7G, B2 Districty Study Award Contract

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Ifthe proposal is approved by Council, a contract will be prepared based on the planning services offered by MFRA in their February 28, 2008, proposal for an amount not to exceed $63,005. The City Attorney will review the contract prior to signing. Since the proposed motion authorizes Staff to negotiate and contract with MFRA, the contract will not be brought back to Council for a separate review unless the cost increases or the scope of services change. Budl!:et The 2008 budget included $35,000 for planning consultant services to prepare a small area plan for the B-2 General Business district; however, the proposal from MFRA is anticipated to cost $63,005. The $28,005 difference can be covered by the savings from the vacant Community Development Director position. Assuming a new Community Development Director is not hired before June 1, 2008, the estimated savings from that position will be at least $31,000 according to Finance Director Iverson. Steerinl!: Committee The RFP made reference to creating a steering committee of stakeholders to help guide the planning process. The steering committee would review drafts of the plan, attend public meetings, reach out to stakeholders, and provide feedback throughout the planning process. At the January 22,2008, City Council work session, the Council came to a consensus that the committee should be created and suggested that it include two property owners from the B-2 district, one nearby resident, another resident from elsewhere in the City, and one councilmember. The compilation ofthis committee is still flexible. Once formed, the committee will meet periodically throughout the course of the planning process. The steering committee will need to be nominated and appointed by the City Council. Potential members can be suggested by the Council and, if directed, Staff can prepare an announcement to request applications from the public. It would be ideal to have this committee in place by mid to late April so that they can be involved throughout the process. Proiect Schedule MFRA has stated that they can begin the planning process as soon as the contract is signed. The RFP's timeline anticipated finishing the project by the end of September 2008. However, the RFP review process has taken a bit longer than anticipated, which may result in a small delay in completing the project. Staff's goal is to complete the project and begin implementation before the development moratorium ends in December 2008. A more specific public process schedule will be developed once the contract is approved. Attachments A. RFP for Consulting Services for the B-2 District B. McCombs Frank Roos Associates Proposal- February 28,2008 City of Arden Hills City Co unci/ Meetingfor March 3], 2008 \\Metro-inet.uslardenhillsIPlanningICommunity Development\B2 Small Area Plan\03310B - CC Report - B-2 Consultant Recommendation.doc Page 3 of3