REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BROCK D. BUCHE, PE, PLS, Director
Department of Public Utilities
BY: PAUL AMICO, PE, Assistant Director
Department of Public Utilities - Administration
SUBJECT
Title
Approve a three-year Consultant Services Agreement with Southwest Strategies Group for stakeholder engagement and public education support services for the Department of Public Utilities in the not to exceed amount of $1,338,000.00. (Citywide)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council approve a Consultant Services Agreement (Agreement) with Southwest Strategies Group, a Delaware corporation (Southwest Strategies), in the not to exceed amount of $1,338,000.00, for stakeholder engagement and public education support services for a term of three years with an option for two, one-year extensions; and authorize the Director of Public Utilities, or designee, to sign the Agreement on behalf of the City of Fresno (City).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) provides high quality utility services professionally, efficiently and in an environmentally responsible manner to ensure the health and safety of our community. Stakeholder engagement and public education are essential for communicating and demonstrating the value of utility services and building and maintaining the trust and support of customers. DPU uses a programmatic approach of engagement and education that addresses the unique cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic diversity of Fresno to maximize the efficiency and impact of its different customer education and outreach efforts.
Southwest Strategies scope of work includes development of a five-year engagement and education strategy and plan, and implementation support services that include advising on DPU's annual Stakeholder Engagement and Public Education Program (Program) budget, conducting specific engagement and education campaigns for each of DPU's operating divisions, producing collateral materials, suppor...
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