Agenda Item #13.8
For Council Meeting of: April 12, 2022
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: PAUL LOWENTHAL, DIVISION CHIEF FIRE MARSHAL
FIRE DEPARTMENT
SADIE BRACY, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
FIRE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT NUMBER F002302 WITH BUREAU VERITAS NORTH AMERICA, INC. FOR FIRE CODE PLAN REVIEW SERVICES AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended by the Fire and Finance Departments that the Council, by resolution, approve a First Amendment to Professional Service Agreement Number F002302 with Bureau Veritas North America, Inc., a Delaware Corporation for Fire Code plan review services in an amount of $100,000, for a total amount not to exceed $200,000.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This item will approve a First Amendment to a Professional Services Agreement with Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. to provide Fire Code plan review services.
The Fire Department experienced an additional workload in response to the significant increase in the development of housing stock and commercial development, Tubbs Fire, Glass Fire, and increase in the installation of Energy Storage Systems. The department has also seen a nearly 300% increase in deferred submittals since 2017 for fire plan reviews which includes fire sprinkler systems, fire alarms systems, fire sprinkler riser and private fire mains.
BACKGROUND
In 2021, the Fire department had three vacant positions who shared the responsibly of plan review. This included an Assistant Fire Marshal and two Building Plans Examiners. Although progress has been made, recruitment to fill all of the positions has been challenging due to a lack of qualified candidates. The Fire Department has found it necessary to enter into an agreement with a consultant firm to allow the department the ability to send out projects for plan review. The contracted work is being performed to assist in decreasing turn around time for plan review and in an effort to keep development on track.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL REVIEW
Not applicable.
ANALYSIS
Staff has found that a consultant-based solution meets the needs of the department and the development community. The Fire Department is requesting a first amendment to Professional Services Agreement F002302 with Bureau Veritas for increasing the not-to-exceed amount by $100,000 for up to one additional year for a total amount not to exceed $200,000 for continued plan review services. This consultant-based service will continue to augment the department’s existing staff, helping to keep projects moving and not delaying necessary permits from being issued.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this expense have been allocated in the Fiscal Year 2021-22 budget within the Fire Department’s operating budget, as approved by City Council.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a project which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, and no further environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution / Exhibit A (First Amendment to Professional Service Agreement)
CONTACT
Paul Lowenthal, 707-543-3542, [email protected]
FIRST AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT NUMBER F002302 WITH BUREAU VERITAS NORTH AMERICA, INC. FOR CODE PLAN REVIEW SERVICES PAGE 3 OF 3