SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve the renewal of an Interlocal Agreement for Planning and Mapping Services and/or Special Project Work with Forward Pinellas, for the term beginning October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2030, and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same.
Body
SUMMARY:
The City is currently a party to an interlocal agreement with Forward Pinellas, in its role as the Pinellas Planning Council (PPC) and the Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), for as-needed planning and mapping services. Forward Pinellas and the City of Clearwater have entered into several interlocal agreements to provide planning and mapping services, the most recent one being signed on October 5, 2018, and amended to extend the agreement for an additional four-year term on September 19, 2022. This Interlocal Agreement for Planning and Mapping Services, as amended, will expire on September 30, 2026.
Since agreements of this nature have been in effect, Forward Pinellas staff has assisted the Planning & Development Department in conducting special studies and processing annexation cases when the Department had inadequate staffing levels (i.e., staff vacancies). While the Department does not anticipate the need to use the Forward Pinellas services, ready access to additional technical resources would be beneficial to the Department should the need arise.
The proposed Interlocal Agreement for Planning and Mapping Services and/or Special Project Work (attached) provides the basis for any request the City may have for planning or mapping assistance and/or special project work from Forward Pinellas; however, there is no obligation on the City’s part to request said assistance. Special planning projects could include special transportation or planning studies, neighborhood plans, or other similar tasks consistent with the mission and role of Forward Pinellas.
The proposed agreement carries forward the main provisions of the current agreement (2018-2022, extended 2022-2026), including charges for services on a time and materials or mutually agreeable lump sum basis, whichever is appropriate to the services requested. The hourly rates did not change from 2018 through 2026. Some billing rates will be changing from those specified in the current agreement for services as follows:
The term of the proposed agreement is four years with one opportunity to extend for an additional four-year period by mutual agreement. The agreement may be terminated at any time upon 30 days-notice.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
If utilized, funding for this agreement is available in special program M2101, Planning Studies Fund.
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS: N/A
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
This Interlocal Agreement supports the Deliver Effective and Efficient Services by Optimizing City Assets and Resources goal of the city’s Strategic Plan by allowing for collaboration with Forward Pinellas to provide innovative and continuous improvement.
