HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-04-1999 Agenda Item 2A (2)SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NO. ~ ~ ~ 3
MEETING DATE August 4.1999
ORIGINATING DEPT. Ci , Manager
AGENDA ITEM
CITY MANAGER:
PREPARED BY:
SUBJECT: Oral Communications -Presentation by Bill Wagner, HMA Engineers, on
behalf of Taxpayers for Fair Competition
RECOMMENDED MOTION(S): Receive presentation and adopt resolution.
REPORT SUMMARY:
Attached is a letter asking for your support of the "Fair Competition and Taxpayer Savings Act"
along with a resolution of support and other pertinent literature, for your review and approval.
On behalf of Taxpayers for Fair Competition, Bill Wagner, of HMA Engineers, has requested to
provide a presentation to the City Council regarding this initiative.
Also attached for your reference, is a copy of the staff report and excerpt of the minutes of the
April 15, 1998 City Council meeting opposing Prop. 224.
FISCAL IMPACTS: None
ADVERTISING, NOTICING AND PUBLIC CONTACT: None
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ACTING ON RECOMMENDED MOTION(S): Report will
not be presented and resolution will not be adopted.
FOLLOW UP ACTIONS: Upon adoption, forward copy of the resolution of support to
Taxpayers for Fair Competition.
ATTACHMENTS: Letter from Taxpayers for Fair Competition, proposed resolution of
support and other pertinent literature; copy of staff report and excerpt of minutes of April 15,
1998.
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA
SUPPORTING "THE FAIR COMPETITION AND TAXPAYER SAVINGS ACT"
INITIATIVE AND LEGISLATION
WHEREAS, California's population growth has resulted in the demand for more than $90 billion worth of
highway, school, prison, flood control and other infrastructure improvement projects; and
WHEREAS, the need for state and local governments to contract with the private sector for architectural
and engineering services has never been greater; and
WHEREAS, a series of successful lawsuits by Caltrans engineers has resulted in effectively banning the
state from contracting with private engineers and architects; and
WHEREAS, a recent study by the California Business Roundtable has determined the Caltrans lawsuits will
create a $3 billion backlog of highway and bridge projects alone; and
WHEREAS, in order to stop the Caltrans engineers' continuing effort to prevent the state and local
government form utilizing private engineers and architects, an initiative and legislation known as "The Fair
Competition and Taxpayer Savings Act" has been prepared; and
WHEREAS, the Fair Competition and Taxpayer Savings Act changes California's laws and allows the state
and local government to contract with private companies for architectural and engineering services; and
WHEREAS, the Fair Competition and Taxpayer Savings Act will save California's taxpayers money by
encouraging competition between state employees and the private sector; and
WHEREAS, the Fair Competition and Taxpayer Savings Act requires architecture and engineering
contracts to be subject to standard accounting practices and requires financial and performance audits as
necessary to ensure contract services are delivered within the agreed schedule and budget;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Saratoga supports "The Fair
Competition and Taxpayer Savings Act" for architectural and engineering services as an initiative and
legislation.
The above and foregoing resolution was passed and adopted by the Saratoga City Council at a meeting held
on the 4th day of August, 1999, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Jim S aw, Mayor
ATTEST:
Susan A. Ramos, CMC, City C er
^ 111 Anza Boulevard. #406 Burlingame, CA 94010
• 650-340-0470 FAX:650-340-1740
Mr. Larry Perlin
City Manager
City of Saratoga
13777 Fruitvale Ave.
Saratoga, CA 95070
Dear Mr. Perlin:
^ 11300 W. Olympic Boulevard, #840 Los Angeles, CA 90064
• 310-996-2600 FAX:310-996-2673 ®®•~
Last spring the Saratoga City Council voted to oppose Proposition 224, which
would have prevented state and local governments from contracting out with
qualified private engineers and architects. Fortunately, Prop. 224 was soundly
defeated by the voters of California.
Unfortunately, the same people who brought us Prop. 224 are at it again. While
we were defeating Prop. 224, the same group of Caltrans employees was also
pursuing their agenda in the courts. The bad news is they won -the California
Supreme Court agreed with their interpretation of the constitution. This means
that state government is essentially banned from contracting out for design
services. And make no mistake about it -- local governments could be next.
In the past, cities, counties and special districts, as well as local and regional
agencies, have relied on private design firms to help meet their infrastructure
needs. Your ability to contract out for these services has already been impacted
by the state ban. It's only a matter of time before additional lawsuits will attempt
-and could well succeed - in extending that ban to local governments. In fact,
the state employees' lawsuit has already resulted in the City of San Dieuo
and East Bay MUD canceling contracts with local firms.
If this ban is allowed to remain in place,
local projects and give it to the state
where and how to complete a project.
it will essentially take control over your
You lose the ability to decide when,
Losing the ability to contract out also means completion of local infrastructure
proiects will slow to a crawl. If all design work must be done by the state, a
huge bottleneck will develop, stalling local projects for an indefinite amount of
time. According to the California Business Roundtable, there will be a $3 billion
backlog of transportation projects by the end of 1999 alone. Unfortunately, that's
just the beginning.
Further, as all design work shifts to the state, California's government will be forced to
support a ballooning permanent workforce. As more and more scarce taxpayer funds
are siphoned off to this purpose, it will mean either fewer dollars for vital local projects
or increased taxpayer costs -just one more way for Sacramento to take funds away
from local government.
That is wh~we are asking for your City Council's support of the Fair Competition
and Taxpayer Savings Act. It expressly allows state and local governments to
contract out for design services, giving you the flexibility and control necessary to
deliver projects on budget and on time.
Currently we are gathering signatures to place this initiative on the March 2000 ballot.
