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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-03-16 I10 Professional Consulting Services Agreement_Economic Development Plan UpdateAGENDA ITEM: CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA CITY COUNCIL MEETING COMMUNICATION MEETING DATE: March 16, 2026 AGENDA ITEM:Consideration of approval of a resolution approving Agreement for Professional Consulting Services with Fourth Economy Consulting, Inc. [City of Waukee Economic Development Plan Update] FORMAT:Resolution SYNOPSIS INCLUDING PRO & CON: The City of Waukee previously adopted an Economic Development Plan, with the most recent update completed in 2021. As part of the City’s strategic planning goals for the current fiscal year, the City identified the need to update the Plan to better guide continued growth and support economic diversification. With ongoing residential expansion, evolving commercial corridors, and significant investment in areas such as Kettlestone and Downtown, an updated plan will guide economic development decisions over the next three to five years. FISCAL IMPACT INCLUDING COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS: The agreement includes a fixed-fee, not-to-exceed budget of $155,009, inclusive of labor and anticipated travel and expenses, to deliver the City of Waukee’s Economic Development Action Plan from project kickoff through final plan adoption. COMMISSION/BOARD/COMMITTEE COMMENT: STAFF REVIEW AND COMMENT: Work is scheduled to begin in April with delivery and adoption of an economic development plan in August 2026. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the resolution approving the Agreement for Professional Consulting Services with Fourth Economy Consulting. Inc. ATTACHMENTS: I. Resolution II. Agreement for Professional Consulting Services PREPARED BY:Jennifer Brown, Director of Economic Development REVIEWED BY: PUBLIC NOTICE INFORMATION – NAME OF PUBLICATION: DATE OF PUBLICATION: I10 THE CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA RESOLUTION 2026- APPROVING AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BETWEEN THE CITY OF WAUKEE AND FOURTH ECONOMY CONSULTING INC. [WAUKEE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN UPDATE] IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA WHEREAS, the City of Waukee, Iowa is a duly organized municipality within Dallas County; AND, WHEREAS, the City of Waukee previously adopted an Economic Development Plan, with the most recent update completed in 2021; AND, WHEREAS, the City has experienced continued residential and commercial growth, evolving market conditions, and significant investment in key corridors and districts; AND, WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes the importance of maintaining a current, market- responsive Economic Development Action Plan to guide business attraction, retention, workforce development, infrastructure investment, and fiscal sustainability; AND, WHEREAS, the updated Economic Development Action Plan establishes strategic priorities, implementation actions, and performance metrics to guide economic development efforts over the next three to five years; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Waukee, Iowa, that the Agreement for Professional Consulting Services with Fourth Economy Consulting, Inc. [City of Waukee Economic Development Plan Update] is hereby approved. PASSED AND APPROVED this 16th day of March, 2026. ____________________________ Courtney Clarke, Mayor Attest: ___________________________________ Rebecca D. Schuett, City Clerk RESULTS OF VOTE: AYE NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN Kala Anderson Chris Crone Rob Grove Lori Lyon Anna Bergman Pierce 1 AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING SERVICES This Agreement is made and entered into this 13 day of March, 2026, by and between City of Waukee, a municipal corporation, hereinafter referred to as "City," and Fourth Economy Consulting, Inc., hereinafter referred to as "Consultant" as follows: THE CITY HEREBY AGREES TO RETAIN THE CONSULTANT FOR THE PROJECT AS DESCRIBED IN THIS AGREEMENT AND CONSULTANT AGREES TO PERFORM THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND FURNISH THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION FOR THE PROJECT AS GENERALLY DESCRIBED IN THIS AGREEMENT. 1. SCOPE OF SERVICES Services provided under this Agreement shall be as further described in Attachment 1, Scope of Services. 2. SCHEDULE The schedule of the professional services to be performed shall conform to the Schedule set forth in Attachment 2. Any deviations from the Schedule shall be approved by the authorized City representative. The City agrees that the Consultant is not responsible for delays arising from a change in the scope of services, a change in the scale of the Project or delays resulting from causes not directly or indirectly related to the actions of the Consultant. 