Ridgecrest City Council
November 2, 2022

Agendas are available on the City Website
https://www.ridgecrest-ca.gov/council-agendas
Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority
AGENDA
November 2, 2022
Closed Session 5:30 p.m.

Regular Session 6:00 p.m.

City Hall, Council Chambers
100 100 West California Avenue
Ridgecrest CA 93555
Ricca Charlon, City Clerk
(760) 499-5002
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you are a disabled person and you need a disability-related modification or accommodation to participate in the meeting, please contact Ricca Charlon at (760) 499-5002. Requests must be made as early as possible and at least one full business day before the start of the meeting.

Documents and material relating to open session agenda items that are provided to the full City Council prior to a regular meeting will be available for public inspection and copying at City Hall.

City Council agendas and corresponding writings of open session items are available for public inspection at the following locations:

1. City of Ridgecrest City Hall, 100 W. California Ave., Ridgecrest, CA 93555

2. City of Ridgecrest official website at https://ridgecrest-ca.gov/212/City-Council

CITY COUNCIL
Eric A. Bruen, Mayor
L. Scott Hayman, Mayor Pro Tem
Solomon P. Rajaratnam, Vice Mayor
Kyle Blades, Council Member
Peggy Breeden, Council Member
Ron Strand, City Manager
Keith Lemieux, City Attorney
Martin Koczanowicz, City Attorney
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100 W. CALIFORNIA AVE. | RIDGECREST, CA 93555
Phone 760.499.5000 | Fax 760.499.1520
www.ridgecrest-ca.gov

NOTICE AND CALL OF A SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION MEETING OF THE

RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY /

HOUSING AUTHORITY / FINANCING AUTHORITY

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR

REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY / HOUSING AUTHORITY / FINANCING AUTHORITY, PUBLIC AND CITY CLERK:

PUBLIC NOTICE that a SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION MEETING of the Ridgecrest City Council/Successor Redevelopment Agency/Housing Authority/Financing Authority is hereby called on:

Wednesday, November 2, 2022 @ 5:30 p.m.

City Council Chambers
100 W. California Avenue
Ridgecrest, California
Said SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION MEETING shall be for the purpose of:

CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION - Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9 Subparts (a), (d)(2) and (e)(3). One case Dated: October 26, 2022
Eric A. Bruen, Mayor / Chair
ATTEST:

Ricca Charlon, City Clerk
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RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL

SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY

FINANCING AUTHORITY

HOUSING AUTHORITY

AGENDA
Wednesday, November 2, 2022 Closed Session – 5:30 p.m.

Regular Session – 6:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER

ROLL CALL

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION

CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION - Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9 Subparts (a), (d)(2) and (e)(3). One case

REGULAR SESSION
• Pledge Of Allegiance
• Invocation

ATTORNEY REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA - Persons wishing to address the Council on matters that are within the Council’s jurisdiction and DO NOT ALREADY APPEAR ON THE AGENDA, may do so at this time.

COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS/DIRECTION
CONSENT CALENDAR – All Matters Listed Under The Consent Calendar Are To Be Considered Routine And Enacted By One Motion Unless Pulled By A Council Member Or A Member Of The Public.

1. Proposed Action To Approve Draft Minutes Of The Ridgecrest City Council Regular Meeting Dated October 19, 2022 CHARLON

2. Grant Acceptance For A Grant Awarded From The Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division With The California Department Of Parks And Recreation MCLAUGHLIN

3. A Resolution Of The Ridgecrest City Council Authorizing Acceptance Of The State Of California, Office Of Traffic Safety Step Grant MCLAUGHLIN

4. Resolution Of The Ridgecrest City Council To Create a Deputy City Manager/Public Works Director Position STRAND

AGENDA - CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY / FINANCING AUTHORITY / HOUSING AUTHORITY REGULAR – November 2, 2022

DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS

5. Discussion Regarding The Board Of The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority (IWVGA) HAYMAN

6. Proposed Approval Of An Additional Portion Of The American Rescue Plan Act Funds To Replace The Banquet Hall Floors At The Kerr McGee Community Center WEGENER

7. A Resolution Of The City Of Ridgecrest City Council Approving A Professional Services Agreement To Realty Planners Group, Inc. For Preparation Of The City Of Ridgecrest 2023- 2031 Housing Element And Authorizing Related Actions SPURLOCK COMMITTEE REPORTS**Committee Meeting dates are subject to change and will be announced on the City website
Infrastructure Committee
Members: Solomon Rajaratnam and Kyle Blades
Meeting: 4th Thursday each month at 5:00 p.m.

Location: City Hall Council Chambers
➢ Report from 11/27/22

OTHER COMMITTEES, BOARDS, OR COMMISSIONS

CITY MANAGER REPORT

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS

ADJOURNMENT
City of Ridgecrest Public Meeting Protocol
In Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
City of Ridgecrest Council meetings are OPEN to public attendance. Although Chambers are OPEN, public participation is still encouraged via live streaming, call-in or via written correspondence.

TO PARTICIPATE please call, email, or send mail to the contact info provided below:

The public may use one of the following alternatives for participating in person:
 Watch meetings on-line:

All of our meetings are streamed live at https://ridgecrest-ca.gov/369/Watch or on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/cityofridgecrest/live and are also available for playback after the meeting.
 Call in for public comments:

To participate with verbal comments, please call (760) 499-5010. This phone line will allow only one caller at a time, so if the line is busy, please continue to dial. We will be allowing a 20-30 second delay between callers to give time for media delays and callers to dial in. If you wish to comment on multiple items you will need to call in as each item is presented.  Submit written comments:

We encourage submittal of written comments supporting, opposing, or otherwise commenting on an agenda item, for distribution to the City Council prior to the meeting.

Send emails to [email protected]; written correspondence may be sent to Ricca Charlon, City Clerk, 100 W. California Ave., Ridgecrest, CA 93555. Please specify to which agenda item your comment relates. All communication, whether it is a formal letter or an online informal email, is read by the City Council.

Please click on the link below to access the City Council Agenda, Minutes and Video web page. https://ridgecrest-ca.gov/212/City-Council
If you have any questions please contact us.

Ricca Charlon, City Clerk
Phone: (760) 499-5002
*Revised February 24, 2021
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Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority

STAFF REPORT
SUBJECT:

Proposed Action To Approve Draft Minutes Of The Ridgecrest City Council Regular Meeting Dated October 19, 2022
PRESENTED BY: Ricca Charlon, City Clerk
SUMMARY:

Draft Minutes of the City Council / Successor Redevelopment Agency / Housing Authority / Financing Authority Regular Meeting Dated October 19, 2022 FISCAL IMPACT: None
ACTION REQUESTED: Approve minutes
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: Action as requested
Submitted by: Ricca Charlon Action Date: Nov. 2, 2022
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RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL

SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY

FINANCING AUTHORITY

HOUSING AUTHORITY

DRAFT Minutes
Wednesday, October 19, 2022 Closed Session – 5:00 p.m.

Regular Session – 6:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER – 5:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL
Council Present: Mayor Eric A. Bruen; Mayor Pro Tem L. Scott Hayman; Vice Mayor Solomon P.

Rajaratnam; Council Member Kyle Blade; Council Member Peggy Breeden

Absent: None
Staff Present: City Attorney Koczanowicz; City Manager Strand; City Clerk Charlon; Chief McLaughlin; P & R Director Wegener; PW Director Reed

APPROVAL OF AGENDA
• Breeden - Rajaratnam 5 Ayes
NOTE: The vote is displayed in bold below each item. For example, Blades-Rajaratnam denotes Council Member Blades made the motion and Vice Mayor Rajaratnam seconded the motion. Ayes, Noes, Absents, Abstentions follow.

PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION - None

CLOSED SESSION
California Government Code Section 54957 Subpart (b)
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION - City Manager
REGULAR SESSION - 6:08 p.m.

ATTORNEY REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION– No reportable action PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA - G. Bruen, B. Study, N. Oslinger, S. Bruen, M.

Neel, M. Sinnott, S. Miller

COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS/DIRECTION

CONSENT CALENDAR

1. Proposed Action To Approve Draft Minutes Of The Ridgecrest City Council Regular Meeting Dated October 5, 2022 CHARLON

2. Announcing Proclamations Prepared For The Month Of October And Scheduled Date Of Presentation

CHARLON
• Blades - Rajaratnam 5 Ayes

DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS

3. Discussion Regarding The Board Of The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority (IWVGA) HAYMAN
Public Comment - S. Gorman, C. Ellis, M. Neel, M. Sinnott, K. Brown, R. Porter

DRAFT MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY / FINANCING AUTHORITY / HOUSING AUTHORITY REGULAR – October 19, 2022

4. A Resolution Of The Ridgecrest City Council To Appropriate An Additional Portion Of The American Rescue Plan Act Funds For Inspection Services On The Race Communications Broadband Installation Project REED
Public Comment- T. Wiknich, C. Ellis
• Hayman - Rajaratnam 5 Ayes

5. Award A Construction Contract To Everlevel Holdings LLC. To Construct The West Ward Ave. Phase 1 Street Rehabilitation Project, Federal Project No. STPL-5385(067) In The Amount Of One Million Eight Hundred & Sixty-Four Thousand Seven Hundred Sixteen Dollars ($1,864,716.00); And Authorize The City Manager, Ronald Strand, To Execute The Contract REED • Blades - Rajaratnam 5 Ayes

COMMITTEE REPORTS
City Organization and Services Committee (‘City Org’)
Members: Mayor Eric A. Bruen and Peggy Breeden
Meeting: 1st Thursday each month at 5:30 p.m.

Location: City Hall Council Chambers
➢ Report from 10/6/22 – MEETING CANCELED
Economic Development Committee
Members: Kyle Blades and Solomon Rajaratnam
Meeting: 2nd Wednesday of the Month @ 5:00 p.m.

Location: City Hall Council Chambers
➢ Report from 10/12/22 – MEETING CANCELED
Finance Committee
Members: Mayor Eric A. Bruen and Scott Hayman
Meeting: 2nd Tuesday each month at 5:30 p.m.

Location: City Hall Council Chambers
➢ Report from 10/11/22
Ridgecrest Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (RACVB)
Members: Solomon Rajaratnam and Megan McKenzie (staff)
Meeting: 3rd Wednesday of the Month, 9:00 a.m.

Location: Kerr McGee Center Meeting Rooms
➢ Report from 10/19/22 - MEETING CANCELED

OTHER COMMITTEES, BOARDS, OR COMMISSIONS

CITY MANAGER REPORT

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT – 8:45 p.m.
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Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority

STAFF REPORT
SUBJECT: Grant Acceptance For A Grant Awarded From The Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division With The California Department Of Parks And Recreation PRESENTED BY: Jed McLaughlin, Chief of Police
SUMMARY:

The Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division with the California Department of Parks and Recreation has awarded funding to the City of Ridgecrest Police Department in the amount of $37,422.00. This grant is to be administered by the Ridgecrest Police Department.

The OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle) grant program will provide funding for maintaining current department OHV equipment, provide training regarding the use of the equipment, and provide overtime funding for OHV enforcement for the Ridgecrest Police Department. The grant will also provide funding for educating local youth in safe and responsible OHV activities within our area.

Grant funding will also be used to support the police department activities with local OHV events.

The grant period begins September 1, 2022 and ends August 31, 2023.

The grant requires at least 25% in part matching funds and the total project cost is $51,177.00. The grant funding will provide $37,422.00 of the total project cost and the city will provide approximately $13,755.00 towards the project with “in-kind” services. No additional funds from the city’s general fund will be used to support the grant or project. The in-kind services will include reserve officers, PACT volunteers, minimal use of city of vehicles (ATV’s), and the indirect administrative cost to operate the OHV project.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Approximate revenue to the city in the amount of $37,422.00 ACTION REQUESTED:

Approval of Resolution.

CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION:

Action as requested:

Submitted by: Chief Jed McLaughlin Action Date: Nov 02, 2022 (Revised Jan2019)
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RESOLUTION NO. 22-XX

A RESOLUTION OF THE RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING

ACCEPTANCE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE (OHV) GRANT
WHEREAS, the people of the State of California have enacted the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Act of 2003, which provides funds to the State of California and its political subdivisions for planning, acquiring, developing, operating, conserving and maintaining off-highway vehicle recreation; and,
WHEREAS, the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division within the California Department of Parks and Recreation has been delegated the responsibility to administer the program; and,
WHEREAS, procedures established by the California Department of Parks and Recreation to certify by resolution the approval of applications before submission to the State; and, WHEREAS, the Ridgecrest Police Department wishes to accept a grant for the funds to maintain our current OHV equipment and conduct educational and enforcement programs; and, WHEREAS, the Ridgecrest Police Department is receiving grant funding in the amount of $37,422 with an in-kind match of $13,755; and,
WHEREAS, this grant period begins September 1, 2022 and ends August 31, 2023, and; WHEREAS, this project appears on, or is in conformity with, this jurisdiction’s adopted general or master plan and is compatible with the land use plans of those jurisdictions immediately surrounding this project.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Ridgecrest hereby:

1. Certifies that this agency understands its legal obligations to the State upon approval of the grant; and,

2. Certifies that the project will be well-maintained during its usual life; and,

3. Certifies that this agency will implement the project with diligence once funds are available and a Project Agreement has been consummated between the State and Ridgecrest Police Department.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Ridgecrest authorizes the City Manager, or his designee, to approved this grant with the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division within the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and to sign and execute any and all documents relating to the grant award, including amendments, and is authorized to make any necessary adjustments to the FY23 budget.

APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 02
nd day of November, 2022, by the following vote.

AYES:

NOES:

ABSTAIN:

ABSENT:
___________________________
Eric Bruen, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________
Ricca Charlon
City Clerk
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Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority

STAFF REPORT
SUBJECT: A Resolution Of The Ridgecrest City Council Authorizing Acceptance Of The State Of California, Office Of Traffic Safety Step Grant PRESENTED BY: Jed McLaughlin, Chief of Police
SUMMARY:

The Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) has awarded funding to the City of Ridgecrest Police Department in the amount of $80,000.00.This grant is to be administered by the Ridgecrest Police Department.

The OTS grant program will provide funding for best practice strategies to be conducted in order to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in crashes involving alcohol and other primary collision factors. The funded strategies may include impaired driving enforcement, enforcement operations focusing on primary collision factors, distracted driving, night-time seat belt enforcement, special enforcement operations encouraging motorcycle safety, enforcement and public awareness in areas with a high number of bicycle and pedestrian collisions, and educational programs. These strategies are designed to earn media attention thus enhancing the overall deterrent effect.

The OTS (Office of Traffic Safety) grant program will provide funding for: officers to attend the NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Testing POST-certified training, NHTSA Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) training, Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) training, and to attend DRE recertification training.

The OTS grant program will provide funding for: 3 DUI/ Driver’s License Checkpoints, 6 DUI Saturation Patrol operations, 8 enforcement operations (including but not limited to, primary collision factor violations), and 1 highly publicized Distracted Driving enforcement operation targeting drivers using hand held cell phones and texting. The OTS (Office of Traffic Safety) grant program will also provide funding for 2 Traffic Safety educational presentation with an effort to reach community members (Topics including distracted driving, DUI, speed, bicycle and pedestrian safety, seat belts and child passenger safety. The OTS grant program will also provide funding for a Radar Unit, Lidar Unit, and DUI Checkpoint supplies.

The grant period begins October 1, 2022 and ends September 30, 2023. The grant requires 0% in part matching funds and the total project cost is $70,000. The grant funding will provide 100% reimbursement of the total project cost. No funds from the city’s general fund will be used to support the grant or project.

FISCAL IMPACT: Approximate revenue to the city in the amount of $80,000.00 ACTION REQUESTED: Approval of Resolution.

CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: Action as requested:

Submitted by: Chief Jed McLaughlin Action Date: Nov 02, 2022 (Revised Jan2019)
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RESOLUTION NO. 22-XX

A RESOLUTION OF THE RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING

APPLICATION FOR AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA,

OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY STEP GRANT
WHEREAS, the Office of Traffic Safety, State of California, is offering Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grants to employ enforcement and innovative strategies to reduce the number of persons injured and killed in traffic collisions, and; WHEREAS, approximately $ 80,000.00 revenue will be received by the city, and; WHEREAS, this grant does not require city matching funds, and; WHEREAS, this grant will reimburse the City for actual overtime expenditures and the purchase of safety equipment and training relating to traffic enforcement, and; WHEREAS, this grant will reimburse the City for the purchase of DUI Checkpoint Supplies, a Radar unit, and a Lidar unit and;
WHEREAS, this additional funding is to be used for DUI Enforcement, Primary Collision Factor Enforcement, Distracted Driver Enforcement, Driver’s License Enforcement, Traffic Safety Education, and the police department will administer said grant.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Ridgecrest authorizes the City Manager, or his designee, to apply for this reimbursement grant with the State of California, and to approve, sign and execute any and all documents relating to the grant award, including amendments, and;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the City Council authorizes the Finance Director to increase the FY23 budget revenue and expenditures in the amount of this grant, and; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this resolution shall remain in full force and effect until a resolution of the City Council is adopted amending or rescinding this resolution.

APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 02
nd day of November, 2022, by the following vote.

AYES:

NOES:

ABSTAIN:

ABSENT:
___________________________
Eric Bruen, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________
Ricca Charlon
City Clerk
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Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority

STAFF REPORT
SUBJECT:

Resolution Of The Ridgecrest City Council To Create a Deputy City Manager/Public Works Director Position
PRESENTED BY:

Ronald Strand, City Manager
SUMMARY:

The creation of a Deputy City Manager/Public Works director will allow for the succession planning of the City Manager position.

This new position would combine the current job descriptions of the two positions, which are detailed and expansive in explaining the nature and duties required, as well as the educational and work experience required for the position.

This new position has been added to the approved salary schedule, see “Attachment A”.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There would be an increase of $24,000 to the current salary budget of the Public Works Director position, but this cost is offset by the salary savings of not filling the engineer positions, which were budgeted for the full fiscal year.

ACTION REQUESTED:

Recommend City Council approve resolution to create the Deputy City Manager/Public Works Director position.

CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION:

Action as requested
Submitted by: Ronald Strand Action Date: November 2 , 2022 This Page Intentionally Left Blank
RESOLUTION NO. 22-xx

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

RIDGECREST CREATING A DEPUTY CITY MANAGER/PUBLIC

WORKS DIRECTOR POSTION
WHEREAS, the Deputy City Manager/Public Works Director position is not currently a budgeted position; and
WHEREAS, the creation of a Deputy City Manager/Public Works director will allow for the succession planning of the City Manager position; and WHEREAS, this new position would combine the current job descriptions of the two positions, which are detailed and expansive in explaining the nature and duties requires, as well as the educational and work experience required for the position; and, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Ridgecrest hereby approves the creation of a Deputy City Manager/Public Works Director position.

APPROVED AND ADOPTED, this 2nd day of November, 2022 by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSTAIN:

ABSENT:

Eric A. Bruen, Mayor
ATTEST:

Ricca Charlon, CMC
City Clerk
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JOB TITLE GRADE STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5 STEP 6 Monthly 774.00
Monthly 200.00
Hourly Salary Range 37.5000 - 98.0769
Monthly 6,500.00 - 17,000.00
Deputy City Hourly 69.6886 73.1730 76.8317 80.6733 84.7070 88.9424 Manager/PW Dir Monthly 12,079.36 12,683.32 13,317.49 13,983.37 14,682.55 15,416.68 Deputy Hourly 56.5100 59.3355 62.3023 65.4174 68.6883 72.1227 City Manager Monthly 9,795.07 10,284.82 10,799.07 11,339.02 11,905.97 12,501.27 Hourly 56.5100 59.3355 62.3023 65.4174 68.6883 72.1227
Monthly 9,795.07 10,284.82 10,799.07 11,339.02 11,905.97 12,501.27 Director of Hourly 56.5100 59.3355 62.3023 65.4174 68.6883 72.1227 Finance Monthly 9,795.07 10,284.82 10,799.07 11,339.02 11,905.97 12,501.27 Director of Hourly 56.5100 59.3355 62.3023 65.4174 68.6883 72.1227 Community Dev Monthly 9,795.07 10,284.82 10,799.07 11,339.02 11,905.97 12,501.27 Director of Parks Hourly 37.4023 39.2724 41.2360 43.2978 45.4627 47.7358 and Recreation Monthly 6,483.07 6,807.22 7,147.57 7,504.95 7,880.20 8,274.21 Director of Public Hourly 56.5100 59.3355 62.3023 65.4174 68.6883 72.1227 Works Monthly 9,795.07 10,284.82 10,799.07 11,339.02 11,905.97 12,501.27 City Manager
Chief of Police
Salary Schedule for Management (Department Heads) & City Council Effective on July 1, 2022
9500
Each department head has his/her own employment contract.

Updated November 2, 2022
9999
9500
9500
9653
9500
9990
9500
9998
9980
Elected Offical
Appointed Official
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Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority

STAFF REPORT
SUBJECT:

Discussion Regarding The Board Of The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority (IWVGA) PRESENTED BY:

L. Scott Hayman, City Council / IWVGA Representative
SUMMARY:

Report and discussion regarding Board meetings of the IWVGA. Including, Board discussion and consideration of issues of importance requiring action by the IWVGA.

