Report Prepared by: Frank Quintero, Director of Economic Development
Title
SUBJECT: Supplemental Appropriation to the Economic Development Opportunity Fund (074) for Consultant Services to Poll Property Owners in Industrial Expansion Study Area #7
REPORT IN BRIEF
Requesting a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $22,000 from the Economic Development Opportunity Fund (074), unreserved fund balance for consultant services relative to a potential annexation relative to Industrial Expansion Study Area #7.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion authorizing a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $22,000 from the unreserved fund balance to account 074-2002-572-17-00 (Professional Services - Economic Development Opportunity Fund) for consultant services to poll property owners in Industrial Expansion Study Area #7.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended by Staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to conditions other than recommended by Staff (identify specific findings and/or conditions amended to be addressed in the motion); or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion.)
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
City of Merced FY 17-18 Budget, Section 7 - Economic Development, Objective #2, “Proceed with the necessary steps towards developing a new local and/or regional industrial park.”
DISCUSSION
On June 19, 2017, the City Council directed staff to pursue the feasibility of annexing Industrial Expansion Study Area #7 (Attachment 1). The next steps to investigating the feasibility of bringing in Industrial Expansion Study Area #7 into the City as an industrial park is to determine if the property owners are willing to be part of long term annexation and industrial park development project. The timing is also appropriate to begin conversations with the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) concerning the possibility of annexing Industrial Expansion Study Area #7.
Staff desires to contract with QK (formerly Quad Knopf) to interview the property owners in the respective Study Area, and to assist staff in reaching out to LAFCO. QK’s Scope of Work and Cost Estimate identifies six tasks they would perform for the cost of $20,900.00 (Attachment 2). The six tasks include 1) Kick Off Meeting, 2) Conduct Interviews, 3) Neighborhood Meeting, 4) LAFCO, 5) Report, and 6) Project Management, Coordination, and Administration Support. Action items for each tasks is found in more detail in Attachment 2.
Staff is asking Council to use the Economic Development Opportunity Fund to cover the costs of the work proposed by QK. The purpose of the Economic Development Opportunity Fund is to take advantage of business development and job creation opportunities. The City of Merced is in need of expanding its base of industrial land to provide for more business development and investment and job creation opportunities.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
Staff recommends appropriating $22,000 from Fund 074 (Economic Development Opportunity Fund), unreserved fund balance to account 074-2002-572-17-00 (Professional Services - Economic Development Opportunity Fund) for consultant services relative to Industrial Expansion Study Area #7.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Industrial Expansion Study Area #7
2. QK Scope of Services and Cost Estimates