Report Prepared by: Karen Baker, Economic Development Associate, Merced Yosemite Regional Airport
Title
SUBJECT: Approval to Waive the Competitive Bidding Requirement, and Authorizing the Agreement with the Merced Main Street Association for $40,000 for Services and the Administration of the Downtown Business Improvement Area for Fiscal Year 2023-2024
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving to waive the competitive bidding requirements pursuant to Merced Municipal Code Section 3.04.210 and approving an Agreement between the City of Merced and the Merced Main Street Association for $40,000 to provide services to the Downtown Business Improvement Area during Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Waiving the City’s competitive bidding requirement as permitted by Merced Municipal Code section 3.04.210 based on the Merced Main Street Association’s proven experience of providing the Administration of Downtown Services since 2015 and providing continuity during the formation of the PBID; and,
B. Approving the agreement with the Merced Main Street Association for Downtown Services for 2023-2024 in the amount of $40,000; and,
C. Authorizing the Finance Officer to make the necessary budget adjustments; and,
D. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended by staff; or
2. Approve, subject to notifications as conditioned by Council; or,
3. Deny the requests completely; or
4. Refer back to staff for reconsideration of specific items as requested by Council; or,
5. Defer action until a specified date.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200, Merced Municipal Code Section 3.04.210-Exemptions from competitive bidding and Merced Municipal Code Section 3.44.020, 3.44.070-Additional Tax-Disposition of Proceeds, and 3.44.080-Additional Tax-Generally Beneficial.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Fund 006/2000 Downtown Fund - Partner and continue to coordinate with the Merced Main Street Association through the Professional Services Agreement.
DISCUSSION
Background
The Downtown Business Improvement Area is defined in Section 3.44.020 of the Merced Municipal Code is bound by “G” Street on the east, “V” Street on the west, Union Pacific Railroad tracks on the south, and the alley between 19th and 20th Streets on the north (Attachment 1).
Merced Main Street Association (MMSA) has been in a service agreement with the City of Merced for the administration of Downtown Services since January 2015. Contracted responsibilities continue to be focused on safety, security, cleanliness, maintenance, events, and securing National Main Street program certification.
Description
The Merced Main Street Association would like to continue serving as the contractor for the Downtown Improvement Fund for 2023-2024. The Merced Main Street Association Board, which is all volunteer, is committed to building on the progress they have made as an organization, focusing on how best to serve their Downtown Business community, in accordance with Merced Municipal Code Section 3.44.070-Disposition of Proceeds, and 3.44.080-Additional Tax-Generally Beneficial.
The Merced Main Street Association is a non-profit organization operating pursuant to Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code, a member of the California Main Street Association and continuing to work on their National Main Street Association certification. They have an office in Downtown Merced.
Key Deliverables/Milestones/Timelines
For FY 23-24, MMSA will continue to build upon the work they have accomplished and add to the areas they feel will best serve their core mission including: safety and security, maintenance, cleanliness, and events in the Downtown Area.
They will also support, or continue to support, the following downtown district efforts:
• Promote the Non/Certified Merced Farmer’s Market.
• Continue the Façade Grant for curb appeal improvements.
• Maintain the California Main Street Alliance program membership.
• Host Quarterly Membership Meetings
• Continue Celebrate Downtown program to underwrite groups who hold events in the downtown district to cover permitting fees incurred.
• Website Maintenance for MMSA.
• Design, Promotion, Organization and Economic Committees meet monthly.
• Continue to purchase Holiday decorations for the Downtown district.
• Printing and postage for mixers, events, school flyers and general correspondence.
• Support the Merced Downtown Neighborhood Association
• Continue Emergency Lighting Program
• Camera & Lighting Program
• Maintain a MMSA Office in Downtown Merced
• Downtown Clock Fundraising.
_TASK________________________________________________Allocation
• Marketing $ 5,000.00
• Administrative $ 6,330.00
• Programs & Projects $ 16,170.00
• Membership $ 1,500.00
• Downtown Cleaning/Maintenance $ 6,000.00
• Clock Program $ 5,000.00
• Total $ 40,000.00
Several of the deliverables were performed by the MMSA volunteers including the Downtown Christmas Parade, quarterly meetings, façade grant program, and more. Due to unforeseen delays, the FY 23-24 Scope of Services was not submitted to City staff until latter part of the Fiscal Year. MMSA is in good standing with the City of Merced.
It should be noted that this is the final year that the MMSA will be funded from the Business Improvement Area. As part of the Property Based Improvement District, the Management Plan called out that collecting the double license fee would cease. At the City Council meeting of January 2, 2024, the City Council voted to suspend the collection of the double license fee collected within the Business Improvement Area.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
Funding is available within FY 23/24 adopted budget under Fund 2000-Downtown Fund and professional service account. The General Fund is not used to pay for services provided through the Agreement.
ATTACHMENT
1. Downtown Business Improvement District Map
2. Merced Main Street Association Agreement for FY 23/24
3. MMSA Annual Report