FISCAL IMPACT: None
ACTION REQUESTED: Discuss
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: Action as requested
Submitted by: Ricca Charlon Action Date: Nov. 2, 2022
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Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority

STAFF REPORT
SUBJECT: Proposed Approval Of An Additional Portion Of The American Rescue Plan Act Funds To Replace The Banquet Hall Floors At The Kerr McGee Community Center PRESENTED BY:

Nerissa Wegener, Parks and Recreation Director
SUMMARY:

On August 3, 2022, the City Council approved the replacement of the KMCC banquet hall flooring (resolution #22-54). During this time, staff presented the original estimate received from Horizon Construction for this project of $76,250.12. During the process of working with the Horizon Construction it came to staff’s attention that the floor was mis-measured and the estimate was incorrect. The Horizon Construction submitted a revised estimate of $174,538.12 – more than double the original estimate.

Staff elected to solicit two additional estimates using the Source Well pre-bid process. Two other vendors were contacted and one responded and conducted a site visit with staff – Bentley Flooring. Bentley Flooring submitted an estimate for the floor replacement project at $101,388.32.

The City of Ridgecrest Parks and Recreation Department is asking City Council to approve a $25,138.32 increase for a total project cost of $101,388.32 from the ARPA funding that was previously approved on August 3, 2022 to replace the banquet hall flooring at the Kerr McGee Center.

This project will still be completed using the Pre-negotiated Purchasing Contract through Source Well.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Allocated a total of $101,388.32 in ARPA Funds
ACTION REQUESTED:

Approval of increased appropriations as requested
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION:

Action as requested
Submitted by: Nerissa Wegener, Parks and Recreation Director Action Date: November 2, 2022 (Revised Jan2019)
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RESOLUTION 22-XX

A RESOLUTION OF THE RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL TO

APPROPRIATE AN ADDITIONAL PORTION OF THE AMERICAN

RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS TO REPLACE THE BANQUET HALL

FLOORS IN THE KERR MCGEE COMMUNITY CENTER (KMCC)
WHEREAS, On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which provides one-time fiscal relief funds to State and Local Governments and other programs areas aimed at mitigating the continuing effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic; and,
WHEREAS, ARPA includes State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to support urgent COVID response efforts to decrease the spread of the virus and to replace lost public sector revenue to strengthen support for vital public services; and,
WHEREAS, The City of Ridgecrest’s allocation of direct local stimulus is $6,930,958, with the first 50% paid to the City in July of 2021 and the remaining balance in July of 2022; and, WHEREAS, The United States Treasury has adopted the interim final rule, along with a list of Frequently Asked Questions, as guidance regarding the use or ARPA funds; and, WHEREAS, the allowed uses of ARPA funding focus of four key program areas: to respond to the public health emergency or its negative economic impacts, including assistance to households, small businesses, and nonprofits, or aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel, and hospitality; to respond to workers performing essential work during COVID-19; for the provision of government service to the extent of the reduction in revenue due to COVID-19; and to make necessary investments in water, sewer or broadband infrastructure; and, WHEREAS, On August 3, 2022, the City Council approved the replacement of the KMCC banquet hall floors (resolution #22-54). During this time, staff presented the original estimate received from Horizon Construction for this project of $76,250.12; and, WHEREAS, During the process of working with Horizons Construction it came to staff’s attention that the floor was mis-measured and the estimate was incorrect. The Horizon Construction Company submitted a revised estimate of $174,538.12 - more than double the original estimate; and,
WHEREAS, Staff elected to solicit two additional estimates using the Source Well pre-bid process. Two other vendors were contacted and one responded and conducted a site visit with staff – Bentley Flooring. Bentley Flooring submitted an estimate for the floor replacement project at $101,388.32; and,
WHEREAS, The Parks and Recreation Department is requesting an additional $25,138.32 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to replace the banquet hall floors for a total project cost of $101,388.32; and,
WHEREAS, This project will be completed using the pre-negotiated purchasing contract and awarded to Bentley Flooring.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Ridgecrest City Council does hereby authorize

1. Authorize an additional allocation of $25,138.32 in the American Rescue Plan Act funds for this project in the FY 2022-2023 budget (total of $101,388.32).

2. Authorize the City Manager to sign the project agreement with Bentley Flooring.

APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 2nd day of November 2022, by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSTAIN:

ABSENT:

___________________________
Eric A. Bruen, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________
Ricca Charlon, CMC
City Clerk
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Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority

STAFF REPORT
SUBJECT: A Resolution Of The City Of Ridgecrest City Council Approving A Professional Services Agreement To Realty Planners Group, Inc. For Preparation Of The City Of Ridgecrest 2023-2031 Housing Element And Authorizing Related Actions PRESENTED BY: Heather Spurlock, City Planner
SUMMARY:

The City of Ridgecrest Housing Element is a part of the General Plan. The general plan serves as the blue print for how the city will grow and develop. An effective housing element provides the necessary conditions for developing an adequate housing supply, including housing for seniors, families and workers. The update process provides the opportunity for the city to update their housing and land-use strategies to reflect changing needs, resources, and conditions. The current Housing Element covers the period of 2015-2023. The City is required to have an updated 6th Cycle/ Housing Element adopted by December 31, 2023.

State funding programs for transportation, infrastructure, and housing often require or consider a local jurisdiction’s compliance with Housing Element Law. These competitive funds can be used for fixing roads, adding bike lanes, improving transit, or providing much needed affordable housing to communities. In some cases, funding from state/federal housing programs can only be accessed if the jurisdiction has a compliant housing element.

In other cases, a compliant housing element is not a requirement in order to apply for funding; however, those applying for funding will receive extra points on their application if they do have a compliant housing element (thereby increasing their chances in the competitive application process).

On September 15, 2022, City staff circulated a Request for Proposals for Professional Services to prepare the City of Ridgecrest’s 6
th Cycle/2023-2031 Housing Element update
as required by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). In response the City received two competitive proposals. Realty Planners Group, Inc. was selected due to direct understanding of Kern County policy challenges and as the most fiscally responsible proposal. Realty Planners Group, Inc. proposal is not to exceed $87,400.00.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The City was awarded a Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) Grant in the amount of $150,000.00. A portion ($80,000.00) of this grant went to the preparation of the updated Engineering Design Standards. An additional $70,000.00 is to fund the 6th Cycle Housing Element Update.

Staff budgeted in FY 2023 additional funds in anticipation of costs associated with the Housing Element update that exceed the initial LEAP grant award that will cover the remaining $17,400.00.

Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority

STAFF REPORT
ACTION REQUESTED:

1. Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Realty Planners Group, Inc. for planning services to prepare the 6th Cycle/2023-2031 Housing Element update.

2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the contract for planning services in the amount of $87,400.00.

CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: Actions as requested.

Submitted by: Heather Spurlock Action Date: November 2, 2022 (Revised Jan2019)
RESOLUTION NO. 21- XX

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL

APPROVING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT TO REALTY
PLANNERS GROUP, INC. FOR PREPARATION OF THE CITY OF
RIDGECREST 2023-2031 HOUSING ELEMENT AND AUTHORIZING

RELATED ACTIONS
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIDGECREST RESOLVES as follows:

WHEREAS, the California Department of Housing and Community Development requires that the City to have an updated 6th Cycle 2023-2031 Housing Element adopted by December 31, 2023; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Ridgecrest desires to enter a contract for professional planning services to prepare the 6th Cycle 2023-2031 Housing Element; and, WHEREAS, a request for proposals was placed on the City’s website and advertised on the American Planning Association’s website on September 15, 2022, and proposals were accepted until October 17, 2022, with a total of two proposals received; and, WHEREAS, the City received two proposals (1) Realty Planners Group, Inc in the amount not to exceed $87,400.00 and, (2) Civic Solutions in the amount of $163,781.00; and , WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the two proposals and determined Realty Planners Group, Inc to have direct experience in Kern County with housing and policy challenges and to be the more fiscally responsible proposal; and,
WHEREAS, the City desires to enter into an agreement with Realty Planners Group, Inc.; and, WHEREAS, the proposed not to exceed costs for this project is $87,400.00; and, WHEREAS, the City has LEAP funds available in the amount of $70,000.00 and funds were budgeted in FY 2023 for the remaining $17,400.00; and,
WHEREAS, a purchase order will be issued to Realty Planners Group, Inc in the amount of $87,400.00.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIDGECREST DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DETERMINE AND ORDER, AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. That City Council does hereby accept the proposal from Realty Planners Group, Inc., and authorizes the City Manager to execute an agreement in the amount not to exceed $87,4000.00 for consultant planning services.

APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 2
nd day of November 2022 by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:
____________________________________
Eric Bruen, Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________________________
Ricca Charlon, City Clerk
This Page Intentionally Left Blank

A PROPOSAL
TO

THE CITY OF RIDGECREST

TO PREPARE
THE 2023-2031 HOUSING ELEMENT
Submitted by:

REALTY PLANNERS GROUP, INC.
11206 Crowborough Court
Bakersfield, CA 93311
(661) 549-2006
[email protected]
Submission Deadline: October 17, 2022
CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP 2 Table of Contents
PART 1 - COVER LETTER & EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3
PART 2 - PROJECT APPROACH, SCOPE OF WORK AND DELIVERABLES

2.1. APPROACH 6

2.2 SCOPE OF WORK 6
Task - A. Project Management and Kickoff 6
Task - B. Evaluate Existing Conditions and Needs 7
Task - C. Regional Housing Needs Assessment 8
Task - D. Public Participation & Community Engagement 8 Task - E. Assessment of Housing Needs 9
Task - F. Draft and Final Housing Element 10
Task - G. Hearings 15
Task - H. General Plan Amendments (if Applicable) 15
Task - I. Environmental Document (CEQA) 15
Task - J. Deliverables 15
PART 3 - CONSULTANT IDENTIFICATION AND TEAM 16
PART 4 – RELATED PROJECT EXAMPLES AND REFERENCES 19

4.1 PROJECT EXPERIENCE 19

4.1.1 Experience Preparing General Plans/Housing Elements 19

4.1.2 Experience Preparing Design Guidelines for Housing 19

4.1.3 Experience Preparing Environmental Impact Assessments 19

4.2 REFERENCES 19
PART 5 – PUBLIC OUTREACH EXPERIENCE 20
PART 6 - TIMELINE AND FEE PROPOSAL 21
TABLE 1 - TIMELINE AND FEES 22
PART 7 - ATTACHMENTS 23

7.1 RESUME 23

7.2 CORPORATE IDENTITY 30

7.3 HCD CERTIFICATION - MARICOPA HOUSING ELEMENT 31
CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP 3 PART 1

COVER LETTER/EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
(See following pages).

CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP 4 REALTY PLANNERS GROUP, INC.
11206 Crowborough Court
Bakersfield, CA 93311
(661) 549-2006
[email protected]
October 17, 2022 by FedEx
Attn: Ricca Charlon, City Clerk
City of Ridgecrest
100 W. California Ave.

Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Subject: Proposal to Prepare the 2023-2031 Housing Element Dear Ricca Charlon:

Realty Planners Group, Inc., is pleased to submit our Response to the RFP for updating Ridgecrest’s Housing Element. We have extensive experience working with HCD in certifying numerous Housing Elements. The recent Housing Element prepared for the City of Maricopa was certified by HCD on time. Further, we are currently preparing the City of Arvin’s 2023-2031 Housing Element.

We offer exceptional pricing making it affordable to small cities. We are flexible in accommodating the city’s work plan, budget, and timeline and we welcome the opportunity to discuss and modify our proposal as needed. Our management approach in preparing housing elements is aimed at achieving cost-effectiveness, work quality and the ability to complete a legally-sufficient, statecertifiable Housing Element on-time, and on budget.

Issac George, Director of Planning & Development, will serve as the Project Manager and contact person, who will be assisted by a team of experts who have demonstrated experience in preparing housing elements and conducting community outreach. Mr. George served as Director of Planning & Building for cities in Kern County and was instrumental in preparing Arvin’s 2012 Comprehensive General Update, including the 2008-2013 Housing Element, and the current 6 th Cycle Update.

RPG has no past or pending litigation, and no conflicts of interest. We are fully insured. The proposal is valid for 180 days. Thank you for considering our proposal.

Sincerely,
Issac George
Issac A. George, CEO/Director of Planning & Development CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP 5 Executive summary
Realty Planners Group, Inc. (formerly, Planning Institute), is a California S Corporation, located at 11206 Crowborough Court, Bakersfield, California 93311. Our Contact number is (661) 549-2006.

We offer urban and regional planning consulting services. We are staffed by professional planners and supporting staff offering a full range of services including, but not limited to, current planning, advance planning, economic development, and environmental planning to municipalities. We also offer real estate and land development services to our clients.

We are proposing to prepare the City of Ridgecrest’s 2023-2031 Housing Element Update in compliance with the applicable State housing laws.

RPG will build on the existing Housing Element, seek public input, and perform a needs and constraints analyses to formulate an implementation plan with appropriate and feasible housing policies. Each action program proposed will have a specific objective, time-frame, funding source and the responsible party for implementation/execution. The implementation plan will satisfy the requirements of Government Code section 65583(b) and (c), as noted below:
• Ensure that housing opportunities are available for all persons in the City; • Preserve and improve the existing stock of affordable housing, including at- risk unit; • Facilitate development of adequate housing to meet the needs of low- and moderate-income households, meeting regional share of goals;
• Mitigate any governmental constraints to housing production, improvement and/or maintenance; • Ensure consistency with other General Plan elements and community goals; and • Identify necessary changes to other General Plan elements and/or to the City Code to achieve comprehensive compliance with State Housing Law and to provide the City with necessary legislative framework to meet its housing needs and goals.

We have thoroughly reviewed the goals and objectives of the RFP and we will meet or exceed the City’s expectations in terms of the content, timeliness, and cost.

We have completed several certified housing elements for the cities of Maricopa, Rio Vista, Arvin, Taft, and McFarland. HCD Certification for the Maricopa Housing Element is attached. Currently, we are currently preparing the City of Arvin’s 2023-2031 Housing Element.

Issac George served as the Director of Planning & Building for cities in Kern County and was instrumental in preparing Arvin’s 2012 Comprehensive General Update, including the 2008-2013 Housing Element. His familiarity working with Kern County cities provide him direct insight of the housing needs and policy challenges in Kern County cities.

CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP
6 PART 2 - PROJECT APPROACH,
SCOPE OF WORK AND DELIVERABLES

2.1 APPROACH
Our management approach in preparing
housing elements is aimed at achieving costeffectiveness, work quality (quality of task completion, interactions and deliverables), and
the ability to complete a legally-sufficient,
state-certifiable Housing Element on-time,
and on budget. Our team approach draws on
experts from different fields to suit the tasks
of the projects at hand, thus reducing overheads.

We will follow an adaptive framework which
requires communication with city staff, city
commissions, city council, state HCD, stakeholders, and the public. Goals, objectives, and action plans will be formulated or reformulated based on inputs received from all parties.

We will be flexible in our approach to incorporate suggestions from staff on budget, contents, and timeline. We will facilitate an inclusive, comprehensive discussion of the City’s long-term housing needs and make sure that
the new Element is prepared in total compliance with the State housing and planning laws.

Please see Tasks A and D for details on Project Management and Public Participation, respectively.

2.2. SCOPE OF WORK
Realty Planners Group (RPG) has a very clear
understanding of the goals set forth by the
City of Ridgecrest to serve as the Project
Consultant. We have thoroughly reviewed the
goals and objectives of the RFP and we will
meet or exceed the City’s expectations in
terms of the content, timeliness, and cost.

RPG’s primary role will be to conduct public
meetings; assist in public hearings; and to prepare the work products required by the RFP.

The 6
th Cycle Housing Element will address
all new housing laws applicable since the last
update and will be submitted for certification
by the California Housing and Community
Development Department (HCD).

The following tasks are anticipated in successfully completing the work products.

Task - A: Project Management and Kickoff.

The hallmark of our service is costeffectiveness, work quality (quality of task completion, interactions and deliverables), and
the proven ability to complete a legallysufficient, state-certifiable Housing Element on-time, and on budget.

RPG will meet with City staff, in person or by
zoom, to collect information needed for the
project, discuss the project budget and timeline, including major milestones to be completed. We will prepare a memorandum on data needs, including digital data files of base
maps, General Plan maps, and other maps
available from the City. City-specific data
available from HCD’s 6th Cycle data package,
Kern COG RHNA figures, Decennial Census
Surveys, American Community Surveys, and
data from the City will be incorporated in to
the housing element.

Our approach is to work closely with city staff
by arranging monthly zoom meetings and/or
monthly reports presenting milestones
achieved and the timeline for completion of
project activities, telephone conferences, email
exchanges, etc.

Early consultation and on-going progress updates with State HCD will also be made. Having completed several Housing Elements, we CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP
7 have developed a great working relationship
with HCD staff.

RPG will attend, present, and participate in
proposed six (6) meetings which may include
City Council meetings/hearings, public and
stakeholder meetings, zoom meetings, etc.;
RPG will prepare public meeting presentation
materials, memos, letters, resolutions, findings
of fact, CEQA notices, and other documents
as required by the City;
RPG will provide regular e-mail progress reports to the project manager; and RPG will assist in the preparation of staff reports and exhibits to the City Council; and RPG will coordinate with City Staff and HCD
as necessary.

Task – B: Evaluate Existing Conditions
and Needs.

RPG will review and evaluate the current
Housing Element and its programs, including:
• An evaluation of the existing Housing
Element’s compliance with applicable
statutes and current State Housing
Law.
• An assessment of the City’s progress
in meeting existing Housing Element
goals, re-zoning programs, and objectives, including RHNA goals; • A discussion of the effectiveness of
the housing program and policies;
• An analysis of the action programs/projects in the existing housing element compared to the actual accomplishments;
• A summary of how these results are
important to a revision of the Housing
Element.

Task – C: Regional Housing Needs Assessment.

Government Code Section 65583(a)(3) requires local governments to prepare an inventory of land suitable for residential development, including vacant sites and sites having the potential for redevelopment, and an analysis of the relationship of zoning and public facilities and services to these sites.

The City’s RHNA numbers are developed by
the Kern Council of Governments (KCOG).

We will work with KCOG on RHNA requirements and other data needs, as needed.

While the City does not have to build these
units at its own cost, it is obligated to facilitate
the construction of housing units for the different income groups by permitting it in appropriate land use zones which allow such uses. Our analysis will look at the sufficiency
of zoned lands to accommodate this need and
suggest methods to rezone additional properties to meet those needs.

A vacant land inventory will be completed
(building upon previously identified vacant
land inventory sites from the existing Housing
Element) to show capacity for housing development to accommodate the RHNA requirements throughout the eight-year planning period. Using HCD’s Housing Element Site Inventory Guidebook, RPG will analyze
existing lands, suitably zoned, to meet the
RHNA requirements in each income category,
and identify additional lands, if needed, to
meet any shortfalls. This will include identifying safe assumptions, evaluating sites and analyzing potential policy strategies to increase site capacity, demonstrating development viability (per State law) and inputting the information into HCD’s electronic form for submittal with the updated element.

The suitability of Lower Income RHNA sites
will also be analyzed for consistency with best
practices recommended by HCD, including
CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP
8 proximity to transit routes, schools, jobs,
parks and daily services.

We will evaluate the development capacity for
each site in view of new laws that significantly
increase the potential for ADU development
lot splits permitted under SB9. We will discuss
ways to comply with the no-net loss provisions (Section 65583.2 of the Government Code). If the approval of a development at a
lower residential density results in the remaining sites capacity becoming inadequate to accommodate the RHNA by income category, a jurisdiction has up to 180 days from the approval to identify, or rezone, “sufficient additional, adequate, and available sites” to accommodate the remaining RHNA for each income category. Sites identified or rezoned
must meet the following criteria: Must be
considered an adequate site pursuant to the
requirements of Government Code section
65583.2., and if the capacity to be replaced
was on a site that was zoned by-right pursuant
to Government Code section 65863.2 (h) and
(i), then the replacement site must also satisfy
those requirements. If the remaining sites in
the inventory cannot accommodate the unmet
RHNA need, the City must rezone other sites
regardless of any city-imposed restrictions
such as growth management or open space
preservation.

Task - D: Public Participation & Community Engagement.

Government Code Section 65583(c)(7), require that jurisdictions “…shall make a diligent effort to achieve participation of all economic segments of the community in the development of the housing element.” RPG, as Project Consultants, will initiate a
public outreach, in coordination with City
staff, to solicit feedback from residents and
stakeholders in a meaningful way. We have
experience in engaging with community
stakeholders, communicating complex material, forming consensus, and sharing key visions that lead to actionable goals. Those visions
will be created from the ground up, using a
series of steps:
1) Inform and educate residents, business
owners, community organizations, and the
civic leaders about housing laws, the City’s
housing needs, and receive input on key issues
and their suggestions; (2) and ensure that all
stakeholders, including hard-to-reach or typically underrepresented populations, such as low-income and ethnically diverse groups, are
able to participate in the visioning and planmaking process.

