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BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION <br /> The Planning Division is in need of temporary staffing assistance to address a <br /> forthcoming Senior Planner's leave, and to ensure work can continue to proceed in the <br /> interim on a number of important long-range planning efforts, including the Downtown <br /> Specific Plan (DSP) update. <br /> The workload expected during the projected employee leave primarily includes <br /> long-range planning projects such as the DSP, as well as work on zoning and other <br /> policy updates in response to recent changes in housing law; preparation of mandatory <br /> annual housing reports; coordination of the City's Census-related responsibilities; <br /> LAFCO and ABAG coordination, and miscellaneous other assignments. Staff has <br /> recommended that a part-time contract Senior Planner (average 25 hours/week), and <br /> part-time contract Assistant Planner (average 20 hours/week) be retained during the <br /> expected 4 to 6-month employee leave. The Assistant Planner would absorb some <br /> existing staff's current planning workload, to enable those planners to take on a larger <br /> share of the advance planning assignments. <br /> Three firms offering contract planning services, M-Group, Rincon Consultants, and <br /> Michael Baker International were invited to submit proposals for services, including the <br /> qualifications of staff who would be assigned to the two contract planner positions, and <br /> billing rates for those staff. M-Group was selected based on the qualifications of their <br /> assigned staff, and particular the proposed contract Senior Planner, a highly <br /> experienced individual who has worked at a senior level for several California and Bay <br /> Area jurisdictions, and has provided contract planning services for the City in the past. <br /> M-Group's billing rates are competitive with the two other firms solicited. <br /> The draft Professional Services Agreement is included in Attachment 1. As noted, it is <br /> for a total not to exceed $170,000, which includes a total of up to 750 hours for a Senior <br /> Planner; and 560 hours for an Assistant Planner, during a period not to exceed six <br /> months. <br /> Submitted by: Fiscal Review: Approved I?y: <br /> Gerry Beaudin Tina Olson Nelson Fialho <br /> Director of Community Director of Finance City Manager <br /> Development <br /> Attachments: <br /> 1 . Draft Professional Services Agreement <br /> Page 2 of 2 <br />