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CC - CONSENT ITEM: (1) Approval of Related Agreements with TruePoint Solutions and Symbium Corporation for Multiple Accela Permit System Enhancements, Including Fee Schedule Updates, Solar Permitting Integration, and ACA BridgePay Adaptation in an Aggregate Amount Not-to-Exceed $86,700; and (2) Authorization to the City Manager to Approve Amendments to the Agreements in an Additional Amount Not-To-Exceed 10% of the Aggregate for Unanticipated Costs.
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Meeting Date: March 17, 2025
Contact Person/Dept: Johnnie Griffing / IT Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-5976
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (03/12/2025)
Department Approval: J.R. Wright, Chief Information Officer (02/26/2025)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) approve related agreements with TruePoint Solutions and Symbium Corporation (Symbium) for multiple enhancements to the City’s Accela Civic Platform, covering fee schedule updates, solar permitting integration, and ACA BridgePay payment processing adaptation in an aggregate amount not-to-exceed $86,700; and (2) authorize the City Manager to approve amendment(s) to the agreement(s) in an additional amount not-to-exceed 10% of the aggregate for unanticipated costs.
BACKGROUND
TruePoint Solutions has been a key integration provider for the City’s permit system, Accela Civic Platform, and has recently completed the DigEPlan Electronic Document Review (EDR) project in 2024. To further enhance Accela’s functionality and meet the City’s operational needs, three specific projects have been identified for implementation: Fee Schedule Updates and General Accela Support, Solar Permitting Integration with Symbium, and ACA BridgePay Custom Adaptation.
DISCUSSION
Fee Schedule Updates and General Accela Support
On January 13, 2025 the City Council approved a resolution adopting the comprehensive fee schedule for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. The corresponding fee study conducted by NBS provided information needed to update and establish fees for services spanning across numerous departments. A subset related to permit fees associated with the City’s development permit system require specialized assistance from a qualified vendor experienced configuring Accela Civic Platform. TruePoint has been a key integration provider for the City’s permit system enhancements and recently completed the Electronic Document Review (EDR) project in 2024. Fees related to development go into effect 60 days after adoption by the City Council. TruePoint has prior knowledge and experience with the City’s system configurations and user needs. Given the nature of the short 60-day timeline to complete fee updates in the system, TruePoint is uniquely positioned to offer their support configuring fee changes and training City staff based on their expertise gained from over 130 clients.
Per Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) Section 3.07.055.I, professional or general services are exempt from competitive bidding. Per CCMC Section 3.07.065.A, the award of professional or general services shall be based on competitive quotations whenever practical, as determined by the City Manager. Due to tight timeline to implement the City’s updated fee schedule, soliciting competitive quotations is not practical at this time.
Solar Permitting Integration
To comply with solar permitting mandates, Symbium provides a highly configurable compliance checking experience with seamless integration in the City’s permit tracking system. Unlike other solar permitting solutions, Symbium offers automated compliance verification, no-plan express permits, API integrations with contractor licensing and business licenses databases, and instant permit issuance and fee calculations. Symbium’s permitting interface is at no cost to the City for procurement with no ongoing fees. TruePoint would provide custom integration support configuring Symbium with Accela Civic Platform.
Per CCMC Section 3.07.055.E, the purchase of computer software and software maintenance services such as Symbium is exempt from bidding requirements.
Per Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) Section 3.07.055.I. professional or general services are exempt from competitive bidding. CCMC Section 3.07.065.A. the award of professional or general services shall be based on competitive quotations whenever practical, as determined by the City Manager. Due to the time sensitive nature of this project, soliciting competitive quotations is not practical at this time.
ACA BridgePay Adaptation
A yearly subscription for the ACA redirect payment interface to BridgePay’s hosted payment page, supporting both credit card and eCheck transactions, would be provided by TruePoint.
Per CCMC Section 3.07.055.E. the purchase of computer software and software maintenance services is exempt from bidding requirements.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The costs for the three TruePoint efforts are broken down as follows:
• Fee Schedule Updates - $37,950 with sufficient funding in Account #10124100.600200 (Information Technology - Repairs and Maintenance) as approved in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 mid-year departmental budget request.
• Solar Permitting Integration - $40,000 with sufficient funding in Account #41453410.619800 (CA Automated Permit Process) supported by a grant by the California Energy Commission.
• ACA BridgePay Adaptation - $8750 with sufficient funding in Account #10124100.600200 (Information Technology - Repairs and Maintenance) as approved in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 mid-year departmental budget request.
The Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 includes sufficient funding for these three TruePoint efforts totaling $86,700 plus a 10% contingency in Account No. 10124100.600200 (Information Technology - R&M Equipment) which can be found on page 212 of the budget book and Account No. 41453410.619800 (Planning & Development - California Automated Permit Process) which can be found on page 391 of the budget book.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. Approve related agreements with TruePoint Solutions and Symbium Corporation for multiple enhancements to the City’s Accela Civic Platform, covering fee study updates, solar integration, and ACA BridgePay payment processing adaptation in an aggregate amount not-to-exceed $86,700; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to approve amendment(s) to the agreement(s) in an additional amount not-to-exceed 10% of the aggregate for unanticipated costs; and
3. Authorize the City Attorney to review/prepare the necessary documents; and
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of the City.