Administrative
Report
H.10., File # 22-5194 Meeting Date: 12/6/2022
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: BRANDY FORBES, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
TITLE
APPROVE A FOURTH AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH INTERWEST CONSULTING GROUP, INC. FOR BUILDING PLAN CHECK CONSULTING SERVICES FOR AN ADDITIONAL $55,000 AND A NEW TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $220,000 FOR THE EXISTING TERM THROUGH FEBRUARY 8, 2024
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On February 9, 2021, the City Council approved agreements with six (6) firms to provide plan check and inspection services on an as-needed basis. The contracts provide the capability for the Community Development Department to offer an expedited plan check option, upon applicant request, and to fill gaps in staffing on an as-needed basis. Interwest Consulting Group, Inc. (Interwest) is one of the six approved (6) firms.
The contract with Interwest was previously amended in February 2022 and May 2022 to cover additional plan check services and to provide for an Interim Building Official to fill the then vacant Chief Building Official position.
The contract was amended a third time in October 2022 to provide additional funding for Fire plan check services due to a current vacancy in the Fire Plan Check position, in addition to Building plan check.
The fourth amendment provides for additional Building plan check services, including expedited plan check needed to keep up with current service demands related to the adoption of the 2022 Edition of the California Building Standards Codes which becomes effective on January 1, 2023.
BACKGROUND
On August 18, 2020, the City Council directed staff to proceed with selecting outside consulting firms to provide plan check services, as well as other Building Division services, on an as-needed basis.
After the completion of the request for proposal process, the Community Development Department selected six firms, based on their qualifications and experience. The City Council approved the agreements on February 9, 2021. Of the six firms, Interwest currently has the best combination of staff availability and capability to provide the temporary support needed to cover the Fire plan check vacancy.
The original contract with Interwest, approved in February 2021, was for expedited plan check services for an amount not to exceed $15,000. The first amendment to the contract with Interwest,
H.10., File # 22-5194 Meeting Date: 12/6/2022
services for an amount not to exceed $15,000. The first amendment to the contract with Interwest, approved in February 2022, added another $80,000 for Interim Building Official work and an additional $15,000 for plan check services, bringing the total not to exceed amount to $110,000. The second amendment to the contract extended the Interim Building Official work through mid-June 2022, for an additional amount of $30,000, and new total not to exceed $140,000. The third amendment added $25,000 for Fire plan check services, for a revised total contract amount not to exceed $165,000.
This fourth amendment would add an additional $55,000 for Building plan check, for a new total of $220,000. The Building Division is seeing an increased volume of requests for both standard and expedited plan check services, which is expected when a new edition of the California Building Standards Codes is adopted. The 2022 Edition of the California Building Standards Codes will take effect on January 1, 2023, so individuals and firms wishing to have their plans evaluated under the current 2021 Edition are submitting their plans at this time. Approval of the fourth amendment will allow the Building Division to keep up with the typical demand for services, as well as the year-end uptick in submittals resulting from the Building Code update.
COORDINATION
The contract amendment was prepared by the City Attorney’s Office.
FISCAL IMPACT
Expedited plan check service costs are fully funded by project applicant fees. A project applicant who requests expedited plan check services pays an additional fee that is added to the permit costs equal to 50% of the original plan check fee amount.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Agmt - Fourth Amendment Interwest
· Agmt - Third Amendment Interwest, October 4, 2022
· Agmt - Second Amendment Interwest, May 10, 2022
· Agmt- First Amendment Interwest, February 1, 2022
· Agmt-Original Interwest Agreement, February 9, 2021