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Request for Proposals for Right of Way Consulting and Related Services <br />Specialty Area (A5) Acquisition, Relocation, and Property Management Services <br />Replacement Housing Referrals: One of the tenets of the residential relocation program is that <br />comparable replacement housing must be available before you can cause displacement. Therefore, OPC will <br />search for, verify the availability of, and provide referrals to comparable replacement housing. The displacees <br />will receive referrals on a regular basis until they secure replacement housing. (While not required, referrals to <br />available replacement business sites will be offered to displaced businesses in order to assist them with <br />successfully relocating their businesses as well as mitigating foss of business goodwill claims.) <br />One critical assumption of finding available housing is the actual securing of the available unit. Many <br />times, especially in the competitive housing market we are experiencing in the Orange County market, it is those <br />who have the money that will secure the unit. Many times, occupants being displaced for a publicly funded <br />project are in the lower income category and do not have the funds necessary for first months rent and security <br />deposit. Without the ability to secure advance claims in a timely basis, many replacement housing opportunities <br />are lost and the credibility of our consultants and the City is lost. Therefore, it Is critical that checks are <br />processed as quickly as possible for the claimants. <br />As we have done with many other clients, OPC proposes to set up a Trust Account with monies funded by <br />the City to allow OPC to process the payments as they are approved by the City, relieving the City of the need to <br />prepare additional paperwork and expediting payment to the displacees. Claims are still sent to the City for <br />review and approval, but once approved; a check can be cut Immediately by OPC staff from the Trust Account. <br />Appropriate controls and reports are submitted to the City documenting the funds deposited and monies that <br />that have been paid. <br />Vacation and File Close Out: The last segment is critical, because without vacation of the units, the City <br />cannot proceed with the proposed road work or other project construction. OPC's Project Manager will work <br />closely with the City to make sure its schedule is met. Therefore, OPC's goal will be to provide all appropriate <br />services, referrals and assistance to relocate the tenants while adhering to the City's timeline. If tenants have <br />not found replacement housing 90 days before the City needs the property vacant (or other date determined by <br />the City) and appropriate comparable replacement housing has been provided, OPC will deliver 90-Day Notices <br />to Vacate. <br />Lastly, the task of closing a file, while not critical to vacating the tenant, will be of importance long after the <br />units are vacated. The files must be able to tell a story of who, what, why and how much, so that any auditor will <br />understand the process and sign off on the reimbursement of the funds, if applicable. <br />OPC will provide written and verbal multi-lingual services, either with our current bilingual staff or outside <br />services, in the event the need arises. <br />Page 36 <br /> <br />251-28