In the meantime, we are also pursuing a legislative remedy. The legislation (AB 1448
and ACA 16), which has already been introduced, contains the same language as the
initiative. We are working to pass the legislation but prepared to go the initiative route if
necessary.
We would like your City Council to support both the legislation and the initiative. I hope
that once you have reviewed the enclosed materials you will agree that our solution
allows California and its taxpayers the best opportunity to improve our infrastructure
needs. Please sign and return to me the enclosed support form or sample
resolution so I can add your city council to our growing coalition.
I will be calling to follow-up on this letter. In the meantime, if you have any questions,
please feel free to call me at (650) 340-0470.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Jason Barnett
^ 111 Anza Boulevard, #406 Burlingame, CA 94010
• 650-340-0470 FAX:650-340-1740
^ 11300 W. Olympic Boulevard, #840 Los Angeles, CA 90064
• 310-996-2600 FAX:310-996-2673 ®®»~-
WHO SUPPORTS "THE FAIR COMPETITION AND TAXPAYER SAVINGS ACT"?
Legislation and Initiative cas of 7r,~ss>
California Chamber of Commerce
California Taxpayers Association*
California Business Roundtable
Operating Engineers, Local Union No. 3 (AFL-CIO)
Operating Engineers, Local 12 (AFL-CIO)
National Federation of Independent Business
Associated General Contractors*
California Building Industry Association
California Minority and Women's Business Coalition
California Manufacturers Association*
California Business Properties Association
Coalition for Project Delivery
California Cement Promotion Council
California Chapter, American Planning Association
California Contract Cities Association
Western States Petroleum Association
California Fence Contractors Association
California Travel Parks Association
California Taxpayer Protection Committee
Alliance of California Taxpayers and Involved Voters
Responsible Voters for Lower Taxes
United Californians for Tax Reform
Local Organizations
Waste Watchers
Contra Costa Taxpayers Association
Kern County Taxpayers Association
League of Placer County Taxpayers
Butte County Citizens for Better Government
Orange County Taxpayers Association"
San Diego County Taxpayers Association
Santa Barbara County Taxpayers Association
Shasta County Taxpayers Association
Sonoma County Taxpayers Association
Bay Area Council
Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce
Orange County Business Council
Orange County Transportation Coalition
Local Government
City of Oakland
City of Irvine
City of Newport Beach
City of Richmond
City of Colfax
City of Cotati
City of Arcadia*
City of Claremont"`
City of Emeryville
City of Orland
City of Kerman
City of Lancaster
City of Loma Linda
2
City of Westminster
City of Rohnert Park
City of Ft. Bragg
Kings County
Lake County
Humboldt County
Livermore/Amador Valley Transit District
Metropolitan Transportation Commission'`
Contra Costa Transportation Authority
Lake County Flood Control & Water Conservation District
Heritage Ranch Community Services District
Vista Irrigation District
Lake County Sanitation District
Engineering and Architectural Organizations
Consulting Engineers and Land Surveyors of California
American Institute of Architects, California Chapter
Engineering and Utility Contractors Association
Engineering and General Contractors Association
Bay Counties Civi{ Engineers and Land Surveyors Association
Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers, Greater Los Angels Area
Structural Engineers Association of Northern California
* Legislation only at this time.
3
LOCAL PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS:
A HISTORY OF SUCCESS, A FUTURE AT RISK
Many local governments and local agencies have successfully used contracting for architecture and
engineering services as a way to get the job done in a fast, cost-effective fashion. Often this has
meant bringing in projects for less money and in less time than Caltrans own estimate to do the job.
Here are a few of those local success stories:
History ofSuccesS
........................................................
Santa Clara County
Transportation Au-
thority
~~ In 1984, Santa Clara County
voted ahalf--cent increase in
the sales tax to improve traf-
f c conditions on three local
highways. Caltrans initially estimated it would
take 17 years for the work from start to fin-
ish. The Authority then created apublic-
privatepartnership, which did the work in 10
years, at a savings of hundreds of millions of
dollars.
Santa Barbara
County
A tale of two highways points
up the difference between
Caltrans and the private sec-
tor here. A series of projects
to make improvements on US 101, being
delivered by Caltrans, is at least a year be-
hindschedule, and further delay seems likely.
On the other hand, a project to make im-
provements on Route 154 was delivered on
time and under budget by a private contrac-
tor.
Orange County
The design and construc-
tion of the county's toll
roads is being handled by
a private contractor.
Against comparable
Caltrans projects, the private contractor spent
10 percent less on management costs -
brought in the project 6 percent ahead of
schedule, instead of 16 percent behind for
Caltrans -and kept cost growth down .12
percent compared to Caltrans.
Contra Costa
County
Through the use of pri- \
vate sector contractors,
the county transportation
authority was able to bring
in a program of improvements on State
Route 4 six to nine months ahead of the pro-
jected Caltrans schedule.
Source: 'Meeting California's Infrastructure Challenge: Assuring Cost-Effective and Timely Project Delivery.
Prepared by the Califomia Taxpayers' Association and the Califomia Chamber of Commerce -May, 1999
A complete copy of the report may be obtained by telling Taxpayers for Fair Competition at (650) 340-0470
Taxpayers for Fair Competition 111 Anza Boulevard, Suite 406 Burlingame, CA 94010
Phone: (650) 340-0470 • Fax: (650) 340-1740
s ®«,«
All that could be a thing of the past however. Already, the state is virtually prohibited from contracting out for
architecture and engineering services, thanks to a series of lawsuiu brought by state-employed engineers (mostly
Caltrans employees). Now that ban is beginning to limit the choices available to local governments as well.
Future At Risk
................................................................
