager for a study updating the County’s existing impact fee program. The program includes a range of facilities, like public protection, library, and parks. The study also included a transportation facilities impact fee, with different fees calculated for two zones in the County.
Considerable stakeholder outreach was an integral component of this project.
County of Los Angeles/City of Santa Clarita, CA – Law Enforcement Facilities Fee Study:
Mr. Villarreal assisted with the development of an impact fee program to fund law enforcement facilities serving the City of Santa Clarita, and other Antelope Valley jurisdictions within the County of Los Angeles. The analysis involved the comparison of law enforcement facilities serving incorporated and unincorporated areas.
C. Villarreal
Resume Continued
Development Impact Fee Study 7
City of Grover Beach, CA
Acceptance of Terms and Conditions
Willdan’s counsel has reviewed the City’s Professional Services Agreement provided within the Request for Proposal (“RFP”) and the terms and conditions presented are acceptable as presented.
Development Impact Fee Study 8
City of Grover Beach, CA
Past Performance and References
Development Impact Fee Experience
Managing Principal James A. Edison and his team have worked with public agencies on many community development projects, including the full range of analysis related to feasibility, economic and fiscal impacts, infrastructure finance, and negotiations with private developers. Willdan has been preparing impact fee nexus studies since the passage of the Mitigation Fee Act and is thoroughly familiar with both the Act and with the technical and policy issues surrounding impact fees.
The table identifies a partial listing of our development impact fee clients. Agencies listed in bold type face, within the following table, denote impact fee projects completed by proposed team members Managing Principal James Edison and/or Principal Consultant Carlos Villarreal.
Willdan Financial Services
Development Impact Fee Experience
Partial Client List
City of Alameda, CA City of Pomona, CA
City of Antioch, CA City of Rancho Mirage, CA
City of Arroyo Grande, CA City of Rialto, CA
City of Artesia, CA City of Richmond, CA
City of Banning, CA City of Rio Rancho, NM
City of Bell Gardens, CA City of Rio Vista, CA
City of Bellflower, CA City of Riverbank, CA
City of Brea, CA City of Rosemead, CA
City of Calimesa, CA City of Roseville, CA
City of Carpinteria, CA City of San Carlos, CA
City of Clovis, CA City of San Fernando, CA
City of Coachella, CA City of San Ramon, CA
City of Commerce, CA City of Santa Clara, CA
City of Compton, CA City of Santa Clarita, CA
City of Corona, CA City of Sierra Madre, CA
City of Covina, CA City of Soledad, CA
City of Cudahy, CA City of South Gate, CA
City of Daly City, CA City of South San Francisco, CA
City of Dixon, CA City of St. Helena, CA
City of Dublin, CA City of Tehachapi, CA
City of El Monte, CA City of Thousand Oaks, CA
City of El Segundo, CA City of Tracy, CA
City of Emeryville, CA City of Upland, CA
City of Fillmore, CA City of Visalia, CA
City of Fountain Valley, CA Contra Costa Fire Protection District, CA City of Fremont, CA County of Butte, CA
City of Garden Grove, CA County of El Dorado, CA
City of Gilroy, CA County of Kern, CA
City of Gonzales, CA County of Kings, CA
Development Impact Fee Study 9
City of Grover Beach, CA
Willdan Financial Services
Development Impact Fee Experience
Partial Client List
City of Goose Creek, SC County of Los Angeles, CA
City of Greenfield, CA County of Madera, CA
City of Hawthorne, CA County of Merced, CA
City of Healdsburg, CA County of Placer, CA
City of Hercules, CA County of Riverside, CA
City of Hollister, CA County of Sacramento, CA
City of Huntington Beach, CA County of San Benito, CA
City of Huntington Park, CA County of San Diego, CA
City of Indian Wells, CA County of San Joaquin, CA
City of Irwindale, CA County of Santa Barbara, CA
City of Kingsburg, CA County of Shasta, CA
City of La Mesa, CA County of Solano, CA
City of La Verne, CA County of Sonoma, CA
City of Laguna Hills, CA County of Stanislaus, CA
City of Lake Elsinore, CA County of Tulare, CA
City of Lancaster, CA County of Yolo, CA
City of Livermore, CA Dixon Public Library District, CA City of Long Beach, CA East Contra Costa Fire Protection District, CA City of Madera, CA Kern Council of Governments, CA
City of Manteca, CA March Joint Powers Authority, CA
City of Menifee, CA Milpitas Unified School District, CA Town of Mead, CO Mountain View Fire Protection District, CA City of Montebello, CA Oakdale Rural Fire Protection District, CA City of Monterey, CA Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District, CA City of Moreno Valley, CA San Gorgonio Memorial Healthcare District, CA City of Morgan Hill, CA San Miguel Fire Protection District, CA City of Murrieta, CA Shasta County Regional Transportation Agency, CA City of Oroville, CA Stanislaus Council of Governments, CA City of Pacifica, CA Stanislaus County Fire Protection District, CA City of Parkland, FL Stockton-San Joaquin Library District, CA City of Petaluma, CA Suisun Fire Protection District, CA City of Pismo Beach, CA Tehachapi Valley Rec. & Park District, CA City of Pittsburg, CA Town of Windsor, CA
City of Placer Hills, CA Tulare County Association of Governments, CA City of Pleasant Hill, CA Village of Taos Ski Valley, NM Development Impact Fee Study 10
City of Grover Beach, CA
Client References
Provided below are client references for projects completed by Willdan and the project team members proposed herein, which demonstrates our ability to provide the requested services. We are proud of our reputation for customer service and encourage you to contact our past clients regarding our commitment to excellence.
