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Deputy City Manager Pamela Ott presented the staff report. She provided a brief history of the <br /> Coordinated Business Support Program and noted it is designed to foster local economic growth <br /> by encouraging residents and businesses to support local companies, educate business owners <br /> on how to do business with the City, and implement local purchasing practices. <br /> Ms. Ott reported a local preference program achieves policy interests by improving the local <br /> economic vitality and keeping a portion of sales tax within the local economy. She noted some <br /> potential drawbacks include fewer bidders and increased cost to the City. She advised the <br /> premise is if the procurement submissions are competitively matched in relation to qualifications, <br /> quality, experience, and cost, the City will consider locality when selecting providers of goods and <br /> services. She clarified the definition of a local provider and noted Council, or the City Manager <br /> may waive that preference based on insufficient qualifications, quality or experience, or in the <br /> event of an emergency. <br /> Ms. Ott reported the Economic Vitality Committee (EVC) discussed the item at its October 17, <br /> 2019 meeting; reviewed approaches of other communities; considered advantages and <br /> drawbacks to using local preference for goods and services, voted unanimously to recommend <br /> local preference in the acquisition of supplies, equipment, and all services. <br /> Assistant City Attorney Larissa Seto reported staff recommends applying the local preference to <br /> trade services (e.g. plumbers, electricians, locksmiths, etc.), while excluding professional services <br /> (e.g. accountants, engineers, landscape architects, attorneys, etc.). She said the proposed local <br /> preference ordinance includes an amendment to the Municipal Code, modifications to the <br /> Purchasing Procedures and Manual, a local preference for Tie Bid, and a Bid Calculation <br /> Preference. <br /> Assistant City Attorney Seto clarified the Tie Bid process would be applied when two or more bids <br /> are from equally qualified vendors for the same total amount or unit price, giving preference to the <br /> city-based vendor. She clarified the Bid Calculation Preference occurs when a city-based bid is <br /> higher than a non-city-based bid. The City would then make a five percent adjustment from the <br /> total bid of any city-based vendor not to exceed $5,000 for any single purchase order and then <br /> compare the bids. She noted that emergency situations would exempt in the proposed <br /> amendments and that staff would monitor the process for two years. <br /> Assistant City Attorney Seto recommended Council introduce the ordinance and adopt a <br /> resolution for related amendments to Purchasing Procedures and Manual. <br /> In response to Councilmember Pontin's inquiry, Ms. Ott advised the EVC did not explore vendors <br /> whose businesses are in Pleasanton but procure goods and services nationally. Assistant City <br /> Attorney Seto further clarified the proposal does not have an appeal process, in the scenario was <br /> presented. <br /> In response to Councilmember Brown's inquiry, Assistant City Attorney Seto advised this would <br /> not apply to GSA contracts and that it would be difficult determine the percentage of the total <br /> purchasing this would apply to. Mr. Fialho added that GSA purchases are approximately 10%. <br /> In response to Vice Mayor Narum's inquiry, Assistant City Attorney Seto clarified the 5% local <br /> business preference is applied only for comparing bids. <br /> Vice Mayor Narum opened public comment. <br /> Christina Nystrom Mantha. EVC member, expressed her support for the item as it is the right <br /> thing to do for the community. <br /> City Council Minutes Page 6 of 7 January 21, 2020 <br />