3. COMPENSATION A. In consideration of the professional services provided herein, the City agrees to pay the Consultant a fixed sum NOT-TO-EXCEED $155,009, including labor and travel expenses, pursuant to the Schedule of Fees set forth in Attachment 3. B. The Consultant shall invoice the City monthly for services, any reimbursable expenses and any approved amendments to this Agreement, based upon services actually completed at the time of the invoice. Final payment shall be due and payable within 30 days of the City's acceptance of Consultant's submission of final deliverables in accordance with the Scope of Services. C. In consideration of the compensation paid to the Consultant, the Consultant agrees to perform all professional services to the satisfaction of the City by performing the professional services in a manner consistent with that degree of care and skill ordinarily exercised by members of Consultant's profession currently practicing under similar circumstances. If the performance of this Agreement involves the services of others or the furnishing of equipment, supplies, or materials, the Consultant agrees to pay for the same in full. 2 4. INSURANCE A. Consultant understands and agrees that Consultant shall have no right of coverage under any and all existing or future City comprehensive, self or personal injury policies. Consultant shall provide insurance coverage for and on behalf of Consultant that will sufficiently protect Consultant or Consultant' representative(s) in connection with the professional services which are to be provided by Consultant pursuant to this Agreement, including protection from claims for bodily injury, death, property damage, and lost income. Consultant shall provide worker's compensation insurance coverage for Consultant and all Consultant's personnel. Consultant shall file applicable insurance certificates with the City, and shall also provide evidence of the following additional coverage. B. The Consultant shall provide evidence of comprehensive general liability coverage and contractual liability insurance by an insurance company licensed to do business in the State of Iowa in the limits of at least $1,000,000 each personal injury accident and/or death; $1,000,000 general aggregate personal injury and/or death; and $1,000,000 for each property damage accident. The evidence shall designate the City as an additional insured, and that it cannot be canceled or materially altered without giving the City at least thirty (30) days written notice by registered mail, return receipt requested. C. The Consultant shall also provide evidence of automobile liability coverage in the limits of at least $1,000,000 bodily injury and property damage combined. The evidence shall designate the City as an additional insured. D. The Consultant shall provide evidence of professional liability insurance, by an insurance company licensed to do business in the State of Iowa, in the limit of $1,000,000 for claims arising out of the professional liability of the Consultant. Consultant shall provide City written notice of any material alteration of the professional liability policy. E. Failure of Consultant to maintain any of the insurance coverages set forth above shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement. 5. NOTICE Any notice to the parties required under this agreement shall be in writing, delivered to the person designated below, by United States mail or in hand delivery, at the indicated address unless otherwise designated in writing. FOR THE CITY: FOR THE CONSULTANT: Name: City of Waukee Name: Fourth Economy Consulting, Inc Attn: Brad Deets Attn: Sally Guzik Title: City Administrator Title: President Address: 230 W. Hickman Road Address: 55 Washinton St., Ste. 504 City, State: Waukee, IA 50263 City, State: Brooklyn, NY 11201 3 6. GENERAL COMPLIANCE In the conduct of the professional services contemplated hereunder, the Consultant shall comply with applicable state, federal, and local law, rules, and regulations, technical standards, or specifications issued by the City. Consultant must qualify for and obtain any required licenses prior to commencement of work, including any professional licenses necessary to perform work within the State of Iowa. 7. STANDARD OF CARE Services provided by the Consultant under this Agreement shall be performed in a manner consistent with that degree of care and skill reasonably and ordinarily exercised by members of the same profession currently practicing under similar circumstances. 8. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR Consultant understands and agrees that the Consultant and Consultant's employees and representatives are not City employees. Consultant shall be solely responsible for payment of salaries, wages, payroll taxes, unemployment benefits, or any other form of compensation or benefit to Consultant or Consultant's employees, representatives or other personnel performing the professional services specified herein, whether it be of a direct or indirect nature. Further, it is expressly understood and agreed that for such purposes neither Consultant nor Consultant's employees, representatives or other personnel shall be entitled to any City payroll, insurance, unemployment, worker's compensation, retirement, or any other benefits whatsoever. 9. NON-DISCRIMINATION Consultant will not discriminate against any employee of applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, handicap, or veteran status. Consultant will, where appropriate or required, take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated, during employment, without regard to their race, color, sex, or national origin, religion, age, handicap, or veteran status. Consultant will cooperate with the City in using Consultant's best efforts to ensure that Disadvantaged Business Enterprises are afforded the maximum opportunity to compete for subcontracts of work under this Agreement. 