Broken Arrow City Council
Meeting of: 05-3-2016
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Office of the City Attorney
Title:
title
Consideration, discussion and possible approval of and authorization to execute an Engagement Letter with the Center for Economic Development Law
End
Background:
Attached is an Engagement Letter to allow the City of Broken Arrow (“City”) to receive legal advice and representation from Leslie Batchelor and other attorneys with the Center for Economic Development Law (“CEDL”). Their services will be utilized for a proposed TIF Retail district to be located within the City of Broken Arrow. CEDL will assist the City in a preliminary assessment and recommendation of the fundamental issues affecting the potential project and determination of threshold questions including what tools of the Oklahoma Local Development Act are appropriate. The focus of the effort is to work with the City officials and Staff to formulate a development strategy for the development area. Such an evaluation will be undertaken in order to determine whether the benefit potential and practicality appear sufficiently positive for the City to then undertake the formulation, procedural consideration, and adoption of a project plan with necessary financing mechanisms, possibly including tax increment financing.
CEDL provided legal representation with the City of Broken Arrow’s FlightSafety and Downtown TIF District. Their services were invaluable in the preparation and formation of the project plan. As such, Staff recommends approval of the Engagement Letter with the Center for Economic Development Law.
Cost: In accordance with the attached Engagement Letter
Prepared By: Beth Anne Wilkening, City Attorney
Reviewed By: Acting Assistant City Manager - Administration
Approved By: Michael L. Spurgeon, City Manager
Attachments: Engagement Letter
Recommendation:
Approve the Engagement Letter with the Center for Economic Development Law and authorize its execution.