City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date:  February 14, 2005

Item No.:         1

Recommendation:  That the Council authorize the release of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for development advisory services for implementation of the recommendations of the 27^th Street Corridor and Subarea Plans.

Background:  At their last meeting, the Common Council adopted Resolution No. 10458 – approving the 27^th Street Corridor Plan.  This plan, and the soon-to-be-adopted subarea plan identify several activities that need to be completed to implement the recommendations of those plans.

Given the scale of the plan and complex nature of some of those implementation measures, it is crucial that the City have an experienced project manager to move the process forward.

As such, the Community Development Authority is requesting that the Council authorize the release of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for development advisory services.  An RFQ differs somewhat from an RFP (Request for Proposals) in that an RFP has a predetermined scope, and is used primarily for a specific project, such as a comprehensive plan whereas an RFQ allows the municipality to select a firm based on their qualifications prior to developing the detailed scope of work.

The selected consultant will need to demonstrate knowledge and experience in:

□ The creation of marketing and “branding” strategies for an area

□ Project coordination within the public sector

□ Building relationships between the public sector and the development community

□ Land acquisition or consolidation strategies

□ Financing strategies, including familiarity with grant opportunities and the use of tax increment financing

A preliminary scope of work statement and schedule have been prepared for your review.  If approved for release, this RFQ would be sent to interested firms.  Those firms will have until March 18^th to submit their responses to the RFQ.  The City Administrator and Director of Community Development will “short-list” the number of firms to three.  These three firms will then make presentations to the Community Development Authority, who in turn will make a recommendation to the Common Council on a preferred candidate.  With the Council’s concurrence, a detailed scope of services will be drafted as part of a contract that would be approved by the Council at their first meeting in May.

Fiscal Impact:  No costs would be incurred by the City as a result of the approval of release of this RFQ.  Any contract entered into with the selected firm would require Common Council approval.  $55,000 has been approved for consulting as part of the adopted 2005 budget.

Prepared by: Doug Seymour, AICP Director of Community Development	Respectfully submitted, Barbara S. Blumenfield, Ph.D City Administrator
Fiscal Review by: Beverly A. Buretta, CMC City Clerk