10. HOLD HARMLESS Consultant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the City, its officers, agents, and employees from any and all claims, settlements and judgments, to include all reasonable investigative fees, attorney's fees, and court costs for any reasonably foreseeable direct damage or loss which is due to or arises from a breach of this Agreement, or from negligent acts, errors or omissions of the Consultant in the performance of professional services under 4 this Agreement. Consultant shall not be liable for any indirect, consequential, or punitive damages. Nothing in this clause shall be construed to limit damage or liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence acts of consultant, it’s employees or its agents. 11. ASSIGNMENT Consultant shall not assign or otherwise transfer this Agreement or any right or obligations therein without first receiving prior written consent of the City. 12. APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS The funds appropriated for this Agreement are equal to or exceed the compensation to be paid to Consultant. The City's continuing obligations under this Agreement may be subject to appropriation of funding by the City Council. In the event that sufficient funding is not appropriated in whole or in part for continued performance of the City's obligations under this Agreement, or if appropriated funding is not expended due to City spending limitations, the City may terminate this Agreement without further compensation to the Consultant. To the greatest extent allowed by law, the City shall compensate Consultant as provided in Section 18(6) of this Agreement. 13. AUTHORIZED AMENDMENTS TO AGREEMENT A. The Consultant and the City acknowledge and agree that no amendment to this Agreement or other form, order or directive may be issued by the City which requires additional compensable work to be performed if such work causes the aggregate amount payable under the amendment, order or directive to exceed the amount appropriated for this Agreement as listed in Section 3, above, unless the Consultant has been given a written assurance by the City that lawful appropriation to cover the costs of the additional work has been made. B. The Consultant and the City further acknowledge and agree that no amendment to this Agreement or other form, order or directive which requires additional compensable work to be performed under this Agreement shall be issued by the City unless funds are available to pay such additional costs, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any additional compensation for any additional compensable work performed under this Agreement. The Consultant expressly waives any right to additional compensation, whether in law or equity, unless prior to commencing the additional work the Consultant was given a written amendment, order or directive describing the additional compensable work to be performed and setting forth the amount of compensation to be paid, such amendment, order or directive to be signed by the authorized City representative. It is the Consultant's sole responsibility to know, determine, and ascertain the authority of the City representative signing any amendment, directive or order. 5 14. OWNERSHIP OF CONSULTING DOCUMENTS All sketches, tracings, plans, specifications, reports, and other data prepared under this Agreement shall become the property of the City; a reproducible set shall be delivered to the City at no additional cost to the City upon completion of the plans or termination of the services of the Consultant. All drawings and data shall be transmitted in a durable material, with electronic files provided when feasible to do so. The Consultant's liability for use of the sketches, tracings, plans, specifications, reports, and other data prepared under this Agreement shall be limited to the Project. 15. INTERPRETATION No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be valid unless expressed in writing and executed by the parties hereto in the same manner as the execution of the Agreement. This is a completely integrated Agreement and contains the entire agreement of the parties; any prior written or oral agreements shall be of no force or effect and shall not be binding upon either party. The laws of the State of Iowa shall govern and any judicial action under the terms of this Agreement shall be exclusively within the jurisdiction of the district court for Dallas County, Iowa. 16. COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL LAW To the extent any federal appropriation has or will be provided for the Project, or any federal requirement is imposed on the Project, Consultant agrees that Consultant will comply with all relevant laws, rules and regulations imposed on City and/or Consultant necessary for receipt of the federal appropriation. Consultant shall provide appropriate certification regarding Consultant's compliance. 17. SOLICITATION AND PERFORMANCE A. The Consultant warrants that it has not employed or retained any company or person, other than a bona fide employee working for the Consultant, to solicit or secure this Agreement, and that the Consultant has not paid or agreed to pay any company or person other than a bona fide employee, any fee, commission, percentage, brokerage fee, gift or contingent fee. B. The Consultant shall not engage the services of any person or persons in the employ of the City at the time of commencing such services without the written consent of the City. 18. SUSPENSION AND TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT A. The right is reserved by the City to suspend this Agreement at any time. Such suspension may be effected by the City giving written notice to the Consultant, and shall be effective as of the date established in the suspension notice. Payment for Consultant's services 6 shall be