HomeMy WebLinkAboutProfessional Services Agreement for Planning Services with Prospera Business Network for Preparation of an Economic Development Plan
Report compiled on July 14, 2008
Commission Memorandum
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Andrew Epple, Planning Director
Chris Kukulski, City Manager
SUBJECT: Professional Services Agreement with Prospera Business Network
MEETING DATE: Tuesday, Sept 2, 2008
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the City Manager’s signature on the professional services
agreement.
BACKGROUND: The City Commission recently directed that staff work with Prospera Business Network to develop an economic development plan for the City. The contract for this
work has been prepared. Authorization for the City Manager to sign the contract on behalf of the
City is needed.
UNRESOLVED ISSUES: None. FISCAL EFFECTS: The City Commission previously committed $25,000 to this project.
Prospera is matching this amount with $25,000 of their own funds. An economic development
plan is expected to have a favorable impact on the City’s financial position.
ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the City Commission.
CONTACT: Please feel free to email Chris Saunders at csaunders@bozeman.net if you have
questions prior to the public hearing on July 21st.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrew Epple, Planning Director
Chris Kukulski, City Manager
Attachments: Professional Services Agreement and scope of work
14
15
16
17
18
g5spJ'
222 I;,ttst NIain Strcct, Suite 102
Ilozonan, NIT 59715
Ph: 406.587.3113
lrx: 406.587.95(r5
Dear Bozeman City Commissioners:
Thank you for considering our proposal to develop the City of Bozeman's Economic
Development Plan. We remain committed to this project and ate ready to get started with
your approval.
Given the competing tequests for the City's Development Impacts Fund ("Big Box Fund"),
we have reduced the proposed budget for the project and the contdbution requested from
the City.
o Instead of the original budget of $52,500, (with the City contdbuting $35,000
and Ptospeta conftibuting $17,500), we have reduced the total budget to
950,000.
o We are now requesting that the City contribute $25,000 which Prospera will
match with $25,000. The revised proposed budget is attached.
At theJuly 14 Commission meeting, Prospera was encouraged to gain support for our
proposal from the Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce. We have met with the CEO of
the Chamber and tepresentatives from the Chamber's Board of Directors to seek their
support and participation rn the process. At this time, the Chamber has not yet responded
to our request fot support of our proposal. It is impotant to note that we consider the
Chambet to be a key stakeholder rn the development of the City's Economic Developmenr
Plan and we plan to fully include them rn the identified process.
\x/e look fotward to completing this important project for the city.
Sincerely,
August 6,2008
B ozeman City Commission
P.O. Box 1230
Bozeman, MT 5977I
Bob Hietala
Chief Executive Officer
Prospera Business Network
Access the Opportanities
Prospero Busi nessNefwork. com
10919
Prospera Proposal for Development of city of Bozeman's ED plan-Budget
Staff
cEo
Program Director
Research Assistant
Marketing Coordinator
TotalStaff Cost
Expenses
Travel
Phone/Communication
Room Rental
Supplies
Printing
Contract research
Advertisements
Contract Facilitation
Total Expenses
Proiect Gost
Staff time
Expenses
Total
Sources of Fundinq
Prospera
City of Bozeman
TotalFunding
6-Month Expense
18,720
7,280
8,320
4,680
39,000
11,000
39,000
11,000
50,000
25,000
25.000
50,000
204
300
750
500
750
7,500
500
500
ll
Prosper/l
BUsrNEsslrrrwonr
11020
A PROPOSAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN PAGE 0 OF 4
A PROPOSAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE
CITY OF BOZEMAN’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN
JULY 14, 2008
SUBMITTED BY:
BOB HIETALA
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PROSPERA BUSINESS NETWORK
222 EAST MAIN STREET, SUITE 102
BOZEMAN, MONTANA 59715
406.587.3113
11321
A PROPOSAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN PAGE 1 OF 4
A PROPOSAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE
CITY OF BOZEMAN’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Project Background
This project is proposed as part of the City of Bozeman’s planning process for updating the
Bozeman 2020 Community Plan. Over the past few months, Prospera staff and the City of
Bozeman Planning Department’s leadership have held a number of discussions regarding the
need for the creation of a comprehensive, stand-alone Economic Development Plan for the
City of Bozeman. The recent analysis of the 2020 Plan conducted by Clarion Associates
recommended that the chapter on economic development be expanded to provide more
detailed policy guidance. The recommendation went on to add that a separate, more
comprehensive economic development plan was indicated in 2001 and is warranted today.
The recent softening of the national economy and the potential for a local economic
slowdown makes this an opportune time for the City of Bozeman to adopt a comprehensive
Economic Development Plan.
Project Description
Prospera proposes to contract with the City of Bozeman to lead the development of the City
of Bozeman’s Economic Development Plan. This would include conducting the economic
data collection, facilitating the public, expert and business leader input processes, working
with the City Planning Department staff on coordination and integration with other sections
of the 2020 Plan and working with the City Commission on the finalization and adoption of
the plan.
Project Deliverables
At the conclusion of the process, Prospera will provide the City with two documents: a
comprehensive Economic Development Plan for the City of Bozeman and a corresponding
Economic Development Chapter for the updated Bozeman 2020 Community Plan.
