TO: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
FROM: JAMIE EARL, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
DATE: JUNE 23, 2026
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH BLAIS & ASSOCIATES FOR GRANT RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES (FUNDING SOURCE: GENERAL FUND)
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SUMMARY
The City has contracted with Blais & Associates (B&A) for professional grant management services since 2015. The City has secured over $9.3 million in grant funding to date with the assistance of Blais & Associates. The City’s current agreement with B&A expires on June 30, 2026.
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a new agreement with B&A for grant research and management services. If approved, the initial term of the agreement will be July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with an option to extend the contract for an additional one-year term at a rate not-to-exceed $40,000 per year. The estimated annual cost of $40,000 is included in the adopted 2026-28 Budget.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with Blais & Associates for a term beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027, with the option to extend the agreement for one additional year, in an amount not-to-exceed $40,000 per year.
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ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the staff recommendation, there are the following alternatives:
A. Request additional information from staff.
B. Do not authorize the agreement.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The staff cost to prepare this report and administer this contract is estimated at $700 and is included in the operating budget of the Administrative Services Department.
ANALYSIS
Since May 2015, Blais & Associates (B&A) has provided professional grant research, bi-monthly grant activity report calls, and grant writing services to the City. B&A has assisted the City in securing over $9.3 million in grant funds to date, with additional projects underway. The work product by the firm has been high quality, and all services have been completed in a timely manner.
The City’s current agreement with B&A expires on June 30, 2026. Accordingly, staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a new agreement with B&A for grant research and management services. If approved, the initial term of the agreement will be July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with an option to extend the contract for an additional year at a rate not-to-exceed $40,000 per year.
LEGAL REVIEW
The agreement has been approved as to form by the City Attorney.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds that it applies to the following City Planning Documents: Council Priorities, General Plan, and the 2024-26 Budget.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Jamie Earl Katie Wand
Assistant City Manager Deputy City Manager