Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Three-Month Contract Extension with CSG Consulting Services for Professional Plan Check Services. (Community Development 481003)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jill Keimach, City Manager
Re: Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Three-Month Contract Extension for CSG Consulting Services for Professional Plan Check Services
BACKGROUND
In June 2014, the Community Development Department (CDD) Plan Check Engineer resigned from his position with the City of Alameda. Since his departure, building plan check services have been performed by CSG Consulting Services (CSG), which is an outside plan review firm. Prior to assuming these plan check duties, CSG provided overflow plan check services for CDD and plan review services for the Fire Department. Since June 2014, CSG, along with several other plan check firms, has provided a range of plan review functions for CDD. One year ago, the City Council approved a one-year contract with CSG to continue to provide plan check services during the current fiscal year.
At this time, staff is recommending a three-month extension for the contract. The extension is necessary to provide time for the City to conduct a request for proposals (RFP) for these services for the next three years.
DISCUSSION
Over 75% of all permits issued by CDD are issued over the counter by the Planning and Building staff. The remaining 25% need to be reviewed by a structural engineer for compliance with all applicable State and local codes.
With the implementation of the Department’s permit streamlining effort, “Alameda At Your Service”, CSG has been crucial in maintaining a quick and efficient plan review turn-around in keeping with the aggressive commitments CDD has made under this program. Although staff is very pleased with the services provided by CSG, CSG was selected two years ago through a “sole source” selection process, which was required by the imminent departure of the City’s full-time plan check engineer.
At this time, staff believes that it is appropriate to issue an RFP from qualified plan check service providers to ensure that the City is receiving the best possible services at the best possible prices. During the three-month RFP process, staff will continue to require CSG’s services. For that reason, staff is recommending a three-month extension to the existing contract approved by the Council in 2015. With the recommended extension, the contract will expire on September 30, 2016.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact to the City’s General Fund. The plan review services provided by CSG are covered entirely by plan review fees collected from the permit applicant. Sufficient appropriations are available in the Community Development Fund to cover the cost of this contract.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
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 Guideline section 15378.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
CSG will provide building plan check services consistent with the State Building Standards Code, as well as the Alameda Municipal Code.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to execute a three-month extension to an existing agreement with CSG Consulting Services for professional plan check services.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Potter, Community Development Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Agreement between CSG
2. Amendment to Agreement