Statewide (seismic
retrofitting work)
While California has many of the
world's leaders in the field of seismic
safety, if they don't work for Caltrans
(which most of them don't) -they
won't be working for us. In fact, more
than 20 contracts for seismic retrofit-
tingwork with private sector experts have already been
cancelled.
Oakland
"One high visibility project in Oak-
\ land. . is design of the I-880
Broadway/Jackson interchange im-
~~ provements. To keep this project
on schedule may require outside
transportation engineering service
to supplement Caltrans' staff.
Thus it is important to ask the voters to change the
State Constitution to permit contracting out."
San Francisco
A lawsuit has been filed to termi-
nateprivate sector architectural and
engineering contracts on the San
Francisco Airport expansion and ~
tum that work over to public em- `
ployees. The costs and time de-
lays ofsuch astep would be staggering. The precedent
for other local government entities is clearly alarming.
San Gabriel Valley
(Burbank, Glendale)
Thi ears a o, Caltrans desi ned
~\ rh' Y 9 9
~~ the intersection of I-5 and 134 without
a complete set of on-off ramps. Now,
just at the moment when years of work
at the local level have begun to pay
off, and "Detour Junction" may be com-
pleted at last- local governments may find this project
taken out of their hands, thanks to these lawsuits and
given to the same agency, Caltrans, that created the
problem in the first place.
East Bay MUD
At least one private sector contract \
has already been canceled by East
Bay MUD du,e to the PECG law-
suits.
City of Oakland Analysis
June 16, 1999
San Diego
The City Attorney in San Diego has
told the city that any future contract-
ing out should be done under the con-
ditions set forth under the decision in ~ ~~
PECG v. Caltrans -conditions which
make contracting out next to impos-
sible. The City Attorney reasoned that
there were enough similarities between the State Con-
stitution and San Diego's City Charter, as to make the
court decision apply to the city as well.
Lancaster
"If projects such as the Avenue L and
Avenue H Bridge Widening projects
had to be designed by the State, they
would be delayed indefinitely.
In order to maintain local control over
public works projects and to maintain
the ability to design and construct projects in a timely
manner, staff recommends" support of the Fair Com-
petition and Taxpayer Savings Act.
City of Lancaster Staff Report
June 8, 1999
6/29/99
ACTl4NNEfDED To Protect Ability Of Local
Governments To Contract Out For
ArchAectural ~ Engineering Services
WHY LOCAL GOVERNMENT
& AGENCIES SHOULD
SUPPORT
THE "FAIR COMPETITION
AND TAl(PAYER
~ SAVINGS ACT" /
fie Bin Oe State CoatracUng Puts
LacalTransportalion
Protects In lespardy
The design work on all Caltrans
projects will now have to be done
by Caltrans employees. Accoraw
ing to the California Business
Roundtable, this situation will
create a $3 billion backlog of
important highway and bridge
projects by the end of 1999
alone.
Historically, local govemment has been free to rely on
private design firms as acost-effective way to speed
the delivery of transportation, school, water, earthquake
retrofitting and other infrastructure projects.
A series of lawsuits brought by state employees (primarily
Caltrans engineers) however, has effectively banned Califor-
nia State govemment from contracting with qualified private
engineers and architects. This has also begun to limit the
ability of local govemment to choose where and when to use
private firms, putting many important local projects in jeop-
ardy. But that's not all. Without action, the ability of local
governments to contract for these services could be com-
pletely taken away.
The Exlstinp Baa Gf~es Sacraments
One Msre Way ie Take Funds Away
kom fecal a~emmems
Rob Salaber,
Former D'aon City Councilmember
Failure to deliver on existing ~
projects will make it more difficult
in the future to find funding for new projects.
Private Sects EartligaaNe F,xper[s
Can No Langer Be Otili~ed
Even though critical projects may need specific
expertise available only in the private sector, these
lawsuits have precluded their use. More than 20
contracts for seismic retrofit work have already
been canceled.
Taxpayers for Fair Competition
111 Anza Boulevard, Suite 406 • Burlingame, CA 94010 Phone: (650) 340-0470 • Fax: (650) 340-1740
11300 W. Olympic Boulevard, #840 Los Angeles, CA 90064 (310) 996-2600 Fax: (310) 996-2673
•
"Make no mistake about it. The
ability of local government to
control local projects is very much
at stake if we don 't take action. "
If this ban on contracting remains
in place, state government will be
forced to support a ballooning
permanent workforce. As more
and more scarce taxpayer funds
are siphoned off to support an
increased state payroll, it will
mean either fewer dollars for vita!
projects at the local level, or
increased taxpayer costs.
ihls SltaaUon Is Omy Going To bet
~ Worse For fecal 6euemmems
It's only a matter of time before additional lawsuits
will attempt -and could well succeed - in officially
extending this ban beyond state government to lo-
caland regional governments and agencies as well.
In fact, the state employees' lawsuit has already
resulted in the City of San Diego and East Bay MUD
canceling contracts with private firms.
I Local Comm Wtll Be Sun'eodered
TofieStste
The ban on state contracting essentially takes
control over many local projects and gives it to
the state. If local governments are denied the
ability to contract out at all, you will lose the abil-
ity to decide when, where and how to complete a
local infrastructure project.
Schedule Control: Does anyone really believe
you'll be able to approach a big, Sacramento bu-
reaucracy and insist a project be done when you
want it? Hardly. And if completion of a local project
depends on state infrastructure, such as an off
ramp, you'll be in the same situation.
Budget Control: You can negotiate price with a
private firm, but not with a Sacramento bureau-
cracy. The price will be whatever it says -and
you'll pay the bill.
