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Trustees to review funding for live-work feasibility study; city manager says RFP can start if approved
Summary
Commissioners were told a $65,000 feasibility study for live-work artist space was removed from the operating budget but moved to the Below Market Rate Housing Trust Fund; trustees will meet and, if they release funds, the city manager can begin an RFP process immediately though drafting the RFP will take weeks.
Commissioners heard an update on a proposed feasibility study for live-work artist space after news coverage raised concerns about funding. Councilor Kate Cook told the commission that the $65,000 item had been removed from the operating budget but staff moved the request to the Below Market Rate Housing Trust Fund so it can be considered by trustees.
Cook said the trustees "meet on the 16th to release the funds," and that legal staff had determined the study would qualify for trust funding. She told commissioners the city manager would be able to issue an RFP once the trustees release the funds, but cautioned that writing an RFP will take a few weeks.
Why it matters: commissioners and partners have flagged live-work space as an unmet need for artists; securing trust-fund support would let the city begin vendor selection and feasibility analysis sooner than waiting for next budget cycles.
Process details: staff said the transfer was intended to preserve the study while council made broad budget cuts; the trust is dedicated to affordable-housing-related work. If trustees vote to release funds, the city manager can start procurement and staff said there is a preferred vendor under consideration, though procurement rules still apply.
Next step: trustees meet on the 16th; staff will notify the commission about the trustees’ decision and about timelines for issuing an RFP.
