Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute a Two-Year Agreement in the Amount Not to Exceed $168,619 for a Period of Two Years with Accela, Inc. for Accela Automation Land Management, and Enhanced Reporting Database. (Planning, Building & Transportation 209)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
For 20 years, the City of Alameda (City) has relied on Accela, Inc. (Accela) permitting software to manage building, planning, fire, and public works permit tracking, plan check, inter-departmental review, inspection, and reporting responsibilities.
Staff is recommending a new, two year agreement with Accela to continue to provide and improve these software services. The funds necessary for the services are available in Special Revenue Fund 209.
BACKGROUND
Since 2001, the City contracted with Accela to provide permit tracking software. Accela is used by many local government agencies across the United States. The agreement has been updated and renewed with City Council authority every five years. Initially, this software was utilized by Planning and Building for the tracking of construction permits from application through final inspection. Over time, additional functions have been added to track permit workflow for Planning, Public Works, Alameda Municipal Power (AMP), Code Enforcement and Fire Prevention.
As expectations for online service increased over the years, the City responded by adding several enhancements to expand Accela's capabilities for public benefit. In 2010, the City added Accela's Citizen Access Module which allows permits to be applied for and issued online. This module also created 24/7 public access to permit records, inspection results, and ability for the public to lookup the status of pending permits and permit history dating back to the early 1980's. In 2015, the City added BuildingEye, which expanded the public interface to allow tracking and monitoring pe...
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