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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-02-23 - AGENDA REPORTS - BUILDING INSPECTION SERVICES (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT CONSENT CALENDAR City Manager Approva Item to be presented y: Kevin Tonoian DATE: February 23, 1999 SUBJECT: CONTRACTUAL BUILDING INSPECTION SERVICES — AWARD OF CONTRACT DEPARTMENT: Planning and Building Services RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council approve and authorize the City Manager to execute an Agreement for Professional Services with Willdan & Associates for a total contract value not to exceed $100,000, subject to City Attorney approval. During the past several years, the City's Building and Safety Division has balanced the delivery of key services to the community through the utilization of both in-house and contractual staff. As the demand for these services depends upon the activity of residential and commercial development, the City has chosen to rely upon contractual assistance to complete these important functions in lieu of hiring additional staff. The strong local and state wide economy has significantly increased the demand for building inspection related services far beyond staffs initial projected level for FY 1998/99. The size of current projects are larger than in the past, coupled with more aggressive construction schedules to meet current market demands, have created a demand for service that can only be met through additional staffing or a reduction in the level of inspection services. During the next five to seven months, staff anticipates that several significant projects such as the Bouquet Canyon Senior Housing complex, the Town Center Drive Apartments, the Explorer's Insurance Complex, and several Central Park buildings will be completed. Additionally, several new development projects are either in the beginning stages of construction or scheduled to begin construction within the next 12 to 18 months. These projects include the Beazer homes at Via Princessa, the Taylor Woodrow project by College of the Canyons, and the Bridgeport Development along McBean Boulevard in the North Valencia I Annexation area. The utilization of these funds for contractual building inspection services will allow staff to continue delivering a high level of service to our local construction community, while delaying FD fflED A endo . 6. the need to increase the number of full-time Building Inspectors employed by the City. During the Fiscal Year 1999/2000 Budget process, staff will continue to evaluate the utilization of Contractual Building Inspection Services — Award of Contract building inspection contractual service staff and, based upon projected economic trends, determine if it is appropriate to continue the practice of utilizing contractual staff, or if it is more cost effective to hire additional full-time staff. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS 1. Direct staff to hire additional full-time Building Inspectors. 2. Direct staff to maintain the current level of resources dedicated to building inspection services. 3. Other direction as determined by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT All building inspection services that will be provided through this contractual relationship with Willdan and Associates will be 100% offset by inspection fees generated by new development occurring in Santa Clarita. KMT:lep s:\pbs\kmt\wi1dan