In preparation of these meetings, we will support city staff in creating stakeholder contact mailing lists, develop workshop notices/flyers,
sign-in sheets, create workshop exhibits and
presentations as necessary. At a minimum, we
have identified and will work with the following stakeholders:

Ridgecrest Chamber of Commerce, Sierra
Sands Unified School District, Kern County
Aging and Adult Services, Salvation Army,
California Rural Legal Assistance, ChangeLab
Solutions, Kern County Public Health Services Department, Local Government Commission, Habitat for Humanity, and the Center for Race, Poverty and Environment.

Considering public health emergencies or restrictions imposed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, we will arrange online meeting via
zoom, if needed, in consultation with staff.

We expect to receive input from community
stakeholders on homelessness, income limitations, housing shortage, barriers to affordable housing, senior housing, and such other important matters that would guide the City in preparing a housing element compliant with
state housing laws.

To ensure that everyone understands the
planning process and will be heard, the com-
CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP
9 munity workshops can be conducted with a
Spanish interpreter, if needed.

Public Workshops:

RPG will prepare presentation materials and
facilitate initial meeting(s) to provide the public the legal requirements for the Housing Element. Further, we will explain about the outreach process, technical analysis, and goals and objectives, and examples of potential action plans that may be presented in the Housing Element.

Public workshop notice will be prepared in
English and Spanish and published at City
Hall, local library, and in newspapers of general circulations. Copies will also be mailed to the stakeholder list identified herein.

Stakeholder Focus Group:

RPG recommends a public workshop for the
stakeholder focus group. RPG will prepare (or
receive from City) a list of stakeholders representing low- and moderate-income residents to discuss housing problems faced and resources needed; housing consumers and service providers, such as tenants in units at risk of conversion to market-rate, health- and human-service providers, homeless-shelter and mental-health service providers, places of
worship, seniors, farmworkers, and non- and
for-profit affordable housing developers to
seek housing needs and conditions information; advocates or groups with housing interests early in the process, so they can share their ideas on how to meet need the housing
needs of those they represent. These groups
are often the ones who provide written comments during the housing-element review process. Including them early in the housingelement development process will help to resolve issues or concerns during the development of the element.

Further, we will strive to invite other stakeholder groups into the housing-element development and implementation processes.

These might include local or regional business
groups such as the local chamber of commerce, which is concerned about the availability of housing for employees and how housing availability affects regional economic growth.

Other stakeholders could include grassroots,
community-based organizations, neighborhood associations, homeowner/resident organizations, and civic groups, such as the League of Women Voters, and rotary clubs.

At a minimum, we will inform and seek participation from the stakeholder list mentioned in Task D.

We will consult with staff and receive advise
on how best to conduct these meetings and
modify the program as per the advice received.

Task – E: Assessment of Housing Needs.

RPG will incorporate jurisdiction-specific
graphs and write-ups for all required data, including population, demographic, housing, market conditions and regional comparisons.

RPG will complete an assessment of housing
needs and an inventory of resources and constraints relevant to the meeting of these needs in conformance with Government Code section 65582(a) and in compliance with HCD’s Completeness Review Check List. We will
evaluate housing conditions using the most
current data available on demographics and
housing in the City, including resources from
the U.S. Census Bureau and the California
Department of Finance. The gathered data
will be used to draft a housing needs assessment that will analyze:

Population growth, demographics, income
distribution and employment trends, projections of the locality’s existing and projected housing needs, including the share of the regional housing needs, household characteristics, housing stock characteristics, at-risk CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP
10 housing analysis, an analysis of special housing needs, an analysis for energy conservation, disparities in access to opportunities, etcetera.

RPG will review City documents to aid in understanding local conditions and use the Community Outreach efforts to gauge the
community’s housing needs.

Housing Constraints: RPG will perform an
analysis of potential and actual governmental
and non-governmental constraints on the
preservation, protection or production of
housing across all income levels within the
City. Governmental constraints include local
land use controls, on- and off-site development standards, building and housing codes, permit processing times, permit processing
fees, residential development fees, and delays
in permit processing that can cause increases
in financing cost. Non-governmental constraints, will include land costs, site improvement costs, constructions costs, finance charges, sales and marketing, taxes and profit.

Issues such as NIMBYism, lending practices,
labor supply issues, etcetera will also be assessed per the new housing laws.

We will draw on information obtained during
public outreach to identify constraints and
further assessment and propose ways to mitigate identified constraints.

Task - F: Preparation of Draft and Final
Housing Element.

RPG will analyze the existing Housing Element and amend it consistent with the housing laws that became effective since the last update. We will review the existing general
plan, zoning and development codes of the
city, and other relevant documents. We will
include implementation programs within the
Housing Element that will be implemented by
the City through future ordinance amendments or other means.

RPG will evaluate the existing Housing Element for compliance with newer laws that are in place. Where will recommend implementation programs, where needed, to comply with the provisions are discussed next:

Accessory Dwelling Unit Legislation (SB 229
and AB 494):
• Clarifies that an ADU can be created
through the conversion of a garage,
carport or covered parking structure.
• Requires special districts and water
corporations to charge a proportional
fee scale based upon the ADUs size or
its number of plumbing fixtures.
• Reduces the maximum number of
parking spaces for an ADU to one
space.
• Allows replacement parking spaces to
be located in any configuration, as a
result, of a parking structure conversion to an ADU.
• Authorizes the Department of Housing and Community Development to review and comment on ADU ordinances.
• Defines the term "tandem parking" to
mean two or more automobiles.

No-Net-Loss Law (SB 166).
• A jurisdiction A jurisdiction must maintain adequate sites to accommodate its remaining unmet RHNA by each income
category at all times throughout the entire
planning period.
• A jurisdiction may not take any action to
reduce a parcel’s residential density unless
it makes findings that the remaining sites
identified in its Housing Element sites inventory can accommodate the jurisdiction’s remaining unmet RHNA by each income category, or if it identifies additional sites so that there is no net loss of residential unit capacity.

CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP
11 • If a jurisdiction approves a development
of a parcel identified in its Housing Element sites inventory with fewer units than shown in the Housing Element, it must either make findings that the Housing Element’s remaining sites have sufficient capacity to accommodate the remaining unmet RHNA by each income level, or
identify and make available sufficient sites
to accommodate the remaining unmet
RHNA for each income category.
• A jurisdiction may not disapprove a
housing project on the basis that approval
of the development would trigger the
identification or zoning of additional adequate sites to accommodate the remaining RHNA.

Rental Inclusionary Housing Ordinance
(AB 1505):

Palmer/Sixth Street Properties, L.P. v.

City of Los Angeles (2009) 175
Cal.App.4th 1396, the Second District
California Court of Appeal opined that
the city’s inclusionary housing requirements associated with a specific plan, as applied to rental housing, conflicted with,
and were preempted by, a state law known
as the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing
Act. (Civil Code, §§ 1954.50 to 1954.535.).

The enactment of AB 1505 reaffirms the
authority of local governments to include
rental units within inclusionary ordinance
requirements and adds a limited HCD review, under certain circumstances, of economic feasibility studies to demonstrate the ordinance does not unduly constrain
the production of housing.

ADUs and JADUs (SB 13, AB 68, AB
881, AB 670, AB 671 and AB 587):

The Legislature updated Accessory Dwelling Unit and Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU and JADU) law effective January 1, 2021 to clarify various provisions.

These include allowing ADUs and JADUs
to be built concurrently with a singlefamily dwelling, opening areas where ADUs can be created in all zoning districts that allow single-family and multifamily uses, modifying fees from utilities such as special districts and water corporations, limited exemptions or reductions in impact fees, and reduced parking requirements.

JADUs are allowed to be created within
the walls of a proposed or existing singlefamily residence and shall contain no more than 500 square feet. They may
share central systems, contain a basic
kitchen utilizing small plug-in appliances,
may share a bathroom with the primary
dwelling, all to reduce development costs.

Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing AB
686:

All housing elements must now include a
program that promotes and affirmatively
furthers fair housing opportunities
throughout the community. AB 686
(2018) also requires that all housing elements due on or after January 1, 2021, must contain an Assessment of Fair
Housing. Finally, the housing element
land inventory and identification of sites
must be consistent with a jurisdiction’s
duty to AFFH and the findings of its Assessment of Fair Housing.

The housing element land inventory and
identification of sites must be consistent
with a jurisdiction’s duty to AFFH and the
findings of its Assessment of Fair Housing. These requirements are detailed below:

Include a Program that Affirmatively Furthers
Fair Housing and Promotes Housing Opportunities throughout the Community for Protected Classes (applies to housing elements CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP
12 beginning January 1, 2019); prepare an Assessment of Fair Housing; and prepare the Housing Element Land Inventory and Identification of Sites through the Lens of Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing.

RPG will include programs in the Housing
Element to mitigate the effects of economic
and social disparities in the community.

We are hoping that HCD will accept a basic
analysis with typical AFFP programs included
within the new Housing Element. Examples
of AFFH programs are:

Goal 1: Proactively provide resources and
education on fair housing rights, responsibilities, and services.

Strategy: Make fair housing educational
materials and referral information available
on the City’s website and at key locations
(e.g., City Hall, libraries, etc.) for the public
and other community gathering places
Action Plan: Create a webpage and provide
information in hard copy at key locations,
including locations with exposure to underrepresented and populations with disabilities.

Milestone: Provide and populate a fair
housing website and provide materials at
key City offices and community locations.

Goal 2. Expand and preserve affordable
housing opportunities, both rental and forsale.

Goal 3. Address disproportionate housing
needs of minorities and people with disabilities.

Goal 4. Close gaps in transportation to
promote fair housing and access to opportunity.

HCD, however, could require a full-fledged
AFFP study which will require further analysis. Should HCD require a full study, the City could include an Implementation Program
within the 6th Cycle to “Prepare an AFFH
Study within 1-Year of the adoption of the
Housing Element. This option was acceptable
to HCD on the City of Maricopa Housing
Element, we recently completed.

The Housing Accountability Act (AB 678, B
1515, AB 3194, SB 330):

The Housing Accountability Act (HAA),
Government Code section 65589.5, establishes limitations to a local government’s ability to deny, reduce the density of, or make infeasible
housing development projects, emergency
shelters, or farmworker housing that are consistent with objective local development standards and contribute to meeting housing
need.

Site Inventory (AB 1397, AB 1486, AB 686,
SB 6:

Several laws were enacted since 2014 that requires additional information on the City’s site inventory analysis required in the Housing
Element, as follows:

Design and development of the site inventory
(SB 6, 2019); Requirements in the site inventory table (AB 1397, 2017 AB 1486, 2019); Capacity calculation (AB 1397, 2017); Infrastructure requirements (AB 1397, 2017); Suitability of non-vacant sites (AB 1397, 2017); Size of site requirements (AB 1397, 2017);
Locational requirements of identified sites
(AB 686, 2018); Sites identified in previous
housing elements (AB 1397, 2017); Nonvacant site replacement unit requirements (AB 1397, 2017); Rezone program requirements
(AB 1397, 2017).

CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP
13 AB 571, AB 634, AB 290, SB 728, and the
2021 Appellate Court Decision (Density Bonus Laws):

AB 571 prohibits local governments from
charging affordable housing impact fees, including inclusionary zoning fees and in-lieu fees, against affordable units in density bonus
housing developments.

AB 634 allows a local government to adopt an
ordinance requiring an affordability period of
more than 55 years in density bonus housing
projects. However, these local ordinances
cannot impose affordability periods of more
than 55 years in developments financed with
low income housing tax credits.

SB 290 makes several changes to density bonus law, including at least 20% of the units for lower income students in a student housing
development; Eliminates the ability of local
governments to disapprove a developer’s request for an incentive or concession, or a waiver or modification of development standards; Allows one-half space per bedroom for housing developments with at least 40%
moderate income units within a half mile of a
major transit stop; Eliminates the requirement
that for-sale units for moderate income
households must be in a “common interest
development” in order to qualify for a density
bonus; Clarifies that for purposes of qualifying for a density bonus, the “total units” in a housing development include affordable units
that are designated to satisfy local inclusionary
housing requirements; Clarifies that for purposes of qualifying for a density bonus, affordable units for very low or lower income households can be either rental or for-sale
units. (Affordable units for moderate income
households still must be for-sale units and
may not be rental units); SB 728 allows developers in for-sale density bonus housing developments to sell affordable units to nonprofit housing corporations instead of selling the
units directly to a low- or moderate-income
homebuyers.

An appellate court ruled in 2021 that local
agencies cannot require density bonus applicants to submit proformas or other documentation required to prove that requested incentives and concessions are necessary to make the housing development financially feasible.

However, local agencies can require applicants
to show that requested incentives and concessions will result in cost reductions for the project. Schreiber v. City of Los Angeles, 69 Cal. App. 5th (2021).

SB 244 (Analysis of Disadvantaged Unincorporated Communities).

SB 244 requires cities and counties to address
the infrastructure needs of disadvantaged unincorporated communities (DUCs) in city and county general plans; Local Agency Formation Commission’s (LAFCO) Municipal Service Reviews (MSRs); and annexation decisions.

For cities and counties, Government Code
Section 65302.10(a) requires that before the
due date for adoption of the next housing element after January 1, 2012, the general plan land use element must be updated to identify
and describe each DUC (Fringe Community
and/or Island Community) that exists within
the city’s sphere of influence (SOI); analyze
for each identified community the water,
wastewater, storm water drainage, and structural fire protection needs; and identify financial funding alternatives for the extension of services to identified communities.

SB 244 defines a DUC as a place that meets
the following criteria: Contains 10 or more
dwelling units adjacent or in close proximity
to one another where 12 or more registered
voters reside (close proximity may be defined
as a density greater than 1 unit per acre); is
either within a city SOI (also known as a
Fringe Community), is an island within a city
boundary (also known as an Island Community), or is geographically isolated and has existed for at least 50 years (also known as a Lega- CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP
14 cy Community); and has a median household
income that is 80 percent or less than the
statewide median household income for California.

RPG will perform an analysis to identify
DUCs within the City SOI. In conducting the
analysis, resources will include the SB 244
Technical Advisory (OPR, dated 2/15/2013),
the City’s General Plan, and documentation
from local jurisdictions, agencies, and special
districts. Based on available resources, we will
ascertain whether or not DUCs exist within
the City and whether or not areas of households exist in the immediate vicinity of the city where households earn 80 percent or less
of the statewide median household income.

Goals, Policies, Programs and Quantified
Objectives.

RPG will build on the existing Housing Element, public input, and the needs and constraints analyses performed to formulate an implementation plan with appropriate and
feasible housing policies. Each action program
proposed will have a specific objective, timeframe, funding source and the responsible party for implementation/execution. The implementation plan will satisfy the requirements of Government Code section 65583(b) and (c), as noted below:
• Ensure that housing opportunities are
available for all persons in the City;
• Preserve and improve the existing
stock of affordable housing, including
at- risk unit;
• Facilitate development of adequate
housing to meet the needs of low- and
moderate-income households, meeting regional share of goals; • Mitigate any governmental constraints
to housing production, improvement
and/or maintenance;
• Ensure consistency with other General Plan elements and community goals; and identify necessary changes
to other General Plan elements
and/or to the City Code to achieve
comprehensive compliance with State
Housing Law and to provide the City
with necessary legislative framework
to meet its housing needs and goals.

Draft #1: Administrative Drafts – Staff Review.

RPG will submit the first Administrative
Drafts of the Housing Element to City staff
for review. Based on staff comments, a Draft
will be presented to the City Council/Public
for review and comments.

Draft # 2: Council/Public Review Draft
Housing Element.

RPG will incorporate necessary revisions
based on Council input. Senate Bill 215 requires a requires a public comment period of 30 days, prior to sending the draft for HCD
review. A 30-day notice prior to the public
hearing on the draft element will satisfy this
noticing requirement. We will arrange with the
City to post the Draft Housing Element on
the City’s website and provide copies during
the Public Outreach. Notice inviting comments from Responsible and Trustee Agencies, stakeholders, nearby cities and the County (those on the City’s mailing list) will also be given at this stage.

Draft #3: Draft Housing Element – HCD
Review.

The HCD Review Draft will be a work product of the highest quality reflecting input from City staff, stakeholders, the public, City officials received. The Draft Housing Element will be prepared for submission to HCD for a
90-day review and approval. RPG will incorporate HCD desired requirements into the draft such that there would not be any delays
in receiving the provisional approval, prior to
certification. Certification is provided after
CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP
15 adoption of the Housing Element by the City
Council. During this period the environmental
review could be completed, especially if higher levels of review are deemed required.

Final Draft Housing Element.

The Final Draft Housing Element will be
prepared after addressing all HCD comments.

HCD could take up to 60 days for this review.

City staff will distribute the Final Draft and
the Notice of Public Hearing to Adopt the
Housing Element.

RPG will assist City staff on preparing public
presentation materials/exhibits, and provide
staff support at meetings, as needed. The public hearing Notices for mailing/ posting/publishing will be mailed by City staff.

Task – G: Hearings.

RPG has budgeted for up to six official meetings/hearings.

We will prepare, assist, or present draft staff
reports, exhibits, and make presentations at
the above meetings.

Task – H: General Plan Amendments (if
applicable).

RPG will identify any needed amendments to
the Safety and Noise elements and update the
Elements, consistent with SB 379, as needed,
in order to incorporate consistent language as
in the Housing Element.

We will also identify sections of the other
General Plan elements (all elements), zoning
code, and other adopted plans/regulations
identified by staff that may need to be amended for compliance with State law including all tables, maps, etc., consistent with the 2023-
2031 Housing Element. We will include the
identified and needed amendments as action
plans for implementation within the 6th cycle
housing element period.

Task – I: Environmental Document
(CEQA).

RPG will prepare, post, and file all the appropriate environmental documents for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), including the Initial
Study and the Notice of Intent to adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND). We will be responsible for preparing all notices
and mailings for SB 18 and AB 52. The budget proposed will cover the preparation of an IS/MND or lesser level of review.

City staff should file the required CEQA Notice of Determination within five (5) days of the adoption of the Housing Element.

Task – J: Deliverables.

RPG will provide all deliverables enumerated
under Section I of the RFP.

1. Draft #1: Prepare an Administrative
Draft Housing Element for City staff to review and comment upon in accordance with the project's schedule. We will submit to the
City one (1) hard copy, one (1) electronic copy
in Microsoft Word, and one (1) PDF copy of
Draft #1.

2. Draft #2: Public/Council Review Draft
Housing Element: Revise Administrative
Draft Housing Element #1 based on comments from staff, for review by the public and the City Council at a public hearing. We will
submit to the City one (1) hard copy, one (1)
electronic copy in Microsoft Word, and one
(1) PDF copy of Draft #2.

3. Draft #3: HCD Review Draft Housing
Element: Based on Council input, RPG will
prepare an HCD Review Draft and submit it
to HCD for the mandated review. We will
provide to the City one (1) hard copy, one (1)
electronic copy in Microsoft Word, and one
(1) PDF copy of the Draft Housing Element.

CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP
16 4. Final Draft Hearings, Final Adoption:

RPG will work closely with HCD and City
staff to respond to any comments and produce a final draft Housing Element for adoption by the City Council at a public hearing.

RPG will submit ten (10) bound copies, one
(1) electronic copy in Microsoft Word format,
and one (1) PDF of the Final Draft Housing
Element (2023-2031) for distribution to the
City Council for final adoption.

5. HCD Certification:

Prepare the final Housing Element, including
any changes from the public hearing, and
submit it to the Final version along with the
City Council Resolution of Adopting the
Housing Element to HCD for final certification. We will provide ten (10) bound copies, one (1) electronic copy in Microsoft Word,
and one (1) PDF of the adopted Housing Element for distribution to HCD, City departments, and other stakeholders.

PART 3 – CONSULTANT IDENTIFICATION & TEAM
A. OUR FIRM
Realty Planners Group, Inc. (formerly, Planning Institute), a California S Corporation, is located at 11206 Crowborough Court, Bakersfield, California 93311, offering urban and regional planning consulting services. We are
staffed by professional planners and supporting staff offering a full range of services including, but not limited to, current planning, advance planning, economic development,
and environmental planning to municipalities.

We also offer real estate and land development services to our clients.

Our city and regional planning experience
cover a period of over 30 years, especially for
cities of Maricopa, Taft, Arvin, McFarland,
California City, Wasco, in the San Joaquin
Valley and for the city of Rio Vista in East
Bay. Our team comprises of four professionals.

We have completed several certified housing
elements for the cities of Maricopa, Rio Vista,
Arvin, Taft, and McFarland. HCD Certification for the Maricopa Housing Element is attached. It is noteworthy that we are currently preparing the 6th Cycle Housing Element for the City of Arvin.

Issac George, Director of Planning & Development, will serve as the Project Manager and contact person on this project, assisted by Jihane Boussata, Planning Assistant.

We offer an all-inclusive, competitive, pricing
at a flat-rate, not-to-exceed cost of $95/Hour,
including all overhead costs, for the preparation of Housing Elements, unless optional work is requested by the City.

B. KEY STAFF
Issac George, B.S., M.P.A., M.D.D.P.,
M.A.U.P (UCLA), is the founder and director
of the Realty Planners Group. Mr. George
will be the Project Manager and contact
person on this project.

