Council directs staff not to execute consultant agreements, forms council subcommittee to set strategic plan scope

The Palm Desert City Council voted 4–1 on June 26 to direct staff not to execute consultant agreements for the proposed 10‑ or 18‑month strategic plan and to form a council subcommittee to draft a council‑driven scope and process for updating the city’s strategic plan. Mayor Harnick cast the lone no vote.

Councilmembers debated whether to proceed immediately with a consultant‑led update or to begin with an internal assessment and greater council direction. Staff had presented two options: a 10‑month timeline and a longer 18‑month schedule that would allow additional engagement with newly elected district members and add consultant check‑ins, at an estimated additional cost of about $19,000 (a revised contract figure of approximately $147,900 with contingency of $14,790 if extended to 18 months was noted in staff materials).

During discussion councilmembers described three competing priorities: (1) move quickly to publish a contemporary high‑level strategic plan to guide budgeting and projects; (2) pause and perform an internal assessment of the 2013 plan and current city work to avoid repeating past shortcomings; and (3) ensure new district councilmembers have meaningful input into a plan that will guide the city for years. Several members recommended a council subcommittee and a study session to review the existing strategic plan before finalizing a consultant scope.

Councilmember comments included requests to use local research resources and to keep the process council‑led. City clerk and staff explained that a subcommittee could be engaged from the outset or be used to review draft materials and to prepare a study session for the full council.

The council motion that carried directed staff not to execute the consultant agreements at this time, to form a council scope subcommittee, and to return to the council with council‑developed scope and process recommendations at a study session. The vote was recorded as: Councilmember Nastandi — yes; Councilmember Perdido — yes; Councilmember Quintanilla — aye; Mayor Pro Tem Truby — yes; Mayor Harnick — no.

Councilmembers who volunteered or were named for the subcommittee will work with staff to define the solicitation scope if and when council authorizes a consultant. Staff will report back with the subcommittee’s recommendations for a study session before any contract execution or consultant work begins.