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Title:
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Amendment to the professional services agreement with Aurthur Associates to continue providing general planning services.
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City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve an amendment to a professional
consulting services agreement with Aurthur Associates in an amount not to exceed
$25,000 to provide general planning services.
BACKGROUND:
The FY 05-06 budget provides for nine full time planning positions in the Planning
Division (counting the Planning Manager position in the CDD Administration budget).
Currently three of the positions are vacant and there is the equivalent of 1.5 contract
planners helping to offset the vacancies. Recruitment for these vacant positions is
under way, but our recent experience has shown that it is very difficult to attract
experienced and skilled professionals. It may be some time before these positions
are filled.
This comes at a time when the Division is focused on completing a number of high
priority and very involved programs like the Zoning Code Update and
Redevelopment Agency initiated projects.
The Division is at risk of being unable to complete its work program, support other
City Departments, and maintain a high level of customer service. Contract planning
services are needed to provide sufficient staff resources to support City and Agency
work programs.
Meeting Date: 9/06/05 Item Number: A-1
AGENDA ITEM: Consideration of an Amendment to a Professional Consulting
Services Agreement with Aurthur Associates to Provide General Planning
Services.
Contact Person/Dept.: Sherry Jordan /
CDD
Phone Number: (310) 253-5746
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: []
Public Notification: Elinor Aurthur was notified on August 17, 2005 and the Master
Notification List on August 31, 2005.
Department Approval:
Susan Evans 8/25/05
CAO Approval:
John Montanio for Jerry Fulwood 8/31/05
City Controller Approval:
Marlee Change 8/31/05City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
DISCUSSION:
In June of 2005, the City entered into an Administrative Contract with Aurthur
Associates to provide planning counter and general planning services. The
maximum contract is $10,000: to date, approximately 98% of this contract has been
expended.
Ms. Aurthur has provided contractual planning services for Culver City on and off
since 1992. In light of this experience, she is able to step in and assist the Planning
Division in a variety of key assignments.
Staff is very pleased with Elinor Aurthur’s performance and quality of service. She
has been responsive, efficient, and complete in her work. In the past few months
Ms. Aurthur has been vital in assisting staff with plan checking, counter services,
case management, assistance with code enforcement, etc.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
Staff proposes to use $25,000 from salary savings due to vacant positions in the
Planning Division this fiscal year. The money would be transferred from the salary
account to Planning Division’s Other Contractual Services account
(10152100.619800).
The Council is requested to amend Aurthur Associates contract by increasing the
maximum authorization from $10,000 to $25,000 for a total amount of $35,000.
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Authorize an amendment to the professional services agreement with Aurthur
Associates increasing the contract total amount to $25,000;
2. Instruct the City Attorney to prepare the amendment; and
3. Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to sign the amendment on behalf of the
City.