Mr. George has an eclectic education that
compliments his comprehensive planning experience. He has a B.S. in Biology; M.P.A. in Public Administration; M.D.D.P. in Development Planning; and an M.A.U.P. in Urban Planning from the acclaimed University of
California, Los Angeles, Graduate School of
Architecture and Urban Planning.

Mr. George is a Certified ESRI ArcView GIS
professional.

Mr. George has worked at all levels in City
Planning, including advance planning, current
planning, subdivision planning, environmental
planning, redevelopment planning, annexations, HCD grant administration, and similar fields. He has worked as a planner in Palm
CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP
17 Springs, Carson, Beverly Hills, Taft, Arvin and
Rio Vista, and brings over 30 years of experience in comprehensive planning.

During the last 30 years, Mr. George has
served in positions such as Principal Planner,
Director of Planning, Director of Community
Development, and Building Director.

Jihane Boussata, Planning Assistant, associated with RPG, has a B.A. in Linguistics from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe University,
Frankfurt, Germany, and is pursuing her
Business & Accounting degree from Skyline
College, San Bruno. She possesses excellent
public presentation skills and analytical experience. Technical writing is her forte. She has been associated with the Realty Planners
Group working on the Maricopa Housing Element. She will work as the technical editor, statistical analyst, and time-keeper on this project to ensure that the project timelines are met.

PART 4 – RELATED PROJECT EXPERIENCE & REFERENCES

4.1. PROJECT EXPERIENCE

4.1.1 Experience Preparing General Plans.

Mr. George will manage the planning process
and the work products mentioned within the
RFP. He has prepared and directed several
general plan updates, listed below:
• Housing Element, City of Maricopa
(2015-2023). On a four-year Cycle. Certified by HCD in March 2022.

The above Housing Element was prepared with an SB-2 Grant. Besides, Housing Element our contract included the preparation of objective design standards
for streamlined, ministerial approval of
low-cost housing projects; infill/vacant
land study; related zoning ordinance
amendment; and a sewer allocation policy
resolution.
• Environmental Justice Element, City
of Maricopa (2022).
• Land Use Element Update, City of
Maricopa (2022).
• Circulation Element Update, City of
Maricopa (2022).
• Annual General Plan Progress Report,
City of Maricopa (2019).
• Annual General Plan Progress Report,
City of Rio Vista (2019).
• Climate Action Plan and General Plan
Land Use Amendment for reducing GHG
emissions, City of Rio Vista (2015).
• Community Character & Design Element
Update (Complete Streets Plan), City of
Rio Vista (2012).
• 2015-2023 Housing Element, City of RioVista (2015). Certified by HCD.

CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP
18 • General Plan Circulation Element
Amendment: Policies for Complete
Streets, City of Rio Vista (2015).
• Land Use, Conservation and Open Space,
Health and Air Quality Elements, City of
Arvin (2010 – 12).
• Climate Action Plan, City of Arvin (2010–
2012).
• Circulation Element and Transportation
Impact Fee Study, City of Arvin (2010-
2012).
• 2008-2013 Housing Element, City of Arvin, CA (2012). Certified by HCD. • 2020 Land Use and Circulation Elements,
City of Maricopa (2007), which won the
Kern Council of Government’s Award of
Merit for Resource Conservation (2009).
• Land Use and Circulation Elements, City
of Taft (2004-2006).
• Housing Condition Survey, City of
McFarland 2006. Designed survey questionnaire, trained surveyors, and integrated the survey results into the Housing Element. • 2002-2007 Housing Element, City of
McFarland. Certified by HCD.
• 2008-2013 Housing Element, City of
McFarland. Certified by HCD.
• Housing Condition Survey, City of Taft,
CA 2002-2007.
• Housing Element Update, City of Taft,
CA 2002-2007. Certified by HCD.
• Housing Element Update, City of Taft,
CA (Interim Amendment 1998-99). Certified by HCD.
• Housing Condition Survey, City of Taft,
CA (1998-99).
• Downtown specific plan Update, City of
Taft.
• AB 1290 Community Development
Agency 2nd Five-Year Implementation
Plan & Housing Plan 2000-2004, City of
Taft.

4.1.2 Experience Preparing Design Guidelines for Housing. • Objective Design Standards for
Streamlined, Ministerial approval
of low-cost housing projects, City
of Maricopa (2022).
• Prepared a Smart Growth Primer containing Residential Design Guidelines, as part of the 2020 Land Use Element,
City of Maricopa (2007).
• The Rio Vista Housing Element prepared by Mr. George contained policies for Housing Design Incentives for senior housing. Under this policy,
Mr. George has worked with the Liberty Development to prepare varying CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP
19 housing plans that were pre-approved
as part of a Planned Unit Development of approximately 1000 Acres (2018-19).
• Site and Architectural Review Application to approve Architectural Styles/Models for the Liberty Subdivision (Non-Senior, Unrestricted Homes), City of Rio Vista (2017).
• Site and Architectural Review Application to approve Model Homes for the Riverwalk Subdivision, City of Rio
Vista (2015).
• Rio Vista Community Character and
Design Element Update (2012).

4.1.3 Experience Preparing Environmental
Impact Assessments.

RPG has over 30 years of experience in preparing environmental assessments, including statutory exemptions, Mitigated Negative
Declarations, Environmental Impact Reports
(under CEQA), and Environmental Impacts
Statements (under NEPA). Example of reports prepared and supervised are as follows:
• CEQA General Exemptions for several
projects, including the Housing Element,
City of Maricopa (2022).
• Climate Action Plan, City of Rio Vista
(2017).
• Environmental Assessment, Housing Element, City of Arvin (2012). • Environmental Assessment, Circulation
Element, City of Arvin (2010 – 2012).
• Environmental Assessment, General Plan
Land Use, Conservation and Open Space,
Air Quality, and Community Health elements, City of Arvin. • Enterprise Zone EIR, City of Arvin (2008).
• Environmental Assessment, Housing Element, City of Taft. • Environmental Assessment, Housing Element, City of McFarland. • Environmental Assessment, Land Use and
Circulation Elements, City of Maricopa.
• Environmental Assessment, Land Use and
Circulation Elements, City of Taft.
• GATX Tank Storage EIR, City of Carson
(1985)
• Watson Industrial Complex Specific Plan
EIR, City of Carson (1986)
• Chemical Transportation Master EIR, City
of Carson (1986).
• EIR on Arco Cogeneration Plant (1987-
89).
• Specific Plan EIR, Golden Eagle Refinery
site, City of Carson (1984-86).
• Updated the Master Environmental Assessment for Coachella Valley Association of Governments (Eisner-Smith & Associates, 1984-86).
• Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on
a 21-square-mile New City, Phoenix, Arizona, Bureau of Indian Affairs (EisnerSmith & Associates/Smith-Peroni & Fox, Palm Springs, 1984-86).

4.2 REFERENCES
City of Arvin (Kern County) – 2022 - 2023
Currently under contract with the City of
Arvin to prepare the City’s 6th Cycle Housing Element Update (Ongoing project).

Contact Person:

Tendai Mtunga, Planning Director
CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP
20 City of Arvin
200 Campus Drive, Arvin, CA 93203
(661) 854-2822
[email protected]
City of Maricopa (Kern County) – 2021-
2022.

General Plan Housing, Land Use, Circulation,
and Environmental Justice elements; Infill
Study; Objective Design Standards; Zoning
Code Amendment; and Sewer Allocation Policy (2021-2022). Adopted and Certified Award winning (Kern COG) Land Use and
Circulation Elements (2007).

Contact Person:

Eric Ziegler, City Manager
400 California Street, Maricopa, CA 93252
(661) 333-3113
[email protected]
City of Rio Vista (Solano County) and City
of Arvin, CA (Kern County).

Prepared Housing Element for Rio Vista, Certified by HCD (2015). General Plan Elements (Arvin).

Contact Person (both cities):

Tim Chapa, City Manager (Currently with City
of Sanger).
1700 7th Street, Sanger, CA 93657
(559) 892-7310 (Cell).
[email protected]
PART 5 – PUBLIC OUTREACH EXPERIENCE
Public Outreach and the Community planning
process should be appropriate to its place and
situation. It involves four key elements: (1).

The number of steps involved (e.g., problem/opportunity definition, goal setting, generating alternative strategies, strategy choice, implementation, and evaluation); (2). Its orientation to the future, opportunities and constraints; (3). Its quality of research and analysis; and (4) Its format of policy, program, and plan proposal.

The community planning process in small cities can be well designed to receive maximum community support and the workshop process could be used as a tool and forum in achieving active citizen participation for this
endeavor.

In our meetings, RPG will use brief, succinct
presentations, with relevant images and
graphs; systematically gauge audience feedbacks; and remind the participants of the goal to be achieved so that discussions do not go
off-the-track.

Mr. George has served as staff advisors to
several city planning commissions, environmental commissions, councils, and several citizen committees. He has prepared and presented cases on general plan amendments, zoning ordinances, variances, annexations,
subdivision applications, environmental im-
CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP
21 pact reports, visioning tools, and such to public and private bodies.

RPG has over 30 years of experience in making public presentations.

PART 6 - TIMELINE & PROJECT
FEES
Table 1: Timeline & Project Costs, provides a
timeline consistent with the requirements of
the RFP and obtain HCD certification on
time.

Workshop and scoping meetings will be completed within the first two months after contract approval.

RPG understands that constant interaction is
required between City staff and RPG staff
through telephone and emails, and monthly
status reports, besides formal meetings mentioned above. The schedule can be rearranged to meet City’s requirements.

The costs are broken down by item, task,
hours, cost, and personnel responsible for
those tasks, as provided in Table 1 below:

CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP 22 Table 1: Timeline* & Fee Proposal (Flat Rate, Not-to-Exceed Costs).

