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Community Development Services, Planning and Building Department, Code Enforcement Unit, recommending the Board approve the following:
1) Award Request for Proposal 18-918-065 for the provision of services for On-Call Code Enforcement Hearing Officers to provide services regarding code enforcement issues that arise within the County when property owners appeal penalties that are assessed by the Code Enforcement Section to two proposers:
a) William M. Wright, Attorney at Law and Martin Fine, Attorney at Law; and
b) Silver & Wright, LLP Attorneys at Law;
2) Authorize the Planning and Building Department to negotiate Agreements for Services with the two aforementioned firms, each with a term of three years and a not to exceed amount of $60,000 each; and
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute said Agreements for Services.
FUNDING: General Fund, partially reimbursed through fines.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Community Development Services, Planning and Building Department, Code Enforcement Unit, recommending the Board approve the following:
1) Award Request for Proposal 18-918-065 for the provision of services for On-Call Code Enforcement Hearing Officers to provide services regarding code enforcement issues that arise within the County when property owners appeal penalties that are assessed by the Code Enforcement Section to two proposers:
a) William M. Wright, Attorney at Law and Martin Fine, Attorney at Law; and
b) Silver & Wright, LLP Attorneys at Law;
2) Authorize the Planning and Building Department to negotiate Agreements for Services with the two aforementioned firms, each with a term of three years and a not to exceed amount of $60,000 each; and
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute said Agreements for Services.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On July 24, 2018, at the request of the Planning and Building Department, the Procurement and Contracts Division of the Chief Administrative Office issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for on-call services for Code Enforcement Hearing Officers to provide services regarding code enforcement issues that arise within the County when property owners appeal penalties that are assessed by the Code Enforcement Section. The goal of these legal procedures is to obtain the facts and provide an unbiased opinion in order to make judgements in accordance with applicable law for the good of the public. Following the hearing services, the Hearing Officer shall determine if the assessment of penalties by the Code Enforcement Section was lawful and shall provide the County and parties to the hearing a written opinion of the Hearing Officer’s findings and official decision. These cases will be from all areas of El Dorado County; however, all hearings will take place in Placerville.
The County received two proposals for the RFP. Staff is recommending that Agreements be awarded to both successful proposers, William M. Wright, Attorney at Law and Martin Fine, Attorney at Law, and Silver & Wright, LLP Attorneys at Law, each in the amount of $60,000 for a term of three years.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to approve the Agreements. Current County staff does not have the expertise to perform the Code Enforcement Hearing Officer Services, and the services that would be provided would be in the public’s best interest.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Chief Administrative Office, Procurement and Contracts Division
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funding for the Agreements has been included in the Planning and Building Fiscal Year 2018/19 Budget, and will be included in future budgets. Funding will come from the General Fund and will be partially offset by collection of fines.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Good Governance
CONTACT
Roger Trout, Director
Community Development Services, Planning and Building Department