(13)AR 041707 Downtown Solutions, Inc.

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ITEM #13 CITY OF COLTON For the City Council and Redevelopment Agency Meeting of April 17, 2007 TO: Honorable Mayor and Councilmembers Honorable Agency Chairperson and Board Members FROM: Candace E. Cassel, Economic Development Directo SUBJECT: Approve Extension of Sign Guidelines Review Professional Services Agreement with Downtown Solutions, Inc. in the Amount of $10,000 and Agency Resolution No. 861 and City Council Resolution Approving Fund Transfer and Amending the Fiscal Year 2006-07 Budget. DATE: March 31, 2007 BACKGROUND On August 22, 2006, the City Council and Planning Commission held a joint workshop to discuss the City's Sign Ordinance. Both bodies approved the configuration of a nine (9) member Committee who were charged with reviewing the key issues identified in the workshop. In addition to the nine committee members, an Adjunct Member was invited to provide input at each committee meeting. On August 1, 2006, the City Manager authorized a $20,000 Professional Services Agreement with Downtown Solutions to assist staff in the review. DISCUSSION The Sign Guideline Review Committee has held eight meetings and as the Committee meetings have progressed, it has become apparent that a higher level of participation by the professional consultant will benefit the Committee. At its meeting on March 28, 2006 the Committee members agreed to request authorization from the City Council to extend the Professional Services Agreement to enable the consultant to: 1. Complete a review of Colton's existing ordinance based on the preferences and priorities of the Committee and recommend alternative standards and new design criteria to achieve the high quality sign environment the Committee desires, including an assessment of the those parts of the sign code provisions important to them to ascertain if it is too lenient or too restrictive. 2. Recommend alternatives as defined in No. 1. 3. Produce a document/matrix which suggests such changes in an easily understood format that the Committee will understand. 4. Include assessment of Sign Review/Permit Process and recommend changes as appropriate. Provided the Council authorizes the amendment, Mr. Brodeur anticipates having a final product back to the Committee for their review and consideration no later than June 1, 2007. RAAdministrationWeetings\2007 Meetings\April 17, 2007\Sign Guidelines PSA Extension\.Sign Guidelines Review Contract Staff Report.doc