No. Timeline Task Hours Rate ($) Total ($) Staff (50/50)

1. Nov. – Dec. 2022 Task A: Project Management and Kick-off 60 95 5,700 George/Jihane

2. Nov. – Jan. 2023 Task B: Evaluate Existing Conditions and Needs 80 95 7,600 George/Jihane

3. Nov. – Jan. 2023 Task C: Regional Housing Needs Assessment 80 95 7,600 George

4. Nov. – Jan. 2023 Task D: Public Participation (Public Workshop; Stakeholder Meeting). 80 95 7,600 George

5. Nov. – Jan. 2023 Task E: Assessment of Housing Needs 52 95 4,940 George/Jihane

6. Task F: Preparation of Draft and Final Housing Element

7. January 2023 Task F.1: Administrative Drafts – Staff Review 100 95 9,500 George

8. Feb. 1 – Mar. 2023 Task F.2: Draft Housing Element -Public Review (30-days review) 80 95 7,600 George

9. April –June 2023 Task F.3: Draft Housing Element – HCD Review (90 days review). 40 95 3,800 George

10. July 2023 Task F.4: Final Draft Housing Element & Adoption by Council 46 95 4,370 George

11. July - September 2023 Task F.5: HCD Certification Review (60 days review). 10 95 950 George/Jihane

12. November 2023 Task G: Hearings/meetings (Up to six). 72 95 6,840 George

13. January 2023 – March 2023 Task H: General Plan Amendments 80 95 7,600 George

14. June 2023 – July 2023 Task I: Environmental Document (CEQA IS/MND). 100 95 9,500 George

15. Nov. 2022 – Nov. 2023 Task J: Deliverables 40 95 3,800 George/Jihane

16. TOTAL COST ($) 920 95 87,400

17. * The time-line will be fine-tuned based on contract approval date and city’s expectations.

CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP 23 PART 7 – ATTACHMENTS

7.1. RESUME

1. Issac George

2. Jihane Boussata

7.2. HCD CERTIFICATION – MARICOPA

HOUSING ELEMENT
CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP 24 7.1.1
ISSAC A. GEORGE
M.D.D.P., M.P.A., M.A.U.P. (UCLA).
11206 Crowborough Court
Bakersfield, CA 93311
Cell: (661) 549-2006
E-Mail: [email protected]

EDUCATION
M.A.U.P. Master’s Degree, 1981-83, Graduate School of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Major: Urban Planning

PROFESSIONAL

EXPERIENCE
Jun. 2014 – May ‘19 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR , CITY OF RIO VISTA CALIFORNIA.
▪ Administration: Directed the Planning, Building, Economic Development, Business License, Housing, and Code Enforcement divisions.

Serve as the Zoning Administrator, Building Official, and Flood Plains Administrator. Supervised Contract Engineers, Contract Planning Manager, Building Inspector(s), Priority Development Area Consultant, and clerical staff.
▪ Projects: Land use entitlements for 1000-Acre planned community (Final Phases) and a new 700-Acre mixed-use project with CFDs; 100-Acre Business Park Development ($70 Million) with Cannabis cultivation/ manufacturing; Army Base Redevelopment; Priority Development Area Plan/Downtown Specific Plan with form-based codes; Highway 12 Corridor Plan; Climate Action Plan; Housing Element Update; Community Character & Design Element Update (Complete Streets Plan); Public Arts Ordinance; Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance; Communications/Cell Tower Ordinance; Building Permits, Nuisance Abatement; Local Hazard Mitigation Plan; etc. ▪ Official Board Memberships: Solano County Economic Development Task Force; Solano County Joint Powers Authority for Social Services; County e-GIS Forum; and Solano County Planning Director’s Forum.

CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP 25 Feb. 2012 – Jun.2014 PLANNING CONSULTANT & REAL ESTATE ADVISOR, BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA.
▪ Assisted clients on real estate negotiations, acquisition, planning and development.
▪ Licensed Real Estate Broker well-versed in Real Estate Law, Principles, Finance, Accounting, Appraisal, Property Management, and Escrow.

Sep. 2006 – Jan.2012 DIRECTOR OF PLANNING & BUILDING, CITY OF ARVIN, CALIFORNIA.
▪ Administration: Directed the Planning, Building, Economic Development, Redevelopment, Housing, and Code Enforcement divisions.

Supervised Engineers, Senior Project Managers, Building Official, Contract Technical Consultants and clerical staff. Served as the Acting City Manager. Advised City Council, Redevelopment Agency and City Commissions. Reported to the City Manager.
▪ Projects: Prepared development regulations (master plan guidelines, subdivision/land division, and zoning ordinances) for residential, commercial, and industrial developments; general plan circulation, housing, land use, open space, conservation and a Climate Action Plan for sustainable development; city-center master plan for 60 acres of mixeduse, transit oriented development; 2000-unit master planned residentialcommercial development; and a concept plan for an 800-acre, residentialcommercial project; development agreements, etc.

Iinitiated home occupation licenses for select businesses as “business incubators” to promote economic development; Enterprise Zone Application to the State of California, which resulted in establishing the Arvin Enterprise Zone; property canvassing, business attraction, site selection, zoning, and master plan compliance; façade improvement program, and RDA Expansion Plan and EIR. ▪ Official Board Memberships: Served on the Regional Planning Advisory Committee (consisting of Planning Directors) of the Kern Council of Government’s Blueprint Planning Initiative; member of the Climate Change (Carbon Bank) Work Group; and Citizen Advisory Committee member, San Joaquin Valley Air Quality District.

May 97 – Sep. 2006 PRINCIPAL PLANNER, CITY OF TAFT, CALIFORNIA. ▪ Administration: Directed the Planning, Building, Economic/ Redevelopment, Code Enforcement, Housing, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) divisions. Served as Advisor to the Planning Commission and the Redevelopment Agency. Supervised planning and building functions and department staff. Reported to the City Manager.

Advised City Council and City Commissions. Served on the Regional Planning Advisory Committee.

CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP 26 ▪ Projects: Residential, commercial, and industrial projects; Housing Element; downtown specific plan, the land use and circulation master plans, and the redevelopment implementation plan; zoning ordinances and guidelines. Established a GIS Division for Planning, Building, and Public Works departments. Coordinated development projects with Public Works, Building, and Engineering departments. Taft Revolving Loan business assistance program; CDBG/EDBG grants; property canvasing for commercial investment; and worked with the Kern Economic Development Corporation. ▪
Oct. 91 - May 97 PLANNING CONSULTANT, POMONA, CALIFORNIA ▪ Provided contract planning and zoning assistance to land developers and consultants in the private sector; coordinated plan approvals with planning agencies; prepared land use applications; assisted in the preparation of environmental studies; and facilitated government/public relations.

Mar. 89 – Sep. 91 SENIOR PLANNER, CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA. ▪ Administration: Headed the Current and Environmental Planning divisions. Supervised Assistant Planners, Associate Planners, Planning Technicians and clerical staff; advised the Planning Commission and the Environmental Review Board.
▪ Projects: Processed complex planning, zoning, and subdivision applications for commercial, industrial, and residential developments, including the multi-million 2 Rodeo Drive commercial project; prepared master plan amendments, ordinances, and resolutions; administered consultant contracts for the preparation of environmental impact reports; coordinated plan check and approval of plans with the Building and Engineering Department.

Feb. 86 – Mar. 89 ASSOCIATE PLANNER, CITY OF CARSON, CALIFORNIA. ▪ Administration: Supervised Assistant Planners and Planning Technicians.

Served as principal staff liaison to Environmental and Planning commissions. Assisted Director in Department administration. ▪ Projects: Processed applications for architectural design reviews, subdivisions, general plan amendments, zone changes, and use permits, for industrial, commercial, and residential projects; prepared zoning ordinances, resolutions, environmental documents, RFQs, and RFPs; and coordinated plan check approvals with the Building and Engineering departments.

CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP 27 Oct. 1984 – Feb. 86 URBAN PLANNER, EISNER-SMITH & ASSOCIATES/ SMITH, PERONI & FOX, PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA.
▪ Projects: Coachella Valley Association of Government’s Habitat Conservation Plan ▪ Prepared a major environmental impact statement for a 17 square-mile, new-city in Phoenix, Arizona: coordinated, reviewed, abridged, and compiled technical reports prepared by 21 sub-consultants (architects, biologists, economists, engineers, and several other subject matter experts). The project aimed at a new master-planned community with residential, commercial, industrial, facilities.
▪ Worked on several area development proposals.

PLANNING
INSTITUTE, Inc. President/CEO -- Contract Consulting Services 2004-2014 City of McFarland
▪ Contract City Planner, City of McFarland, CA.
▪ Housing Element Update
▪ CDBG/EDBG Grants Writing and Grants Management
▪ Economic Development Strategy
City of Taft
▪ Senior Housing Feasibility Study – Assisted Living/Skilled Nursing.

City of Maricopa
▪ Land Use and Circulation elements update (won KERN COG Award). ▪ Grants Writing and Grants Management
City of Wasco
▪ Enterprise Zone Application preparation.

RESEARCH

EXPERIENCE
1982-84 Research Assistant, University of California, Los Angeles. ▪ Research in transportation planning and redevelopment. ▪ UCLA Comprehensive Project: Redevelopment in Los Angeles.

COMPUTER
SKILLS
▪ Geographic Information Systems (GIS Arc View) Knowledge, Desktop publishing (PageMaker), Windows, Office 2000, etc. Set-up the GIS Division in Taft, CA on an ESRI Grant.

CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP 28 HONORS AND
AWARDS
▪ Founding Director of “The Planning Institute, Inc.”
▪ Won the 2010 Regional Planning Award from Kern Council of Governments for the preparation of the California-Blueprint-compliant Land Use and Circulation Elements of the City of Maricopa, California. ▪ Tuition Scholarship and Dean’s Council Grant, UCLA, 1981-83. ▪ Marva and Lloyd Shearer Merit Fellowship, UCLA, 1982-83.

MEMBERSHIPS
▪ American Planning Association
▪ California Licensed Real Estate Broker
▪ National Association of Realtors
▪ California Association of Realtors
CITY OF RIDGECREST – HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE – PROPOSAL FROM REALTY PLANNERS GROUP 29 7.1.2

JIHANE BOUSSATA

EDUCATION
B.A. Bachelor’s Degree in Literature, Linguistics, Philosophy Johann Wolfgang von Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.

Current Business Management & Accounting,
Skyline College, San Bruno (2018-Current).

PROFESSIONAL

EXPERIENCE
Current PLANNING ASSISTANT,
REALTY PLANNERS GROUP, BAKERSFIELD, CA.
▪ Assists on City and Regional Planning projects.
▪ Assisted on SB2 planning projects, City of Maricopa, CA. ▪ Performs Statistical Analysis, Population Studies.
▪ Manages finances & accounting.
▪ Serve as project liaison with clients, as needed.

May. 2019 – 2020 STUDENT ASSISTANT, SKYLINE COLLEGE, CA. ▪ Support faculty in developing Transformative Teaching Techniques ▪ Film and edit online lectures using Camtasia and iMovie software. ▪ Organize on-campus events
Dec. 2017 – 2018 EDITORIAL TEAM LEADER,
IBISWorld, FRANKFURT, GERMANY.
▪ Technical Writer
▪ Edited and proof-read industry analyst reports for investment firms. ▪ Taught analysts on improving writing skills.

HONORS AND
AWARDS
▪ Dean’s List, Fall 2018 – Current.
▪ Member, Phi Theta Kappa
▪ Member, Beta Theta Omicron Chapter.

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