City of Pismo Beach, CA
Development Impact Fee Study
Willdan assisted the City of Pismo Beach with an update to their impact fee program. The program included the following facilities: police, fire protection, park and recreation improvements, water system improvements, wastewater, traffic, and general government/administrative facilities. This project was warranted due to the amount of time that had elapsed since the prior update, coupled with the adoption of new and revised public facility master plans that complemented the updated impact fees.
Prior to fee program adoption, Willdan held a stakeholder meeting to inform the public about the project, and to solicit feedback from the development community.
Client Contact: Ms. Nadia Feeser, Administrative Services Director 760 Mattie Road, Pismo Beach, CA 93449
Tel #: (805) 773-7010 | Email: [email protected]
City of Pomona, CA
Master Fee Schedule Update and Development Impact Fee Review In 2020, Willdan was selected to prepare a Master Fee Schedule Update and Development Impact Fee Review for the City of Pomona. This project also included the establishment of a User Fee Cost Recovery Policy.
The impact fee study centered upon the review and update of the following fee categories: roadway facilities and traffic signals; storm drainage; public safety (fire and police); potable and recycled water; parks and recreation; and sewer. The community was particularly focused on updating the City’s park impact fees, which had not been updated since the late 1980s and did not adequately mitigate the demands of new development for parks. Willdan prepared the study and presented the results at several City Council workshops prior to a public hearing where the program was adopted in July 2021.
The user fee study portion of this engagement involved the development of a cost allocation plan and a review of existing user fee programs. Based upon conversations with staff, recommendations were provided for fees that should be added to the City’s fee schedule that were not currently being charged. A cost-of-service analysis and model was developed that updated existing fees, as well as incorporated new ones, which was used to create an updated comprehensive fee schedule. Fees were successfully implemented in early 2021.
Client Contact: Mr. Andrew Mowbray, Finance Director
505 South Garey Avenue, Pomona, CA 91766
Tel #: (909) 620-2353 | Email: [email protected] Development Impact Fee Study 11
City of Grover Beach, CA
City of Fountain Valley, CA
Development Impact Fee Update
Willdan comprehensively updated the City of Fountain Valley’s impact fee program to account for current infrastructure needs and costs. The fee program included traffic, as well as park and recreation facilities. The study also included fees for the Fountain Valley Crossings Specific Plan, which will fund a share of the infrastructure necessary to facilitate the redevelopment of the Specific Plan area.
Client Contact: Ms. Jennifer Lampman, Finance Director
10200 Slater Avenue, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Tel #: (714) 593-4501 | Email: [email protected]
City of Lawndale, CA
Development Impact Fee Study
Willdan helped guide the City of Lawndale through establishing a development impact fee program to fund new development’s share of future facilities. Prior to this 2019/2020 engagement, the City had not adopted impact fees.
The fee program will fund the following categories: parking, transportation, parks, and public safety (police) facilities.
The City is largely built-out and most of the new development is in-fill, which required the nexus study to identify a reasonable share of future facilities that could be funded by growth.
