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Department of Community Development
Reference: Ag Innovation Specialist IGA
To: Mayor Kenneth J. Kreutzer and Members of City Council
Through: Philip A. Rodriguez, City Manager
Marv Falconburg, AICP - Assistant City Manager
Holly Prather, AICP - Community Development Director
Prepared By: Aja Tibbs - Long Range Planner
Date Prepared: September 14, 2018
PURPOSE
A Resolution approving an Amended IGA between the City of Brighton and Adams County regarding a Joint Ag Innovation Specialist position as set forth in Action #5 of the jointly-adopted District Plan.
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA
Facilities, Amenities, and Open Space: The Ag Innovation Specialist assists the City and County in acquiring agricultural open spaces and protecting Brighton’s local food source for future generations.
Recognizable and Well-Planned Community: The Ag Innovation Specialist furthers the goals and action items of the District Plan, which is a shared community vision between Adams County and Brighton constituents.
Strong Regional Relationships and Partnerships: The Ag Innovation Specialist is a jointly-supported and funded position between the City of Brighton and Adams County. This position solidifies the working relationship between both government agencies for efforts within the district plan area.
BACKGROUND
In April of 2016, both the City of Brighton City Council and the Adams County Board of County Commissioners ratified the District Plan. The District Plan promotes the communities’ vision for local food production, conservation, agri-tourism and other agri-based land uses identified by the District Plan for the area south of Brighton. The adopted District Plan calls for a joint City of Brighton and Adams County citizen commission to make recommendations to the City Council and County regarding the implementation of the District Plan within the District Plan boundary and beyond.
The jointly-adopted District Plan calls for an employee position shared between the City of Brighton and Adams County who will carry out the District Plan’s implementation action items. On May 2, 2017, the City and County approved an IGA which outlined that the position would serve as an Adams County employee housed in the Long Range Strategic Planning Department. For the first two years (from the date of hire), this position will be funded by a 50/50 financial share between Adams County and the City of Brighton. The City will contribute 50% of the Ag Innovation Specialist position and program costs as defined in the IGA, up to a total expenditure not to exceed $41,000 annually; and Adams County will contribute 50% of the position and program costs, up to a total expenditure not to exceed $41,000 annually. The original IGA between the City and Adams County, which established the Ag Innovation Specialist position, is attached.
PROPOSAL
The Ag Innovation Specialist began employment at the County offices on June 19th, 2017, and is set to expire June 19th, 2019. While preparing for this upcoming deadline, staff would like to propose the following changes:
1. Move the position into the City of Brighton under the Community Development Department. As the original IGA outlined, Brighton and Adams County were to share the responsibilities of the staff position and it is now time for the City to oversee the position.
2. Shift the dates of employment to the calendar year and push the transfer to the beginning of 2019. This will allow the position to transition to the City without a gap in benefit coverage, and assist staff in annual budget planning.
3. Extend this term to a length of three (3) years so that the employee may have the opportunity to gain stability in the position and have an even greater impact for Brighton.
4. Allow up to a 5% increase in the total expenditures to accommodate any potential increases in annual pay, market or cost of living increases, inflation, etc., that could occur over the next three years.
Items that will remain the same:
1. The City and County will continue to split the costs of the position. This includes all expenses such as salary, benefits, office supplies, hardware and software, and training or travel expenses.
2. The position will be responsible for carrying out the District Plan’s implementation action items under the supervision and support of both the City and County.
WORK COMPLETED
Over the last year and a half, the Ag Innovation Specialist has accomplished the following:
1. Developed the 2018-2019 Work Plan for District Plan implementation.
2. Furthered farmland preservation with the development of informational pamphlets, evaluating property assets, and applying for grant applications.
3. Obtained grant funding to develop a marketing plan for the District Plan Area. The Request for Proposals (RFP) is currently underway through Adams County.
4. Public relations for the district with the completion of multiple interviews, articles, videos, a podcast, and outreach events.
5. Fostering partnerships with local producers, schools, economic development entities, and nonprofits.
6. Providing staff support to the District Plan Commission with monthly packet preparation, coordination between staff and the commission, and organizing educational presentations and trainings.
WORK PROPOSED
A substantial amount of work remains if staff is to achieve the goals and action items within the District Plan. Generally, the future goals of this position are to:
1. Expand the existing food systems within and around the area.
2. Develop a brand and marketing plan for the District Plan.
3. Continue to foster local and regional partnerships for agri-tourism and agri-business relationships in and around the area. Strive for new relationships and opportunities that align with the plan.
4. Seek grant opportunities for land acquisitions, agricultural programming, or any other financial opportunity which accomplishes the goals of the plan.
5. Maintain staff support to the District Plan Commission.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The City will share the cost for the Ag Innovation Specialist position with Adams County. The City’s share is in the amount of $41,000 (plus 2.5% annual increase) per year for three years. This amount has been included in the 2019 budget proposal.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of the Resolution adopting the Amended IGA between the City of Brighton and Adams County regarding the Ag Innovation Specialist position.
OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
1. Approve the Resolution
2. Not approve the Resolution
ATTACHMENTS
1. Original IGA
2. Amended IGA (Proposed Draft)
3. Resolution (Proposed Draft)
4. Presentation Slides