Cerritos council approves contracts to build online permit and licensing portal

Cerritos City Council on April 21 approved professional services contracts to implement an online permit and licensing portal designed to allow residents and contractors to obtain permits fully online and to speed permitting and plan-check workflows.

City Manager Robert Lopez told the council the project aligns with the city's strategic plan goals to improve technology resources and strengthen economic development and recommended approval so staff can begin work with the consultant team. "This is a system that would allow residents, contractors, members of our business community to obtain permits, completely online through an automated process," Lopez said.

The portal project will include automated permit intake, online plan review and improvements to plan-check services. Council discussion also produced direction to initiate a request for proposals (RFP) for the city’s contracted building and safety services, which are currently provided by Los Angeles County. Council Member Hong asked for the RFP process and colleagues agreed by consensus; City Manager Lopez said staff would prepare the RFP and return with contract award recommendations at the conclusion of that process.

The motion to approve the contracts for the online portal passed on a 5–0 vote. No public comments were received on the item at the meeting.

The council also noted staff will procure portable nets and court striping for park conversions the city previously authorized, and that the portal work is expected to proceed while staff pursues the RFP and other workload items.

A copy of the staff report and contract exhibits were posted on the city's website in advance of the meeting.