Action Expected on Proposed Downtown Complex at Council's First Meeting of 2011 on Tuesday

There's little doubt the most consequential decision facing the City Council in 2011 is whether to allow the to build a 42,000-square-foot complex downtown.

The council won't make that decision in its first meeting of the year Tuesday, but likely will decide what firm will conduct the study of the fiscal impacts and economic implications of the complex. The meeting will be held in Hoyer Hall at the and is planned to start at 7 p.m.

, the council was expected to award the contract to Bay Area Economics, but the Clayton Community Church asked if the decision could be delayed because it didn't have enough time to review the proposal, a church representative said.

City staff, as in the last council meeting, is recommending the council approve the proposal from Bay Area Economics. It's estimated the study will cost about $36,000, which the Clayton Community Church will pay.

The city received five proposals from firms wanting to conduct the study, but staff said Bay Area Economics' proposal was the most comprehensive.

The study is expected to take about three months to complete and the council won't make a final decision on the project until members review the study. The project is undergoing an environmental impact report, which is expected in be completed in March.

Also on the agenda, the council is expected to set a deadline on its goals for the year.