CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: October 07, 2024
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. ___-24 AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH RSG FOR HOUSING RELATED SERVICES FOR
IMPLEMENTATION OF HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAMS
SYNOPSIS
The City Manager is requesting authorization to execute a Professional Services Agreement with RSG, Inc. (“the consultant”) to assist the City of Pleasant Hill (“the City”) with Housing Element Program Implementation. The consultant will work with the City to provide options for implementing Housing Element programs including timelines and budgets.
DISCUSSION
Background
The City adopted the Pleasant Hill 6th Cycle Housing Element on May 18, 2023, and the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) certified the Housing Element on November 22, 2023. The Housing Element requires the City to complete various programs within specific timeframes. Many of the Housing Element programs require technical knowledge and experience that may exceed staff expertise or capacity, and therefore, require the assistance of Housing consultants that are specialized in the industry. The City desires to complete various Housing programs in anticipation of reporting back to the State of California in the upcoming Annual Progress Report due in early 2025.
Analysis
RSG, Inc. submitted a proposal that presented options for implementing various Housing Element programs with an estimated timeline and budget for completion. The Implementation Programs with which the consultant will be assisting the City include:
Program V. Funding to Support Affordable Housing (Research and Data Collection) – RSG, Inc. is proposing to assess available funding sources (State, Federal, private, local) and draft an informational handout to be posted on the City’s website and distributed with land development applications.
Program Z. Housing Trust Fund (Outreach) – RSG, Inc. is proposing to prepare a regional developer and non-profit housing agency distribution list and distribute via e-mail a handout that includes information about the City Housing Trust Fund.
Program NN. Rehabilitation Needs Assessment (Data Collection and Outreach) – RSG, Inc. is proposing to compile funding sources for residential rehabilitation, identify low and moderate resource areas, and prepare a handout to advertise online or mail to target areas. In addition, this task includes the option to host a virtual webinar that describes available funding sources.
Program UU. Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (Data Collection and Outreach Program) – RSG, Inc. is proposing to coordinate an outreach program with the Regional Center of the East Bay to inform residents of housing and services available for persons with developmental disabilities, prepare materials to post on the City website, compile Fair Housing information and resources for the City website and social media platforms, and prepare and conduct landlord training on fair housing responsibilities, source of income discrimination, and other discriminatory practices.
Program VV. Fair Housing Services (Multi-Agency coordination, Data Collection and Outreach) – RSG, Inc. is proposing to coordinate with County, ECHO, Bay Area Legal Aid and other regional partners who provide training for property owners and managers about fair housing laws, prepare a Pleasant Hill property owner and manager distribution list, promote regional partner trainings, coordinate with regional agencies to conduct one virtual or in-person workshop with targeted populations, and coordinate with staff to analyze potential changes to programs and policies as necessary.
FISCAL IMPACT
RSG Inc’s total project cost is $30,000, with an additional 10 percent contingency, for a total project cost of $33,000, to provide assistance performing the tasks described in the Scope of Services on a time-and-materials basis. The funds for these anticipated services were appropriated in the adopted Biennial Budget for Fiscal Years 2024/25-2025/26 within the General Fund Planning Division Contractual Service line item.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting the City Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center, and at the Pleasant Hill Police Department. The agenda and staff report are posted on the City’s web page.
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with RSG, Inc.
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Continue the item to a later date with direction provided to Staff.
2. Do not adopt the resolution.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Proposed Resolution
Exhibit 1 – Proposed Professional Services Agreement
Exhibit 2 – RSG, Inc. Consulting Services Proposal
Prepared by: Troy Fujimoto, City Planner
Approved by: Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager