CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM

Department:	City Manager’s Office		Commission Meeting Date:  September 6, 2016
Staff Contact:	Brandon McGuire, Assistant to the City Manager
Recommendations/Options/Action Requested:
Consider the recommended request for proposals (RFP) for parking system strategic planning services and provide policy direction to staff regarding project objectives and guiding principles. Authorize staff to advertise the RFP and initiate the consultant selection process.
Executive Summary:		The proposed RFP solicits professional services to assist the City in the creation of a strategic plan to guide the comprehensive operation and development of the parking system in the Downtown District and neighborhoods adjacent to the University of Kansas (Area of Focus). The selected consultant will assist the City with three phases of the project, as described in Section II of the RFP and summarized below. 1. Comprehensive Evaluation:  Conduct a comprehensive review of the existing parking system within the Area of Focus as well as relevant planning documents related to parking. 2. Stakeholder Engagement: Stakeholder groups will be engaged in facilitated forums to conduct a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats), or a similar assessment, related to parking in the Area of Focus. The consultant will also facilitate a City Commission work session focused on strategic planning of the parking system. 3. Plan Development: Upon completion of the comprehensive evaluation and stakeholder engagement process, the consultant will work with City staff to develop a strategic plan document. The plan will be presented to the City Commission for consideration and adoption. If adopted, the City Manager will utilize the plan to guide the future management and development of the comprehensive parking system. The consultant’s final deliverable is a strategic operations and development plan that will be used to guide the long-term management of the parking system, including operations, infrastructure investments and related policies. The envisioned outcome is a comprehensive and financially self-sustaining approach to parking management that addresses both commercial and residential parking needs. This project is anticipated to have implications on all aspects of the parking system, including pricing, enforcement, utilization and turnover, customer service, infrastructure and technology investments, and land development guidelines. The plan will also address parking challenges in neighborhoods adjacent to KU. The project to develop a strategic parking plan is envisioned based on the principles that management and development of the parking system should… 1) Be approached comprehensively in a way that addresses commercial and residential needs as well as provides a quality user experience. 2) Prioritize efficiency, effectiveness and equity. 3) Be financially sustainable and involve market-based pricing when appropriate. 4) Positively impact multi-modal and alternative forms of transportation and contribute to the environmental sustainability of the transportation system. 5) Incorporate elements of previously adopted plans related to parking and multi-modal transportation and respond to evolving trends related to parking. Staff requests Commission feedback on these principles in order to clarify and work towards the Commission’s long-term goals for the parking system.
Strategic Goal Area:		Non-motorized Transportation/Transit Infrastructure Economic Development
Fiscal Impact (Amount/Source):		Estimated cost to advertise notice to proposers in official newspaper: $50.00 If authorized to proceed, staff will conduct the selection process and recommend a consultant for the Commission’s consideration and approval. The specific contract cost will not be known until completion of the selection and negotiation process. This project will be funded within budgeted expenditure levels.
Attachments:		Draft Request for Proposals for Parking System Strategic Planning Services