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<br />is 2008. The City of Ramsey was awarded $29,000 in Community Development Block Grant <br />(CDBG) funds for the 2006 funding year. The funds were received for the purpose of engaging <br />the services of professional consultants to assist with development of the 2008 Comprehensive <br />Plan. Mr. Trudgeon advised CDBG regulations require that funds granted be spent by December <br />31 of the following year. This means that the $29,000 Ramsey received in July 2006 must be <br />spent by December 31, 2007. If this requirement is not met, any unspent funds are recaptured by <br />HUD. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Trudgeon stated because updating comprehensive plans can <br />be a long and involved process, staff recommends that the City begin the process to select a <br />consultant at this time. It is imperative that the CDBG funds are expended by December 31, <br />2007. Total expenditures could be up to $80,000, which has been budgeted for. The cost can be <br />better gauged once the proposals are received back. In addition, it would be extremely beneficial <br />if the consultant were selected in a timeframe that would allow them to observe the Ramsey3 <br />Process and Open Space Technology exercise. The consultants can work on gathering base data <br />for the comprehensive plan update until the Ramsey3 process is complete. Mr. Trudgeon <br />reviewed the RFP and consultant selection process. He explained the decision tonight is not to <br />expend any funds or to authorize a hire; Council action being requested is to publish the RFP for <br />the 2008 Comprehensive Plan. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen requested Greenway/Open Space Plan be added to item 2.b. under <br />Scope of Services. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig inquired about the anticipated timeline for the comprehensive planning <br />process. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Trudgeon replied the best estimate for the timing is that the <br />full engagement of the comprehensive planning discussion will likely begin with the community <br />midsummer of 2007. The Ramsey3 process will need to be completed, and in the meantime the <br />background research can be completed. It is expected to have the Comprehensive Plan <br />completed and approved in a form for City Council to review by June or July of 2008. A full six <br />months is needed for the Metropolitan Council to review the plan. The plan does not need to be <br />approved until December 2008. Staffis confident the City will not lose the funds that need to be <br />expended by the end of 2007. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen commended staff for the integration of the Ramsel project into the <br />comprehensive planning process. <br /> <br />Motion by Councilmember Strommen, seconded by Councilmember Jeffrey, to direct staff to <br />publish the Request for Proposal for the 2008 Comprehensive Plan. <br /> <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Strommen, Jeffrey, Cook, Elvig, <br />Olson, and Pearson. Voting No: None. <br /> <br />City Council / December 28, 2006 <br />Page 22 of 26 <br /> <br />P34 <br />