TO: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
FROM: JAMIE EARL, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
DATE: JANUARY 27, 2026
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
AUTHORIZATION TO AMEND THE EXISTING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH BLAIS & ASSOCIATES TO INCREASE COMPENSATION FOR GRANT RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES (FUNDING SOURCE: GENERAL FUND)
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SUMMARY
The City has contracted with Blais & Associates for professional grant management services since 2015. The City has secured nearly $9.4 million in grant funding to date with the assistance of Blais & Associates. The current agreement has a total not-to-exceed amount of $37,000 for fiscal year 2025-26.
Due to an increase in grant activity and application development, it is necessary to increase the total contract amount to fund grant applications and monthly costs through the end of the current fiscal year. Staff recommends that the City Council authorize an amendment to the current Blais & Associates professional services agreement to add $25,000 in compensation, bringing the total agreement amount to $62,000 for 2025-26.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute an amendment to the existing Professional Services Agreement with Blais & Associates adding $25,000 in compensation, increasing the total agreement not-to-exceed amount to $62,000 for 2025-26.
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ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there are the following alternatives:
A. Request additional information from staff.
B. Do not authorize the amendment.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
City Council approval of an additional $25,000 is necessary for Blais & Associates to perform additional work. This will increase the total not-to-exceed amount of the agreement from $37,000 to $62,000.
The additional $25,000 will pay for the development of grant applications and to continue using the services offered by Blais & Associates through the end of the current fiscal year. Funding is available in the 2025-26 Administrative Services Department budget, and no additional appropriation is necessary.
The staff cost to prepare this report is estimated at $500 and is included in the operating budget of the Administrative Services Department.
ANALYSIS
Since May 2015, Blais & Associates has provided professional grant research, bi-monthly grant activity report calls, and grant writing services to the City. Blais & Associates has assisted the City in securing nearly $9.4 million in grant funds to date, the work product by the firm has been high quality, and all services have been completed in a timely manner.
With the assistance of Blais & Associates, staff recently submitted applications for the following:
• SS4A for Complete Streets Plan for Indian Hill Blvd Corridor ($400,000) - awards were expected fall 2025 (delayed because of the federal government shutdown).
• LA County Regional Parks for Claremont Hills Wilderness Park Entrance Enhancements ($2,500,000) - awards expected March 2026.
• Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant for Indian Hill Blvd. and San Jose Multimodal Corridor Plan ($700,000) - awards expected summer 2026.
Due to the amount of grant research, and the complexity of current grant applications Blais & Associates is assisting with, it is expected that the contract amount will be fully expended before the end of the fiscal year. The current agreement has a total not-to-exceed amount of $37,000 for 2025-26. Due to an increase in grant activity and application development, it is necessary to increase the total contract amount to fund grant applications and monthly costs through the end of the current fiscal year. Staff recommends that the City Council authorize an amendment to the current Blais & Associates professional services agreement to add $25,000 in compensation, bringing the total agreement amount not-to-exceed $62,000 for 2025-26.
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: 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