Commission hires Plant Moran RealPoint to advise on public'private partnerships
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Summary
The commission approved a three-year owner's-representative agreement with Plant Moran RealPoint to evaluate and facilitate potential public'private partnership opportunities, with the firm describing a five-step evaluation and deal-facilitation process.
The Birmingham City Commission voted to contract with Plant Moran RealPoint to serve as professional owner's representative for exploring public-private partnership (P3) opportunities. Assistant City Manager Clements said an internal staff committee reviewed 11 responses and identified Plant Moran as "by far the leader." Doug Smith and Plant Moran staff described a five-step approach including project management, an initial litmus test evaluation, a deep-dive financial and legal review, partner selection and drafting of development agreements.
Commissioners probed whether the firm's scope covered operational partnerships that do not involve new development — for example, a third party operating the city's swimming pool without a real estate transaction. Tory Mannix and other Plant Moran representatives said the firm primarily begins from a real-estate asset perspective but can and does evaluate operational partnerships and can tailor scope to the city's needs.
Concerns about conflict of interest were raised because Plant Moran also operates audit and accounting lines of business; the city attorney reported no conflict given the personnel involved and Plant Moran affirmed internal Chinese-wall practices. Commissioners emphasized the need to underwrite developer financial commitments, request sufficient equity from private partners, and protect taxpayers from open-ended risk.
A resolution to approve a three-year agreement with Plant Moran RealPoint passed by roll-call vote; commissioners said the work will be funded from contractual services accounts and subject to budget amendment as specific projects move forward.