Completion ~f Eren Moro local
Protects WIII Slow i~ A Crawl
Even before the state ban existed, Caltrans gen-
erally completed projects at a slower pace than a
combination of public and private efforts.
For example, Caltrans calculated it would take
17 years to complete a highway project in Santa
Clara County. The project was ultimately com-
pleted by a local public-private partnership 40%
faster and hundreds of millions of dollars cheaper
than what Caltrans had originally estimated.
If state control of local projects is allowed to ex-
pand beyond state transportation projects, the
situation will become even worse. The antici-
pated $3 billion backlog of transportation
projects is just the beginning.
The "Fair Competition and Taxpayer Savings Act" ex-
ists in both legislative and initiative form. It is needed
to overturn these lawsuits and ensure that state, as
well as regional and local governments, will have the
option of contracting for private engineering and ar-
chitectural projects.
The "Fair Competition and Taxpayer Savings Act" will:
^ Preserve The Flexibility Local Governments
Need To Create The Design Team That Best
Meets /ts Needs
Passage of the "Fair Competition and Taxpayer
Savings Act" expressly allows state and local gov-
emmentthe option of contracting with private en-
gineers and architects. Local governments
should be able to make their own decisions about
what combination of services will work best for
them on any given project.
This measure doesn't make local government do
an hin not already required.
^ Affirm Local Choice On STIP Projects
This measure would make it absolutely clear that
regional improvements under the State Transpor-
tation Improvement Plan (STIP) are local choice
projects, and that the sponsoring local or regional
government has the choice and authority to use
the design services of its choice.
^ Provide Taxpayer Safeguards And
Accountability
Californians must be assured that taxpayer dol-
lars are protected. Therefore, the initiative re-
quires contracts be awarded through a competi-
tive selection process that does not alter cur-
rent law governing the selection of private
firms.
Ability of Local Governments to Contract for
Architectural and Engineering Services is Under Attack
Local Control at Risk
Historically, local government has been free to rely on pri-
vate design firms as acost-effective way to speed the de-
livery of transportation, school, water, earthquake retrofit-
ting and other infrastructure projects.
A series of lawsuits brought by state employees (primarily
Caltrans engineers) however, has effectively banned Cali-
fornia State government from contracting with qualified ar-
chitects and engineers.
This has also begun to limit the ability of local government
to choose where and when to use private firms, putting
many important local projects in jeopardy.
In fact, the state employees' lawsuit has already resulted
in the cancellation of local contracts with private firms.
Threat to Local Flexibility Increases
Dramatically with New Lawsuit
A lawsuit has recently been filed to terminate private sec-
torarchitectural and engineering contracts on the San Fran-
cisco Airport expansion and turn that work over to public
employees. This is the first of what it is anticipated will be
many such lawsuits. It is extremely significant for that, and
several other reasons.
Because the work
at SFO is so mas-
sive, the costs and
time delays of such
a step would be
staggering. In ad-
dition, the prece-
dent for other local
government enti-
ties is clearly
alarming.
The premise of this
suit is essentially
the same as that
raised at the state
level - if a public
employee has ever
done the work in
question, they
must always per-
"The threat to local govern-
ments is very real and very
immediate. The San Fran-
cisco lawsuit makes it even
more critical that we take
action now.
If we do not make this a
priority, we risk losing all
ability to decide what makes
sense for our cities and
counties. 1 urge you to
support the Fair Competition
and Taxpayer Savings Act
today. "
Gary Monohan
Mayor, City of Costa Mesa
form all of that work rather than bringing in private firms
as the need arises. The recent state supreme courtpro-
hibition on contracting out for these services exponen-
tially increases the likelihood of success for this and other
moves by public employees.
"I'm expected to deliver projects on time and on
budget. To do that, 1 need the ability to turn to the
private sector for help. The Fair Competition and
Taxpayer Savings Act provides the flexibility the
City of Los Angeles needs."
Bill Holland
Los Angeles City Architect
No-Growth Citizen Activists
Can Aiso Sue
Any NIMBY or no-growth group can go to court and slow
or stop a project by claiming that a design contract vio-
lates the constitution. These groups are very creative in
their use of the law and not at all shy about running to
court.
Preserving Local Control
A growing coalition is supporting the "Fair Competition
and Taxpayer Savings Act" which will preserve local flex-
ibilityand control. In both its legislative and initiative form
this act will:
^ Remove the existing California constitutional
prohibition against contracting out for design
services.
^ Replace that prohibition with language that specifi-
cally allows cities, counties and other local govern-
ment agencies to contract with qualified design
firms, if they so choose.
Without these changes in the law, local governments
should expect to see a growing attack on the ability to
make their own decisions about what combination of
services will work best for them on any given project. If
no action is taken, this Vocal flexibility could be completely
taken away.
Taxpayers for Fair Competition 111 Anza Boulevard, Suite 406 Burlingame, CA 94010
Phone: (650) 340-0470 • Fax: (650) 340-1740
7/1 /99
®®»,.
The Fair Competition and
Taxpayer Savings Initiative
for Architectural and Engineering Service
1. Permits Contracting Out of Architectural and Engineering Services:
Allows state and local governments, special districts and school districts to contract with
private companies for architectural and engineering services. Defines such services as
architectural, landscape architectural, environmental, engineering, land surveying and
construction management.
2. Local Choice 1;o Deliver Transportation Projects On-Time:
Gives local governments greater control over transportation improvements so that
highway, bridge and transit projects can be delivered on-time and within budget.
3. Taxpayer Safeguards:
• Prohibits government employees from awarding contracts if they have a
financial or business relationship with the companies involved.
Requires compliance with all laws regarding political contributions, conflicts
of interest or unlawful activities.