Client Contact: Mr. Sean Moore, MPA, MPS, AICP (Former Lawndale Community Development Director) City of Rialto, Director of Community Development
150 South Palm Avenue, Rialto, CA 92376
Tel #: (909) 820-2505 | Email: [email protected]
City of Morgan Hill, CA
Development Impact Fee Study
Willdan was initially retained by the City of Morgan Hill, dating back to 2008, to conduct a development impact fee and nexus study, which included general government, fire, police, parks and recreation, library, and storm drain fee categories. This project also included stakeholder outreach.
Most recently, the City once again engaged Willdan to update their impact fees in October 2017, which was completed in July 2019. This update included the following facilities: traffic (roads and bikeways), water, sewer, drainage, police, fire, parks, library, and public facilities.
Client Contact: Mr. Dat Nguyen, Finance Director
17575 Peak Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Tel #: (408) 779-7237 | Email: [email protected] Development Impact Fee Study 12
City of Grover Beach, CA
Project Proposal and Work Scope
Project Understanding
The City of Grover Beach (“City”) is located in the southern portion of the County of San Luis Obispo, along the Pacific Ocean. Approximately 13,000 residents reside within the 2 square miles that comprise Grover Beach. The City is almost built out, averaging less than 20 new residential units annually over the last decade. Although it is expected that in-fill multi-family and mixed-use project will increase in the next ten years.
At present it is the City’s desire to undergo a Development Impact Fee Study to ensure a fair and reasonable fee structure, while meeting the requirements of the California Mitigation Fee Act (California Government Code 66000 et seq). The goal of this study is to fund new development’s share of planned facilities, while not overburdening development with unnecessary costs.
Listed below are the City’s existing development impact fees, most of which were previously updated in 2005. It is understood that the City would like to explore new facility fee categories and that the transportation impact fee is not a part of this engagement.
Administrative
Fire Protection
Law Enforcement
Park Improvement
Park Land
Recreational Facilities
Storm Water
Water Infrastructure
Water
Wastewater
Project Objectives
The objective of this project is to establish/update development impact fees pursuant to State law. To accomplish this objective, this study will:
Develop a technically defensible fee justification, based on the reasonable relationship and deferential review standards;
Review and update facility standards, capital facilities plans and costs, and development and growth assumptions;
Provide a schedule of maximum-justified fees by land use category; and Provide comprehensive documentation of assumptions, methodologies, and results, including findings required by the Mitigation Fee Act.
Public Facilities Financing in California
The changing fiscal landscape in California during the past 40 years has steadily undercut the financial capacity of local governments to fund infrastructure. Four dominant trends stand out:
1. The passage of a string of tax limitation measures starting with Proposition 13 in 1978 and continuing through the passage of Proposition 218 in 1996;
2. Declining popular support for bond measures to finance infrastructure for the next generation of residents and businesses;
3. Steep reductions in Federal and State assistance; and
4. Permanent shifting by the State of local tax resources to the State General Fund to offset deficit spending brought on by recessions.
Faced with these trends, many cities and counties have had to adopt a policy of "growth pays its own way." This policy shifts the burden of funding infrastructure expansion from existing rate and taxpayers onto new development.
This funding shift has been accomplished primarily through the imposition of assessments, special taxes, and development impact fees, also known as public facilities fees. Assessments and special taxes require approval of property owners or registered voters and are appropriate when the funded facilities are directly related to the developing property. Development impact fees, on the other hand, are an appropriate funding source for facilities that benefit development jurisdiction-wide. Impact fees need only a majority vote of the legislative body for adoption.
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City of Grover Beach, CA
Summary of Approach
Willdan’s methodology for calculating public facilities fees is both simple and flexible. Simplicity is important so that the development community and the public can easily understand the justification for the fee program. At the same time, we use our expertise to reasonably ensure that the program is technically defensible.
Flexibility is important, so we can tailor our approach to the available data, and the agency’s policy objectives. Our understanding of the technical standards established by statutes and case law suggests that a range of approaches are technically defensible. Consequently, we can address policy objectives related to the fee program, such as economic development and affordable housing. Flexibility also enables us to avoid excessive engineering costs associated with detailed facility planning. We calculate the maximum justifiable impact fee and provide flexibility for the agency to adopt fees up to that amount.
Development impact fees are calculated to fund the cost of facilities required to accommodate growth. The four steps followed in an impact fee study include:
Estimate existing development and future growth: Identify a base year for existing development and a growth forecast that reflects increased demand for public facilities; Identify facility standards: Determine the facility standards used to plan for new and expanded facilities; Determine facilities required to serve new development and their costs: Estimate the total amount and cost of planned facilities, and identify the share required to accommodate new development; and Calculate fee schedule: Allocate facilities costs per unit of new development to calculate the public facilities fee schedule.
