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Trustees debate scope and price of Place Foundry contract; ask consultant to return with narrower scope options
Summary
Committee discussed renewal/continuation of a professional services agreement with Place Foundry LLC for economic development consulting, debating monthly fee levels and scope priorities; trustees asked the consultant to return with a clearer, prioritized scope and cost options and to obtain trustee priorities in writing.
The Village of Roscoe Committee of the Whole discussed whether to continue with Place Foundry LLC for economic development consulting and how to prioritize the consultant’s work program.
Staff said the proposed consolidated contract would cover three main areas: (1) an I-90 corridor/property inventory project; (2) Main Street plan implementation and business district work; and (3) business compliance and district support. Committee members questioned the monthly fee and the contract term. Discussion focused on whether the village should retain the consultant on a monthly basis at roughly $9,200–$9,850 per month (figures in the packet varied by page) or hire an in-house staff person instead. "I don't see spending that type of money, monthly," one trustee said; another argued the consultant brings expertise, connections and project management capacity the village does not have.
Trustees asked Place Foundry to return with a tighter scope and a cost breakdown showing what would be delivered for the proposed monthly fee and suggested staff collect written priority guidance from trustees. One trustee recommended asking the consultant to present again, more crisply, including proposed monthly deliverables and timelines. Staff and trustees also discussed the option of moving the contract to a task- or project-specific scope (an ‘‘a la carte’’ approach) and of drafting a job description for a possible in-house economic development position to examine cost comparisons during the upcoming budget process.
Why it matters: The consultant’s work is intended to maintain momentum on Main Street implementation, property-owner outreach for I‑90 parcels, and a new business-district alliance. Trustees expressed concern about cost, communication and whether the current engagement is producing measurable outcomes.
What’s next: Trustees asked staff to collect trustee priorities in writing and asked Place Foundry to return with a focused scope and clearer deliverables and timelines; the consultant was also asked to present again to the committee when the requested priorities and scope are assembled.
