Council raises comp plan timing as airport grants, DEI language and urban trails roles are reviewed
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Summary
Councilmembers said the city needs near-term clarifications to its comprehensive plan (five-year review) because federal grant eligibility for airport projects could be affected by DEI language; council directed staff to review short-term amendments and schedule a broader comp-plan discussion at workshop.
Several councilmembers used the July 30 workshop to flag the city’s five-year comprehensive plan review and to request short-term clarification on specific language that could affect federal grant eligibility. One councilmember said federal grant administrators have signaled that certain DEI policies can complicate eligibility for Federal Aviation Administration and other federal funds and asked staff to identify whether short-term changes are needed before the formal five‑year comp‑plan update.
Councilmembers also discussed the role and scope of the Urban Trails Committee, noting a city resolution (Resolution 48‑14) that defines the committee’s advisory role on pedestrian and bicycle routes. Members said recent committee activity has sometimes extended into broader policy advocacy and recommended staff and council meet with the committee to review its bylaws and scope.
Staff said the comprehensive plan’s five‑year review was timely this year but that staffing transitions had affected scheduling; staff agreed to return with a tentative schedule for a workshop to discuss short‑term amendments and the larger five‑year review process. Councilmembers emphasized coordinating the comp‑plan review with related master plans (parks, bike/ped, sustainability) so piecemeal changes do not create inconsistencies across documents.
No ordinance or comp‑plan amendment was adopted at the workshop; staff will prepare schedule options and legal analyses for council consideration.