REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approval of the Community Engagement Plan and Range of Project Alternatives for the Civic Center Modernization Project
Report
BACKGROUND
At City Council's September 2, 2014 Strategic Planning Workshop, modernization of the Civic Center Campus was one of the prioritized topics selected by Council for further discussion. Council discussed and approved a Civic Center and Main Library decision tree that outlined a two-phase community engagement process leading up to a decision by Council to select a preferred method of financing for a Civic Center project. Council reinforced its desire to conduct a robust community engagement process and to establish criteria for a successful project prior to making any decisions.
On October 28, 2014, staff returned to City Council with a request to appropriate $400,000 for consulting services needed for the Civic Center Modernization Project (RTC 14-0746). The need for consultant assistance was outlined in three key service areas: 1) develop and implement a community engagement plan that would allow residents and stakeholders to develop a vision of a modernized Civic Center and to provide input on project alternatives and financing methods; 2) prepare a space plan that quantifies the amount of space needed for efficient service delivery and to meet the community's needs for library space, meeting rooms, and open space; and 3) complete a market analysis of the Civic Center property to further explore the concept of a public-private partnership that could help fund future Civic Center improvements. City Council approved the funding including authorizing the City Manager to award contracts up to the appropriation limit. Staff was directed to return to Council with a draft community engagement plan for approval before outreach efforts commenced.
EXISTING POLICY
The Council Fiscal Policy contains several policies related to infrastructure in section 7.1C, Capital Improvement Policies:
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