ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and Community Development Director with a Request for the Following:
A. APPROVE and Enter into a CONTRACT with Farnsworth Group, inc. for the Administration and Implementation of the SOUTH VILLAGE growth cell and EAST VILLAGE growth cell TIF HOUSING PROGRAM for 2018 and 2019;
B. APPROVE the Authorization for Staff to Amend the HOUSING PROGRAM GUIDELINES to Restrict Work to Certain Eligible Exterior Items and Align with the Program Administration Process as Determined by the Farnsworth Group, Inc.; and
C. ADOPT an ORDINANCE Amending the City of Peoria 2018 - 2019 BIENNIAL BUDGET Relating to the Use of the East Village Growth Cell TIF Fund Balance Relating to the East Village Housing Program, in the Amount of $144,590.00, and the Use of the South Village TIF Fund Balance to Provide Administration of the South Village Rehab Program, in the Amount of $15,100.00. (Council Districts 1, 2, and 3)
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BACKGROUND:
On July 17th, the City of Peoria released a request for proposal (Attachment A) for a qualified firm to administer and implement the City’s TIF-funded Housing Program in both the South Village Growth Cell (SVGC) TIF and East Village Growth Cell (EVGC) TIF. The City directly solicited responses from 28 firms. In addition, the request for proposals was posted on the City, and a third party, web site. Responses were due by August 10th.
The City received 6 responses, including one incomplete bid that was not scored. A team of 7 individuals (3 City Staff, 2 EVGC TIF Advisory Committee Members, and 2 SVGC TIF Representatives) were on the Committee that scored the responses. Of the 5 complete responses, the winning bid was Farnsworth Group, Inc. (Attachments B and C).
The RFP noted that the City Council will be considering changes to the Housing Program to limit the eligible to certain exterior items. Staff therefore requests that the Program Guidelines be amended to include the following eligible items:
1. New garages
2. New Gutters
3. New Porches, steps or railings
4. Driveway and walkway (private property) improvements
5. Roof replacement
6. New siding
7. New Windows
8. New Fences
9. Painting
In addition, Staff requests that the Council authorize staff to make any necessary changes to the program guidelines so they align with the administration process developed by the winning firm.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The City will pay, from TIF funds, a one-time setup fee of $2,900 (half from SVGC TIF and half from EVGC TIF Housing Program). In addition, the City will pay a flat per project fee of $1,950. Projects will be charged to the respective TIF District (EVGC projects to EVGC TIF and SVGC Projects to SVGC TIF). For the SVGC TIF, Housing Program administration funds will come from the South Village TIF Housing Administration Project and for the EVGC TIF, Housing Program administration funds will come from those funds already designated for the TIF Housing Program.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: The East Village Growth Cell Advisory Committee discussed the RFP and was generally in support of hiring an entity to administer the program, but was concerned about what cost would be associated.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The City will pay, from TIF funds, a one-time setup fee of $2,900 (half from SVGC TIF and half from EVGC TIF Housing Program). In addition, the City will pay a flat per project fee of $1,950 for administration of the TIF Program. The Program will be active for 2018 and 2019.
IMPACT IF DENIED: There will not be an administrator for the TIF Housing Program and it therefore would not be open for application for 2018.
ALTERNATIVES: N/A
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: N/A
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2017 - 2032 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Beautiful Peoria
2. Grow Peoria
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Reinvest in neighborhoods.
DEPARTMENT: Community Development