To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Public Infrastructure
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, 707-565-2550
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Second and Fourth
Title:
Title
Contract for Climate Resiliency Centers Needs and Feasibility Assessment.
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Recommended Action:
recommended action
Award a professional services agreement and delegate authority to the Director of Sonoma County Public Infrastructure to execute a contract, in form approved by County Counsel, with Kearns & West, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $324,120, for public outreach and stakeholder engagement, comprehensive needs assessment, and feasibility study services supporting the Climate Resiliency Centers projects in Supervisorial Districts 2 and 4.
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Executive Summary:
Sonoma County Public Infrastructure (SPI) recommends the award of a professional services agreement to Kearns & West, Inc. to support planning efforts for Climate Resiliency Centers (CRCs) in Supervisorial Districts 2 and 4. CRCs are intended to provide safe refuge and critical services during climate-related emergencies, including extreme heat, wildfire smoke, and power outages. The project is supported by a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the State of California’s Housing and Community Development Mitigation Resilient Planning and Public Services program (MIT-PPS).
The proposed contract will fund community outreach, stakeholder engagement, needs assessment, site evaluation, and feasibility analysis to inform future capital investments. Approval of this item advances the County’s efforts to develop resilient infrastructure and ensure equitable access to emergency resources for vulnerable populations.
Discussion:
Sonoma County is advancing the development of Climate Resiliency Centers (CRCs) to strengthen community preparedness and response during climate-related emergencies. CRCs are envisioned as community-serving facilities that provide safe refuge, access to essential services, and continuity of operations during extreme weather events and other disruptions.
To support this effort, SPI released a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify a qualified consultant to conduct community outreach, assess service and facility needs, and evaluate the feasibility of potential CRC sites in Supervisorial Districts 2 and 4. Eight proposals were received and evaluated based on qualifications, relevant experience, project approach, references, and ability to meet County requirements.
Kearns & West, Inc. was selected as the top-ranked firm due to its demonstrated expertise in public engagement, facilitation of complex stakeholder processes, and experience with resilience planning initiatives.
Under the proposed agreement, the consultant will:
• Conduct inclusive community outreach and stakeholder engagement
• Identify and assess community needs, with an emphasis on vulnerable populations
• Evaluate potential sites and operational considerations
• Develop conceptual design options
• Prepare feasibility analyses to inform future capital project development
Approval of this contract will enable the County to advance critical planning work necessary to position CRC projects for future funding, design, and implementation.
Strategic Plan:
This item directly supports the County’s Five-year Strategic Plan and is aligned with the following pillar, goal, and objective.
Pillar: Healthy and Safe Communities
Goal: Goal 2: Invest in capital systems to ensure continuity of operations and disaster response.
Objective: n/a
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
10/26/2021 - Delegation of Authority for Obtaining and Managing Grant Assistance Provided by the State of California's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Mitigation Resilient Planning and Public Services program 2021-0919
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 25-26 Adopted |
FY 26-27 Projected |
FY 27-28 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$16,206 |
$307,914 |
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$16,206 |
$307,914 |
|
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
$16,206 |
$307,914 |
|
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$16,206 |
$307,914 |
|
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Appropriations for this contract are available in the Climate Resiliency Centers planning project for Supervisorial Districts 2 and 4 (21CP40052AA - 23054 / 40806300). The contract amount of $324,120 will be fully funded through the State of California’s Housing and Community Development Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Mitigation Resilient Planning and Public Services program (MIT-PPS). The Adopted Budget includes sufficient appropriations to support the full contract amount.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
n/a
Attachments:
Agreement with Kearns & West, Inc. (Draft)
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None