San Mateo County Supervisors Hire Consultants to Explore a Parcel Tax Measure to Fund Wildfire Mitigation

STAFF REPORT. From the San Mateo County Supervisors Agenda for meeting held on Tuesday, March 8th, 2022 at 9:00am by Zoom.

To: Honorable Board of Supervisors

From: Michael Callagy, County Manager

Justin W. Mates, Deputy County Manager

Subject: Amendment to Agreement with Terris Barnes Walters Boigon Heath Lester, Inc. for Public Outreach and Consulting Services Related to a Potential Parcel Tax Measure

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution authorizing the County Manager, or designee(s), to execute an amendment to the agreement with Terris Barnes Walters Boigon Heath Lester, Inc. for public outreach and consulting services related to a potential parcel tax measure addressing climate resiliency, wildfire risks, and emergency preparedness, extending the term of the agreement to July 31, 2022 and increasing the not-to-exceed amount by $637,000 to $835,000, and granting of a waiver of the competitive bidding process pursuant to Section 2.83.050(e) of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code.

BACKGROUND:

The concurrent and devastating impacts of climate change are increasingly urgent and challenging to address. In San Mateo County, we face an increasing vulnerability to the risks of flooding and wildfire driven by climate change. Reducing those risks and preparing our communities, critical infrastructure, and our natural and built environments for flooding and wildfire is vital to maintain quality of life in San Mateo County.

In order to address these growing challenges, the County has been exploring additional options to fund mitigation efforts, and on April 12, 2021 the County Manager’s Office executed an agreement with Terris Barnes Walters Boigon Heath Lester, Inc. (“TBWBHL) to explore options for a potential revenue measure to address climate resiliency and wildfire mitigation (the “Agreement”). The Agreement was then amended effective July 1, 2021, to extend its term and increase the not-to-exceed-amount to $198,000 from the initial amount of $22,500.

DISCUSSION:

The proposed Second Amendment to the Agreement extends the term of the Agreement to July 31, 2022 and increases the not-to-exceed amount by $637,000 to $835,000. TBWBHL will continue to advise on the feasibility of a potential revenue ballot measure through the term of the Agreement, as well as design, plan, and implement an extensive strategic public outreach and engagement that expands awareness of the climate risks posed to San Mateo County and its residents and encourages residents to voice their opinions on which projects they believe are most critical to climate resiliency. The Agreement sets a goal of reaching every household in San Mateo County four-to-six times before June 2022 with a media mix of direct mail, digital, and telephone communications.

TBWBHL is a well-known consultant on revenue measures, having advised numerous governmental agencies throughout San Mateo County and the Bay Area, including recently advising the County of Sonoma and County of Marin on local revenue measures to address climate change related impacts.  TBWBHL also has recent experience designing and implementing a countywide public engagement and awareness effort in San Mateo County. Therefore, given TBWBHL’s unique expertise, staff recommends a waiver of the competitive bidding process pursuant to Section 2.83.050(e) of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code.

The resolution contains the County’s standard provision allowing amendment of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).

County Counsel has reviewed the resolution and agreement as to form.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Appropriation for this Amendment is included in Non-Departmental Services FY 2021-22 Adopted Budget and will be included in the FY 2022-23 Recommended Budget.

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San Mateo County Supervisors

2022 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

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