made by the City for services performed to the date established in the suspension notice. Should the City reinstate the work after notice of suspension, such reinstatement may be accomplished by thirty (30) days written notice within a period of six (6) months after such suspension, unless this period is extended by written consent of the Consultant. B. Upon ten (10) days written notice to the Consultant, the City may terminate the Agreement at any time if it is found that reasons beyond the control of either the City or Consultant make it impossible or against the City's interest to complete the Agreement. In such case, the Consultant shall have no claims against the City except for the value of the work performed up to the date the Agreement is terminated. C. The City may also terminate this Agreement at any time if it is found that the Consultant has violated any material term or condition of this Agreement or that Consultant has failed to maintain workers' compensation insurance or other insurance provided for in this Agreement. In the event of such default by the Consultant, the City may give ten (10) days written notice to the Consultant of the City's intent to terminate the Agreement. Consultant shall have ten (10) days from notification to remedy the conditions constituting the default. D. In the event that this Agreement is terminated in accordance with paragraph C of this section, the City may take possession of any work and may complete any work by whatever means the City may select. The reasonable cost of completing said work shall be deducted from the balance which would have been due to the Consultant had the Agreement not been terminated and work completed in accordance with contract documents. E. The Consultant may terminate this Agreement if it is found that the City has violated any material term or condition of this Agreement. In the event of such default by the City, the Consultant shall give ten (10) days written notice to the City of the Consultant's intent to terminate the Agreement. City shall have ten (10) days from notification to remedy the conditions constituting the default. 19. TAXES The Consultant shall pay all sales and use taxes required to be paid to the State of Iowa on the work covered by this Agreement. The Consultant shall execute and deliver and shall cause any sub-consultant or subcontractor to execute and deliver to the City certificates as required to permit the City to make application for refunds of said sales and use taxes as applicable. The City is a municipal corporation and not subject to state and local tax, use tax, or federal excise taxes. 20. SEVERABILITY If any portion of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining portions of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect. 7 21. MISCELLANEOUS HEADINGS Title to articles, paragraphs, and subparagraphs are for information purposes only and shall not be considered a substantive part of this Agreement. 22. FURTHER ASSURANCES Each party hereby agrees to execute and deliver such additional instruments and documents and to take all such other action as the other party may reasonably request from time to time in order to effect the provisions and purposes of this Agreement. 23. COUNTERPARTS This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original document, no other counterpart needing to be produced, and all of which when taken together shall constitute the same instrument. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers or agents on the day and year first above written. CONSULTANT CITY OF WAUKEE By: By: Name: Sally J. Guzik Courtney Clarke, Mayor Title: __President, Fourth Economy___________________________ 8 ATTACHMENT 1 SCOPE OF SERVICES Fourth Economy proposes a scope of work that is focused, adaptable, and grounded in market and fiscal realities. The methodology is organized into four integrated workstreams that move from understanding current conditions to defining clear actions that can be implemented over the next three to five years. Task 1: Project Setup and Communications Objective: Establish a clear, well-managed planning process that supports informed decision- making, aligns with ongoing City initiatives such as Imagine 2040, and provides a transparent framework for collaboration, documentation, and follow-through. This task is designed to give City staff confidence in how the project is managed, how information is shared, and how decisions and feedback are captured throughout the process. Task 1.1 Project Management Strong project management and quality control are essential to producing an Economic Development Action Plan that is practical and implementable. Fourth Economy approaches this work as a collaborative effort with City staff, using clear workflows, shared tools, and consistent communication to keep the project moving efficiently. We will work with the City to identify a small, focused working group that meets regularly with our team. This group will help guide the planning process, review interim findings, coordinate stakeholder engagement, and provide feedback at key milestones. Roles and responsibilities will be clearly defined at the outset to ensure staff time is used efficiently and decision points are clear. Fourth Economy will use widely adopted, City-friendly project management and documentation tools to support this work. Depending on City preferences, this may include shared folders and working documents in Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive; collaborative documents in Google Docs or Microsoft Word; and shared