Minutes - Council - 03/28/2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7.09: Review Format and Content for April 10th Comprehensive Plan Update Workshop (Transportation Plan; Parks and Recreation Plan) Community Development Director Gladhill reviewed the staff report and provided information on the materials to be presented at the April 10th Comprehensive Plan Community Workshop. Councilmember Johns commended staff for their efforts as she believes that this update process is moving in the right direction and meaningful input is being received through the public workshops. 7.10: Consider Authorizing Work Plan for the Park System Components of the Comprehensive Plan and City-Wide Parks Master Plan Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood reviewed the staff report and recommendation from the Park and Recreation Commission and staff to approve the Work Plan utilizing the consulting services of Bruce Jacobson and LHB at a not-to-exceed amount of $50,000. Councilmember Riley asked why the recommendation is to work with the consultant and firm specified rather than going out for RFP. Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood noted that the consultant has worked with staff in the development of the plans for The COR and on other development planning projects for the parks system. He noted that staff has a great working relationship with the consultant and he has a lot of knowledge on the City. He noted that the consultant is knowledgeable of the other consultants and firms out in the market and recommended LHB. He noted that LHB has a long history in the State of Minnesota on this type of project and has great success with citizen involvement as well. Councilmember Kuzma stated that the City was recently approved to work with students from the University of Minnesota and noted that this might be a great opportunity for the students to provide assistance. He asked why that program is not being utilized in attempt to avoid spending additional funds on consulting services. Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood noted that the city-wide Parks Master Plan is a very specific park planning tool that will need expert consulting services. He noted that while there may be some aspects that the students with the Resilient Communities Program can assist with, this plan will need that expertise. Community Development Director Gladhill noted that while the two services may be complimentary, there was never an intent for the Resilient Communities Program to completely eliminate the need for consulting services but more to supplement. He noted that there are 17 projects identified for the program to assist with. Councilmember Williams stated that while she agrees that this will be a comprehensive plan that will be important for the City to develop, she was unsure that she could support choosing this City Council/March 28, 2017 Page 9 of 12