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CC - CONSENT ITEM: (1) Approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Center for New Democratic Processes to Develop and Conduct a Civic Assembly in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $230,000 as Recommended by the Civic Assembly Ad Hoc Subcommittee; and (2) Other Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.
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Meeting Date: December 1, 2025
Contact Person/Dept: Elizabeth Shavelson/Finance Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-5865
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (Email) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (11/25/2025); (Email) Ongoing Topics - Fiscal and Budget Issues (11/25/2025)
Department Approval: Lisa Soghor, Chief Financial Officer (11/25/2025)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) approve a professional services agreement with Center for New Democratic Processes to develop and conduct a civic assembly in an amount not-to-exceed $230,000 as recommended by the Civic Assembly Ad Hoc Subcommittee; and (2) provide other direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND
On May 19-20, 2025, the City Council received presentations on the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. During the discussion, Council Member Fish and Council Member McMorrin proposed and received Council consensus that a one-time funding enhancement in the amount of $250,000 be added to the Finance Department budget to create a new community-centered budget process through the potential use of a civic assembly process.
On June 9, 2025, the City Council approved the Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 which included $250,000 for budget outreach consultant services and requested that staff return to Council for more direction regarding how the funding would be spent.
On October 27, 2025 the City Council considered conducting a civic assembly to develop strategies to incre...
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