• Subjects all architecture and engineering contracts to standard accounting
practices.
• Permits financial and performance audits as necessary to ensure contract
services are delivered within the agreed schedule and budget.
4. Strict Design and Construction standards:
Already established project seismic safety, project design and construction standards are
not changed by the initiative.
5. Only Applies to Architectural and Engineering Services:
This measure does not apply to any other contracts except for architecture and
engineering services. For example, it does not apply to peace officers, teachers or
correction officers.
5/17/1999 Taxpayers for Fair Competition
111 Anza Boulevard, Suite 406 • Burlingame, CA 94010 Phone: (650) 340-0470 • Fax: (650) 340-1740
11300 W. Olympic Boulevard, #840 Los Angeles, CA 90064 (310) 996-2600 Fax: (310) 996-2673
FAIR COMPETITION AND TAXPAYER SAVINGS INITIATIVE
SECTION 1. TITLE. This measure shall be known and may be cited as the "Fair
Competition and Taxpayer Savings Act." .
SECTION 2. PURPOSE AND INTENT.
It is the intent of the people of the State of California in enacting this measure:
(a) To remove existing restrictions on contracting for architectural and
engineering services and to allow state, regional and local governments to
use qualified private azchitectural and engineering firms to help deliver
transportation, schools, water, seismic retrofit and other infrastructure
projects safely, cost effectively and on time;
(b) To encourage the kind of public/private partnerships necessary to ensure
that California taxpayers benefit from the use of private sector experts to
deliver transportation, schools, water, seismic retrofit and other
infrastructure projects;
(c) To promote fair competition so that both public and private sector architects
and engineers work smarter, more efficiently and ultimately deliver better
value to taxpayers;
(d) To speed the completion of amulti-billion dollar backlog of highway,
bridge, transit and other projects;
(e) To ensure that contracting for architectural and engineering services occurs
through a fair, competitive selection process, free of undue political
influence, to obtain the best quality and value for California taxpayers; and
(f) To ensure that private firms contracting for architectural and engineering
services with governmental entities meet established design and
construction standards and comply with standard accounting practices and
permit financial and performance audits as necessary to ensure contract
services are delivered within the agreed schedule and budget.
SECTION 3. Article X~I is hereby added to the California Constitution to read:
§ 1. The State of California and all other governmental entities, including, but
not limited to, cities, counties, cities and counties, school districts and other
special districts, local and regional agencies and joint power agencies, shall
be allowed to contract with qualified private entities for azchitectural and
engineering services for all public works of improvement. The choice and
authority to contract shall extend to all phases of project development
including permitting and environmental studies, rights-of--way services,
design phase services and construction phase services. The choice and
authority shall exist without regard to funding sources whether federal,
0001
state, regional, local or private, whether or not the project is programmed by
a state, regional or local governmental entity, and whether or not the
completed project is a part of any State owned or State operated system or
facility.
§ 2. Nothing contained in Article VII of this Constitution shall be construed to
.limit, restrict _or prohibit the -State .or .any other governmental .entities,
including, but not limited to, cities, counties, cities and counties, school
districts and other special districts, local and regional agencies and joint
power agencies, from contracting with private entities for the performance
of architectural and engineering services.
SECTION 4. Chapter 10.1 is hereby added to Division 5 of Title 1 of the Government Code
to read:
§ 4529.10. For purposes of Article XXII of the California Constitution and this
act, the term "architectural and engineering services" shall include all
architectural, landscape architectural, environmental, engineering, land
surveying, and construction project management services.
§ 4529.11. All projects included in the State Transportation Improvement
Program programmed and funded as interregional improvements or as
regional improvements shall be subject to Article XXII of the California
Constitution. The sponsoring governmental entity shall have the choice
and the authority to contract with qualified private entities for
azchitectural and engineering services. For projects programmed and
funded as regional improvements, the sponsoring governmental entity
shall be the regional or local project sponsor. For projects programmed
and funded as interregional improvements, the sponsoring governmental
entity shall be the State of California, unless there is a regional or local
project sponsor, in which case the sponsoring governmental entity shall
be the regional or local project sponsor. The regional or local project
sponsor shall be a regional or local governmental entity.
§ 4529.12. All architectural and engineering services shall be procured
pursuant to a fair, competitive selection process which prohibits
governmental agency employees from participating in the selection
process when they have a financial or business relationship with any
private entity seeking the contract, and the procedure shall require
compliance with all laws regarding political contributions, conflicts of
interest or unlawful activities.
§ 4529.13. Nothing contained in this act shall be construed to change project
design standazds, seismic safety standazds or project construction
standards established by state, regional or local governmental entities.
..Nor shall any provision of this act be construed to prohibit or restrict the
0002
authority of the Legislature to statutorily provide different procurement
methods for design-build projects or design-build-and-operate projects.
§ 4529.14. Architectural and engineering services contracts procured by public
agencies shall be subject to standard accounting practices and may
require financial and perfonnance audits as necessary to ensure contract
services are delivered within the agreed schedule and budget.
§ 4529.15. This act only applies to architectural and engineering services
defined in Government Code section 4529.10. Nothing contained in
this act shall be construed to expand or restrict the authority of
governmental entities to contract for fire, ambulance, police, sheriff,
probation, corrections or other peace officer services. Nor shall
anything in this act be construed to expand or restrict the authority of
governmental entities to contract for education services including but
not limited to, teaching services, services of classified school personnel
and school administrators.
§ 4529.16. This act shall not be applied in a manner that will result in the loss
of federal funding to any governmental entity.
§ 4529.17. The provisions of this act are severable. If any provision of this act
or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other
provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid
provision or application.