calendars and meeting links in Google Calendar, Outlook, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams. These tools allow City staff to easily access materials, track progress, and provide comments without needing specialized software. All draft materials will be clearly labeled, version-controlled, and organized, enabling staff to quickly reference previous discussions and decisions. Meeting notes will focus on key takeaways, action items, and responsibilities rather than lengthy summaries. Task 1.2 Kickoff and Biweekly Check-Ins The project will begin with a kickoff meeting to confirm goals, scope, roles, schedule, and communication protocols. This meeting will also be used to review relevant background materials and clarify how the Economic Development Plan will coordinate with concurrent efforts, including Imagine 2040, the Capital Improvements Plan, and other City priorities. Following the kickoff, Fourth Economy will facilitate biweekly check-in meetings with City staff. These meetings will be used to review progress, discuss preliminary findings, identify 9 issues requiring direction, and confirm upcoming tasks and deadlines. Check-ins may be held virtually or in person, depending on City preference. Agendas will be shared in advance, and brief follow-up notes will be provided after each meeting to document decisions, questions, and next steps. This structure ensures transparency, reduces duplication, and helps maintain momentum throughout the project. Task 1.3 Advisory Committee An Advisory Committee will be established to provide local insight, strategic guidance, and feedback throughout the planning process. Based on our experience with similar economic development efforts, this group is most effective when it is clearly defined, well-supported, and focused on decision-oriented discussion rather than general commentary. Fourth Economy will work with the City to identify Advisory Committee members who reflect Waukee’s economic development landscape. This may include representatives from the business community, development and real estate, workforce and education partners, as well as other stakeholders with practical insight into the City’s growth and market dynamics. The Advisory Committee is anticipated to meet approximately four times during the project. Meetings may be held in person or virtually, depending on the City’s preference. Materials will be shared in advance, and discussions will be structured around specific questions or choices facing the City. The goal is to test emerging ideas, identify implementation challenges early, and build a shared understanding of recommended strategies. Task 1 Deliverables» Project Management and Coordination Materials: Kickoff agenda, summary notes, and ongoing coordination documentation Ø Biweekly Progress Documentation: Meeting agendas, concise notes, and action-item summaries Ø Advisory Committee Materials: Agendas, presentation materials, and meeting summaries Ø Shared Project Workspace: Organized digital workspace for project documents, drafts, and working materials Task 2: Understanding the Existing Economic Development Ecosystem Objective: Develop a clear, shared understanding of Waukee’s economic development conditions, competitive position, and growth dynamics to inform realistic, defensible strategy choices. This task establishes the analytical foundation for the Plan by examining how Waukee’s economy functions today, how it competes within the Des Moines metro, and which assets, policies, and places are best positioned to support long-term fiscal sustainability and targeted growth. This work is not intended to be a purely descriptive snapshot. Instead, it is designed to surface implications for decision-making, including where the City should focus recruitment efforts, how incentives and policies can be aligned with market realities, and which sites and districts offer the greatest opportunity for reinvestment. Task 2.1 Review of Key Documents 10 We begin by grounding the planning process in the work already completed or currently underway. This ensures consistency across City initiatives and avoids duplicating prior analysis. Fourth Economy will review relevant local and regional plans, including Imagine 2040, the Comprehensive Plan, City Council Strategic Priorities, the Capital Improvements Plan, and applicable regional economic development strategies. We will also review available visitor-, tourism-, and entrepreneurship-related studies, as well as other materials identified by City staff or the Advisory Committee. This review goes beyond summarizing recommendations. We focus on identifying which strategies remain relevant, which have been implemented, and where gaps or unresolved questions remain. Particular attention is paid to how previous plans address downtown, commercial corridors, and emerging districts, and how those areas perform today as economic and everyday places. Task 2.2 Discovery of Key Community Characteristics Building on the document review, this task focuses on understanding how Waukee’s economic development ecosystem operates in practice. This includes identifying key organizations, programs, partnerships, and policy tools that shape business attraction, retention, workforce development, and entrepreneurship. Fourth Economy will map the roles of local, regional, and state partners and assess how responsibilities and resources are currently distributed. We will also review existing incentive tools, funding programs, and policies to understand how they are used, where they are effective, and where adjustments