title
APPROVE THE CONTINUATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 APPROPRIATIONS TO SECURE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENTS FOR THE COMMUNITY INTEREST ASSESSMENT AND STRATEGIC INVESTMENT PLAN
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute a Professional Services Agreement with PROS Consulting for project management, recreation and facility assessment, and strategic planning services for the Community Interest Assessment and Strategic Investment Plan, for a term ending June 30, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $99,965 included as Exhibit 1 to the resolution;
2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Co/Lab Capacity for library planning, equity, and community-centered planning services for the Community Interest Assessment and Strategic Investment Plan, for a term ending June 30, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $53,000 included as Exhibit 2 to the resolution;
3. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Paulina Velasco for community engagement, bilingual outreach, translation, and culturally responsive engagement services for the Community Interest Assessment and Strategic Investment Plan, for a term ending June 30, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $39,250 included as Exhibit 3 to the resolution;
4. Authorize the continuation of up to $252,500 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 appropriations into FY 2026-27 for completion of the Community Interest Assessment and Strategic Investment Plan; and
5. Approve findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070 in support of an exception to the competitive bid process.
6. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to take all necessary and appropriate actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.
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Summary
The Community Services Department (CSD) is requesting authorization to execute three Professional Services Agreements to complete a Community Interest Assessment and Strategic Investment Plan that will guide future Measure M investments through 2033. The project will evaluate the City's library and recreation programs, facilities, and services while engaging residents to identify community priorities and develop a long-term investment strategy.
Following an informal Request for Proposals (RFP) process, staff identified three consultants whose combined expertise best aligns with the project's objectives. The proposed consultant team provides specialized experience in strategic planning, recreation and library assessments, equity-focused planning, and culturally responsive community engagement.
Staff is also requesting authorization to continue the remaining FY 2025-26 appropriations into FY 2026-27 to complete the project.
DISCUSSION
Background
In April 2017, Stockton voters approved the Strong Communities Initiative (Measure M), establishing a dedicated one-quarter cent sales tax to restore and enhance library and recreation services, programs, and facilities through 2033. Since its implementation, Measure M has expanded services, increased programming opportunities, reopened facilities, and funded significant capital improvements throughout the community.
As Measure M approaches the final years of its current authorization, the City seeks to develop a comprehensive understanding of community priorities and future investment opportunities. The Community Interest Assessment and Strategic Investment Plan will provide a data-driven framework to guide future operational and capital investments while ensuring Measure M resources continue to reflect community needs and priorities.
To accomplish this work, CSD issued an informal Request for Proposals seeking qualified firms with expertise in community engagement, technical assessment, recreation and library planning, strategic planning, and public investment planning (Attachment A). The RFP specifically reserved the City's right to award contracts to multiple consultants recognizing that the project required specialized expertise across multiple disciplines.
Present Situation
Following evaluation of the submitted proposals, staff recommends entering into agreements with three consultants whose combined qualifications provide the strongest overall project team.
PROS Consulting will serve as the lead consultant and will provide overall project management, community survey development, recreation and facility assessments, technical analysis, preparation of the Strategic Investment Plan, and presentation of project findings to the Strong Communities Advisory Committee and City Council.
Co/Lab Capacity will provide specialized expertise in library planning, equity-centered planning, community asset mapping, library assessments, and development of strategic recommendations specific to library services and facilities.
Paulina Velasco will lead culturally responsive community engagement efforts with an emphasis on bilingual outreach, Spanish-language translation and interpretation, trusted messenger strategies, and engagement of historically underrepresented communities to ensure broad participation throughout the planning process.
Together, the consultant team will work collaboratively with City staff to complete a comprehensive Community Interest Assessment and Strategic Investment Plan that includes:
• Community engagement and stakeholder outreach;
• Recreation, library, and facility assessments;
• Community asset mapping;
• Community surveys and data analysis;
• Strategic investment priorities;
• Implementation strategies and performance measures; and
• Final recommendations to guide future Measure M investments through 2033.
The project is anticipated to begin in August 2026 and conclude by June 30, 2027.
Because the project was not initiated prior to the close of FY 2025-26, the appropriations previously approved for the Community Interest Assessment were not fully expended. Pursuant to the City Charter, these appropriations will lapse unless Council authorizes their continuation into FY 2026-27. Approval of the recommended continuation will allow staff to execute the agreements and complete the project without requiring additional appropriations.
Findings
Pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) section 3.68.060, professional services agreements with an expenditure of up to $100,000 may be executed without advertising or previous specific action by the City Council, subject to the availability of funds and established City procedures.
The Community Services Department conducted an informal Request for Proposals to identify qualified consultants for the Community Interest Assessment and Strategic Investment Plan. The solicitation specifically contemplated the use of multiple consultants to provide specialized expertise in strategic planning, technical assessment, library planning, and community engagement.
Staff evaluated the proposals received and determined that PROS Consulting, Co/Lab Capacity, and Paulina Velasco collectively provide the most qualified consultant team to complete the project. Although each individual agreement is below the threshold established in SMC section 3.68.060, staff is requesting City Council approval of all three agreements and the continuation of FY 2025-26 appropriations as a single action to provide transparency and authorization for the implementation of this significant Measure M initiative.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Funding for the Community Interest Assessment and Strategic Investment Plan was previously approved within the Strong Communities (Measure M) Fund during the FY 2024-25 budget process. Staff is requesting authorization to continue the remaining appropriations into FY 2026-27 to complete the project.
The total amount requested for continuation is $252,500, funded from the following accounts:
|
Account Number |
Amount |
|
5000-000-630006-210-000-50-50-000-000 |
$145,000 |
|
5000-000-630006-210-000-40-50-000-000 |
$107,500 |
The total amount of the three proposed Professional Services Agreements is $192,215, consisting of:
• PROS Consulting: $99,965
• Co/Lab Capacity: $53,000
• Paulina Velasco: $39,250
The remaining appropriated funds will be available to support project-related expenses, including community outreach, survey implementation, translation services, meeting materials, and other project costs necessary to complete the Community Interest Assessment and Strategic Investment Plan.
Attachment A - Community Interest Assessment RFP 2026