Planning Consulting Services

The vendor is required to provide planning consulting to plan will encompass research, data gathering and analysis, community engagement, needs assessment, development of metrics, goals, recommendations, action plans, and the completion of the required environmental review.
- The following project goals in compliance with sb 1425:
1. Engage and empower the community:
•    Conduct inclusive and transparent outreach that actively engages, educates, and empowers stakeholders and community members to provide meaningful input. 
•    This will ensure that the findings and recommendations for the general plan amendments accurately reflect the community's diverse needs.
2. Develop an inclusive open space standard: 
•    Create an open space standard that prioritizes accessibility for all residents. 
3. Create a sustainable and resilient open space network: 
•    Establish an open space network that is environmentally sustainable, accessible, attractive, and resilient. 
•    This network should promote health equity, protect natural resources, increase native habitat and biodiversity, improve air quality and stormwater management, and mitigate the urban heat island effect. 
•    It should incorporate holistic mitigation programs that offer environmental and social co-benefits and support climate change adaptation.
4. Align open space with broader city goals: 
•    Develop strategic and consistent policies for open space maintenance, programming, and natural resource stewardship that align with other general plan and housing element, the city's community safety and environmental justice elements. 
5. Balance new and existing open space needs: 
•    Recognize and address the need for open spaces while also considering resource limitations related to acquisition, development, maintenance, ongoing operations, and programming. 
•    Prioritize resource needs for upgrades to existing open spaces. 
6. Promote community engagement and safety: 
•    Encourage public use of the city's open spaces by promoting creative, cultural, civic, and educational activities. 
•    Ensure that all residents and community members feel safe and welcome, fostering connections within the community. 
7. Leverage technology and financial innovation: 
•    Identify and utilize technology and innovative financial strategies to support open space services, infrastructure, and facilities.
8. Establish effective governance and implementation: 
•    Provide clear guidance on governance and implementation structures to ensure that key departments (community development, recreation and human services, public works, and police) can collaborate effectively and efficiently to deliver services and maintain safety in open spaces.
- Community outreach and engagement
•    Development of a community outreach plan to gain input from residents, community stakeholders, and the general community 
•    Conduct a community assessment to understand the community’s interests, needs, and concerns 
•    Public information strategies that align with the city’s existing communication efforts
•    Identify and maintain a list of potential community, local, and regional partners interested in helping bring the goals of the community resources element (open space and conservation) to fruition.
- Existing conditions analysis
•    Thorough review and analysis of existing documents and regulations 
•    Develop a community profile to provide context for the general plan amendment 
•    Understanding of the city’s existing urban tree inventory 
•    Open space assessment—inventory and analyze the city’s open space system, including natural resources, outdoor recreation, and public health and safety
- Research and analysis
•    Make policy recommendations in line with the requirements of sb 1425
•    Develop open space goals, policy, and priority recommendations
•    Create financial cost estimates, alternative funding strategies,
•    Develop a project implementation plan
•    Develop open space element maps
•    Prepare a habitat conservation plan for the city’s open spaces.

- Contract Period/Term: 1 year
- Questions/Inquires Deadline: October 2, 2025