We discuss key aspects of our approach to each of these steps in the subsections that follow.
Growth Projections
In most cases, we recommend use of long-range market-based projections of new development. By “long-range” we suggest 20 to 30 years to capture the total demand often associated with major public facility investments; and support analysis of debt financing, if needed. In contrast to build out projections, market-based projections provide a more realistic estimate of development across all land uses.
Facility Standards
The key public policy issue in development impact fee studies is the identification of facility standards (second bullet above). Facility standards document a reasonable relationship between new development and the need for new facilities. Standards ensure that new development does not fund deficiencies associated with existing development.
Our approach recognizes three separate components of facility standards.
1. Demand standards determine the quantity of facilities required to accommodate growth. Examples include park acres per thousand residents, square feet of library space per capita, or gallons of water per day.
Demand standards may also reflect a level of service such as the vehicles-to-capacity (V/C) ratio used in traffic planning.
2. Design standards determine how a facility should be designed to meet expected demand, for example park improvement requirements and technology infrastructure for office space. Design standards are typically not explicitly evaluated as part of an impact fee analysis but can have a significant impact on the cost of facilities.
Our approach incorporates current facility design standards into the fee program to reflect the increasing construction cost of public facilities.
3. Cost standards are an alternate method for determining the amount of facilities required to accommodate growth based on facility costs per unit of demand. Cost standards are useful when demand standards were not explicitly developed for the facility planning process. Cost standards also enable different types of facilities to be analyzed based on a single measure (cost or value), useful when disparate facilities are funded by a single fee program. Examples include facility costs per capita, per vehicle trip, or cost per gallon of water per day.
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City of Grover Beach, CA
Identifying New Development Facility Needs and Costs
We can take several different approaches to identify facility needs and costs to serve new development. Typically, this is a two-step process: 1) identify total facility needs; and 2) allocate to new development its fair share of those needs. Total facility needs are often identified through a master facility planning process that typically takes place concurrent with or prior to conducting the fee study. Engineered facility plans are particularly important in the areas of traffic, water, sewer, and storm drain due to the specialized technical analysis required to identify facility needs.
There are three common methods for determining new development’s fair share of planned facilities costs:
1) the existing inventory method; 2) the planned facilities method; and 3) the system plan method. Often the method selected depends on the degree to which the community has engaged in comprehensive facility master planning to identify facility needs. The formula used by each approach and the advantages and disadvantages of each method is summarized as follows.
Existing Inventory Method
The existing inventory method allocates costs based on the ratio of existing facilities to demand from existing development as follows:
Current Value of Existing Facilities = $/unit of demand Existing Development Demand Under this method new development funds the expansion of facilities at the same standard currently serving existing development. By definition, the existing inventory method results in no facility deficiencies attributable to existing development. This method is often used when a long-range plan for new facilities is not available. Only the initial facilities to be funded with fees are identified in the fee study. Future facilities to serve growth are identified through an annual Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and budget process, possibly after completion of a new facility master plan as is the case with this particular project.
Planned Facilities Method
The planned facilities method allocates costs based on the ratio of planned facility costs to demand from new development as follows:
Cost of Planned Facilities = $/unit of demand New Development Demand This method is appropriate when specific planned facilities can be identified that only benefit new development.
Examples include street improvements to avoid deficient levels of service or a sewer trunk line extension to a previously undeveloped area. This method is appropriate when planned facilities would not serve existing development. Under this method new development funds the expansion of facilities at the standards used for the master facility plan.
System Plan Method
This method calculates the fee based on the ratio of the value of existing facilities plus the cost of planned facilities divided by demand from existing plus new development:
Value of Existing Facilities + Cost of Planned Facilities = $/unit of demand Existing + New Development Demand This method is useful when planned facilities need to be analyzed as part of a system that benefits both existing and new development. It is difficult, for example, to allocate a new fire station solely to new development when that station will operate as part of an integrated system of fire stations that work together to achieve the desired level of service.
Police substations, civic centers, and regional parks are examples of similar facilities.
The system plan method ensures that new development does not pay for existing deficiencies. Often, facility standards based on policies such as those found in General Plans are higher than existing facility standards. This method enables the calculation of the existing deficiency required to bring existing development up to the policybased standard. The local agency must secure non-fee funding for that portion of planned facilities, required to correct the deficiency, to ensure that new development receives the level of service funded by the impact fee.
