Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a First Amendment to the Agreement with Lang, Hansen, O’Malley & Miller, a California General Partnership, Extending the Term of the Agreement by Two Months and Increasing the Compensation by $20,000, for an Aggregate Amount Not to Exceed $91,000, for Legislative Advocacy/Governmental Relations Services Relating to the Surplus Land Act. (Community Development 819099)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Alameda (City) entered a service provider agreement with Lang, Hansen, O’Malley & Miller (Consultant) for legislative advocacy and governmental relations services relating to the Surplus Land Act (SLA), as recently amended. The term of the agreement is January 1, 2020 through July 31, 2020, and the maximum compensation is not to exceed $71,000.
The COVID-19 pandemic has effected the State’s legislative calendar and process. While there is typically a single budget trailer bill with the annual State budget effective July 1, 2020, that process had been modified and the expectation is that there will be two trailer bills, one in June and one in August, as the State prioritizes pandemic-related legislation at this time. This schedule requires more time to work on legislation relating to the SLA.
The proposed amendment to the agreement extends the term for an additional two months, through September 30, 2020, and increases maximum compensation by $20,000, for a total compensation not to exceed $91,000. This amendment will allow the Consultant to continue to assist the City through the legislative process during these unique times.
BACKGROUND
The SLA, and AB 1486, the amendment to the Act approved October 9, 2019, governs the disposition of surplus land by local agencies, such as cities, school districts and successor agencies. The intention of the bill is to alleviate California’s housing crisis by prioritizing surplus government land for affordable housing development. AB 1486 added several new requirements to the process and included additional activities that constitute disposition of surplus property, with financial penalties for non-compliance. These new regulations impact the City’s ability to lease or sell property at Alameda Point. Accordingly, the City retained a the services of Consultant to advocate on the City’s behalf for an amendment of the legislation such that Alameda Point may continue to transition from a former military base to civilian reuse as anticipated in the Community Reuse Plan and subsequent entitlement documents.
On May 26, 2020, the City entered into an agreement with the consultant for legislative advocacy and governmental relations services relating to the SLA. The consultant was selected to provide these services due to its prior work and technical expertise on the SLA. It is recommended that this agreement be extended for two months and additional compensation provided as discussed below.
DISCUSSION
The COVID-19 pandemic has effected the State’s legislative calendar and process. While there is typically a single budget trailer bill with the annual State budget effective July 1, 2020, that process had been modified and the expectation is that there will be two trailer bills, one in June and one in August, as the State prioritizes pandemic-related legislation at this time. This schedule requires more time to work on legislation relating to the SLA.
Staff recommends extending the term of the agreement and increasing the compensation to complete the required legislative work during this unique time. The proposed amendment extends the contract term for an additional two months, through September 30, 2020, and increases the maximum compensation by $20,000, for a total compensation not to exceed $91,000.
ALTERNATIVES
• Authorize the City Manager to execute an amendment to the agreement for legislative advocacy and governmental relations relating to the SLA to extend the term for two (2) months and increase the compensation by $20,000, for an aggregate maximum amount not to exceed $91,000.
• Revise the recommended term extension and/or increase to maximum compensation.
• Decline to approve the first amendment to this contract.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The funds for this project are budgeted in the Community Development Department’s Base Reuse Fund [Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority (ARRA) Lease Revenues Fund 858). There is no impact to the General Fund.
The City Manager previously approved the original contract in an amount not to exceed $71,000. The first amendment would increase compensation by $20,000, for a total compensation of $91,000, as presented below:
|
Contract |
Approval Date |
Authorized Amount |
Expended to [Date] |
|
Original Contract |
05/26/2020 |
$71,000 |
$50,000 |
|
Proposed 1st Amendment |
|
$20,000 |
|
|
Total |
|
$91,000 |
|
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action does not affect the Alameda Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), approval of the first amendment is categorically exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b)(3) - activity poses no potential for significant effect on the environment.
CLIMATE IMPACTS
This action has no anticipated climate impacts.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to execute a first amendment to the contract with Lang, Hansen, O’Malley & Miller, a California general partnership, which would extend the term of the agreement by two (2) months and increase the compensation by $20,000, for an aggregate amount not to exceed $91,000, for legislative advocacy/governmental relations services relating to the SLA.
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager requests approval by the City Council for a two month extension.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Potter, Community Development Director
By,
Lorie Curtis, Real Estate Technician
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Nancy Bronstein, Interim Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Agreement
2. Proposed Amendment
cc: Eric Levitt, City Manager