TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Planning and Community Development |
Carol Helland |
425-556-2107 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Planning and Community Development |
Jason Lynch |
Deputy Director |
|
Planning and Community Development |
Todd Rawlings |
Process Improvement Manager |
TITLE:
title
Approval of a Consultant Agreement with Marcum, LLP, in an Amount Not to Exceed $95,000, for the Development Services Process Improvement Effort
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
With the Development Services Process Improvement Consultant Agreement, the City of Redmond has solicited a consultant to streamline, improve consistency and predictability of our permitting, inspection, and code compliance functions of the City, which are supported by the departments of Planning and Community Development, Public Works, and Fire. This cross-departmental process improvement will contribute to the City’s ability to facilitate development that is consistent with the community vision contained in the Comprehensive Plan.
body
☐ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☐ Provide Direction ☒ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
EV-1 Provide a positive, accessible and “user-friendly” atmosphere to those seeking municipal services.
EV-2 Foster a culture throughout the City organization that continuously improves the quality, predictability, timeliness and cost of the development process.
EV-12 Evaluate development regulations periodically to:
• Ensure that uses not previously contemplated and that are consistent with the intent of the Comprehensive Plan can locate within the city; and
• Review development standards, timelines and fees to promote predictability and consistency.
• Required:
Second Substitute Senate Bill 5290 <https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2023-24/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Laws/Senate/5290-S2.SL.pdf?q=20231101133548> was signed by the Governor on May 8, 2023. This bill requires cities to report permit performance to Commerce starting in 2024 and to meet permit timelines starting in 2025. Improvements to the permitting enterprise are necessary to accomplish the requirements contained in this bill.
• Council Request:
N/A
• Other Key Facts:
Council requested continuous process improvement initiatives.
OUTCOMES:
The Development Services Process Improvement Action Plan will be developed in partnership with all Permit Review teams and with assistance from the Consultant to identify key opportunities for Permit Process improvement. With this Action Plan, the City of Redmond will be well prepared to streamline our processes and create transparent reporting on our Permit throughput and staff utilization.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
We will work with consultant to develop implementation plan.
• Outreach Methods and Results:
TBD
• Feedback Summary:
TBD
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
The contract for consulting services is not to exceed $95,000. The funding to develop the consultant agreement and Development Services Process Improvement Plan comes from fees collected through the Development Services function.
Approved in current biennial budget: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
0000042 Development Services
Budget Priority:
Vibrant and Connected
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
General Fund
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
11/06/2023 |
Committee of the Whole - Planning and Public Works |
Provide Direction |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
|
None proposed at this time |
N/A |
Time Constraints:
The selected consultant has been notified and is coordinating with City staff regarding the project schedule. Project work is anticipated to begin in early December 2023.
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
If not approved, the City will not be able to move forward with the consultant contract and Process Improvement initiatives will be slowed; the City will lack a key resource in gathering independent Voice of the Customer input from both internal teams and external customers.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A - Marcum, LLP Proposal and Consultant Agreement