AgdaPkt 2018-01-22 Joint SA PFA - Laserfiche WebLink

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6.1.D. - Page 2 reliability of building inspection and plan review services by increasing its pool of qualified consultants. The request was publicly advertised and staff reached out to consultants throughout California, including the City's current consultants. Staff is currently in contract negotiations with potential firms and plans to seek City Council's approval for building inspection and plan check review services at the February 12 City Council Meeting. ANALYSIS The Community Development Department's Building Division and the Fire Department are responsible for ensuring quality development, construction and health and safety standards by processing building permit applications, reviewing development plans, enforcing zoning ordinances, helping to enforce certain chapters of the municipal building and fire code, and conducting building and fire inspections. Many of the services rendered by the Building Division are provided on a cost recovery or user fee basis. The revenues generated for these fees are used to offset the City's labor, material and professional service costs. While much of the work is performed by staff, the City utilizes consultants during staff turnover, in high volume periods, and for specialized expertise on mid- and large-scale development projects to provide plan review and building inspection services. Amending this contract permits the City to continue using WC3 for plan check review and inspection services. WC3 has performed to the City's expectations but the City will have exhausted the authorized funding before the new contracts would be presented to City Council for consideration on February 12. The authorized funding will be exhausted due to the high volume and complex nature of development projects. Amendment 3 authorizes enough funding ($349,000) to cover consultant building and fire plan review and building inspection costs until a new contract can be executed. ALTERNATIVES The City Council could choose to not approve the Agreement, however, this would significantly limit the City's ability to provide Building Division services. FISCAL IMPACT For FY 2017-18, the Building and Code Enforcement Division has sufficient remaining for these services. The services will be paid by revenues generated from plan check and building permit fees. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW This activity is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as defined in CEQA Guidelines, section 15378 because the administrative activities will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.