Council discusses updating Powell master plan; staff may issue RFP to scope work and costs

Powell City Council discussed a suggestion from staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission to update the city’s master plan, last substantially revised in the 1990s.

Ben (staff member) told the council that planning commissioners had spent roughly 18 months reviewing the existing master plan and had identified many notes, corrections and recommended updates. Commissioners concluded the project likely requires professional services rather than being performed in-house, and they urged council to decide whether to pursue an update.

Staff presented a proposal to prepare a short request for proposals (RFP) toward the end of the fiscal year so vendors can submit scope and price proposals. Ben said an RFP would mainly incur modest advertising costs and would allow the city to compare quotes and approaches before making any budgetary commitment. Staff estimated a contractor-led update could cost in the range of $50,000 to $100,000, depending on scope; that is a staff estimate and not a formal quote.

Council members noted planning-and-zoning’s review provides useful groundwork that would reduce consultant hours — and therefore cost — because the commission has already identified sections that need change. Members asked staff to provide council copies of the current plan and P&Z notes; staff said they could deliver the existing plan as a PDF and suggested an RFP could be released near the budget process so council would have cost options when making fiscal decisions.

Ending: Council did not direct immediate spending; instead members asked staff to assemble materials and return with an RFP plan and cost estimates for council consideration during the next budget cycle.