RESOLUTION NO. (N.C.S.)
AUTHORIZATION TO EXECUTE AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WITH SCI CONSULTING GROUP (SCI) TO PROVIDE COMMERCIAL CANNABIS TAX ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING SERVICES WHEREAS, in March of 2022, the Community Development Department issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to provide commercial cannabis tax assessment and monitoring services; and WHEREAS, SCI Consulting Group (“SCI”) responded to the City’s RFP and adhered to the competitive bid process as defined in City of Salinas Municipal Code Chapter 12; and WHEREAS, SCI received the highest ranking based upon its expert knowledge of the local California cannabis industry coupled with its broad experience providing municipalities with regulation, implementation, tax consulting, public opinion research (polling) and tax-related community outreach consulting services; and WHEREAS, on April 26, 2022, the Mayor executed a Professional Services Agreement with SCI to ensure that permitted cannabis businesses are operating in compliance with established regulations, including payment of required taxes; and WHEREAS, the April 26, 2022, Agreement for Professional Services with SCI expired on December 31, 2022; and WHEREAS, on May 16, 2023, a new Agreement for Professional Services with SCI was authorized by the City Council; and WHEREAS, on June 30, 2024, the May 16, 2023, Agreement for Professional Services with SCI expired; and WHEREAS, the subject Agreement for Professional Services includes a not to exceed amount of $150,000; and WHEREAS, the City collects fees to cover the cost associated with the cannabis tax assessment and compliance monitoring; and WHEREAS, execution of the subject Professional Services Agreement is not a project as defined by CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 and, therefore, no environmental assessment is required; and WHEREAS, the Current Planning Division’s fiscal year 2024/2025 budget line item 1000.30.3462-63.5220 - Cannabis Monitoring will be the funding source for the Agreement, which could also be offset by collected cannabis monitoring fees.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Salinas City Council authorizes and directs the City Manager or designee to execute an Agreement for Professional Services with SCI effective from November 12, 2024, to June 30, 2027, for an amount not to exceed $150,000.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 12th day of November 2024, by the following vote:
AYES: NOES: ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
APPROVED:
Kimbley Craig, Mayor
ATTEST:
Patricia M. Barajas, City Clerk
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