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HomeMy Public PortalAbout08) 7D Solicitation of Proposals for FY 2014-15 Economic Development ServicesDATE: TO: MANAGEMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM January 21, 2014 Honorable Mayor and City Council AGENDA ITEM 7.0. FROM: Tracey L. Hause, Acting City Manager/Administrative Services Director By: Brian Haworth, Asst. to the City Manager/Economic Development Mgr. SUBJECT: SOLICITATION OF PROPOSALS FOR FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2014-15 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICES RECOMMENDATION: The City Council is requested to: a) Direct staff to circulate a Request for Proposals (RFP) for consultant-provided economic development services, with solicitation to include the Temple City Chamber of Commerce; and b) Direct staff to present in April-as part of the FY 2014-15 City Budget process-a recommended scope for FY 2014-15 economic development services, based on the most successful RFP response. BACKGROUND: 1. Since July 19, 2011, the City Council has instituted an annual, sole source professional services agreement with the Temple City Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) for business promotion and public information services. This arrangement provides a basis for the City's annual fiscal year funding of $70,000; imposes performance metrics for the delivery of services; and clarifies the Chamber's role as an economic development consultant to the City. 2. On January 9, 2014, City Manager Jose Pulido and Assistant to the City Manager Brian Haworth met with Chamber representatives (i.e., Chairman Rita Padilla, Past Chair Nicholas Pon and Executive Director Peter Choi) to discuss, among other things, the recommended actions being presented at tonight's Council meeting. City Council January 21, 2014 Page 2 of3 ANALYSIS: The City's Two Year Work Plan (Work Plan) provides a roadmap that advances eight established goals, each with individual initiatives and associated metrics. Economic development is an identified goal including a broad list of initiatives-e.g., annual review of the City's funding contribution and professional services contract with the Chamber. Four positions within the City-the City Manager, Assistant to the City Manager, Community Development Director and Planning Manager-are each partially tasked with economic development responsibilities. Current and prior incumbents of these positions have focused considerable time over the past two years on larger economic development initiatives including downtown property acquisition, public art, entitlements for the Gateway and Olson projects, and overseeing design and completion of the Rosemead Boulevard Streetscape and Enhancements Project. Furthermore, these staff members have catalyzed upcoming economic development planning initiatives like the las Tunas Streetscape and Enhancement Project, the City General Plan update, and a specific plan that proposes to upzone land at the Las Tunas Dr./Rosemead Blvd. intersection. These projects, all identified in the Work Plan, are part of a larger vision for Temple City's economic development program, which also includes business outreach and dialogue. Over the past three years-given limited staffing-the City's business outreach component has been generally tasked and contracted to the Chamber through the monthly publication of Temple City Life, and the hosting of networking events and grand openings. While accomplishment of these tasks have been met and benefit Chamber members, there is a pressing need to execute a different and more comprehensive outreach approach in FY 2014-15. Proposed initiatives identified in the Work Plan include a citywide business visitation program that assesses local business conditions and collects information for future policy consideration; and specific dialogue with the Las Tunas business community that communicates scope and impact of the upcoming Las Tunas Streetscape and Enhancement Project, while introducing businesses and property owners to the national Main Street model for downtown revitalization (e.g., the possible establishment of a business improvement district). Recent discussion with Chamber representatives revealed that at this time, the organization may not have the staffing resources or technical experience to take on the initiatives. While the Chamber's leadership will continue to evaluate its ability to perform these services, City staff is recommending the solicitation of service proposals from economic development consulting firms (including the Chamber). If authorized by the City Council, this solicitation will occur in mid-February with a recommended consultant contract and budget allocation by April, for presentation as part of the FY 2014-15 City Budget process. City Council January 21, 2014 Page 3 of 3 CONClUSION: Approval of the requested solicitation for consulting proposals presents a proactive approach in addressing local economic development needs for FY 2014-15, while also accomplishing critical tasks identified in the City's Two-Year Work Plan. FISCAl IMPACT: Actions contained in this report present no fiscal impact to the FY 2013-14 City Budget or the Chamber's FY 2013-14 professional services agreement. ATTACHMENT: None.