Council names Johnson Engineering lead consultant for Naples comprehensive plan update, $423,250 contract approved

The City Council on Thursday unanimously approved a professional services agreement with Johnson Engineering LLC to lead a two-year update of Naples’ comprehensive plan, authorizing a $423,250.54 contract and directing a robust public engagement campaign.

Planning Director Eric Martin told council the selection committee — which reviewed four proposals and interviewed three finalists — ranked Johnson Engineering first and that the firm assembled a multi-disciplinary team that includes Clarion (planning support), a public engagement firm (CMA), and resilience advisor Erin Dady.

Laura Dejohn and project manager Chrissy Fisher of Johnson Engineering outlined their work plan and said the team will begin in March with a public kickoff. “We anticipate putting together both a digital outlet, a website, and a number of workshops,” Fisher said, describing outreach that will include in-person meetings, surveys and a dedicated website so “the public will have information and be able to ask questions.”

Council members asked about local experience and resiliency expertise. Fisher said Johnson Engineering has four certified planners on staff and that team member Erin Dady has experience incorporating resiliency recommendations into comprehensive plans. Martin also confirmed staff will bring PAB recommendations and existing plan documents to the consultant for analysis.

The contract includes a substantial public-engagement line item (roughly one-third of the fee package in the proposal), intended to fund up to eight meetings, outreach activities and public materials. The consultant and staff emphasized they plan to schedule major public engagement in season (October–March) to maximize resident participation.

Council voted unanimously to accept the firm and contract: Council Members Kramer, Peneman, Christman, Barton, Petronoff, Hutchison and Mayor Heitman all voted yes. Council directed staff to coordinate kickoff activities with the March 17 workshop date, and the contract will begin March 1 if the council’s approval is executed.

The comprehensive plan update will inventory existing policies, analyze population and seasonality impacts, and propose policy language and implementation steps, Martin said. The update will also examine resilience, sea-level rise, beach access and the city’s seasonal-population pattern, and present findings and draft policy changes for public review and final adoption by the council.