City staff recommends Olsen to lead Newton's comprehensive plan update; planning commissioners to assist outreach

City staff told the Planning Commission on July 7 that a selection committee ranked Olsen as the top firm to prepare Newton's comprehensive plan update.

Rebecca, a city staff member leading the procurement, said seven firms responded to the city's RFP and a six-person selection committee (including city staff, a city commissioner and planning commissioners chosen by the commission) evaluated proposals on approach/timeline (45%), qualifications (35%) and past project experience/references (20%). Staff said the committee identified two leading proposals and after reference checks chose Olsen, noting the firm's robust public engagement approach and a packaged housing study from a contractor they had used previously.

Staff reported that the City Commission will review the recommendation at its next meeting. If the city manager approves the contract, staff expect a kickoff within weeks, and the planning commission will play an active role through advisory committees, a technical advisory committee and public outreach. Rebecca said commissioners will be asked to help "evangelize" outreach to ensure broad community participation and that the plan will include multiple engagement methods (in-person, virtual and surveys).

The update will include a housing study component and is intended to produce an updated comprehensive plan for the city. No final contract was signed at the time of the meeting; staff said they were negotiating scope and the fee schedule with the top-ranked firm.