may be needed to better support the City’s goals. The outcome of this task is a clear picture of Waukee’s economic development system, including strengths to build on, opportunities for coordination, and constraints to consider when developing new strategies. Task 2.3 Baseline Economic Analysis and Benchmarking This task establishes a quantitative foundation for understanding Waukee’s economic performance and trajectory. Fourth Economy will prepare an economic profile examining population trends, employment, wages, industry composition, and workforce characteristics. To help frame implications for strategy, we will benchmark Waukee across five interconnected dimensions: Investment, Talent, Sustainability, Place, and Diversity. These dimensions provide a structured way to assess how housing, jobs, infrastructure, and quality of life interact as well as where alignment or misalignment may exist. Data will be drawn from public and proprietary sources and tailored to highlight trends relevant to fiscal sustainability, employment growth, and competitiveness within the Des Moines metropolitan area and comparable high-growth communities. Task 2.4 Industry Cluster Analysis 11 The industry analysis builds on the baseline economic profile to identify Waukee’s core industries, emerging sectors, and realistic growth opportunities. This includes examining industry size, job concentration, wage levels, workforce requirements, and growth trends. Fourth Economy will assess how these industries align with Waukee’s available sites, infrastructure, workforce pipeline, and development patterns. In addition to traditional industry clusters, we will examine sectors of particular interest to the City, including sports, recreation, and tourism-related activity, to understand their role in employment, visitor spending, and quality of life. Using tools such as shift-share analysis, we will evaluate Waukee’s competitive share of regional employment and identify where targeted recruitment, retention, or expansion strategies are most likely to succeed. Task 2.5 Key Site and Placemaking Analysis This task evaluates key sites and districts through both economic development and placemaking lenses. In addition to traditional site readiness factors, the analysis considers visibility, access, adjacency, walkability, and the ability of places to support daily activity and private investment. Activities include citywide reconnaissance, review of development sites and planned projects, and assessment of how streets, public spaces, and ground-floor uses currently function. The goal is to distinguish between sites that are simply available and those that are positioned to catalyze reinvestment, support corridor strategies, or strengthen downtown activity. Findings from this analysis help inform site prioritization, infrastructure investment, and incentive strategy in later phases of the plan. Task 2.6 SWOT Analysis Insights from Tasks 2.1 through 2.5 will be synthesized into a SWOT analysis that captures Waukee’s key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This analysis integrates quantitative data, policy context, and place-based observations to provide a concise, usable summary of findings. The SWOT is intended as a working tool rather than a static summary. It will highlight where Waukee is well-positioned to act, where risks or constraints exist, and which issues should shape the Plan’s strategic focus and implementation priorities. Task 2 Deliverables Ø Analysis Memo: A concise summary of key findings from the economic, industry, and site analyses, including annotated maps or diagrams illustrating the roles of priority sites, corridors, and districts. Ø SWOT Analysis Memo: A brief, theme-based summary of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to inform strategy development in subsequent tasks. Task 3: Community Engagement and Visioning Objective: Ground the Economic Development Action Plan in the lived experience, market knowledge, and implementation capacity of Waukee’s business, development, and community 12 stakeholders. This task is designed to test assumptions, surface practical constraints, and build shared ownership of strategies that the City and its partners are positioned to carry forward. Engagement in Waukee must reflect the community’s scale, growth pace, and strong institutional capacity. Rather than broad, open-ended outreach, this task emphasizes targeted, well-structured engagement with people who shape development outcomes, employ residents, deliver services, and influence investment decisions. The focus throughout is on moving from input to action. Task 3.1 Interviews and Focus Groups Fourth Economy will conduct a series of targeted interviews and small-group discussions to understand how Waukee’s economy functions day-to-day and how it is experienced by those closest to its growth. Engagement will be coordinated with City staff and the Advisory Committee and is anticipated to include approximately 30 participants. Engagement formats will be tailored to the audience and may include one-on-one interviews, topic-specific focus groups, and participation in existing meetings or events where stakeholders already convene. This approach respects participants’ time and allows conversations to be grounded in real decisions and experiences. Task 3.2 Best Practice Research In parallel with local engagement, Fourth Economy will conduct targeted best-practice research on communities that share Waukee’s growth patterns, scale, and market context. Rather than compiling a broad catalogue of examples, this