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City of Grover Beach, CA
Calculating the Fee Schedule
At its simplest, the fee schedule uses the cost per unit of demand discussed in the last subsection to generate the fee schedule. This unit cost is multiplied by the demand associated with a new development project to calculate the fee for that project. The fee schedule uses different demand measures by land use category to provide a reasonable relationship between the type of development and the amount of the fee. We are familiar with a wide range of methods for identifying appropriate land use categories and demand measures depending on the particular study.
Related Approach Issues
Funding and Financing Strategies
In our experience, one of the most common problems with impact fee programs and with many CIPs is that the program or plan is not financially constrained to anticipated revenues. The result is a “wish list” of projects that generate community expectations that often cannot be fulfilled. Our approach is to integrate the impact fee program into the local agency’s existing CIPs while encouraging those plans to be financially constrained to available resources. We clearly state the cost of correcting existing deficiencies, if any, to document the relationship between the fee program and the need for additional non-fee funding.
We can also address one of the most significant drawbacks of an impact fee program – the inability to support conventional public debt financing, so projects can be built before all fee revenues have been received. In collaboration with financial advisors and underwriters, we have developed specific underwriting criteria so that fees can be used to pay back borrowing if another source of credit exists. Typically, this approach involves the use of Certificates of Participation or revenue bonds that are calibrated so that they can be fully repaid using impact fee revenues.
Economic Development Concerns
The development community often is concerned that fees and other exactions will become too high for development to be financially feasible under current market conditions. Local agencies have several strategies to address this concern, including:
Conducting an analysis of the total burden placed on development, by exactions, to see if feasibility may be compromised by the proposed fees;
Gathering similar data on the total fee burden imposed by neighboring or competing jurisdictions; Developing a plan for phasing in the fees over several years to enable the real estate market to adjust; Providing options for developers to finance impact fees through assessments and other types of financing districts; and
Imposing less than the maximum justified fee.
If less than the maximum justified fee is imposed, we will work with staff to identify alternative revenues sources for the CIP. The CIP should remain financially feasible to maintain realistic expectations among developers, policymakers, and the public.
Stakeholder Participation
Stakeholder participation throughout the study supports a successful adoption process. Our approach is to create consensus first, around the need for facilities based on agreed upon facility standards. Second, we seek consensus around a feasible funding strategy for these needs, leading to an appropriate role for impact fees.
Gaining consensus among various groups requires a balanced discussion of both economic development and community service objectives. Often, our approach includes formation of an advisory committee to promote outreach to and input from the development community and other stakeholders. We have extensive experience facilitating meetings to explain the program and gain input.
Program Implementation
Fee programs require a certain level of administrative support for successful implementation. Our final report will include recommendations for appropriate procedures, such as:
Regularly updating development forecasts;
Regularly updating fees for capital project cost inflation; Development Impact Fee Study 16
City of Grover Beach, CA
Regularly updating capital facility needs based on changing demands; Developing procedures for developer credits and reimbursements; and Including an administrative charge in the fee program.
Work Plan
Willdan will work with the City to prepare a Development Impact Fee Study that is consistent with the Mitigation Fee Act and other relevant laws. We want to ensure that our scope of services is responsive to the City’s needs and specific local circumstances. We will work with the City to revise our proposed scope based on input prior to approval of a contract, and as needed during the course of the study. The fee categories anticipated to be included are as follows:
Administrative
Fire Protection
Law Enforcement
Park Improvement
Park Land
Recreational Facilities
Storm Water
Water Infrastructure
Water
Wastewater
Task 1: Preliminary Work, Data Review and Collection
Following contract award, a project kick-off meeting will be scheduled to meet with City staff to refine the work plan details, develop a timeline based on available information, and discuss data needs. Following the initial meeting, Willdan will work with the various City departments to collect the necessary and available data to perform the analysis and to establish the nexus for each fee component.
Task 2: Determine Land Uses/Growth Forecasts
To ensure appropriate cost allocations, Willdan will review the existing growth forecasts prepared by the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG), the General Plan Land Use Element and EIR (2010), and other sources, if appropriate. Willdan will also consider potential new residential unit growth as a result of recent changes to State law (SB 9 and ADUs). Using this information, we will develop a reasonable projection for growth within Grover Beach.
