City Council

a. REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS TO PREPARE AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS AND\nLAND USE STUDY FOR THREE PROPOSED OPPORTUNITY STUDY AREAS\nSummary:\nOne of the City’s primary objectives is to strengthen and diversify the local\neconomy. The City’s most important tool to incentivize redevelopment and\ncreate new economic development opportunities is its ability to update land\nuses. Cities update zoning regulations to better accommodate evolving market\ndemands, encourage investment, and foster innovation. Developing an\nintegrated approach that begins with data-driven economic analysis to inform\nfuture land use decisions may incentivize development of underutilized\nproperties, increase property values, and diversify the City’s tax base. With\nthese goals in mind, staff prepared a Request for Proposals (RFP) to develop an\neconomic analysis and land use plan for three potential Opportunity Study Areas\n(OSAs). Staff recommends the City Council authorize staff to issue an RFP to\nengage qualified consultants to conduct the necessary economic, land use, and\ntechnical studies to explore potential overlay zone options. Based on the\nproposed schedule, staff would anticipate recommending a contract award in\nJune 2024.\nStrategic Plan Goal(s):\nGoal No. 1 Financial Stability: Ensure the City’s long-term financial stability\nand resilience.\nGoal No. 3 Economic Development: Improve the local economy, support local\nbusinesses, and create a vibrant downtown core.\nGoal No. 4 Infrastructure: Maintain and Improve the City’s physical\ninfrastructure, waste system, and recreational spaces.\nRecommendation:\nStaff recommends the City Council authorize staff to issue a Request for\nProposals to solicit proposals from qualified consultants to prepare an economic\nanalysis and land use study for three proposed Opportunity Study Areas.