November 18, 2025
Community Development
DATE: November 18, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Lina Velasco, Director of Community Development
Avery Stark, Planning Manager
Subject:
Authorize Contracts for On-Call Civil & Land
Development Plan Check and Inspection Services
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed cost for on-call services will be funded through applicants’ fees, comprehensive planning fees,
capital improvement project funds, and/or grants.
Appropriations are included within the approved Fiscal
Year 2025-2026 budget and will be budgeted accordingly
in subsequent fiscal year budgets. Approval of these
contracts will not result in an additional appropriation of funds. Payment resources shall be identified prior to
engaging each firm. The payment limit for each contract shall not exceed $500,000 per firm (Accounting String:
15061219-400201).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Community Development is requesting authorization to
establish an on-call list of civil & land development plan check and related inspection services firms to expedite the contracting of these services when needed for
specific City and private development projects.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution authorizing on-call Civil & Land
Development Plan Check and Related Inspection
Services contracts with: (1) 4Leaf, Inc.; (2) Bureau
Veritas; (3) CSG Consultants; (4) Ghirardelli Associates; and (5) West Coast Code Consultants (WC3) for as-
needed services, in an amount not to exceed $500,000
per firm, from November 18, 2025, to June 30, 2028, with AGENDA
REPORT
November 18, 2025
two additional one-year extension options - Community
Development Department (Lina Velasco/Avery Stark 510-
620-6706).
DISCUSSION:
On August 4, 2025, the City issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for On-Call Civil & Land Development Plan Check and Related Inspection Services. The RFQ was posted on the City's BidsOnline System, and 597 vendors were notified (Attachment 1).
Of the firms that were notified, 38 firms downloaded the RFQ, and 6 firms responded.
The responses were reviewed by a panel consisting of staff from Community Development and Public Works - Engineering. While all respondents were considered qualified, the RFQ specified the City would contract with up to five firms. The following five firms are recommended for the on-call list:
1. 4Leaf, Inc.
2. Bureau Veritas
3. CSG Consultants
4. Ghirardelli Associates
5. West Coast Code Consultants (WC3)
Qualifications were rated based on the firm’s general experience and qualifications information, the experience of key personnel and references, the service approach and understanding, and the cost & hourly rate for all key personnel (Attachment 2).
Each service contract will be for an amount not to exceed $500,000 over a three-year period, with two one-year options to extend the term. Firms on the on-call list will be selected to perform specific project-related work based on their project-related experience and availability. On-call service contracts will allow the City to provide necessary review and project evaluation services in an efficient and timely manner.
These contracts will reduce staff costs and eliminate the three to four-month process required to select consultants on a project-by-project basis. No work is guaranteed to be provided by the City to any firm listed on the on-call list.
SYNERGISTIC POLICIES:
The establishment of the on-call list for Civil and Land Development Plan Check and Related Inspection Services supports several adopted City policies and initiatives aimed at improving operational efficiency, housing delivery, and regulatory compliance. These on-call consultant contracts align with the City’s strategic goals for effective service delivery and timely project review, which are central to achieving the objectives outlined
November 18, 2025
in the General Plan 2030, Housing Element (2023–2031), and the City’s Economic Development Action Plan.
By streamlining the consultant selection process, these agreements advance the City’s ongoing efforts to:
Enhance Service Efficiency: Allow Planning and Public Works staff to respond more quickly to workload demands, reducing turnaround times for development and capital improvement project reviews.
Support Housing Production and Economic Growth: Provide the necessary technical capacity to process private development applications consistent with State housing laws such as SB 330 and SB 35, thereby supporting the City’s RHNA targets and Housing Element implementation.
Ensure Fiscal and Regulatory Accountability: Enable cost recovery through applicant-funded plan review services and ensure compliance with adopted engineering standards, the Richmond Municipal Code, and the City’s stormwater, grading, and subdivision regulations.
Promote Interdepartmental Coordination: Strengthen collaboration between the Community Development and Public Works Departments, improving the consistency and quality of plan review and inspection services citywide.
These actions collectively advance City Council priorities related to Good Governance, Sustainable Infrastructure, and Housing and Neighborhood Services, while improving customer experience through predictable and transparent review timelines.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – BidsOnline Report
Attachment 2 – Rating Matrix
Attachment 3 – Resolution Approving On-Call Civil and Land Development Plan Check and Related Inspection Services Contracts