Willdan can also determine whether any existing public infrastructure deficiencies exist, as well as the percentage of impact coming from new development in relation to existing deficiencies. Willdan can calculate this for the purpose of the City’s infrastructure planning process. It is important to note that impact fee revenues cannot be used to fund existing deficiencies, but rather only deficiencies and needs created by new development and therefore any existing deficiencies will not be part of the impact fee calculation.
Task 3: Analysis and Fee Calculations
Based on the data collected and developed, Willdan will work interactively with City staff to determine the most appropriate methodology and nexus (consistent with Government Code Sections 66000) to assign portions of proposed improvements to existing needs and future growth and proportionally divide the costs and establish the fees for anticipated development types.
Program 6.1 of the City's Housing Element indicates that residential development impact fees shall be modified to index fees based on the unit size providing lower fees for smaller units where there is a demonstrated nexus. Impact fees for other uses shall be based on square footage or the type of use, such as a hotel room. It is important to note that AB 602, passed in 2021 and effective July 1, 2022, creates a preference, essentially a “safe harbor,” for the calculation of residential impact fees on a per square foot basis.
Willdan will review the existing impact fees and provide recommendations as to whether each fee should be retained or eliminated. In addition, Willdan will also calculate a new impact fee for the City’s advanced water treatment facility, Central Coast Blue. Recommendations will be provided regarding whether new impact fees should be considered, such as water conservation.
The City Council currently does not collect an impact fee for new accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Willdan will provide a methodology for the assessment of fees on ADUs greater than 750 square feet pursuant to State law.
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City of Grover Beach, CA
Review existing master facilities plans and advise if updates are necessary. Provide a well-documented and defensible cost-of-service plan identifying reasonable rates to be updated and implemented. Fees will be calculated to provide facilities, equipment, infrastructure and services necessary to support the forecasted growth.
Willdan will review existing impact fee-related ordinances in the Grover Beach Municipal Code Article VII Public Works and X Revenue and Taxation and draft a new ordinance for adoption.
Task 4: Fee Comparison
The proposed new DIF analysis will also provide a comparison to surrounding cities (including, but not limited to, Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach, and San Luis Obispo County) for reference. Willdan will prepare an analysis of impact fees charged to a series of prototype developments (such as residential, retail, etc.) in order to provide an “apples to apples” comparison, but the exact methodology and prototypes will be set in consultation with the City.
Task 5: Meeting Attendance
Willdan will attend the meetings listed below, as detailed in the RFP. At this time Willdan does not believe any additional meetings will be necessary, but such meetings can be added on a case-by-case basis as the project develops.
Kick-off meeting to review objectives of the study, agree to methodology, exchange information, timing and schedule for all tasks, and to determine information to be provided by City staff. It is understood that this will be a virtual meeting.
Review findings with City staff. Willdan will provide information to support findings to date and proposed impact fees. This meeting will also be virtual.
City Council meeting to present a PowerPoint on the draft study report that will include, but not be limited to, a discussion regarding the methodology, whether previously completed projects should be included in the impact fees, as well as findings, providing alternatives, answer questions, and collect input for preparation of final report. This meeting will be attended in-person.
Final City Council meeting to follow up to prior Council meeting and present final report. This meeting will be attended by Willdan in-person as well.
In the event an additional meeting is required Willdan has provided a cost for such a meeting in the cost proposal.
Task 6: Final Development Impact Fee Study
Willdan will prepare a final report to be submitted to the City containing background information, methodology, findings, and recommendations. More specifically, it is anticipated that the final report will contain the following at a minimum:
Background information;
Description of the overall methodology;
Supporting justification;
Calculations that demonstrate the legal nexus between recommended fees and the impact created by new development;
Relationship between the fee's use and the type of project on which it would be imposed; Purpose of the fee;
How the fee would be used;
Description of the relationship between the need for any additional facilities and the type of development project on which the fee would be imposed;
Supply information and data necessary to make the findings required within Government Code Section 66001;
Recommendations for increasing each fee annually based on indices used in common practice; and Any additional matters that City staff should be made aware of, findings, and recommendations.
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City of Grover Beach, CA
Task 7: Draft Ordinance
Willdan will prepare a draft impact fee ordinance to replace the existing related ordinances in Articles VII and Article X of the Grover Beach Municipal Code.
Deliverables
It is understood that Willdan will be responsible for preparation of all documents, in both draft and final forms, as required by the Mitigation Fee Act and City requirements under contract. It is anticipated that such documents will include the following, as detailed below:
1. Administrative Draft Study for staff review (editable digital copy);
2. Draft Study and Ordinance for public distribution (editable digital copy); and
3. Final Study and Ordinance (five hardcopies and editable digital copy).
Document delivery will include electronic files in Microsoft Word, Excel and/or other programs utilized, as fully editable and unlocked files.
