The Engineering Division’s Land Development section is responsible for processing plan checking and carrying out inspection services for redevelopment projects within the City. Some of these projects create heavier workloads and demand fast turnaround times from staff. For these reasons, it is practical to have on-call consultant civil engineering plan checking and construction inspection services to meet development needs within the community. The services required include plan checking grading plans, street improvement plans, tenant improvements plans, water quality improvement plans, tentative and final parcel and tract maps, lot line adjustments, legal descriptions, site/construction inspection and survey and easement documents.

Land Development Plan Checking & Construction Inspection Services

Staff solicited requests for proposals from three civil engineering firms. All three consultants submitted a proposal. A panel consisting of three staff members rated the proposals on the basis of qualifications, work plan, and references. Based on the evaluation results, Engineering Resources of Southern California rated the highest.

The following is a summary of the ratings:

Land Development Plan Checking & Construction Inspection Fees

The costs for plan checking and construction inspection services associated with the new contract have increased.  Plan checking and construction inspection fees must therefore be adjusted to reflect the increased costs of the services being provided under the new contract.  The attached resolution implements the adjustment in fees for plan checking and construction inspection services, which will increase by $10 per hour for plan checking and $15 per hour for construction inspection. These fees will be effective 60 days from the adoption of the resolution in compliance with State law. 

A public hearing must be conducted to revise the plan checking and construction inspection fees affected per this contract.

There is no impact to the General Fund provided that the attached Resolution amending plan checking and construction inspection fees is adopted.

It is recommended that the City Council:

• Conduct a public hearing;

• Adopt the attached Resolution amending fees for civil engineering plan checking and construction inspection services;

• Award a contract to Engineering Resources of Southern California, Inc., to provide on-call civil engineering plan checking and construction inspection services, in the amount not to exceed $300,000 annually, with the option to extend the term for four (4) years on an annual basis; and

• Authorize the City Manager to execute the professional services agreement, and option year agreements, provided sufficient funds are budgeted, and to make minor modifications as appropriate on behalf of the City.

By:  Ana V. Neal, Sr. Administrative Analyst