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REQUEST FOR <br />COUNCIL ACTION <br />CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: <br />AUGUST 15, 2017 <br />TITLE: <br />AGREEMENTS FOR GRANT WRITING <br />SERVICES [NON -GENERAL FUND] <br />(STRATEGIC PLAN NO. 6, 1C) <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: <br />As Recommended <br />❑ <br />As Amended <br />❑ <br />Ordinance on 1 at Reading <br />❑ <br />Ordinance on 2nd Reading <br />❑ <br />Implementing Resolution <br />❑ <br />Set Public Hearing For <br />CONTINUED TO <br />FILE NUMBER <br />Authorize the City Manager and Clerk of the Council to execute agreements with Engineering Solutions <br />Services and Townsend Public Affairs to provide grant writing services for the Public Works Agency for a <br />three-year period beginning August 15, 2017, and expiring August 14, 2020, with provision for one two- <br />year renewal option exercisable by the City Manager and City Attorney, in an amount not to exceed <br />$107,500 annually for each consultant, for a total annual amount of $215,000 for both agreements, subject <br />to nonsubstantive changes approved by the City Manager and City Attorney. <br />DISCUSSION <br />The Public Works Agency Water Resources Division operates the City's Water and Sewer enterprises. <br />These enterprises are funded through ratepayer revenues which provide funds for water and sewer <br />system maintenance, enterprise operations, and capital improvements. While enterprises are generally <br />self -funding, it can be both fiscally and economically efficient to pursue outside funding for capital projects <br />and explore future funding opportunities for service improvements, environmental stewardship, and cost <br />reduction. Approval of this recommended action will provide for the services of grant -writing professionals <br />who will assist the Water Resources Division in identifying and applying for grants and similar awards and, <br />in turn, help to keep water and sewer rates low. <br />On April 6, 2017, the Public Works Agency released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for grant writing <br />services on the City's website (RFP 15-083). Four proposals were received on May 11, 2017. The <br />proposals were evaluated and ranked by a review committee comprised of personnel from various Public <br />Works Divisions. Ranking criteria included firm and personnel experience, understanding of need, relevant <br />project experience, schedule, references, presentation, and fee. The rating of the firms is as follows: <br />VENDOR RATING <br />Engineering Solutions Services 88 <br />Townsend Public Affairs 85 <br />Grant Management Associates 72 <br />California Consulting 67 <br />25K-1 <br />