Report Prepared by: Stephanie Dietz, Assistant City Manager
Title
SUBJECT: Approve Budget Transfer to Support Professional Services Agreements to Facilitate a Public Opinion Survey
REPORT IN BRIEF
Consider approving budget transfers from the Public Facilities Financing Fees - Police for $42,000 to support professional services agreements to facilitate a Public Opinion Survey as directed by the City Council.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion approving transfers from Public Facilities Financing Fees - Police in the amount of $21,000 from Fund 047, and $21,000 from Fund 057 to Fund 449 Public Safety CIP, and appropriating the same amount to Project #116040 New Police Headquarters.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by the Assistant City Manager; or,
2. Deny; or,
3. Refer back to staff for further study.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Budget.
DISCUSSION
On August 7, 2017, the City Council approved the Purchase and Sale Agreement and Lease between McClatchy Newspapers, Inc. and the City of Merced for the Property at 3033 North “G” Street. During the consideration of this agreement, the Council requested that staff provide an update on the status of all Public Facilities within the City. On August 21, 2017, staff provided the Council with an update on the current condition of all City-owned facilities and presented options for construction financing. During this meeting, direction was provided to staff to take the initial step of conducting an opinion survey to determine if the community would support a ballot initiative that would directly fund the construction of a new Police Headquarters Station, a New Fire Station, the expansion of the Corporation Yard, and the remodeling of 10 bathrooms within City of Merced parks.
Since this meeting, staff have worked quickly to secure professional services that will develop and conduct a public opinion survey to maintain the November 2018 ballot timeline. A transfer of funds is recommended to support the necessary professional services.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
Funding for these services is available from the Public Facilities Financing Fees - Police in Fund 047 and Fund 057. This report recommends a transfer in the amount of $21,000 from Fund 047 and $21,000 from Fund 057 to Fund 449, Public Safety Capital Improvement Projects, and appropriating the same to Project #116040 - New Police HQ, to provide professional services related to the development and delivery of a Public Opinion Survey to establish a ballot initiative for consideration in November 2018.