Facilitation Services for Community Discussion
of Decommissioned City Facilities,
and Consideration of Potential Alternatives
City Council Meeting
August 28, 2024
Government Code Section 54957.S SB
343 Agenda Item: Item #9
08/28/2024 REG CC
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends City Council adopt a resolution approving a Consulting Services Agreement with Plan to Place, LLC
based on their qualifications and experience.
Decommissioned Facilities
MSB
WOL
Council Guidance
• Presented to Council on June 26, 2024
• Council directed staff to:
• Move forward with inclusive community engagement process • Include additional meetings in the Scope of Work, in addition to the two Community Open Houses
• Allow for more time for community input
Selection Process
• Request for Proposals issued May 28, 2024 (due June 28). • City received 8 proposals.
• Panel of four staff reviewed and scored the proposals. • Three firms were invited to interview.
• Panel of three staff conducted the interviews.
Recommended Firm
Staff recommends Plan to Place, LLC based on:
• Their expertise in facilitating sensitive community conversations • Their backgrounds in community engagement, urban design, landscape architecture, and the creative arts
• Feedback from references
Proposed Scope of Work
• Community Open Houses (2)
• Hosted Tours of the MSB and West Orange Library (2)
• Focus Group Meetings & Pop-up Events (8)
• Engagement with Community-Based Organizations
• Online Comment Form
• Outreach Materials
• Final Report and Presentation to City Council
• Total Hours: 330+ hours, Total Budget: $79,920
Proposed Timeline
Community
Summary
Report
Presentation to
Council
Early 2025
Community
Engagement
Throughout
Fall 2024
Project Kick-off
September 2024
Alternatives
• Alternative 1 – Reduced scope, or check-in halfway through • Alternative 2 – Eliminate outreach effort and remove the Municipal Services Building as a Housing Opportunity Site • Alternative 3 - Proceed with community engagement and remove the Municipal Services Building as a Housing
Opportunity Site
Process to Remove MSB from the
City's Certified Housing Element
1. Identify suitable alternative sites (in high-resource areas with sufficient capacity to create affordable housing)
2. Consider and approve a Housing Element Amendment
3. Submit Amendment to State HCD for review and approval/denial
4. If approved, and if necessary, amend the General Plan and rezone alternative sites
❖ This would not resolve the issue of what happens to the Municipal Services Building next; it simply removes it from the Housing Element.
Next Steps
Staff recommends City Council adopt a resolution approving a Consulting Services Agreement with Plan to Place, LLC
based on their qualifications and experience.
Or provide alternative direction.