§ 4529.18. If any act of the Legislature conflicts with the provisions of this act,
this act shall prevail.
§ 4529.19. This act shall be liberally construed to accomplish its purposes.
§ 4529.20. This act seeks to comprehensively regulate the matters which are
contained within its provisions. These are matters of statewide concern
and when enacted are intended to apply to charter cities as well as all
other governmental entities.
SECTION 5. This initiative may be amended to fiuther its purposes by statute, passed in each
house by roll call vote entered in the journal, two-thirds of the membership
concurring, and signed by the Governor.
SECTION 6. If there is a conflicting initiative measure on the same ballot, which addresses
and seeks to comprehensively regulate the same subject, only the provisions of
this measure shall become operative if this measure receives the highest
affirmative vote.
0003
Assembly Constitutional Amendment No. 16
Introduced by Assembly Member Cox
March 3, 1999
Assembly Constitutional Amendment No. 16-A resolution
to propose to the people of the State of California an
amendment to the Constitution of the State, by adding Article
XXII thereof, relating to public contracts.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL; S DIGEST
ACA 16, as introduced, Cox. Public contracts:
architectural and engineering services.
The California Constitution provides that the civil service
includes every officer and employee of the state, subject to
specified exceptions. Statutory provisions govern contracting
by state and local agencies for architectural, landscape
architectural, engineering, environmental, land surveying,
and construction project management services.
This measure would provide that the state and all other
governmental entities are permitted to contract with private
entities for architectural and engineering services for all
public works of improvement, without regard to funding
source, whether the project is programmed by specified
entities, or whether the project is part of a state-owned or
state-operated system or facility.
Vote: 2l3. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.
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CALIFORMA LEGISLATURE-1999-2000 REGULAR SESSION
.. _ ., -
_.... .
ACA 16 ~ -2-
1 WHEREAS, It is the intent of the people of the State of
2 California in enacting this measure to do all of the
3 following:
4 (a) Remove existing restrictions on contracting for
5 azchitectural and engineering _ services and allow state,
6 regional, and local governments to use qualified private
7 azchitectural and engineering firms to help deliver
8 transportation, schools, water, and other infrastructure
9 projects safely, cost-effectively, and on time;
10 (b) Encourage the kind of public or private
11 partnerships necessary to ensure that California
12 taxpayers benefit from the use of private sector
13 transportation, ~ earthquake safety, and other
14 infrastructure experts;
15 (c) Promote fair competition so that both public and
16 private sector architects and engineers work more
17 efficiently, and ultimately deliver 'better value to
18 taxpayers;
19 (d) Speed the completion of a multibillion dollar
20 backlog of highway, bridge, transit, and other projects;
21 (e) Ensure that contracting for azchitecture and
22 engineering services occurs through an open and publicly
23 advertised competitive selection process, free of undue
24 political influence, to obtain the best quality and value for
25 California taxpayers;
26 (f) Ensure that private firms contracting for
27 architectural and engineering services with
28 governmental entities meet established design and
29 construction standazds and aze held responsible for the
30 performance of their contracts; now, therefore, be it
31 Resolved by the Assembly, the Senate concurring, That
32 the Legislature of the State of California at its 1999-2000
33 Regulaz Session commencing on the seventh day of
34 December 1998, two-thirds of the membership of each
35 house concurring, hereby proposes to the people of the
36 State of California that the Constitution of the State be
37 amended by adding Article XXII thereof, to read:
38
39 ARTICLE XXII
40
~.;n~ -
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;' ~.~, s
_ ,,.. Mt ... ...
_ 3 . ~ ACA 16
1 PUBLIC CONTRACTS
2
3 SECTION 1. This article shall be known as the "Fair
4 Competition and Taxpayer Savings Act."
5 SEC. 2. The State of California and all other public
6 entities, including, but not limited to, cities, counties,
7 cities and counties, special districts, local and regional
8 agencies, and joint powers agencies, may contract with
9 private entities for architectural and engineering services
10 for all public works of improvement. The choice and
11 authority to contract extends to all phases of project
12 development, including permit and environmental
13 studies, rights-of way services, design phase services, and
14 construction phase services. The choice and authority to
15 contract exist without regazd to funding source, whether
16 federal, State, regional, local; or private, whether or not
17 the project is programmed by a State, regional, or local
18 government ~ entity, or whether or not the completed
19 project is a pazt of any state-owned or state-operated
20 system or facility.
21 SEC. 3. Article VII may not be construed to restrict
22 or prohibit the State or any other public entities,
23 including, but not limited to, cities, counties, cities and
24 counties, special districts, local and regional agencies, and
25 joint power agencies, from contracting with private
26 entities for the performance of azchitectural or
27 engineering services.
28 SEC. 4. Chapter 10.3 (commencing with Section
29 4529.61) of Division 5 of Title 2 of the Government Code,
30 or any successor, may be amended only by a bill that
31 furthers the purposes of this measure and is passed in each
32 house of the Legislature by rollcall vote entered in the
33 journal, two=thirds of the membership concurring.
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AMENDED IN A55EMBLY APRIL 12, 1999
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE-1999-2000 REGULAR SESSION
ASSEMBLY BILL No. 1448
Introduced by Assembly Member Cox
(Coattthars: Assembly Members Campbell, Leach, and
Oller)
(Coauthor: Senator Johannessen)
February 26, 1999
An act to add Chapter 10.3 (commencing with Section
4529.61) to Division 5 of Title 1 of the Government Code,
relating to public contracts.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 144$, as amended, Cox. Public contracts: architectural
and engineering services.
The California Constitution provides that the civil service
includes every officer and employee of the state, subject to
specified exceptions. Statutory provisions govern contracting
by state and local agencies for architectural, landscape
architectural, engineering, environmental, land surveying,
and construction project management services.
