Council declines $54,100 AEW Stephens Park plan recommendation in 3–3 vote

Fraser City Council on Sept. 11 voted 3–3 to reject a $54,100 proposal from AEW to prepare a design and community-engagement plan for Stephens Park. City staff and a council subcommittee had recommended AEW after interviewing three firms and scoring proposals; staff said AEW’s proposal included more robust public engagement and a landscape architect the group favored.

"We did go through a scoring process...The 5 of us collectively were thoroughly impressed with the proposal that AEW presented," the city manager said, describing the selection process and the firm’s public‑engagement approach. The manager also noted that having a plan is useful for grant applications such as the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF), which has an April 1 application window.

Council debate split along fiscal and strategic lines. Supporters said a professional plan would position the city to pursue grant funding and to avoid piecemeal improvements that could lead to higher long‑term costs. Council member Odell and Council member Stein said planning enables grant applications and better long‑term outcomes; Odell described the firm as a clear favorite of the subcommittee.

Opponents said the timing and near‑term fiscal constraints made a $54,100 design contract inappropriate now. Council member Bransky and Council member Shornack expressed concern that the city faces other immediate funding needs and that there are lower‑cost ways to collect public feedback and make incremental repairs without an expensive engineering contract. The vote failed on roll call: Baranski (No), Mayor Lesich (Yes), Odell (Yes), Perry (No), Shornack (No), Stein (Yes). The item did not pass, and staff returned the item to council without a selected design consultant.