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3. Area Wide Planning Pilot ProgramPlanning Department 201 V Avenue East Kalispell, MT 59901 Phone: (406) 758-7940 Fax: (406) 758-7739 www.kaUspeB.com/planning REPORT TO: Kalispell Mayor and City Council FROM: Sean Conrad, Kalispell Planning Dept Charles Harball, Acting City Manager SUBJECT Area Wide Planning Pilot Program Grant MEETING DATE: March 5, 2012 BACKGROUND: In November of 2010 the city council accepted a grant award of up to $175,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a Brownfields Area -Wide Planning Pilot Program Grant. The purpose of this Brownfields Pilot Program is to provide the city a much needed tool to develop a vision, integrate community ideas and priorities, identify resources and then create specific strategies to make revitalization in the area a reality. The area of focus is the rail corridor bounded by the east and west city limits, north to Washington Street and south to First Street. This area is generally referred to as the Core Area Revitalization (CAR). Since being awarded the grant the Planning and Community Development Departments have met one on one with approximately 80 business and property owners in the area and held three community meetings. Based on the information received from the public the Department's have a list of identified issues with which we will now begin to draft goals and policies to address. In addition to drafting goal and policy language for this area the Planning Department solicited a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for consultants to work with the Kalispell Planning and Community & Economic Development Department's staff to identify key concept plans for up to ten catalyst sites and up to three "complete streets" designs representing future use of lands within the Core Area Revitalization Plan. The consultant will produce the preliminary concept plans for review by city staff and a steering committee. The purpose of the concept plans is to provide the public and city council with a vision for future redevelopment and reuse of properties and public infrastructure in the Core Area Revitalization Plan. The city received seven (7) RFQ's for the project, which were opened on January 30. A committee of five city staff reviewed the seven RFQ's submitted and selected CTA as the top choice. City staff is recommending the city council allow the Planning Department to begin contract negotiations with CTA to begin the above described concept and street plans for the Core Area Revitalization Plan. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the city council permit the Planning Department to begin contract negations with CTA for architectural services in an amount not to exceed $30,000. FISCAL EFFECTS: None. The cost of the consultant will be paid from the Brownfields Area - Wide Planning Pilot Program Grant. ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the city council. Respectfully su mitted, Sean Conrad Charles Harball Kalispell Planning Dept Acting City Manager Report compiled: February 29, 2012 c: Theresa White, Kalispell City Clerk