Staff Support
To complete our tasks, we will need the cooperation of City staff. We suggest that the City assign a key individual to represent the City as the project manager who can function as our primary contact. We anticipate that the City’s project manager will:
Coordinate responses to requests for information;
Coordinate review of work products; and
Help resolve policy issues.
Willdan will rely on the validity and accuracy of the City’s data and documentation to complete the analysis. Willdan will rely on the data as being accurate without performing an independent verification of accuracy and will not be responsible for any errors that result from inaccurate data provided by the client or a third party. City shall reimburse Willdan for any costs Willdan incurs, including without limitation, copying costs, digitizing costs, travel expenses, employee time and attorneys' fees, to respond to the legal process of any governmental agency relating to City or relating to the project. Reimbursement shall be at Willdan’s rates in effect at the time of such response.
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City of Grover Beach, CA
Project Schedule Willdan is aware that time is of the essence for the City to begin this engagement. Typically, an impact fee update requires approximately six months, or 26 weeks, from notice to proceed to adoption. The proposed schedule, lasting approximately 20 weeks, can only be met with the cooperation of City staff.
Delays in responding to our requests for data and review will result in corresponding delays to the project schedule. If that is the case, we will notify the City immediately of the possible impact on the schedule.Furthermore, the Project Schedule denoted on page 6 of the RFP, as well as the meeting attendance information within Project Proposal & Work Scope located on RFP page 4, was utilized to create the following. Also took into consideration your City Council typically meets the second and fourth Monday of each month. It is important to note that the dates outlined within the RFP are a bit aggressive, but the Willdan team members will make their best effort to achieve those denoted herein.
31 7 14 21 28 5 12 19 26 2 9 16 23 30 9 16 23 27 6 13 20 27 3 10 17 24 Task 1: Preliminary Work, Data Review & Collection z1Task 2: Determine Land Uses/Growth Forecasts z2Task 3: Analysis and Fee Calculations z3Task 4: Fee Comparison z4Task 5: Meeting Attendance VM VM PR PHTask 6: Final Development Impact Fee Study z5 z6Task 7: Draft Ordinance Deliverables:
z4: Fee Comparison
z2: Development Growth Projections (table format) z5: Draft Fee Tables & Textz3: Cost Estimates for Identified Facilities z6: Administrative/Public Draft Report(s), Final Nexus Report, PowerPoint Presentation City of Grover Beach
Development Impact Fee Study
Project Schedule
z1: Information Request, Revised Schedule,
Summary of Policy Decisions (if needed)
November December March April
Scope of Services
January '23 February
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City of Grover Beach, CA
Cost of Services
Based upon the scope of work identified herein, Willdan proposes a not-to-exceed fixed fee of $56,340 to prepare the City’s Development Impact Fee Study. The table below provides a breakdown of the proposed fee by task and team member.
Notes
Please note the following:
The fee denoted above includes attendance at up to four in-person meetings with City staff, stakeholders, and City Council, which include:
o One project kick-off meeting to be held virtually;
o One virtual meeting to review findings with City staff; o One in-person City Council meeting to present the draft report; and o One in-person City Council meeting to present the final report and fees for adoption. The fee associated with attendance at additional in-person meetings will be $2,500 per meeting. Internal conference calls for the purposes of project management, document review, etc., are not considered meetings for this provision.
Comprehensive written responses to resolve conflicts or preparation of more than one set of major revisions to the draft report, will be classified as Additional Services, and may require additional billing at hourly rates stated in the hourly rate schedule listed below. These additional fees shall only take effect once the fixed fee stated above has been exceeded.
Our fixed fee includes all direct expenses associated with the project. We will invoice the City monthly based on percentage of project completed. Optional/additional services beyond the listed Scope of Services may be authorized by the City and will be billed at our then-current hourly overhead consulting rates.
