February 17, 2026
Finance Department
DATE: February 17, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Emily Combs, Director of Finance
Mubeen Qader, Deputy Director of Finance
Jerry Gurule, Accounting Manager
Subject:
Contract with SCI Consulting Group for On-Call
Consulting Services
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed $70,000 expenditure is included within the approved Fiscal Years 2025-26 and 2026-27 Finance
Department budget. This allocation will support
specialized consulting services to strengthen the City’s financial planning, cost recovery, and revenue strategies (Account String: 01175715-400201).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
On January 27, 2026, the City Council received an
update on Advanced Life Support (ALS) First Responder
Services, Fire Station Upgrades and Replacements,
Associated Five-Year Financial Forecast. City Council
directed staff to Develop Revenue Enhancement
Recommendations (item P.5) to support funding of ALS
services. To support this directive, City staff recommend engaging SCI Consulting Group, which specializes in
municipal finance consulting, feasibility studies, cost-of- service analysis, and funding support.
The agreement will provide flexibility to address a range of priority projects, such as funding options for ALS First Responder Services, Fire Station Upgrades and
Replacements, and the potential City operation of the
AGENDA
REPORT
February 17, 2026
Craneway Pavilion, as well as other initiatives identified by the City Council or the City Manager.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the city manager or their
designee to negotiate and execute a sole-source contract with SCI Consulting Services to provide financial and
technical advisory services for priority City projects, including Advanced Life Support in the Fire Department
and evaluation of the Craneway Pavilion, in an amount
not to exceed $70,000, for the term of November 3, 2025, through December 31, 2026 – Finance Department
(Emily Combs 510-620-6740/ Mubeen Qader 510-412-
2077/Jerry Gurule 510-620-6591).
DISCUSSION:
On January 27, 2026, the City Council received an update on Advanced Life Support (ALS) First Responder Services, Fire Station Upgrades and Replacements, and the associated Five-Year Financial Forecast, and directed the City Manager to develop revenue enhancement and financing recommendations for City Council consideration.
Additionally, the City is negotiating a leasehold interest donation back to the City for the Craneway Pavilion, located at 1414–1422 Harbour Way South, and is evaluating whether to operate the facility directly. These initiatives require analysis of potential funding strategies, feasibility assessments, and cost-of-service considerations.
SCI Consulting Group (SCI) provides specialized services in municipal finance consulting, feasibility studies, and cost-of-service analysis, making them well-suited to assist the City in developing recommendations for these and other priority projects.
Furthermore, SCI is uniquely qualified to provide these services due to its extensive prior experience with the City’s Vacant Parcel Tax initiative, deep institutional knowledge of Richmond’s financial history and parcel data framework, and specialized expertise in municipal revenue consulting. Engaging another firm would require significant time to replicate this knowledge, creating substantial risk of delays, inefficiencies, and jeopardizing timely implementation of ALS funding strategies and related City priorities
SCI will provide professional services under an on-call arrangement to analyze potential operating models, prepare financial and technical assessments, and develop recommendations. Services may include:
Revenue enhancement and funding strategies for initiatives such as ALS and other priority projects
Research on comparable facilities and operating models Financial analysis of projected revenues, expenses, and staffing needs Technical evaluation of operational requirements and compliance considerations Summary memorandum of findings and recommendations
February 17, 2026
Presentation materials and participation in meetings with City staff, City Council, and stakeholders
This flexible scope ensures SCI can assist with ALS implementation planning, fire station upgrades, Craneway Pavilion operational feasibility, and other City Council priorities.
SCI’s engagement will proceed on a time-and-materials basis, with an initial authorization not to exceed $70,000. The term of the engagement runs through December 31, 2026.
SYNERGISTIC POLICIES:
This initiative supports multiple City Council strategic goals by advancing revenue enhancement strategies that strengthen the City’s internal infrastructure and processes while improving public safety through planning for ALS services and related emergency response improvements. It also promotes community health and equity by supporting initiatives that reduce health disparities and enhance preparedness. Additionally, evaluating the Craneway Pavilion for potential City operation aligns with goals to increase revenue and improve economic development, while encouraging adaptive reuse of historic assets and sustainable shoreline stewardship. Together, these efforts reflect the City’s commitment to fiscal sustainability, health in all policies, and strategic investment in community-serving facilities.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Proposed Contract
Attachment 2 – Sole Source