Council approves zoning consultant contract and advances multiple community development projects including airport upgrades and a library storybook park

Planning and zoning work Staff told council the city has selected a zoning consultant through RFP to overhaul the Unified Development Code (UDC). The process will include a background study, code drafting, public hearings and adoption and is expected to take 12–18 months. Building Official Michael Dunn will serve as the city point of contact and will present milestone updates to council during the process.

Airport projects The airport manager reported a package of decision items funded from the airport fund. Planned work includes a fire-suppression system for the Genesis (Moog) hangar that will go to bid once lease and procurement paperwork are finalized; a new AV-gas fuel truck (5,000-gallon) is planned to be purchased from Bosco Services; the city plans to convert an existing 3,000-gallon truck to AV-gas and remove an older 1,500-gallon unit. Work also includes a fuel-price sign, fuel-storage-area security lighting and camera installations; some items are pending vendor mergers and final pricing.

Library and parks The City reported a concept design for the Colonel Willie Casper Storybook Park on the east side of the public library; initial design work completed under budget and the city budgeted $265,000 for construction. The library holds a trust fund of roughly $247,000 that will cover the majority of the project; additional fundraising or other sources are expected to complete the project. The estimated construction timetable is not fixed; staff suggested a multi-year horizon (two to three years) depending on bids and fundraising.

Main Street and branding Council reviewed a proposed Downtown Sign Assistance Program to provide matched grants for storefront signage; the program application opened yesterday and will close March 17. The program committee will include Main Street Advisory Board members, Chamber of Commerce representatives, city officials and downtown stakeholders. Separately, staff finalized an RFP for a citywide rebrand and expects several firms to bid; the city will involve council in the rebrand process.

Why it matters: the UDC overhaul is intended to align the city's regulatory code with the comprehensive plan and modernize zoning standards. Airport improvements support local aviation businesses and safety; the library park and downtown sign program are community amenity and economic-development initiatives.

Next steps: staff will continue consultant onboarding for the UDC rewrite, finalize procurement for airport projects, post construction bids where required, and run the Downtown Sign Assistance application committee process.