research will focus on practical models that are transferable to Waukee’s regulatory, fiscal, and organizational environment. Working with City staff, we will identify peer and aspirational communities to examine topics such as: • Incentive frameworks for fast-growing suburbs • Strategies for strengthening commercial corridors • Downtown and district activation tied to everyday use • Employer attraction and retention in metro-adjacent markets • Leveraging sports, recreation, and quality-of-life assets as economic drivers Each best practice will be tied directly to a strategy area in the draft plan and framed around what it would take to implement something similar in Waukee. Where appropriate, Fourth Economy will also draw on its national network to facilitate learning from practitioners involved in these efforts. Task 3.3 Draft Vision and Goals Using insights from the analysis and engagement, Fourth Economy will develop a draft economic development vision and supporting goals. The vision will be grounded, specific, and focused on how Waukee’s economy should function over the next three to five years, rather than aspirational language without clear direction. Draft goals will be structured to support decision-making and implementation, helping the City clarify priorities related to industry growth, corridor focus, downtown revitalization, workforce needs, and quality of life. These drafts will be reviewed with City staff and the Advisory Committee and refined based on feedback. 13 Task 3.4 Build Sessions Fourth Economy’s Build Sessions are structured working sessions designed to move directly from discussion to solutions. Unlike traditional workshops that focus on identifying issues, Build Sessions are built around implementation and ownership. Up to three Build Sessions will be held, organized around priority strategy areas identified through earlier tasks. Each session will bring together stakeholders positioned to influence or lead implementation, including City staff, business leaders, developers, employers, and community partners. Build Sessions typically include: • Pre-read working papers summarizing relevant data, engagement insights, and existing strategies • Clearly framed “How might we...” questions tied to real choices facing the City • Facilitated breakout discussions focused on actions, roles, and resource needs • Identification of near-term steps and potential implementation partners Task 3 Deliverables Ø Engagement Summary Memo: A brief memo summarizing key takeaways from interviews and focus groups. Ø Best Practices Memo: A brief memo highlighting best practices identified in similar and aspirational communities across the country. Ø Draft Vision & Goals Memo: A vision and goals statement to be refined by the city and its partners during engagement activities. Ø Build Session Materials and Summary: All preparatory materials, as well as a summary memo describing key takeaways and next steps. Task 4: Creating an Economic Development Action Plan Objective: Deliver all required work products outlined in the RFP, including an Economic Development Action Plan suitable for Council consideration, supporting presentations, and implementation guidance. The objective of this task is to translate analysis and engagement into a clear, usable Action Plan that helps the City of Waukee make confident, consistent decisions about growth, investment, and priorities over the next three to five years. Waukee’s development pressure is active and ongoing. The value of this Plan is not in describing conditions, but in setting direction, clarifying priorities, and providing practical guidance that City staff and elected officials can rely on everyday. Task 4.1 Draft Plan Fourth Economy will synthesize its findings from Tasks 1 through 3 into a concise, readable draft Economic Development Action Plan that is grounded in Waukee’s market and fiscal realities. The draft will be shared with City staff and the Advisory Committee for review and feedback. 14 The draft plan will clearly articulate how different parts of Waukee should function economically, recognizing that areas such as Kettlestone, the Downtown Triangle, Alice’s Road, and Hickman Road each play different roles within the City and the broader Des Moines metropolitan area. Strategies will be tailored accordingly rather than applied uniformly across the community. The draft plan will include: • Target industries and guidance for business recruitment and expansion • Strategies for strengthening and retaining existing businesses • Approaches to support entrepreneurship and small business growth • Corridor- and district-specific strategies for Kettlestone, Downtown, and key commercial corridors • Guidance for evaluating and using economic development incentives • Workforce and talent considerations tied to employer needs and quality of life • Strategies related to sports, recreation, and tourism as economic drivers • Clear implementation actions tied to responsible parties and timeframes A core component of the draft plan is the integration of a Placemaking Framework, developed in partnership with Phil Myrick. This framework translates economic strategies into physical and experiential guidance, clarifying where public-realm improvements, connectivity, and amenities can reinforce business attraction, downtown vitality, and everyday economic activity. The focus is on helping the City understand how place-based investments can support private investment and long-term value. Fourth Economy will also identify a focused set of metrics that the City can