J. Edison
Principal-in-Charge
C. Villarreal
Project Manager Total
$ 240 $ 210 Hours Cost
Scope of Services
Task 1: Preliminary Work, Data Review & Collection 8.5 20.0 28.5 6,240 $ Task 2: Determine Land Uses/Growth Forecasts 14.0 28.0 42.0 9,240 Task 3: Analysis & Fee Calculations 16.0 34.0 50.0 10,980 Task 4: Fee Comparison 14.0 5.0 19.0 4,140
Task 5: Meeting Attendance 28.0 20.0 48.0 10,680
Task 6: Final Development Impact Fee Study 16.0 40.0 56.0 12,240 Task 7: Draft Ordinance 3.0 10.0 13.0 2,820
Total Hours & Cost 174.0 82.5 256.5 56,340 $
City of Grover Beach
Development Impact Fee Study
Fee Proposal
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Additional Services
Provided below is Willdan’s hourly rate table identifying current hourly rates for additional or optional services.
Willdan Financial Services
Hourly Rate Schedule
Position Hourly Rate
Group Director $250
Managing Principal $240
Principal Consultant $210
Senior Project Manager $185
Project Manager $165
Senior Project Analyst $135
Senior Analyst $125
Analyst II $110
Analyst I $100
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City of Grover Beach, CA
Additional Information
Project Management
At Willdan, we utilize a Project Management Process/Approach that ensures projects are completed on time, within budget and most importantly yield results that match our clients’ expectations. We will document discussions leading to important policy decisions and/or the choice of critical assumptions used in constructing the analysis and model.
Following key stakeholder discussions, we will schedule a call to summarize findings and direction with City staff, to make certain that we are in agreement with stated objectives, and that feedback is incorporated as appropriate.
Through the process of providing regular updates and conducting status conference calls, potential issues will be highlighted, discussed, and resolved. Any deviances from the project timeline will be identified and plans will be developed for course corrections. If necessary, changes in approach or strategy will be discussed with City staff, to meet your needs. In doing this, we will ensure the project stays on track and evolves, based upon current thinking and outside dynamics.
Project Management
Define the
Project
Plan
the Project
Manage
the Project
Review the
Project
Communicate
the Project
Identify the project
scope, set
objectives, list
potential
constraints,
document
assumptions.
Define a course of
action and develop
an effective
communication
plan.
Provide a forum for
applying the team’s
collective expertise
to solving difficult
analytical issues
that arise in
complex projects.
Collaborate with
the project team
and client staff and
agree upon
deliverable dates
to meet the
estimated project
timeline.
Assign workload
functions to
appropriately
qualified staff to
ensure milestones
are met, on time.
Pre-schedule
quality control
meetings with
project team to
maintain the
progressive motion
of the project.
Manage the
execution of the
project.
Direct existing and
upcoming project
tasks.
Control and
monitor work in
progress.
Provide feedback
to client and
project team.
Identify and
resolve deviances
from project
timeline.
Review all work
product and
deliverables.
Utilize structured
quality assurance
process involving
up to three levels
of review at the
peer level, project
manager level.
Procure executive
officer level review.
Communicate with
the client
regarding work
status and
progress.
Ensure client is in
receipt of regular
status updates.
Schedule regular
conference calls to
touch base.
Inform client of
roadblocks, work
outside of
projected scope.
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Quality Assurance / Quality Control Process
Our quality control program is incorporated as a required element of Willdan’s day-to-day activities. There are three levels of reviews incorporated for our deliverables:
1) Peer review;
2) Project Manager review; and
3) Final quality assurance
manager review.
Peer reviews involve one analyst
reviewing the work of another,
while project manager reviews
are conducted prior to delivery to
the quality assurance manager.
The quality assurance manager
then performs a final review. This
assures that our final product has
been thoroughly evaluated for
potential errors; thus, providing
quality client deliverables, and
high levels of integrity and outcomes.
The primary mission of our quality control plan is to provide staff with the technical and managerial expertise to plan, organize, implement, and control the overall quality effort, thereby ensuring the completion of a quality project within the time and budget established.
Quality Assurance Goals
Goal Lead Task
Quality Assurance /
Control Process James Edison
Establish a set of planned and systematic actions for maintaining a high level of quality in the professional services performed;
Emphasize quality in every phase of work;
Ensure efficient use of resources;
Establish a consistent and uniform approach to the services performed; and
Implement appropriate quality control measures for each work task of the project.
Quality Control Plan James Edison;
Carlos Villareal
Contract deliverables;
Specific quality control procedures;
Special quality control emphasis;
Budget and manpower requirements;
Overall project schedule and budget; and
Project documentation requirements.
27368 Via Industria, Suite 200
Temecula, CA 92590-4856
951.587.3500 | 800.755.6864 | Fax: 951.587.3510
www.willdan.com