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CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM |
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Department: |
City Manager’s Office |
Commission Meeting Date: October 1, 2016 |
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Staff Contact: |
Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager |
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Recommendations/Options/Action Requested: |
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Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a six month agreement, with a possible six month extension, with National Development Council (NDC) to complete economic development analysis and affordable housing consulting services for a retainer amount of $6,150 monthly. |
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Executive Summary: |
During recent discussions on economic development, gap analysis was identified as a key tool to evaluate whether or not a project needed incentives to proceed. This was particularly identified as a need when consideration Neighborhood Revitalization Area (NRA) applications. Additionally, affordable housing has been identified as an area of focus from the City Commission. Given these items, staff issued a Request for Qualifications in August for analytical services for economic development projects and also affordable housing development support and advice.
Two proposals were received for services, one from Springsted, Inc. and one from the National Development Council (NDC). Staff believes that the proposal from the National Development Council (NDC) most closely mirrors the services in both areas requested. The services that will be performed by NDC include the following: a) Gap analysis related to economic development projects/applications received by the City. Fees collected from applicants will go to defray the City expenses with NDC. b) Technical assistance related to affordable housing matters, including training on tools, identification of strategies, analysis, etc. as needed by the City staff, the Affordable Housing Advisory Board and/or the City Commission. NDC will travel to Lawrence two days per month for the purposes of consulting with the City on these matters. The fee is inclusive of NDC travel, time and is not limited to the number of projects that may be processed. Additionally, the fee includes two paid scholarships for the City staff to attend NDC training courses, which are nationally recognized. Staff has been utilizing the services of NDC on a limited trial basis for two months (August and September) and NDC has been working on the gap analysis for two NRA applications that will be considered by the City Commission in the near future. Additionally, NDC has met with the Affordable Housing Advisory Board and staff regarding affordable housing. A six month agreement will enable to the City to analyze the services performed by NDC and ensure value for the City. The six month agreement would begin effective October 1, 2016.
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Strategic Goal Area: |
Affordable Housing and Economic Development |
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Fiscal Impact (Amount/Source): |
The fiscal impact to the City is $36,900 for the six month period. This item was not formally budgeted but can be covered in the City’s economic development line item and is anticipated to be at least partially reimbursed by applicant fees for analytical services
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Attachments: |
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