Minutes - Council - 03/13/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Case #2: Award Contract for 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update; Case of City of Ramsey Assistant Community Development Director Frolik reviewed that on December 28, 2006, staff presented a draft Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit proposals for a consultant to assist the City with the 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update. The City Council approved the RFP and directed staff to advertise for proposals. The City received nine proposals for the Comprehensive Plan Update. Staff reviewed the proposals and narrowed the field to the top four candidates. A subcommittee of three councilmembers and three planning commissioners interviewed the top. four candidates and unanimously recommended the contract be awarded to DSU/Bonestroo. Staff recommends Council authorize the mayor and Interim City Administrator to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with DSU/Bonestroo for the 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update in an amount not to exceed $83,300. Councilmember Dehen inquired about the potential conflict of interest addressed in the staff report. Mr. Phillip Carlson, DSU/Bonestroo, stated every community in the metro area is working on their comprehensive plan this year so it is finished by 2008. DSU/Bonestroo responded to a number of proposals, including the City of Dayton whose process was slightly ahead of Ramsey's. They were awarded the contract in Dayton the same week they interviewed with Ramsey. There were concerns from Dayton that this might pose a conflict; however, as he understands there is no legal conflict. This was talked out at a staff, administrative and mayor level. At a City Council meeting in Dayton last week it came up as a full discussion at the end of the meeting, and the consensus of the Council was that there are people with concerns, but the record was of consensus that there is not a problem with DSU/Bonestroo being planners for both the cities of Dayton and Ramsey. This was raised at their interview with Ramsey and they answered it directly that they have a contract with the City of Dayton, and they are aware of the bridge as a significant issue. His answer at that time, which he has also said to Dayton, is that it is the city's plan, and DSU/Bonestroo is here to help the city put together the plan they would like for the future. Should there be a river crossing, that alignment has been set and it is not something they.would invent in this process with the comprehensive plan. Mayor Gamec indicated there were two Dayton Councilmembers that were very opposed to DSU/Bonestroo working with both cities, but the Dayton City Council determined there really is no conflict. One of the Dayton Councilmembers still had some questions, but the only issue they were really concerned about was the bridge. What happens on Dayton's side of the bridge is really up to them; he sees no conflict. Councilmember Strommen stated she was happy to serve on the interviewing committee and very pleased with the proposal from DSU/Bonestroo. She is pleased with the meshing they addressed with the Ramsey3 process. City Council / March 13, 2007 Page 8 of21