realistically track. These will include internal measures tied to program activity and external indicators tied to employment, investment, and fiscal performance. Metrics are selected to support accountability without creating unnecessary reporting burden. Two structured feedback opportunities will be provided for City staff and the Advisory Committee to review and comment on the draft plan, allowing refinement before finalization. Task 4.2 Presentation of Draft Plan Fourth Economy will present the draft plan to key audiences to gather feedback and support refinement. Presentations will be tailored to the audience and will focus on explaining the logic behind recommendations, the trade-offs considered, and the implications for implementation. Presentations may include up to three sessions, held virtually or in person, for: • City staff • Elected officials • Advisory Committee members • Other engaged stakeholders • The general public These sessions are designed to build understanding and trust, address questions early, and support smoother implementation following plan adoption. 15 Task 4.3 Final Plan Following feedback on the draft plan, Fourth Economy will prepare a final Economic Development Action Plan that reflects City and stakeholder input and is ready for adoption and implementation. The final plan will include: • A summary of current economic conditions and market context • Clear economic direction and supporting goals • Place-based diagrams and frameworks supporting corridor and downtown strategies • Investment and program recommendations aligned with the City’s capacity • Implementation guidance, including sequencing and roles • Tools for tracking progress and measuring success Fourth Economy’s in-house design team will format the final plan using City branding or a complementary design approach, as agreed upon. In addition to the full plan, we can contribute to the creation of supporting materials such as an executive summary, a public-facing one-pager, or a presentation deck to help City staff communicate and use the plan over time. Task 4 Deliverables Ø Draft Economic Development Plan: Google Docs Draft Plan for review and refinement Ø Draft Economic Development Plan Presentation: A Google Slides presentation and any associated handouts or materials to be used by the Fourth Economy team during the presentations. Ø Final Economic Development Plan: Designed the final plan and any agreed-upon associated deliverables. 16 ATTACHMENT 2 PROJECT SCHEDULE The Consultant proposes the schedule under this Agreement shall be as follows: March 2026 • Project Pre-Kickoff (Virtual) • Establish a working group and an Advisory Committee • Begin biweekly staff check-ins • Review existing plans and background materials • Initial economic and market data collection April 2026 • Advisory Committee Kick-Off (in-person) • Baseline economic and industry analysis • Benchmarking and competitive positioning • Site, corridor, and placemaking reconnaissance • Stakeholder interviews and focus groups • Best practice research May 2026 • Advisory Committee (virtual) review and feedback of initial findings • Finalize all analysis, engagement, and research June 2026 • Build Sessions with Advisory Committee (in-person) • Refinement of strategies, implementation actions, and metrics • Deliver “Draft Strategies” memo for the Economic Development Action Plan July 2026 • Develop and edit full Economic Development Action Plan • Review Economic Development Action Plan with Advisory Committee (virtual) • Capture feedback from client team, Advisory Committee, and other stakeholders • Plan design August 2026 • Final Economic Development Action Plan delivered • Final presentations (in-person) to City leadership, Advisory Committee, and stakeholders • Transition to implementation support, if requested 17 ATTACHMENT 3 SCHEDULE OF FEES The Consultant includes a fixed-fee, not-to-exceed budget of $155,009, inclusive of labor and anticipated travel and expenses, to deliver the City of Waukee’s Economic Development Action Plan from project kickoff through final plan adoption. Task One: Project Set-up and Communications -$35,364 This task establishes clear protocols for project management, coordination, and communication. It includes a structured kickoff, biweekly check-ins, coordination with the Advisory Committee, and project documentation. Task Two: Understanding the Economic Ecosystem - $31,398 This task grounds the Plan in Waukee’s economic conditions and regional context. Work includes document review, baseline economic and industry analysis, benchmarking, site and corridor assessment, and synthesis of findings. The focus is on analysis that directly informs implementation decisions on incentives, industry targeting, and corridor priorities, rather than producing standalone technical reports. Task Three: Community Engagement and Visioning - $40,086 This task reflects the City’s emphasis on stakeholder alignment and practical outcomes. It includes targeted interviews and focus groups, best-practice research, drafting of vision and goals, and up to three Build Sessions. Task Four: Creating Economic Development Plan -$39,996 This task translates analysis and engagement into a concise, usable Action Plan. It includes drafting the plan, integrating corridor and placemaking strategies, identifying metrics, presenting findings, and finalizing deliverables. Travel and Expenses The budget includes up to $8,165 for travel and reimbursable expenses, covering: -One in-person kickoff meeting -In-person Build Sessions (two team members per session)