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Council approves prequalified on‑call lists for planning and environmental consulting and peer review
Summary
City Council authorized on‑call, prequalified consultant lists to streamline environmental review, peer review and limited contract planning services. The measure aims to speed developer submittals, reduce city review costs and provide a pre‑screened set of firms for applicants and staff.
City Council authorized a set of prequalified consultant lists that the Planning Department will use for four categories of services: (1) environmental consulting prepared by consultants contracting directly with applicants, (2) peer‑review consultants the city can use to review third‑party environmental documents, (3) consultants to provide planning‑related technical services directly to the city, and (4) temporary contract planning staff services to fill short‑term staffing gaps.
The nut graf: Staff said the new on‑call lists will reduce review time and city cost by pre‑screening qualified firms; applicants can choose a prequalified firm to prepare environmental documents and the city will require peer review by a prequalified firm if applicants propose a non‑listed consultant. The city will pass through peer‑review costs to applicants.
Staff presented recommended vendor lists (a larger pool for applicant‑chosen consultants, a smaller pool for peer review with in‑house multidisciplinary capacity, and a small list for city planning support). Council approved the recommendation and an appropriation for FY 2024–25 as recommended by staff.
Councilmembers noted this should improve turnaround times and quality of environmental documents. The contract terms are up to five years; applicants will pay consultant fees when they contract directly with listed environmental firms and the city will pass through peer‑review fees when used.
Ending: Staff will publish the prequalified lists and begin using them for incoming project applications; staff will also return with any necessary updates or additional recommended firms as needed.
