TITLE
The Mayor and City Council shall discuss and possibly take action on a request to approve an Award of Contract to Dyett & Bhatia Urban and Regional Planners of San Francisco to provide consulting services for the City of Maricopa, Development Services Zoning Code Rewrite, in an amount not to exceed $330,750; and to approve budgetary transfers to fund consulting services related to interim Planning and Zoning functions, including overseeing the Zoning Code Rewrite, through the end of FY12-13 in an amount not to exceed $136,200. The transfer is from General Governmental CIP, Capital Projects-Transportation, Buildings, Amtrak Station Relocation (35044146-67720-35016) for $466,950 to General Governmental CIP, Capital Projects-Planning & Zoning, Design Services-Improvements Other Than Buildings, Zoning Code Rewrite (35044141-67735) for $330,750 and to General Fund, Planning and Zoning, Professional and Occupational (10044141-53320) for $136,200. The procurement process for the contract award is in compliance with City of Maricopa Purchasing Code, Section 3-4-6. Discussion and Action.
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION
On March 6, the City Council approved a contract with Zucker Systems for the completion of a Development Services Department Review and Audit. The report was accepted by the City Council on June 19. Since that time, staff has created an Implementation Plan per the primary recommendation in the Review Report. The presentation included information on key focus areas identified in the Plan, strategies for accomplishing goals, and associated costs to achieve the desired results in the current and future fiscal years.
On October 30, 2012, an updated presentation regarding the Development Services Department's Implementation Plan was presented to Mayor and City Council. Included in the presentation was an overview of the activities to date and the intention to proceed with the interim Planning & Zoning Administrator functions and the Zoning Code Rewrite. This request is to a) approve the contract for the Zoning Code Rewrite, b) approve a budgetary transfer to fund the rewrite, and c) approve a budgetary transfer to fund consulting services for the Planning & Zoning Administrator function within the Development Services Department.
Although the funding request is from the Amtrak Station Relocation project, staff anticipates this amount of FY12-13 funding for this project will not be utilized. Remaining funding for the project can again be requested in FY13-14 budget process.
The City of Maricopa is seeking to update the existing City of Maricopa Zoning Code to create an innovative and integrated Municipal Zoning Code based on Smart Growth principles that is user and development community friendly.
The work program involves a comprehensive assessment and analysis of the City’s existing Zoning Code known locally as the City of Maricopa Zoning Code (Pinal County Zoning Ordinance), adopted as Title 16 of the City Code and all amendments processed by the City, for the purpose of recommending strategies for and the drafting of a revised and reformatted zoning code inclusive of revised procedures, revised zoning districts, detailed regulations, a revised zoning map and the identification of areas within the City where form-based codes could be contemplated. The City's zoning code is a critical tool for business attraction and support, and for enabling staff to provide a clear guide to smart growth in Maricopa. This project is a priority not only in the City Council Strategic Plan but also the Economic Development Strategic Plan and a key recommendation for a critical tool needed in the Zucker Systems Development Services Review Report.
This item will be presented by Brent Billingsley, Development Services Director.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of the contract award to Dyett & Bhatia Urban and Regional Planners, of San Francisco to provide consulting services for the City of Maricopa Zoning Code Rewrite and approval of budgetary transfers for the Zoning Code Rewrite and consulting services for interim Planning and Zoning Administrator functions through the end of FY12-13 in amounts not to exceed $466,950.