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Council approves amended contract with Sage Crest for expanded planning coverage
Summary
Facing the departure of an in‑house planner, the city approved an amendment with planning consultant Sage Crest to provide additional weekly planning hours and a transition plan to maintain front‑line planning services.
The City Council approved an amended contract with Sage Crest Planning and Environmental to provide additional on‑call planning support after staff announced the departure of an associate planner.
City Manager Steve Franks explained the city had relied on a mix of short‑term contract hours and one rising staff planner; the planner's departure prompted a proposal from Sage Crest to provide an 18‑hour‑per‑week planning assistant plus 10 weekly hours from the city's existing contracted planning manager, giving roughly 28 hours of planning coverage. Franks said the amended agreement is designed to be roughly cost‑neutral to current expenditures while providing a staffed presence for counter hours and permit processing.
Why it matters
Staff said the arrangement includes a transition plan: Sage Crest identified a named planning assistant who will shadow current staff to maintain continuity. The contract amendment is for a one‑year pilot with two optional one‑year renewals; the council can terminate the contract per standard provisions if the arrangement does not meet city needs.
Council discussion and vote
Council members asked about the ability to terminate or adjust hours if the arrangement proved insufficient. Staff said termination clauses and flexibility are built into the contract and that the city will monitor service levels. After discussion the council approved the amendment unanimously (5‑0).
Ending
Staff said the change aims to stabilize front‑line planning services while staff complete the city's housing element work. The council directed staff to monitor response times and bring any needed adjustments back to the council.
