Agenda - Council - 06/14/2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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(2) Amend the attached work order. (3) Complete a competitive RFQ process. (4) Don't move forward with the shovel ready process/ re -consider scope. Funding Source: Both the EDA Workplan and City Council Strategic Plan identify TIF #1 as the proposed funding source for this work. As a result, in 2015, $130,000 was budgeted by staff m TIF #1. Shovel Ready Budget: Hakanson Anderson (past work, paid), $9,000 WSB (this case), $106,000* Connexus Energy (future rebate), +$18,000 Projected Total Costs: $97, 000 (WSB) *Staff authorized WSB to complete $7,500 of work --which, is attached to this case. In summary, this work gives the City a plan/ budget/ inventory of materials and information that will be needed for the development certification process --a starting point. It should also be noted, the attached estimated is conservative. Staff is hopeful various alternatives exist to save dollars along the way (or obtain funding from various partners) --and believe the project has a solid chance of coming in under budget (i.e. less than $97, 000). Recommendation: STAFF NOTES The City has about 16 separate property listings. Staff does not recommend the City complete an individual certification for each individual property listing (can range from $10,000-$30,000 per certification). Staff is recommending the City (1) eliminate all properties currently under contract for sale from our shovel ready workslist, (2) eliminate small properties, with low asking prices, from the shovel ready worklist, and (3) combine logical properties into one certification, rather than handle individually. With the above in mind, the City is able to reduce the number of certifications from roughly 16 to 6, which will be a major cost savings. WHY WSB? WSB & Associates is the City of Ramsey Community Development Department's "contract" planning firm. Meaning, when the Planning Department needs additional resources or support, WSB is utilized, based on a previously agreed upon set of rates/ fees. Due to the role WSB plays for the City now, and projects they have worked on in Ramsey, they are uniquely equipped to "hit -the -ground -running" on the proposed work. The primary agent WSB will be assigning to this work is Jim Gromberg. Mr. Gromberg worked for the State of Minnesota, Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) for a number of years. A major responsibility of Mr. Gromberg was to administer the DEED Shovel Ready program. Additionally, Mr. Gromberg worked for the City of Ramsey for a number of years. With both items in mind, Mr. Gromberg (WSB) brings a unique ability to efficiently and effectively complete this work. Whereas, other engineering firms would likely lack direct experience with the DEED Shovel Ready program. RECOMMENDATION, STAFF Staff recommends the EDA/ City Council authorize the attached work, as proposed by WSB. This work will nearly complete the development ready certification process for city -owned land. It should be noted, outside of obtaining a shovel ready status for city -owned property, the City will also receive the benefit of MN DEED marketing efforts (which explicitly advertise DEED Shovel Ready Certified properties at a local and national level). RECOMMENDATION, EDA The EDA reviewed this case on 06/02. Attached are draft minutes. The EDA was generally supportive of this initiative, and voted 5-0 to move it forward. The EDA did ask for staff to work with Hageman Holdings, regarding the future business park parcels --to see if a cost -share arrangement could be developed for this work. Staff has