[Ord. No. 1083-2007 §1, 10-4-2007]
A. 
It shall be the policy of the City to consider the use of statutory redevelopment incentives for those projects that demonstrate a significant public benefit by eliminating blight or blighting influences, financing desirable public improvements, strengthening the employment and economic base of the City and other taxing jurisdictions, increasing property values, reducing poverty, creating economic stability and facilitating economic self-sufficiency.
B. 
The City or the Commission shall solicit proposals with respect to the implementation of each proposed redevelopment project, or the several proposed redevelopment projects that are designed to implement a proposed tax increment financing plan.
C. 
Each request for proposals shall state the primary objectives of the proposed redevelopment area or redevelopment project.
D. 
Each request for proposals shall provide reasonable opportunity for any person to submit alternative proposals or bids.
E. 
Each request for proposals may be mailed to those persons or firms the City or the Commission determines might be interested in submitting a bid and shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in or serving the City. Each request for proposals shall provide at least fourteen (14) days for the submission of a proposal. The City or Commission may extend the time period during which proposals may be accepted.
F. 
Each person, business, firm, partnership or other combination of persons or businesses that submits a proposal in response to a request pursuant to this RFP policy shall be deemed an "applicant". Each proposal must demonstrate that "but for" the use of tax increment financing, the project is not feasible and would not be completed.
G. 
Criteria for the selection of proposals will be based on the required elements of a complete tax increment financing plan as set forth in the TIF Act. The criteria for selection will include the impact of the proposed project on the City and other taxing jurisdictions, including the projected term for which tax increment financing will be utilized. The City or the Commission may establish such additional criteria as it deems appropriate for the selection of bids and proposals, which shall be stated in the request for proposals and consistent with the TIF Act.
H. 
At the option of the City, proposals may be requested in the form of a redevelopment plan which meets the requirements of the TIF Act and addressing the items of information required in this RFP policy.
I. 
Each applicant shall submit a fee of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) with each proposal (the "application fee"). The application fee will be used by the City and the Commission to pay the costs incurred by the City and the Commission in the review and evaluation of the application. If multiple proposals are received and only one (1) chosen, those applicants not chosen shall have the one thousand dollar ($1,000.00) fee returned. At the option of the City, the application fee may be waived in the event that the City has prepared a proposed TIF plan that includes public improvements to be funded or financed by the City as the primary redevelopment project costs. At the option of the City and in addition to the application fee, an applicant may be required to enter into a funding agreement with the City with respect to the proposal covering the expenses of the City relating to review and consideration of the proposal, including expenses incurred by the City to engage consultants and special counsel.
J. 
Each applicant that has prepared a complete tax increment financing plan and submitted that plan to the City may respond to a request for proposals, issued by the City or Commission pursuant to this RFP policy, by submitting a written statement to the City which provides that the plan previously prepared and submitted to the City shall serve as the applicant's response to the request for proposals.