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BACKGROUND <br /> The City's development impact fees were established pursuant to AB 1600 (California <br /> Government Code Section 66000 et. Seq.). AB 1600 requires cities to justify and <br /> account for development fees that they enact as a condition of approval on new <br /> development. The justification, or nexus requirement, requires cities to do the following: <br /> 1. Identify the purpose of the fee; <br /> 2. Identify the use or specific project to which the fee will be applied; <br /> 3. Determine how there is a reasonable relationship between the fee's use and type <br /> of development project on which the fee is imposed; and <br /> 4. Determine how there is a reasonable relationship between the need for the public <br /> improvement and the type of development project on which the fee is imposed. <br /> The nexus is based on the premise that new and existing development should each pay <br /> for its' pro rata share of public improvement costs. Because residents, business and <br /> their employees create the need for and benefit from the availability of public services <br /> and infrastructure improvements, new development should pay its share of public <br /> facilities/improvements impacted by development. <br /> As noted above, most of the City's current development impact fees were last <br /> restructured in 1998 or 17 years ago. The methodology for establishing the City's <br /> development impact fees established in 1998 included reviewing: (1) the City's 1996 <br /> General Plan; (2) projects planned in the City's Public Facilities Master Plan; (3) <br /> required park land to meet the community's needs; (4) 1998 land values; and (5) 1998 <br /> construction cost estimates. At the time these fees were adopted, staff had <br /> recommended that the fees be periodically reviewed to reflect inflation and changes in <br /> the City's General Plan. Inflation adjustments have been occurring. <br /> The proposed contract with EPS will result in an update of all of the City's development <br /> impact fees based on the City's current General Plan. It will identify capital projects that <br /> will mitigate the impact of future development, quantify their estimated costs, and set <br /> forth an equitable allocation of those costs to future development. <br /> DISCUSSION <br /> On July 17, 2015, staff issued a RFP for Development Impact Fee studies. The RFP was <br /> sent to 11 firms with experience in conducting development impact fee studies, as well <br /> as posted on the City's website and on the California Society for Municipal Finance <br /> Officers' website. Proposals were due August 14, 2015. <br /> Staff received two responses to the RFP from EPS and Willdan. Both firms are equally <br /> well qualified to perform the development impact fee study. Staff could not identify <br /> substantive differences in the work scope, schedule, or staff qualifications between EPS <br /> and Willdan. However, EPS proposed budget of$135,070 is $70,640 less than Willdan's <br /> proposed budget of $205,710. In addition, EPS is familiar with Pleasanton as EPS <br /> previously assisted with the 1998 restructuring of the Affordable Housing fee. Thus, staff <br /> is recommending to award the development impact fee study contract to EPS. <br /> Assuming the City Council approves the proposed contract with EPS, the project will <br /> begin in the middle of October. After City staff and the consultant prepare initial data, staff <br /> Page 2 of 3 <br />