Commission debates consultant roles, marketing approach and second opinion; agrees to engage consultant outreach and invite a second opinion

The Commission spent substantial time assessing consultant roles, the city’s marketing capacity and whether to seek a second professional opinion on downtown redevelopment strategy. Advisory consultant Mike Golan described a data-driven outreach approach to developers and said he would make direct personal contacts to tell the market story for Eustis. "The way to cut through that noise... is for us to do the analysis ahead of time," Golan said.

Several commissioners said they want a second, local perspective. Multiple speakers suggested inviting Dr. Levy—whom commissioners described as active in Lake County redevelopment—to a public workshop to present his recommendations. Commission direction was: allow the assigned consultant to begin outreach (60–90 days was discussed) and staff will schedule a public workshop to hear Dr. Levy or another local redevelopment practitioner. Commissioners insisted any private, one-on-one conversations with additional consultants or proposers be avoided and recommended a public forum to preserve transparency.

Other points: Commissioners also debated the differences between three forms of outreach discussed in the meeting: 1) investor-targeted outreach that presents market and feasibility data to developers (the consultant’s role); 2) an ongoing city marketing program to promote Eustis broadly (staff/communications role); and 3) a facilitated design charrette or commissioner workshop to refine the local vision (facilitator role). Commissioners asked staff to scope options for each and to report which should be procured separately versus combined into a single contract.

Next steps: Staff will ask the consultant to begin developer outreach per the Commission’s direction, prepare a short scope or task order (cost estimate was discussed), and coordinate a public workshop to hear a second opinion from Dr. Levy (or another named local consultant). Commissioners emphasized they will retain final authority and that any further engagement should be transparent and consistent with procurement rules.