HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-21 Staff Report - Agreement with BlaisCONSENT ITEM
E-21
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VIA: STEPHAN E. HUNT, CHIEF OF POLICE/ACTING CITY MANAGER
FROM: LOUIE F. LACASELLA, SENIOR MANAGEMENT ANALYST
DATE: AUGUST 21, 2017
SUBJECT: APPROVE AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH BLAIS &
ASSOCIATES FOR PROFESSIONAL GRANT MANAGEMENT SERVICES
SUMMARY:
Blais & Associates (B&A) has been providing grant research and development services for the City since May
2015. This action approves an amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with B&A extending the term
of the agreement for the remainder of the fiscal year in an amount not-to-exceed $1,250 per month.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council take the following actions:
1) Approve an amendment to the contract with Blais & Associates, for grant research and development
services extending the term through June 30, 2018; and
2) Authorize the City Manager to execute, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney, an amendment to the
contract with Blais & Associates on behalf of the City.
DISCUSSION:
Blais & Associates (B&A) has been providing grant research and development services for the City since May
2015. During this time, B&A has worked with Staff to develop a comprehensive Needs Assessment and grant
strategy that allows for targeted research and notification of grant programs meeting the City’s needs. B&A
provides monitoring services for all applicable federal, state, regional, and non-profit (project specific) grant
funding opportunities and alerts Staff when an announcement is released. This effort includes notification of open
grant solicitations, coordination with City staff for the “go” or “no-go” decision, and responding to questions from
Staff. B&A maintains a Grant Activity Report (GAR) and provides quarterly grant coordination with the Senior
Management Analyst in the City Manager’s office.
B&A provides the interested City departments with not-to-exceed quotes for each grant application the
department wishes to pursue. Once the quote is approved, B&A develops a timeline and checklist for the project
outlining the roles and responsibilities for each party. B&A develops the application on a turnkey basis,
maximizing the reduction of workload for Staff. B&A researches and compiles all supporting data necessary for
the application. B&A develops an 80% draft application for technical review (scope of work, budget, and other
APPROVED
CITY COUNCIL
8/21/2017
Amendment to Agreement for Grant Research and Development Services
August 21, 2017
Page 2
key information) and a final draft for comments and approval to submit. B&A submits the applications, on-time,
and in accordance with the program guidelines.
The proposed amendment will enable B&A to continue to provide services to the City at a fixed monthly rate of
$1,250. The term of the agreement is proposed to be through June 30, 2018.
As detailed in Attachment 2, the total amount of grant funds awarded to the City, with B&A’s assistance, is
$1,281,930. There is currently $1,141,000 in pending grants. The City’s return on investment is $21 grant dollars
for every one dollar the City has paid to B&A for their services.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the proposed actions. The full year cost of service in the amount of
$15,000 was included in the FY 2017-18 budget under account 1010110000-6399.
Prepared by: Fiscal Impact Reviewed by:
Louie F. Lacasella Talika M. Johnson
Senior Management Analyst Director of Finance
Reviewed and Approved:
Stephan E. Hunt
Chief of Police/Acting City Manager
Attachments:
1) Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with Blais & Associates
2) City of Azusa’s Grant Profile from Blais & Associates
ATTACHMENT 1
AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT
FOR GRANT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
This Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Blais & Associates is
made and entered into this ___th day of ______, 2017, by and between the CITY OF AZUSA, a
municipal corporation ("City") and Blais & Associates, a California Corporation ("Consultant")
and amends that certain "Professional Services Agreement with Blais & Associates " (the
"Agreement") dated July 1, 2016 between the same parties.
R E C I T A L S
A. On or about July 1, 2016, City and Consultant entered into a “Professional Services
Agreement” pursuant to which Consultant agreed to provide grant research and
development services (“Project”).
B. City requires additional services that are outside the Consultant’s established term and
compensation amount of the Agreement.
C. City and Consultant desire to amend the Agreement to modify the length of the term and
compensation amount.
A G R E E M E N T
The Agreement is hereby amended as follows:
1. Term. The term of this Agreement shall be from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018,
unless earlier terminated as provided herein. Advocate shall complete the Services
within the term of this Agreement, and shall meet any other established schedules
and deadlines. The Parties may, by mutual written consent, extend the term of
this Agreement if necessary to complete the Services.
2. Compensation. The compensation of this agreement shall be $15,000 (FIFTEEN
THOUSAND DOLLARS) dollars, in amount not-to-exceed $1,250 per month.
3. Except as expressly provided herein, all other terms and conditions of the
Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto executed this Amendment to be
effective as of the Date first written above.
CITY OF AZUSA,
a municipal corporation
By: ______________________
City Manager
ATTEST:
___________________________
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM: Blais & Associates
___________________________ _____________________________
City Attorney Name:
Title:
Total Grant Funds Awarded with B&A's Assistance
Total Pending Grants
Return on Investment $21:$1
1
Grant Program Project Description Awarded Amount
1.1 Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC):
Local Government Match Program
Complete Street Project (Foothill and
Alosta)
2015 $474,925
1.2 MSRC: Local Government Match Program Solar lighting on Azusa Bike Trail 2015 $25,000
1.3 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):
Pre‐Disaster Mitigation Grant Program
Develop a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan 2016 $74,088
1.4 Caltrans Systemic Safety Analysis Report Program Conduct Transportation‐related Collision
Review and Identify Cost‐effective Projects
2017 $90,000
1.5 LA Metro 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Purchase 4 Buses for Dial‐A‐Ride and a New
Automated Dispatch System
2017 $317,917
1.6 BOR Drought Resiliency Grant Program (for San Gabriel River Water Purchase/Install River Gate Inlet Structure $300,000
$1,281,930
2
Grant Program Project Description Submitted Amount
2.1 Bureau of Reclamation WaterSmart Water and Energy Efficiency Grant Program Purchase Water Meters 01/01/17 $1,000,000
2.2 LA Metro TOD Planning Grant Program Develop TIF Feasibility Study for TOD Area 07/31/17 141,000
$1,141,000
3
Grant Program Project Description Due Amount
$0
4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4 Pre‐positioning recommendations provided to staff for growing long‐term capacity to win future grants.
4.5
4.6
4.7
None at this time.
Other Blais & Associates Activities
Track federal, state, and regional funding announcements and develop Fact Sheets for staff's consideration.
Update Fact Sheet tracking table.
Update federal grant management system passwords including Grants.gov and SAM.gov.
Conducted extensive Needs Assessment and developed a Wish List to drive B&A's research activities.
San Gabriel River Water Committee ‐ developed BOR Drought Resiliency grant proposal for a new rivergate inlet structure, $300,000 grant awarded.
Submitted in partnership with Azusa Light & Water.
Maintain working "Wish List" of Azusa needs to identify potential funding sources.
Competitive Grants Awarded
Grants Pending (submitted and waiting for funding decision)
Grant Applications Under Development
Total Competitive Funding Awarded
Total Grants Pending
City of Azusa
April 24, 2015 - August 1, 2017 (n = 27 months)
$1,281,930
$1,141,000
7545 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine Business Ctr., Suite 200
Irvine, CA 92618
Blais Associates, Inc.
www.blaisassoc.com (949) 589‐6338