The City of Alhambra, California is soliciting proposals from qualified consulting firms with proven expertise in historic preservation to support its Historic Preservation Program. Under the direction of the Community Development Director or designee, the selected consultant will help preserve and enhance the City's architectural and cultural heritage. The consultant is expected to promote high-quality preservation outcomes that maintain the integrity and character of the City's existing historic resources while ensuring that rehabilitation and new development are sensitively integrated within the Alhambra community.

PROJECT SCOPE:

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist in implementing and administering the Historic Preservation Ordinance;
• Develop and review various applications associated with the Historic Preservation Program;
• Serve as the City's primary staff liaison to the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC);
• Provide technical guidance and support to HPC members, City staff, and the public;
• Lead the City's efforts to obtain Certified Local Government (CLG) certification status and ongoing compliance, once CLG status is obtained;
• Attend monthly HPC meetings and other public meetings, as required;
• Maintain regular office hours and provide timely, high-quality services to the City;
• Coordinate with staff on developing informational materials for the public about the Historic Preservation Program (e.g., brochures, FAQs, website content); and
• Administer a recognition program (e.g., plaque program) that is yet to be established.

SPECIFIC AREAS OF SERVICE

Ordinance Implementation and Policy Support

• Collaborate with staff to create streamlined, user-friendly applications and review procedures, and assist staff with resource materials for the community (ie, handouts, website content).
• Develop and maintain application workflows, checklists, and internal review protocols to manage project status through Tyler Energov, the City's online permitting system.
• Provide technical advice on new policy development and code amendments (on an as-needed basis). Assist with maintaining and updating the Alhambra Register of Historic Resources and Alhambra Inventory of Historic Resources, including coordination of recordation of formal designations.

Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) Staffing and Administration

• Attend and serve as the staff liaison at the monthly Historic Preservation Commission meetings. Meetings are held in person at 6:00 PM on the 4th Wednesday of each month at Alhambra City Hall. Attendance at additional meetings (e.g., City Council) may be required on an as-needed basis.
• Prepare HPC meeting agendas, staff reports, action minutes, and presentations.
• Present agenda items and staff recommendations during public meetings, and respond to HPC members questions regarding agenda items.
• Provide training and orientation for HPC members on matters related to historic preservation, as needed.
• Maintain clear and consistent communication with applicants and staff throughout the application process, including timely follow-up and thorough documentation after meetings.

Project Application Review and Evaluation

• Review various applications such as designation requests, Certificates of Appropriateness, Certificates of Demolition, Certificates of Economic Hardship, Mills Act contracts, and Waivers for alteration permits.
• Evaluate applications for alterations, additions, demolitions, adaptive reuse, and new construction affecting potentially eligible and eligible historic resources.
• Ensure project compliance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards.
• Review and/or prepare historic resource assessments/evaluations, technical studies, and architectural drawings.
• Provide recommendations regarding project compatibility with historic contexts and neighborhoods.
• Provide recommendations regarding proposed design guidelines and preservation plans for designated Historic Districts.
• Coordinate reviews based on the Historic Context Statement and applicable Design Guidelines.

Certified Local Government (CLG) Program Support

• Prepare and submit the required application with all the necessary documentation in order for the City to obtain Certified Local Government (CLG) status.
• Develop and maintain organized internal systems for all reporting and compliance requirements.
• Ensure that the City maintains CLG status in good standing.

Mills Act Program Support

The consultant will serve as the lead on developing and administering a Mills Act Program, including, but not limited to, the following:

Program Development

• Establish program guidelines, and application forms.
• Draft rehabilitation evaluation criteria and prepare contract templates in coordination with City staff.

Application Review

• Review Mills Act applications for completeness and compliance.
• Evaluate proposed rehabilitation plans and financial documentation.

Contract Execution, Monitoring, and Reporting

• Facilitate contract approvals and ensure proper recordation.
• Monitor ongoing compliance, as required.
• Review and/or prepare annual reports, as required.

Optional / As-Needed Services

• In the event that specific tasks essential to the successful administration of the Historic Preservation Program were not included in this RFP, the responder is encouraged to identify such services and their associated costs as an "Optional Service(s)."

City Hall Office Hours

• Maintain regular office hours at City Hall. It is anticipated that the Consultant will need to be available to the public a minimum of 10 hours per month to meet with applicants and property owners (virtually and in person) to discuss questions related to the Program, including, but not limited to, design improvements and alternatives. The Consultant should also be flexible to adjust office hours as needed to accommodate varying demand and ensure adequate public access.
• Provide training and orientation for staff on-site at City Hall on matters related to historic preservation, as needed.

View the full contents of the RFP on the City of Alhambra website.