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HomeMy WebLinkAbout042021-05.4 ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF REPORT 5.4 TO: Mayor and Town Council April 20, 2021 SUBJECT: Resolution No. 14-2021, appropriating funds and authorizing the Town Manager to execute contracts for community engagement software BACKGROUND Since the enactment of State Housing Law in 1969, all cities and counties in California are required to update their Housing Elements in 8-year cycles. The Housing Element is one of seven mandated elements of the Town’s General Plan and is required to contain policies and programs that encourage housing development. It must also identify ‘opportunity sites’ to accommodate assigned housing targets, at specific affordability levels. In June 2020, the State Department of Housing and Community Development (State HCD) assigned the San Francisco Bay Area region a housing target of 441,176 new homes over the next 8-year housing cycle. Of this total, the region’s Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) assigned Danville a minimum of 2,241 units in January 2021. Danville’s housing target represents a 4-fold increase from the prior housing element cycle and is mandated to be accommodated in the 2022-2030 Housing Element Update. At its Study Session on March 9, 2021, the Danville Town Council directed staff to embark upon a three-phased community outreach effort as soon as practicable. Phase 1: General education and engagement by providing factual information about the Housing Element on all Town platforms (underway). Phase 2: Community engagement on Housing Opportunity Sites (Summer/Fall 2021). Phase 3: Community input during the adoption process (Spring 2022-Winter 2023). Community Engagement Software 2 April 20, 2021 DISCUSSION With the initial phase of the outreach effort underway, staff has evaluated a range of options to undertake a robust community engagement process in Phases 2 and 3. With the recognition that virtual public hearings allowed for greater community access and participation, the outreach team focused on online engagement platforms. The guiding objective is to select platforms that would provide easy access to complex information and facilitate greater understanding through interactive tools, allowing the community to provide meaningful and informed responses. Based on an in-depth review, it is recommended that the Town secure the services of two vendors: 1. Bang the Table: Provider of online tools purposefully designed for digital community engagement in both the public and private sectors. This service provider was selected for their reputation in the engagement field, intuitive online tools, and administrative security measures. The contract cost for a single project is $15,000. 2. Balancing Act: Provider of an online budget simulation tool, used by both the public and private sectors. This service provider was selected for their adaptation of this tool to engage residents on siting assigned housing units. The contract cost for a one- year license is $8,500. The cost of these two software license contracts of $23,500, with a $1,500 contingency, would result in a total cost of $25,000. PUBLIC CONTACT Posting of the meeting agenda serves as notice to the general public. FISCAL IMPACT Costs associated with the housing element would be appropriated from the Town’s existing Comprehensive Planning Fee Fund and sufficient funds are available for these costs. Community Engagement Software 3 April 20, 2021 RECOMMENDATION Adopt Resolution No. 14-2021, appropriating funds and authorizing the Town Manager to execute contracts for community engagement software. Prepared and Reviewed by: Tai J. Williams Assistant Town Manager Attachment: Resolution No. 14-2021 RESOLUTION NO. 14-2021 APPROPRIATING FUNDS AND AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SOFTWARE WHEREAS, all cities and counties in California must maintain a General Plan Housing Element which plans for the housing needs and affordability levels established by the State Department of Housing and Community Development (State HCD) for each region; and WHEREAS, all cities and counties must update their Housing Element on typically 8- year cycles; and WHEREAS, the Town adopted the current 2014-2022 Housing Element in 2013. The process for the 2022-2030 Housing Element is now underway and is required to be adopted by the Town by January 2023; and WHEREAS, the Town desires to engage in a robust community education, outreach and engagement process; and WHEREAS, online engagement platforms allow for broader, more convenient, community access and participation; and WHEREAS, online engagement platforms provide services unique to the public sector and Housing Element related needs; and WHEREAS, the Town desires to enter into contracts with Bang the Table and Balancing Act for software licensing; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Danville Town Council hereby authorizes the Town Manager to execute contract agreements with Bang the Table and Balancing Act to procure software licensing; and, be it further RESOLVED, that $25,000 is appropriated from the Town’s Comprehensive Planning Fee Fund for these purposes. DocuSign Envelope ID: 1C1A22C5-872B-4268-BBB3-C3BD5E863BC6 ATTACHMENT A PAGE 2 OF RESOLUTION NO. 14-2021 APPROVED by the Danville Town Council at a regular meeting on April 20, 2021 by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSTAINED: ABSENT: ______________________________ MAYOR APPROVED AS TO FORM: ATTEST: _______________________________ ______________________________ CITY ATTORNEY CITY CLERK DocuSign Envelope ID: 1C1A22C5-872B-4268-BBB3-C3BD5E863BC6