Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Comprehensive Plan topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Newport approves $300,000 contract to update city comprehensive plan
Summary
The City Council approved a $300,000 contract with Interface Studio to update Newport’s 10‑year comprehensive plan, funding the work from the capital improvement program and prioritizing expanded public outreach.
The Newport City Council voted to approve action item 6,461, awarding a roughly $300,000 contract to Interface Studio to update the city’s comprehensive plan, with a target completion date of May 2027.
The comprehensive plan update is required by state statute on a 10‑year cycle. Director Reynolds told the council the process will be intensive and public‑facing: the plan covers 11 chapters plus an implementation section, requires extensive stakeholder input, and will be used to guide future zoning and development decisions. "It's mandated that each of the 39 cities and towns have a comprehensive plan and that it be updated every 10 years," Reynolds said, describing the comp plan as a "10 year plan with a 20 year vision." He said the largest portion of the contract is dedicated to public outreach so the city can hear voices that don’t usually participate.
Councilors pressed for additional detail about cost and funding. Councilor Rice asked whether the $300,000 could be justified given other recent consulting expenditures; Reynolds and other staff responded the price was consistent with similar efforts (the North Bend urban plan cost about $315,000) and is budgeted in the capital improvement program. The administration said the contract includes subconsultants (Ninagret Partners, Pool Design, Woods Hole Group) and that those subconsultants will be paid by Interface, not the city.
Council members also asked how Interface proposed to do outreach. Reynolds said Interface emphasized translators, creative in‑person outreach (including riding bus routes to engage residents), fairs and other events, and making materials digestible. Staff said they expect to start immediately if the council approved, with early summer work prioritized.
The council motion to approve the contract passed. The administration said the planning board, the council and the state must later review and approve the completed plan. No state or federal grant funding was identified; staff said the work is covered by funds the council included in the adopted capital improvement program.
The council recorded the approval by voice vote. The administration said contract scoping and periodic check‑ins will be included in a purchase order and that progress will be staged so the city draws down funds as milestones are met.
