07-21-2008 La Porte Development Corporation Board - Avalanche Consulting to develope City-Wide Economic Development Strategic Plan - G. Larson

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FOR LPEDC BOARD AGENDA ITEM Agenda Date Requested: 7/15/2008 I I Budaet Requested By: Source of Funds: EDC Department: C'ty of e^wnc I I Account Number: _ Report: Resolution: Ordinance: Amount Budgeted: Exhibits Amount Requested: SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION At the meeting of July 7 the Board received a report from staff that the City Manager and staff had completed the review of the RFP submittals for the City -Wide Economic Development Strategic Plan. The Selection Committee consisted of the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Economic Development Coordinator, Planning Director, and Finance Director. We had also asked that the Economic Alliance provide us with their thoughts on the firms as they will be in charge of the preliminary meetings as part of their deliverables to the City. During discussions, the Board asked staff to arrange for Avalanche Consulting to make a presentation before the Board. We had intended to do so at the next regular meeting of August 4 however, the firm was unable to make that date. Rather than push the process into September, we have arranged a July 21 presentation for the Board. The Project Director for the Economic Alliance, Chad Burke will also come before the Board that evening to explain their role in the process. Amy Holloway CEO of Avalanche Consulting will be in attendance at the meeting to make their presentation. Amy and her team come highly recommended and they have also worked with the Economic Alliance in the past and the Committee felt that they were the best "fit" for this very important project. In order to keep the process moving along, we have included this as an action item if the Board so chooses to act upon the Committee's recommendation after hearing from the Economic Alliance and Avalanche Consulting. If we are authorized to move forward with Avalanche then we would enter into contract negotiations. Once that process was completed the contract would be returned to the Board for review and consideration at a future meeting. Action Required by the Board: staff to enter into contract negotiations with Avalanche Consulting for the of a City -Wide Economic Development Plan. \ jjac� -7 �G CiJ atoms, City Manager Date