This bill would enact statutory provisions to implement a
proposed amendment to the California Constitution related
to public contracting for azchitectural and engineering
services.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse
local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated
by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for
98
r..
AB 1448 - 2 -
making that reimbursement, including the creation of a State
Mandates Claims Fund to pay the costs of mandates that do
not exceed $1,000,000 statewide and other procedures for
claims whose statewide costs exceed $1,000,000.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State
Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by
the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made
pursuant to these statutory provisions.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Chapter 10.3 (commencing with
2 Section 4529.61) is added to Division 5 of Title 1 of the
3 Government Code, to read:
4
5 CHAPTER 10.3. FAIR COMPETITION AND TAXPAYER
6 SAVnvGS ACT
.7
8 4529.61. For purposes of Article XXII of the California
9 Constitution and this chapter, the term "architectural
10 and engineering services" ~elt~eg shall include all
11 architectural, landscape architectural, environmental,
12 engineering, land surveying, and construction project
13 management services. .
14 4529.62. All projects included in the State
15 Transportation Improvement Program programmed and
16 funded as interregional improvements or as regional
17 improvements aye shall be subject to Article XXII of the
18 California Constitution. The sponsoring governmental
19 entity 1~ shall have the choice and the authority to
20 contract with qualified private entities for architectural
21 and engineering services. For projects programmed and
22 funded as regional improvements, the sponsoring
23 governmental entity is shall be the regional or local
24 project sponsor. For projects programmed and funded as
25 interregional improvements, the sponsoring
26 governmental entity is shall be the State of California,
27 unless there is a regional or local project sponsor t~ in
98
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-3-° -~, rv :-:...'::~ AB 1448
1 which case the sponsoring governmental entity ~s shall be
2 the regional or local project sponsor. The regional or local
3 project sponsor ~s•--tie shall be a regional or local
4 governmental ,
5 entity. ~~a- ~L.. ~~.,~
6 .
7 ,
9 ,
10 ,
11 ,
12 ,
13
14 ,
15
16
17 ,
18 ,
19 ,
20
21
22 43~§.
23 4529.63. All architectural and engineering services
24 shall be procured pursuant to a p~ee~~--`~ fair,
25 competitive selection process which prohibits
26 governmental agency employees from participating in
27 the selection process }€ when they have a financial or
28 business relationship with ~e any private entity seeking
29 the ee-~e~3e contract, and the procedure shall
30 require compliance with all laws regarding political
31 contributions, conflicts of interest, or unlawful activities.
32
33 4529.64. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be
34 construed to change project design standards, seismic
35 safety standards, or project construction standards
36 established by state, regional, or local governmental
37 entities. Nor shall any provision of
38 this chapter be construed to prohibit or restrict the
39 authority of the Legislature to
40 statutorily provide different procurement methods for
98
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~_. . ~. ., ..... crime .] CrT r...~`.' - rt.:r`t 'q,~ ~': -: _
AB 1448 _ 4 _ - _..
1 design-build projects or design-build and operate
2 projects.
3 4~29:f~--
4 4529.65. Architectural -and engineering services
5 contracts procured by public agencies see shall be subject
6 to standard accounting practices and may require
7 financial and performance audits as necessary to ensure
8 that contract services are delivered within the agreed
9 schedule and budget.
10 4~~8-
11 4529.66. This chapter makes-er~}y only applies to
12 architectural and engineering services defined in Section
13 4529.61. Nothing contained in this
14 chapter shall be construed to -expand or restrict the
15 authority of governmental entities to contract for fire,
16 ambulance, police, sheriff, probation, corrections, or
17 other peace officer services. Nor
18 shall anything in this chapter be construed to expand or
19 restrict the authority of governmental entities to contract
20 for education services including, but not limited to,
21 teaching services, services of .-_..'......:r-a classified school
22 personnel, and school administrators.
23 43~.`-~---
24 4529.67. This chapter shall not be applied in a
25 manner that~~ will result in the loss of federal
26 funding to any governmental entity.
27 43 .'^.
28 4529.68. The provisions of this chapter are severable.
29 If any provision of this chapter or its application is held
30 invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or
31 applications that can be given effect without the invalid
32 provision or application.
33 43'~z-
34 4529.69. If any other act of the Legislature con, flicts
35 with the provisions of this chapter, this chapter will
36 prevail.
37 4529.70. This chapter shall be liberally construed to
38 accomplish its purposes.
39 43''z9-'r-
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x a :: -"Y '~~.' i- .~ a ~=se' rzYr.,c"~~ ~"~' ~ ~~~~ r ~. .. ~ 4 ~+e
_' .: ,..
_.. ..
~ 4 .. d -
rya.
- 5 - AB 1448
1 4529.71. This chapter seeks to comprehensively
2 regulate the matters which are contained within its
3 provisions. These are matters of statewide concern and
4 >~--elm`"~~~~ea~~ when enacted are intended to
5 apply to charter cities as well as all other governmental
6 entities.
7 SEC. 2. Notwithstanding Section 17610 of the
8 Government Code, if the Commission on State Mandates
9 determines that this act contains costs mandated by the
10 state, reimbursement to local agencies and school
11 districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7
12 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title
13 2 of the Government Code. If the statewide cost of the
14 claim for reimbursement does not exceed one million
15 dollars ($1,000,000), reimbursement shall be made from
16 the State Mandates Claims Fund.
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98
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SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL .
-~: ~ ~ : S 1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NO. ,,._ ` --' AGENDA ITEM
MEETING DATE: Apri115,1998 CITY MANAGER: ~~ l ~'• -"" ~.~~.
