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6.C. - Page 2 of 34 <br />ANALYSIS <br />On September 22, 2020 the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for professional planning, outreach <br />and environmental services related to the preparation of the Housing Element and any related General <br />Plan updates. Four weeks were allowed for interested consultants to prepare proposals, and five firms <br />submitted responses. Proposals were evaluated by the Housing Leadership Manager and Planning staff <br />on the basis of project approach, qualifications, previous City experience, and demonstrated experience <br />with innovative public outreach and participation strategies among other criteria. After staff review of <br />the proposals, three firms were interviewed. As part of the interview process, staff asked additional <br />questions about approach and experience, outreach, and incorporation of City Council priorities into the <br />project management structure. MIG was unanimously the top pick and selected as the winning firm. MIG <br />has previously done work with the City, specifically with the previous General Plan, Housing Element and <br />Draft Inner Harbor Specific Plan. <br />The agreement's scope of work includes not only an updated Housing Element, but associated revisions <br />to the City's Land Use Element, Safety Element and a new requirement for an Environmental Justice <br />Element. The land use updates are related to the need to amend the City's Zoning Ordinance and General <br />Plan to allow for sufficient housing development, and the Safety and Environmental Justice updates are <br />required by state law with updated Housing Elements. <br />Significant emphasis was placed on innovative and substantive community outreach strategies with a <br />focus on equity. Firms were asked to detail their outreach strategy (in-person and virtual), with a focus on <br />reaching underrepresented groups. MIG had a particularly strong response, with ChangeLabs as a sub - <br />consultant focusing on equity policies and a team that specializes in innovative online outreach <br />opportunities. <br />The City has also entered into an agreement with San Mateo County as part of the multi -jurisdictional 21 <br />Elements collaborative. This partnership allows for efficient data sharing and coordination, site selection <br />work and technical support throughout the Housing Element process. The 21 Elements collaborative work <br />will provide the basis for and supplement work completed by MIG. <br />FISCAL IMPACT <br />The total cost of the agreement with MIG is $734,434. In combination with the 21 Elements scope of work <br />of $21,500, the total professional services cost for Housing Element preparation is $755,934. As a <br />substantial project that has potentially widespread impacts on housing policy and development in <br />Redwood City, staff has applied for two grants to assist with the cost. End of year budget amendments <br />will be prepared to increase the long-range planning professional services budget by moving funds from <br />the General Plan Maintenance account.. Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City <br />Manager to approve a contingency for 10 percent of the contract, or $73,443 for a total of $807,877. <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcity.ore <br />101 <br />