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Building Plan Review and Inspections Consultant Agreements <br />November 5, 2019 <br />Page 3 <br />In November 2016, City Council approved the execution of consultant agreements with Scott <br />Fazekas & Associates, Inc., CSG Consultants, Inc., Century Structural Engineering Co., Inc. and <br />J Lee Engineering Inc. for plan check services with an aggregate amount not to exceed <br />$1,000,000, for a three year term expiring on November 15, 2019. The demand for the Plan <br />check services were great, and developers/applicants have deposited funds requesting services <br />which has exceed the approved $1,000,000 over the past three years. Where applicable, the <br />City shall recognize and pay for any outstanding invoices for work performed by any of the <br />fourteen (14) selected vendors for building safety consultant services performed by the <br />Consultant for work previously performed for the City. <br />Also securing contract inspection staffing will provide a means to expeditiously service projects <br />without having to wait up to two weeks. Moreover, it will assist in reducing response time for <br />inspection of general work load by permanent in-house staff. This expedited service will be <br />funded via an additional pass through service fee based on contract rates established and <br />agreed upon by the successful Consultant(s) and the City. There is also the added benefit of <br />previewing potential staff in the event that permanent future positions are made available. <br />The increased number of available firms to send out expedited and regular plan checks will <br />provide greater flexibility for the Building Safety Division to both ensure that plans are reviewed <br />within the specified time frames, as well as route projects to firms that may specialize in a specific <br />building type or construction method. Similarly, the increased number of firms to provide <br />expedited and regular inspections services will provide timely response to customer services <br />needs of each specific project scope and complexity. <br />Appointment to the pre -approved list does not guarantee work to a consultant. If needed, firms <br />will be selected based upon their ability to perform the required work within the timeframe needed <br />and budget constraints. Approval of the list will allow the Building Safety Division to hire qualified, <br />experienced consultants for specific projects or tasks in a timely manner. As a result, the staff will <br />be better able to respond quickly to fluctuating demands and ultimately provide better service to <br />the City of Santa Ana. It is recommended that the consultant list be approved due to the expertise <br />that the firms have demonstrated in the field of Building Safety services. <br />STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT <br />Approval of this item supports the City's effort to meet Goal #3 - Economic Development; <br />Objective #3 (Promote a solution -based customer focus in all efforts to facilitate development and <br />investment in the community). <br />FISCAL IMPACT <br />Accelerated plan check fees and expedited inspection fees paid to the City by the applicant for <br />each project contracted out for Building Safety services will fully fund the consultants cost to <br />perform the respective plan check and inspections. <br />Expedited inspection fees and Accelerated Plan Check fees shall be paid by the applicant prior to <br />the consultant commencing any work and the fees will be deposited by the applicant into the <br />following accounts: Expedited Inspection services account no. 05316002-53618 and fees paid to <br />25B-3 <br />