Title
Resolution to Repurpose $75,000.00 in Approved FY2014 General Fund Budget and Appropriate ($122,250.00) to Support the Pedestrian Safety Task Force, and to Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Project Innovations, Inc. ($77,400.00) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
Attached for your review and approval is a resolution to repurpose the $75,000.00 approved in the FY2014 General Fund Budget for the Sidewalk Gap Strategic Plan to the Pedestrian Safety and Access Task Force work effort, appropriate $122,250.00 from the General Fund fund balance for a project budget to support the Pedestrian Safety Task Force, and to approve a Professional Services Agreement in the amount of $77,400.00 with Project Innovations, Inc. for facilitation consulting services for the task force efforts.
On November 18, 2013 City Council passed Resolution R-13-367, which established a Pedestrian Safety and Access Task Force to "explore strategies to improve pedestrian safety and access within a framework of shared responsibility through community outreach and data collection, and will recommend to Council improvements in the development and application of the Complete Streets model, using best practices, sound data and objective analysis." The resolution notes that "one of the tools recommended for implementing the Complete Streets model is to develop a task force to consider steps toward the creation of a comprehensive Pedestrian Safety Action Plan." The attached proposed work approach uses the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidebook titled How to Develop a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan as a guide for the Pedestrian Safety and Access Task Force efforts.
As part of the FY2014 Budget process, the City Council included $75,000.00 of General Fund funding in the Public Services Area's operating budget for the purpose of examining the issue of sidewalk gaps within the City and recommending a strategic approach and prioritization methodology for addressing those gaps. Repurposing these funds to the effort of the Pedestrian Safety and Access Task Force will enable the task force to frame the issue of sidewalk gaps within the broader context of pedestrian safety as a whole.
A staff resource group has been identified to support the work of the Pedestrian Safety and Access Task Force, with an estimated budget totaling $122,250.00 for the work outlined in the work approach document (attached Exhibit 1). Other aspects of the work effort may be identified and requested by the Pedestrian Safety and Access Task Force during the course of their effort to establish an overall strategy to improve pedestrian safety and access, such as: engaging a pedestrian safety expert for technical data analysis evaluation; undertaking extensive field observations and data collection; and, developing community surveys. In order to undertake these requested items, funding allocation requests may be presented in the future.
The proposed work approach recommends that professional facilitation services be obtained to support the Pedestrian Safety and Access Task Force in their work efforts which are scheduled to begin in March, 2014 and continue through April, 2015 as shown in the probable timeline (attached Exhibit 2). To this end, Project Innovations, Inc. has been selected to develop and facilitate the Task Force as they work through the work approach components:
Task A. Identify Goals & Objectives
Task B. Develop Community Outreach & Engagement Plan
Task C. Ongoing Communications
Task D. Determine Data Types & Issues Identification
Task E. Analysis & Prioritization
Task F. Safety Solution Alternatives & Funding Options
Task G. Pedestrian Safety Action Plan Elements
A team of staff members has identified Project Innovations, Inc. as a firm in the region that has demonstrated skill in task force facilitation and robust community engagement efforts, and is uniquely qualified with the capacity to facilitate the Pedestrian Safety and Access Task Force's rigorous work approach within the specified timeframe.
Project Innovations, Inc. received Human Rights approval on February 5, 2014, and complies with the living wage ordinance.
Staff
Prepared by: Connie Pulcipher, Systems Planning Unit
Reviewed by: Craig Hupy, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Steven D. Powers, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, On November 18, 2013 the City Council of Ann Arbor passed Resolution R-13-367 to establish a Pedestrian Safety and Access Task Force;
Whereas, On January 6, 2014, Mayor Hieftje recommended nominations for a Pedestrian Safety and Access Task Force;
Whereas, On January 21, 2014, City Council confirmed nominations for a Pedestrian Safety and Access Task Force;
Whereas, City staff efforts are necessary to support the efforts of the Pedestrian Safety and Access Task Force in order for the Task Force to successfully complete its work within the scheduled 14-month timeframe, beginning March 2014;
Whereas, The proposed work approach, developed using the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidebook titled How to Develop a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan as a guide, recommends that consulting facilitation services be obtained to fully support the Pedestrian Safety and Access Task Force in their efforts;
Whereas, Funding of $122,250.00 is necessary to fund the support of the Pedestrian Safety and Access Task Force efforts;
Whereas, The approved FY2014 General Fund includes $75,000.00 to establish a Sidewalk Gap Strategic Plan;
Whereas, Project Innovations, Inc. has demonstrated skill in task force facilitation and robust community engagement efforts, and is uniquely qualified with the capacity to facilitate the Pedestrian Safety and Access Task Force's rigorous work approach within the specified timeframe; and
Whereas, Project Innovations, Inc. received Human Rights approval on February 5, 2014, and complies with the Living Wage Ordinance;
RESOLVED, That City Council repurpose and appropriate the $75,000.00 budget approved in the FY2014 Public Service Area Administration General Fund budget from the Sidewalk Gap Strategic Plan effort to the Pedestrian Safety and Access Task Force work effort project budget;
RESOLVED, That City Council appropriate $122,250.00 from the General Fund, fund balance to the Pedestrian Safety and Access Task Force work effort project budget;
RESOLVED, That City Council approves a professional services agreement with Project Innovations, Inc. in the amount of $77,400.00 for the facilitation consulting services for the Pedestrian Safety and Access Task Force work effort;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute said professional services agreement, after approval as to form by the City Attorney, and approval as to substance by the City Administrator; and
RESOLVED, That City Council authorize the City Administrator to take necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.