ITEM TITLE:
Approval of Professional Services Agreement with Agnew::Beck Consulting for the Title 17 Code Revision in the Amount of $125,493
SUBMITTED BY: Kate Huber, Planning Director
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: $125,493
Unencumbered Balance: $125,493
Funding Source: 001-5500-43400
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve professional services agreement with Agnew::Beck Consulting for the Title 17 Code Revision in the amount of $125,493.
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
The complete revision of the Valdez Municipal Code Title 17 Zoning Code was one of the primary high-priority actions identified in the Plan Valdez 2021 Comprehensive Plan. The actions identified within the plan include addressing desired uses that are not currently included in the zoning code, encouraging higher density housing and mixed-use districts, addressing the presence of short-term rentals within the community, and increasing flexibility and overall ease of use of the code for both the public and city staff and elected/appointed officials.
The city issued a request for proposals for the Title 17 revision on April 4, 2022 that closed on May 4, 2022. No firms responded to the initial solicitation.
After failing to receive any proposals, and in accordance with the Procurement section of the Municipal Code, section 2.80.075.J, the Planning Director reached out to qualified firms to solicit a direct proposal.
The sole proposal received was from Agnew::Beck Consulting, a firm based in Anchorage with extensive planning expertise and experience working with communities across Alaska. The project team also includes staff from Stantec Consulting Services with extensive experience in code analysis, drafting, and revision.
The process proposed by the consultant starts with a full analysis of the comprehensive plan and existing Title 17 zoning and Title 16 subdivision codes, including the zoning map and future land use maps. After preparing a technical memorandum identifying areas that are inconsistent with the goals of Plan Valdez and require revision, the team will execute a public outreach plan that incorporates both the community feedback collected during the comprehensive plan, and new input collected that more closely targets the issues within the zoning code. The outreach plan will include a variety of methods for gathering input, from the formation of a working group to engaging key stakeholders and in-person public outreach and surveys.
Following the technical analysis and public outreach, the consultant will complete a full revision of the Title 17 zoning code, providing drafts for staff and legal review. Additionally, the project will include recommended revisions of the Tile 16 subdivision code to bring alignment with Title 17 revisions.
The revision process will take approximately six months with an anticipated adoption process in March 2023. The adoption process requires a public hearing, recommendation from the Planning & Zoning Commission, and two readings before City Council. Please see the attached proposal for more information about the consultant team and proposed process and schedule for the project.