DATE: April 5, 2016
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Development Services Director
SUBJECT
Title
Increase Funding for Downtown Specific Plan
End
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That Council adopts the attached resolution (Attachment I) approving an additional $230,000 ($305,000 total) for the Downtown Specific Plan project based on information provided in this staff report.
SUMMARY
The contract with the original firm retained to complete the Downtown Specific Plan, Dyett & Bhatia, was terminated "for convenience" on Monday October 19, 2015, due to a variety of factors, including delays in submittals and lack of vision for this important document. Staff is working with the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC), manager of the project grant funding, to retain the next ranked firm to complete all remaining aspects of the project, anticipated to be completed by no later than February of 2018.
Because of poor performance from the original consultant, the need for additional scope of work, increased of costs in the market since the contract was originally awarded, and the need to add a zoning code element to the Plan, estimated costs to complete the Downtown Specific Plan have increased above original staff estimates. Additionally, after repeated requests, the prior consulting firm failed to produce a detailed community engagement strategy, which is a key element of the project, ensuring community participation in all phases of the project.
Finally, ACTC rejected a request from City staff to provide additional funding above the original $950,000 grant funds awarded to the City for this project. ACTC staff has requested that the project funding shortfall be addressed prior to executing a contract with Lisa Wise Consulting to complete work on the Downtown Specific Plan project. Therefore, staff is requesting an additional $230,000 in addition to the $75,000 already approved by Council ...
Click here for full text