Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, March 01, 2022
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION OF AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE TO APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH TRIPEPI SMITH & ASSOCIATES, INC FOR CONDUCTING COMMUNITY OPINION SURVEY, PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND OUTREACH IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $123,220 (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
The City has a 2% Utility Users’ Tax for gas and electricity utilities, which is scheduled to sunset on July 1, 2023. The City is interested in submitting to the City’s voters a ballot measure to eliminate the UUT’s sunset, that may also remove the cap of $1,000,000, and increase the tax percentage from 2% to a rate this is more comparable to other cities. On December 23, 2021, the City issued an RFP to conduct a community research, education, and outreach and four proposals were received by January 13, 2022 deadline. At the City Council meeting on November 16, 2021, Mayor Davis-Homes recommended that the City Council to appoint an Ad Hoc committee to review the proposals and make their recommendation of consultant to the full City Council. The Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem were selected to be on the committee, and they recommend that the City Council award a contract to Tripepi Smith & Associate, Inc in the amount of $123,220, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. APPROVE an Agreement for Community Survey, Education, and Outreach with Tripepi Smith & Associate, Inc in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
2. ADOPT Resolution No. 22-030, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CARSON CITY COUNCIL AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2021-22 GENERAL FUND AND SPECIAL REVENUE BUDGET”
3. AUTHORIZE the Mayor to execute all documents related to the contract.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate.
IV. BACKGROUND
The City has a 2% Utility Users’ Tax for gas and electricity utilities, which is scheduled to sunset on July 1, 2023. The City is interested in submitting to the City’s voters a ballot measure to eliminate the UUT’s sunset, that may also remove the cap of $1,000,000, and increase the tax percentage from 2% to a rate this is more comparable to other cities. On December 23, 2021, the City issued an RFP to conduct a community research, education, and outreach and four proposals were received by January 13, 2022 deadline. At the City Council meeting on November 16, 2021, Mayor Davis-Homes recommended that the City Council to appoint an Ad Hoc committee to review the proposals and make their recommendation of consultant to the full City Council. The Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem were selected to be on the committee, and they recommend that the City Council award a contract to Tripepi Smith & Associate, Inc in the amount of $123,220, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
Accordingly, the Services shall include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Public opinion research and consulting services relating to the sunset of the Utility Users Tax on July 1, 2023.
• Public opinion research and consulting services relating to modification of other UUT provisions.
• Public opinion research and consulting services relating to the submission of an additional tax measure, including such a measure at the same election as the forgoing UUT-related measures.
• Performance of a community survey regarding community needs, attitudes, and information sources, which includes, but is not limited to, a survey in relation to the forgoing (including drafting thereof).
• Assisting City staff with related public education and outreach on the above items (including the impact thereof), if requested.
• Other related activities as maybe requested by the City.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
The cost of the contract is $123,220 and it is not earmarked in the budget. If recommendation no. 2 is approved, $123,220 would be reallocated between certain accounts within Finance department as identified in exhibit B - Resolution no. 22-030.
VI. EXHIBITS
Exhibit A - Service Agreement with Tripepi Smith & Associate, Inc
Exhibit B - Budget Resolution no. 22-030
Prepared by: Tarik Rahmani, Finance Director