REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR PLANNING SERVICES

Issued: May 24, 2017

CITY OF BIGGS
465 C STREET / P.O. Box 307
BIGGS, CALIFORNIA 95917

Due Date and Time: June 30, 2017 at or before 4:00 p.m.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The City of Biggs is located in the fertile farmlands of the Sacramento Valley about an hour north of Sacramento. Known as the "heart of rice country," Biggs is approximately 25 miles south of Chico and 25 miles north of Yuba City, just off State Route 99, at an elevation of 93 feet. Biggs is approximately 4 miles north of Gridley. The community character Biggs typifies the image of a small, rural American town. The population of approximately 1,800 allows most residents to know each other in passing. Among the most attractive qualities of Biggs is the relatively quiet and safe lifestyle, the high quality of education offered through the Biggs Unified School District, and the affordability of homes in the community. The qualities of a safe and friendly community make Biggs a pleasant place for families and those seeking a peaceful place to live.

SCOPE OF SERVICES

The City of Biggs wishes to contract with an outside consulting firm or individual to provide, as needed, on call planning services, referenced herein after as "City Planner". The City Planner shall perform such duties as may be set forth within the City 's Municipal Code, General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations, other City codes and ordinances; provide both short-term and long term planning recommendations; coordinate and process various land use applications; or any additional planning matters as directed by the City.

The City of Biggs currently budgets $30,000 per year for general planning services, with additional project specific task orders as needed.

The City of Biggs contracts with Butte County for building services.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Available to provide planning services on an, as needed, on call basis.

2. Maintain an accurate understanding of the City 's general plan, zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations and other City codes and policies;

3. Organize the application process in a manner that provides critical information to applicants so that they can gain an understanding of the procedures they must follow and the information they must provide with land use applications;

4. When applications are more complex than can be conveyed with standard informational materials, meet with applicants to review their proposal and identify the proper submittal guidelines to assure that there is a clear understanding of what is required for a complete application;

5. Review and prepare reports on Preliminary, Tentative, and Final Subdivision Maps with input from appropriate consultants and/or departments, to ensure code compliance and to ensure that timely information is delivered to the Planning Commission and City Council so that they can comply with statutory decision deadlines;

6. Review and prepare reports on zoning and land use applications;

7. Make appropriate presentations before the Planning Commission and /or City Council;

8. Coordinate permit review with appropriate commissions, committees, consultants and/or departments;

9. Prepare written records and reports of investigation and violations of zoning codes; provide on-site field verification or direct others to perform inspections documenting compliance; encourage voluntary compliance and, when necessary, coordinate enforcement of zoning ordinances through communication with land owners and cooperation with the City Attorney and City Staff; order the issuance of citations where appropriate; testify in court concerning inspection results if necessary;

10. Provide administrative support to the Planning Commission or City Council by preparing reports, maintaining records, and completing directives of the Planning Commission;

11. Coordinate with staff and monitor recording of legal documents relating to land use;

12. Represent the City to residents and applicants in a respectful manner and make reasonable efforts to accurately estimate the cost of application related services.

13. Attend the regular monthly meetings of the City Council which are held on the Second Tuesday of the month, as needed. The City does not currently have a Planning Commission, but may re-establish a Planning Commission.

CONTENT OF PROPOSAL

Proposals shall contain the following information:

1. Cover letter and introduction including the name of the firm or individual and the name and telephone numbers of the person(s) authorized to represent the company regarding all matters related to the proposal;

2. Prospective providers should indicate how they envision being able to provide services to the City, and how those services will fit within the goals and policies of the City.

3. Experience working with other communities with similar geographic profiles and demographics.

4. Representative list of current clients with references contacts at three clients;

5. Resumes of key personnel to be performing the planning functions for the City, including education and professional certifications;

6. Samples of reports to be submitted to the City which may address one or more of the following:

a. corrections ("comments") to an initial submittal of a map or site plan

b. a concept review

c. responses to inquiries from the public, developers, etc.

7. Preferred method for receiving submittals.

8. Provide any additional information that you feel is pertinent in the City 's decision for selecting a planning consultant.

9. Provide a fee schedule identifying specific rates for services and meeting attendance including sample invoice detail, billing schedule and mileage charges.

10. Electronic Submittal: In addition to physical delivery of one hard copy of the proposal to the City, please deliver electronic PDF file(s) of the complete proposal to the City via USB drive or via email to mark@biggs-ca.gov

All proposals shall be delivered to the City at the location specified in this document and shall be received by the City of Biggs by the required date and time. The post marked date shall not serve as the date of receipt. Proposals must be clearly marked and submitted to:

City of Biggs
Attn: Mr. Mark Sorensen, City Administrator
465 C Street / P.O. Box 307
Biggs, CA 95917

PLEASE READ THE FULL RFP FOR DETAILS AT ww.biggs-ca.gov