PREPARED BY: ALLEN TAI DATE OF MEETING: 06/15/2026
SUBJECT:
TITLE
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH 4LEAF, INC. FOR FISCAL YEARS 2026-27 THROUGH 2027-28 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $384,500 OVER THE TWO-YEAR TERM FOR ON-CALL INSPECTION, PLAN CHECK, PERMIT TECHNICIAN AND RELATED SERVICES
CEQA: The requested action is not a project as defined by CEQA. CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 states that “project” does not include the creation of government funding mechanisms or other governmental fiscal activities, which do not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment.
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution
Body
council priority workplan statement
FY 2026-27 Council Priority Workplan Compliance Statement
The recommendation is consistent with Enhance & Sustain Residential Health And Safety Program and Promote Housing Production To Meet RHNA Requirements (2023-2031), City Council priorities contained in the adopted FY 2026-27 City Council Priority Workplan, effective April 7, 2025.
BACKGROUND
The City of San Pablo has long relied upon contract services to assist in the Building Division’s plan check and inspection programs related to Building Permits, Compliance Investigations, and Residential, Health & Safety (RH&S) activities. The City currently has a three-year agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. of Pleasanton (4LEAF) which will expire on June 30, 2026.
Staff is proposing to establish a new two-year agreement (Agreement) with 4LEAF for on-call consulting services for the City’s Community Development Department (Community Development). 4LEAF provides as-needed contract services for plan check, inspections, permit technicians, code enforcement officers, and residential health and safety inspectors focused on the enforcement of the California Building Codes and local Ordinances. Community Development has utilized 4LEAF for many years and has consistently received exceptional service for our residents and businesses. Staff is therefore requesting approval to continue using 4LEAF’s services on an on-call basis. Such services include the following:
• Providing inspector, permit technician, and other staffing support to conduct business, residential, and investigative inspections, and to prepare inspection reports.
• Providing professional services, which may include reviewing plans, calculations, and equipment specifications prior to permit issuance; reviewing plan checks and revisions; conducting inspections; preparing inspection reports; and delivering other permitting and inspection services as needed.
• Developing plan check correction lists, inspection checklists, and other necessary forms and informational materials to support assigned duties.
• Utilizing and updating the City’s permit and inspection tracking system.
• Performing all coordination related to inspection and plan check activities.
• Attending field visits and meetings with property owners or plan check applicants on a case-by-case basis as determined by the City.
• Assisting in the development of code requirements and guidelines to support the inspection and plan check process.
4LEAF will work under the direction of the Chief Building Official and supplement the work of the Chief Building Official.
Competitive Proposal Process Waiver for Consulting Services
San Pablo Municipal Code Section 3.16.080 requires that contracts over $25,000 for professional or specialized services be awarded through a competitive proposal process. However, San Pablo Municipal Code Section 3.16.110(A) provides that such contracts, including those involving services rendered by architects, attorneys, engineers, accountants, and other classes of professional work where the City must depend upon the skill, integrity, judgment, and ability of the service provider, may be exempted from formal and informal contracting requirements.
Staff recommend the City Council waive the competitive proposal requirement and allow this agreement to proceed under the Exceptions to Bid Policy authorized by SPMC Section 3.16.110(A). The City is currently working with 4LEAF to perform inspection and plan check services and to provide related administrative and technical support under an existing agreement that is nearing completion. The City has a high level of confidence in the firm’s ability to continue delivering these services efficiently and cost-effectively. Their proposed costs are competitive with informal quotes and research from comparable firms, while still ensuring transparency, avoiding favoritism, and protecting against waste of public funds.
FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed agreement would result in a cost to the City of up to $192,250 in each fiscal year with a total cost over the two-year term not to exceed $384,500. Funding for the Agreement will be paid from the Community Development Department Professional Services 212-1755-43600 biennial budget as adopted by the City Council.
It should be noted that the City has a policy of recovering all inspection and permit review costs through the assessment and collection of permit and inspection fees. Therefore, the proposed agreement will have no fiscal impact to the General Fund.
Attachments:
Att A. RES 2026-### 4LEAF Contract
Att B. 4LEAF Draft Agreement