Prospera’s Qualifications for the Project
Prospera Business Network (formerly known as the Gallatin Development Corporation) has
an extensive history of conducting economic research, developing economic plans and
implementing economic development initiatives in Bozeman over the past 21 years. Some of
the organization’s recent research projects and publications include manufacturing company
surveys, technology company surveys, quarterly cost of living reports, business relocation
resource guides and an annual comprehensive economic profile of the area. The
organization has facilitated or participated in the creation of economic development plans in
the area for the past 21 years. This proposed project is consistent with Prospera’s economic
development mission and goal: to support the continued economic expansion of our area and the overall
growth and diversification of the economy.
11422
A PROPOSAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN PAGE 2 OF 4
The organization has a strong relationship with the City of Bozeman in what can be
described as a public-private partnership on economic development initiatives. Since its
inception, GDC/Prospera has worked closely with the City on a variety of economic
development projects, including business relocations. Prospera administers for the City a
$200,000 job training grant to an aerospace company and also administers the City of
Bozeman’s $1.6 million CDBG Revolving Loan Fund.
In addition, Prospera has strong relationships with Bozeman’s business community, as
evidenced by the 160 business members that provide financial support and the extensive
professional development programs offered. The organization has numerous partners who
support our economic development efforts, and with whom we regularly collaborate on
programs and initiatives, including: the Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce, Tech Ranch,
the Downtown Bozeman Partnership, Montana State University (including MSU Tech
Transfer & MSU Career Services), Montana Manufacturing and Extension Center (MMEC),
TechLink, Bozeman Job Service, the Northern Rocky Mountain Resource Conservation and
Development Area (RC&D), the Montana Department of Commerce and the U.S. Small
Business Administration (SBA) Montana District Office.
Project Timeframe
The project will commence upon approval of this proposal by the City Commission and the
execution of a contract or purchase of services agreement as necessary. The project is
expected to take six months to complete. Given a project start date by July 1, 2008, Prospera
would complete the project by December 31, 2008.
Project Methodology
The development of the economic development plan will be an inclusive process that will
provide for broad-based community input into the City’s goals and strategies for supporting
and creating economic growth and diversity.
Our Proposed Process in the Development of the Plan:
1. Establish Advisory Committee for the Project
Prospera will create an advisory committee for the project. This group would meet
throughout the course of the project and provide input into the process. The
advisory committee would be made up of business leaders, City Commissioners, city
planning staff and leaders of economic development organizations.
2. Data Collection for the Economic Development Plan
Prospera will utilize a combination of techniques to collect input for the economic
development plan. These techniques will include a combination of focus group
panels and one-on-one interviews with private citizens, business and community
leaders, economic development experts, city planning staff, elected officials and
other key stakeholders. An electronic and printed survey will be utilized to solicit
broad-based input concerning economic development needs and priorities. Prospera
11523
A PROPOSAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN PAGE 3 OF 4
will research and review economic data to provide an in-depth look at the Bozeman
economy. Prospera has access to an economic impact calculator tool that will be
used to quantify potential economic impacts. Economic planning documents from
other comparable cities will also be evaluated.
3. First Draft of Economic Development Plan
Based on the information collected, Prospera will develop a first draft of the
comprehensive City of Bozeman Economic Development Plan and submit it to the
Planning Department for review and comment.
4. First Draft of Economic Development Plan Reviewed by City Planning
Department
5. Economic Development Plan Revised Based on City Planning Department’s
Input and Recommendations
6. Economic Development Plan Reviewed by City Commission
7. Economic Development Plan Revised Based on City Commission’s Input and
Recommendations
8. Economic Development Chapter for Bozeman 2020 Community Plan (to be
integrated with other chapters in the 2020 Plan) Written
9. Economic Development Plan and Economic Development Chapter of 2020
Plan Submitted to City Planning Department for Review and Comment
10. Economic Development Plan and the Economic Development Chapter of the
2020 Plan Revised Based on City Planning Department’s Input and
Recommendations
11. Economic Development Plan and Economic Development Chapter of 2020
Plan Submitted to City Commission for Review and Comment
12. Economic Development Plan and the Economic Development Chapter of the
2020 Plan Finalized Based on City Commission’s Input and
Recommendations
13. Finalized Economic Development Plan and Economic Development Chapter
of 2020 Plan Submitted for Adoption by City Commission
11624
A PROPOSAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN PAGE 4 OF 4
Issues which would likely be addressed in the Economic Development Plan
The Economic Development Plan will be shaped by the data collected and the input
received throughout the process. It is important to involve the many key stakeholders in the
process to help create a broad-based consensus on the direction of the City’s economic
development activities.
The operating premise in the project is that there is a commitment to developing and
maintaining a strong, diverse and sustainable economy in Bozeman. This economy will
create high paying jobs for the citizens of Bozeman. Some topics that the plan could address
include:
1. A Description or Profile of the City’s Economy
2. Coordination of Public-Private Economic Development Efforts
3. Infrastructure Support for Economic Development
4. Land Use Related to Economic Development
5. Downtown’s Importance to Bozeman’s Economic Vitality
6. Focus on Sectors: Technology, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Services, Retail, etc.
7. Economic Incentives and Direct Business Support
8. Business Expansion and Retention
9. Environmental Considerations
10. Workforce Development
11. Development of an Industrial Park
12. Integration of Economic Development policies with other policies in the 2020 Plan
Proposed Project Funding
The estimated cost for the entire project is $52,500. The City of Bozeman’s contribution
would be $35,000 which could be provided through economic development revenues from
the Development Impacts (Big Box) Fund. Prospera would match the City’s contribution to
the total project cost at 50%, providing $17,500 through Prospera funding and in-kind
expenses.
11725