Title
Approval of Arts, Cultures and Heritage Program Scope of Work and Funding for an RFP
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Move to approve the ARCH Scope of Work and $50,000 in funding to hire a consultant through a Request for Proposals process.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the Finance Committee’s recommendation to approve the ARCH Scope of Work and $50,000 in funding to hire a consultant through a Request for Proposals process.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the ARCH scope of work and funding for a Request for Proposals.
Staff Contact:
Steve Hall, City Manager, 360.753.8370
Jay Burney, Assistant City Manager, 360.753.8740
Presenter(s):
Jay Burney, Assistant City Manager
Background and Analysis:
The City Council referred this topic to the Finance Committee to review the draft scope of work and recommend funding to develop strategies to expand the City’s leadership in nurturing Olympia’s Arts, Cultures and Heritage (ARCH) profile.
ARCH programs, projects and events contribute to the City’s goals of a vibrant, livable community by contributing to our economic base, enhancing our identity and “sense of place,” creating new opportunities for recreation and play, and deepening our understanding of our region and its history. Olympia has tremendous cultural and historical treasures, yet the City’s support for ARCH falls short of the investment in other communities.
The Downtown Strategy, the Metropolitan Parks District, the Parks, Arts & Recreation Plan, and the City Comprehensive Plan reinforce the importance of ARCH to our community and identify goals and strategies that are unreachable without additional resources. A wide range of events, programs and projects would better safeguard and highlight Olympia’s heritage, honor diverse cultures, and adequately support and encourage art and artists. A more creative and entrepreneurial approach - with additional resources - are needed to cultivate arts, culture and heritage opportunities.
For all these reasons, the time is right for Olympia to assess the best strategies to foster an environment where arts, culture and heritage can thrive in the years ahead.
To assist in this endeavor, it will be necessary to engage a consultant to assess the City’s best options for expanding leadership, allocating and leveraging resources, and tracking results. The attached ARCH RFP details the scope and tasks for a consultant to accomplish this work. The consultant’s work includes analysis of what’s working in other communities as well as the opportunities and challenges in our community; identification of goals, strategies and timeline; return on investment, clarifying steps toward integrating programs and efforts, and to build new alliances.
The Scope of Work and RFP were reviewed by the Finance Committee at its April 17, 2017 meeting. Comments received by the Finance Committee have been incorporated into the version before Council for approval. Council set aside $50,000 in year end funds to be used for this work once the scope is approved by the full Council. A Proposed Timeline for the RFP process and completion of the work is attached. The final timeline will be developed once a consultant is selected.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
N/A
Options:
Move to approve the ARCH Scope of Work and $50,000 in funding to hire a consultant through a Request for Proposals process.
Move to approve the ARCH Scope of Work as revised by Council and $50,000 in funding to hire a consultant through a Request for Proposals process.
Do not approve the ARCH Scope of Work and $50,000 in funding to hire a consultant through a Request for Proposals process. Advise staff as to next steps.
Financial Impact:
Council set aside $50,000 in year end funds to be used for this work once the scope is approved by the full Council.
Attachments:
ARCH RFP
Proposed ARCH RFP Timeline