TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Tom Kisela, City Manager
FROM: Russell Bunim, Community Development Director
1. Subject
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Agreement with Amber Gregg, Inc. for Planning consulting services.
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2. Summary
An agreement with Amber Gregg, Inc. in the amount of $60,000 to provide temporary contract Planning staff services to perform work related to City compliance with state housing legislation given the vacant Planning positions in the Community Development Department.
3. Recommended Action
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Approve an agreement in the amount of $60,000 with Amber Gregg, Inc. for Planning Division consulting services; and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute on behalf of the City.
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4. Fiscal Impact
The total expenditure for this Agreement is $60,000 and will be funded through General Fund (100) utilizing salary savings from staff vacancies.
The requested funding anticipates six months of contract staffing.
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 2: Enhance Economic Development and Achieve Fiscal Sustainability
Goal 4: Improve Employee Retention and Recruitment
6. Discussion and Background
Amber Gregg, Inc. provides planning consulting services to local jurisdictions. As part of those services, the firm offers staff of various backgrounds and expertise to perform services that include the review and approval of plan checks pertaining to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Housing Element-related ordinances.
Amber Gregg, Inc. has provided similar contract services to the City in recent years during periods of high-volume ADU application submittal that coincided with staffing shortages. With the recent departure of key Planning staff from the Community Development Department, and anticipated timing for recruitment and on-boarding of new staff, the need for contract staffing is expected through the later part of the calendar year. The services include approximately 25 hours per week supporting ADU application review and coordination, as well as work on ordinances that implement Orange’s 2021-2029 Housing Element.
This Agreement enables the Planning Division to maintain a high level of service and continue to meet customer and organizational expectations of timely application processing, along with maintaining the City’s obligations to the State of California related the Housing Element.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• Agreement with Amber Gregg, Inc.