Lawndale council approves contract to replace county building-and-safety services

Lawndale — The City Council unanimously approved a contract to replace Los Angeles County’s building-and-safety services after the county notified the city it would terminate the existing agreement effective July 1.

Community Development Director Peter (staff) told the council that the department issued an RFP, received seven proposals and interviewed four firms; two finalists offered flat-rate, hourly proposals and staff recommended the lower-cost finalist (identified in the staff report as "Willdan/Wan"). Peter said the consultant’s proposal is structured so permit fees will cover service costs and staff does not expect an impact to the general fund.

The recommendation followed staff analysis showing some bidders proposed to collect a portion of plan-check fees — a model staff described as producing an unknown variable cost tied to application volumes. "Based on staff's analysis, Willdan's proposal is supposed to result in a cut in the expenditure," Peter said.

Council members pressed staff on operational details: expected turnaround times for plan checks (staff said a 10-business-day target for ADU reviews was in the proposal), the level of experience of the inspectors and plan-checkers the consultant would provide, and how the city would prevent perverse incentives if fees are directly tied to hours billed. Peter told the council the finalist proposed senior, experienced staff and that the flat-fee, valuation-based permit structure reduces incentives to prolong reviews because applicants pay valuation-based fees rather than hourly variable fees.

Several members said they want a longer-term plan to reduce backlog and increase speed, including exploring whether the city should add a full‑time building inspector. "If we hire a full-time inspector, I think we'll be halfway there," Council Member Bernice Suarez said, calling for the issue to be reviewed in the budget process. Council Member Pat Kernney also urged staff to hold the consultant to firm timelines for reviews and to provide a concise set of materials to council showing the chosen firm's proposal and cost breakdown.

The motion to accept staff’s recommendation and authorize the contract award passed unanimously. Council also authorized the city attorney to make minor contract edits based on council direction and asked staff to return with implementation details, including staffing and transition timelines.

What happens next: Staff will complete contract negotiations, transition services before the July termination date, and return to council with staffing and monitoring details; council members asked for follow-up reporting during the budget process on whether additional hours or in‑house hires are warranted.