ORIGINATING DEPT.: CITY MANAGER DEPT. HEAD:
SUBJECT: Proposition 224 -known as "Government Cost Savings and Taxpayers
Protection Amendment" -Statement of Opposition
RECOMMENDED MOTION(S): Move to adopt a position opposing Proposition 224
REPORT SUMMARY: Proposition 224 is a proposed constitutional amendment sponsored by
a state engineers' group, Professional Engineers in California Government (PECG), that would
require all state, local and private entities to follow a new process prior to awarding a contract for
construction related services including engineering, architecture, landscape architecture,
surveying, environmental studies and geological studies for projects in which the State would
financially or otherwise participate.
The new process would require all construction-related services costing more than $50,000 to use
competitive bids to select the lowest bidder unless the contract would have an adverse impact on
public health or safety due to a project delay. The proposed amendment would have the State
Controller analyze each proposed contract, comparing the costs of contracting with a private firm
versus the cost of utilizing state employees instead. Costs incurred by the State, such as salaries,
benefits, utilities, and indirect costs would not be included in any State bid while outside
contractors would be required to reflect these costs. If the State Controller's analysis concluded
that state employees could perform the work at a lower cost than the private vendor, the job
would be required to be done by the state.
State agencies would be required to use this new process for any construction-related services.
Local Governments and Private Entities would also be required to use this process if there was
any State funding being used for any part of aconstruction-related service. Local Governments
would also be required to follow these procedures if there was any State ownership, liability , or
responsibility for the project.
Attached are various pieces of correspondence from individuals, cities and organizations urging
the City to oppose Proposition 224. They stress that this initiative would cause major delays in
project implementation due to the "bottleneck" of tens of thousands of local projects that would
need to be reviewed by the State Controller. Local Governments would have no say in the
process nor in contract conditions, such as delivering a project on schedule and within budget
thus eliminating local control over local projects.
FISCAL IMPACTS: None as a result of taking a position. If Proposition 224 passes, there
could be significant fiscal implications caused by delays in project implementation.
ADVERTISING, NOTICING AND PUBLIC CONTACT:
None
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ACTING ON RECOMMENDED MOTION(S):
The City would take no position on Proposition 224.
FOLLOW UP ACTIONS:
The City's opposition would be communicated to opponents of Proposition 224.
ATTACHMENTS:
1) Text of Proposition 224
2) Correspondence from League of California Cities
3) Letter from John Heindel dated October 10, 1997
4) Letter from Taxpayers Fed Up With More State Bureaucracy dated September 12, 1997 with
attachments
5) Letter from Santa Clara County Cities Association dated June 5, 1997.
City Couaail l[iautas a llpxil 15, 1998
11. Rwirr of village valet Pulciaq Program - continued from
November 19
Administrative Analyst Loft reviewed the staff report. She stated that
representatives of two condominium associations had been notified of
this item.
Councilmember Bogosian felt that the residents of Oak Street should be
notified of this item.
In answer to Councilmember Moran, Deputy City Clerk Cory stated that
for a public hearing she prepares a memo recommending publicity which
would then bg approved by the City Council.
Councilmember Moran stated that an ordinance should be drafted with
provisions showing where cars can be parked and with a clause allowing
for periodic review. She felt a public hearing should be held with
thorough noticing.
Council and staff discussed extent of noticing. There was consensus
to mail first class notice of the hearing to Oak Street residents from
Highway 9 to Sixth Street, including the school.
MORAN/SHAW MOVED TO APPROVE FOR 60 DAYS THE MODIFIED VALET PARKING PLAN
FOR SARATOGA VILLAGE WITH THE DELETION OF THE SARATOGA DRY CLEANERS
VALET PARKING LOCATION. Passed 4-0.
MORAN/SHAW MOVED TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO CHANGE THE VALET LOADING ZONE
AT SARATOGA DRY CLEANERS TO 15 MINUTE PARKING ZONES AND INSTALL
CORRESPONDING SIGNAGE. Passed 4-0.
MORAN/BOGOSIAN MOVED TO DIRECT STAFF TO DRAFT AN ORDINANCE FOR VALET
PARKING SERVICE PERMITS FOR USING THE CITY'S PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY; THE
ORDINANCE WILL INCLUDE DELINEATION OF WHERE CARS ARE TO BE PARKED AND
A PROVISION FOR PERIODIC REVIEW; IT WILL BE INTRODUCED AT A PUBLIC
HEARING WITH THOROUGH NOTICING. Passed 4-0.
In answer to Councilmember Bogosian, City Manager Perlin stated that
the signs would cost under $100.
City Attorney Riback stated the Planning Commission would not be
involved in the ordinance unless the City Council wished them to be.
City Manager Perlin stated that the Public Safety Commission has been
the group involved.
8. NEB1I BIISINE88
7-. Landscaping and Lighting District LLA-i - Resolutions
prelimiaarily ]-pprovinq Engineers Report and settiaq
Publia Soaring
City Manager Perlin noted that corrections needed to be made in some
of the calculations in the Engineers Report. He recommended continuing
the item.
~ There was consensus to continue the item to April 21.
B. Position on Proposition 22a
----
City Manager Perlin reviewed the report.
John Heindel spoke as an engineer who performs contract work for the
City. He explained his opposition to the proposition and urged the
Council to express opposition.
BOGOSIAN/SHAW MOVED TO OPPOSE PROPOSITION 224 AND TO DIRECT STAFF TO
WRITE A LETTER FOR THE MAYOR TO SIGN. Passed 4-0.
8. Other
Councilmember Shaw suggested that the agenda be revised to make it
clearer that agenda items for upcoming meetings were not intended for