CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
August 21, 2023
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: James Makshanoff, City Manager
Submitted By: Andrew Mowbray, Finance Director
Anita D. Gutierrez, Development Services Director
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION TO UPDATE THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN (ARP) SPENDING PLAND AND AWARD OF AGREEMENT TO ASCENDANT FOR INNOVATION CONSULTING SERVICES RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
Adopt the following Resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-143 – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA APPROVING THE UPDATED AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN (ARP) SPENDING PLAN.
Award a two-year agreement in the amount not to exceed $390,264 to Ascendant for Innovation Consulting Services Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the agreement and any extensions, subsequent changes, or amendments thereto, on behalf of the City, subject to review and approval as to form by the City Attorney.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Approval of the agreement with Ascendant will assist the city in developing an innovation strategic policy or plan as well as the establishment and implementation of a customer service and civic engagement program.
The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Spending Plan includes a $1M allocation towards the category of ‘Technology Upgrades, Leadership Development, and Operational Efficiencies.’ The ARP Spending Plan needs to be updated to separate them for ‘Leadership Development / Operational Efficiencies’ for $400,000 and ‘Technology Upgrades’ for $600,000.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for the award to Ascendant in the amount of $390,264 is available in the FY 2023-24 Operating Budget in the American Rescue Plan Fund, account number 191-0101-52285-10055.
There is no fiscal impact to the update of the ARP Spending Plan.
DISCUSSION:
The City is committed to creating a learning culture within the organization by building internal knowledge and skills to support the development of modern, innovative strategies. This shift in strategic thinking will ultimately assist the organization in providing services to the community in a more community-centered, and equitable manner. As such, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an Innovation and Civic Engagement consultant to assist in developing an innovation strategic policy as well as the establishment and implementation of a customer service and civic engagement-training program. The RFP was sent to 144 potential proposers and was downloaded by 36 prospective bidders. There was one proposal submitted from Ascendant. Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a two-year agreement with Ascendant for a not-to-exceed fee of $390,264. Funding is included in the ARP Spending Plan under the Leadership Development/Operational Efficiencies category account 191-0101-52285-10055.
Staff is also recommending an update to the ARP Spending Plan, which includes a $1M allocation towards the category of ‘Technology Upgrades, Leadership Development, and Operational Efficiencies’. The ARP Spending Plan needs to be updated to separate them for ‘Leadership Development / Operational Efficiencies’ for $400,000, which will fund the culture of innovation in the City, and ‘Technology Upgrades’ for $600,000 which will fund the upgrade of the City’s cybersecurity. The table below shows the updated ARP Spending Plan as of August 21, 2023.
Prepared by:
Aleli Burgos
Deputy Finance Director
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment No. 1 – Resolution 2023-Update to the American Rescue Spending Plan Update of the ARP Spending Plan and Award of Agreement to Ascendant for Innovation Consulting Services