City of Culver City, California
Redevelopment Agency Agenda Item Report
Page 1 of 3
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the Culver City Redevelopment Agency (“The Agency”) authorize
an amendment to extend the administrative contract with MDG & Associates for an
additional cost not-to-exceed $10,000.00.
BACKGROUND:
As a result of retirements, job changes and maternity leaves, the Agency staff has
many unfilled positions this year. In order to maintain the staffing level needed to
carry out the Agency’s work program, an administratively approved contract with
MDG & Associates (MDG”) was signed on May 29, 2007 to hire the part-time
services of Mr. Ruben M. Lopez, as a contract Project Manager, specifically to
oversee the economic development activities which had been under Ms. Kellee
Fritzal, Economic Development Administrator, prior to her departure from Culver
City. The administratively approved contract has a cap on compensation not-to-
exceed $10,000, which is close to being exhausted. There is a need to continue Mr.
Lopez’s services and therefore, the Agency is asked to consider a contract
extension.
DISCUSSION:
Mr. Lopez has over thirty (30) years experience with various municipalities in the
redevelopment/economic development field. His resume includes over fourteen (14)
years as Community Development Director with responsibilities in redevelopment,
economic development, planning and zoning, code enforcement, Housing Authority,
housing programs, and CDBG/HOME funds. Project experience includes industrial
Meeting Date: 09/17/07 Item Number: A-2
AGENDA ITEM: Consideration of a Contract Extension with MDG & Associates
for Economic Development Administrator Services on an Interim Basis
Contact Person/Dept.: John Fisanotti Phone Number: (310) 253-5767
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: []
Public Notification: Master Notification List (09/12/07).
Department Approval:
Sol Blumenfeld (09/06/07)
Executive Director Approval:
Jerry Fulwood (9/12/07)
City Controller Approval:
Marlee Chang (09/08/07)
City of Culver City, California
Redevelopment Agency Agenda Item Report
Page 2 of 3
parks, entertainment center, retail centers, mixed use developments, affordable
housing (senior/family), hotels, and major streetscape projects.
Over the past few months, Mr. Lopez has been working with staff and management
in the Economic Development Division to develop a strategic work plan and timeline
to promote and assist existing, expanding, and new businesses wishing to locate in
Culver City. The plan will include marketing, webpage, newsletter, economic
development incentives, and a new resource center geared to provide “one on one”
service to the business community.
It is anticipated that Mr. Lopez’s services will be needed through the end of the
calendar year; giving the Agency time to recruit and hire the budgeted but vacant
positions, particularly the re-classified Economic Development Manager. If the
contract extension is approved by the Agency board, the next several months will be
spent getting Agency approval of the workplan, development of the various
components, and implementation.
The present contract is for a maximum compensation of $10,000. The request is to
increase the maximum another $10,000 for a new not-to-exceed total of $20,000.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
MDG & Associates charges $75.00 per hour for Mr. Lopez’s services. When
compared to the rate the Agency pays for many other consultant services, this
compares favorably. In fact the rate is not too far different than the labor plus benefit
burden rate the Agency pays to comparably experienced staff.
By projecting the rate of monthly billings received from MDG to date, through to the
end of the year, staff estimates another $10,000 should be sufficient to pay for Mr.
Lopez’s part time work until the Agency has filled some of its vacancies.
Funding for the contract with MDG comes from account number 59190400.619800.
There is adequate money available to pay the recommended additional
compensation to MDG.
City of Culver City, California
Redevelopment Agency Agenda Item Report
Page 3 of 3
MOTION:
That the Agency:
1. Approve an amendment to the contract with MDG & Associates, in a form
approved by Agency General Counsel, to extend the contract with for another
$10,000 bringing the new not-to-exceed total contract compensation to
$20,000.00; and
2. Authorize the Executive Director, or his designee to execute the contract
amendment.