Report Prepared by: Leah Brown, Management Analyst, Development Services
Title
SUBJECT: Award a Professional Services Agreement for an Infill Study and to Design a Master Plan Set for Duplexes and Triplexes
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving an agreement for professional services with Precision Civil Engineering, Inc., for $105,000 to prepare an Infill Study and to Design a Master Plan Set for Duplexes and Triplexes.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving an agreement for professional services with Precision Civil Engineering, Inc. (PCE), in the amount of $105,000 to conduct an Infill Study and to prepare designs for a Master Plan Set for Duplexes and Triplexes and to prepare program documents; and,
B. Authorizing the City Manager or Deputy City Manager to execute the agreements and any necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve the agreement, as recommended by staff; or
2. Deny; or
3. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200, et seq.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2022-23 Adopted Budget and the City Council’s Pro-Housing Policies.
DISCUSSION
In March 2019, the State of California, Department of Housing and Community Development listed a Notice of Funding Availability for Senate Bill 2 (SB2) Planning Grants Program. The goal of the program was to establish a permanent source of funding intended to increase the affordable housing stock in California. The City of Merced submitted an application that included a project to hire a consultant to conduct an infill study and to draft plans for a Master Plan Set of Duplexes and Triplexes.
In February 2020, the City was awarded $310,000 based on population of SB2 funding.
In April 2022, the City issued a request for proposals (Attachment 1) to conduct an infill study and to draft plans for a Master Plan Set of Duplexes and Triplexes. The purpose of the infill study is to define vacant and developable parcels within the City that can accommodate duplexes and triplexes. The deliverables will include creating a GIS layer of vacant developable infill parcels. The Master Plans will be fully plan checked. The plans will be presented in a Design Model catalog with the various models and architectural floor plans. The property owner would purchase a building permit when they obtained the plans free of architect’s design charges for construction.
Precision Civil Engineering, Inc. (PCE) submitted a comprehensive proposal that met our needs within our proposed budget. PCE is also currently performing design work on accessory dwelling units and cottages for the City and we have a good relationship with their project management team. Staff reviewed the scope of work and costs presented in PCE proposal and negotiated an Agreement for Professional Services (Attachment 2).
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
The funding for this agreement is provided via a Planning Grants Program (SB2) from the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development. No appropriation of funds is needed.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Request for Proposals
2. Agreement for Professional Services