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Council approves $90,050 contract with consultant EPS for affordable housing development work, amid debate on speed and priorities
Summary
The council voted to contract Economic & Planning Systems, Inc. (EPS) for up to 11 months of housing-development work focused on Chamisa Verde; EPS committed to delivering key development documents within six months. The vote followed heated debate about speed, prior studies and immediate construction of seven shovel-ready lots.
The Town Council approved a contract with Economic & Planning Systems, Inc. (EPS) for housing consulting and development services in an amount of $90,050, exclusive of New Mexico gross receipts tax. Staff described EPS’s scope as including market and feasibility studies, infrastructure and construction documents, and program design; EPS committed to delivering key development documents within the first six months to support a developer solicitation.
Manager Martinez and procurement staff told the council the contract term is 11 months to allow the full scope while EPS has committed to prioritized deliverables for earlier action. Councilors and public speakers debated whether EPS would duplicate existing work and whether the town should instead move immediately to select a developer to build on ready lots. Several council members and residents urged faster action and asked staff to use existing studies where possible.
Legal counsel explained that the RFP process and the award are within the council’s authority and that adjustments to timelines and contract language could be negotiated before final execution. Staff proposed a parallel action: circulate an invitation-to-bid (ITB) for seven shovel‑ready lots in the Chamisa Verde subdivision while EPS completes required development documents for the full subdivision. Staff said the minimum state procurement posting period for an ITB is 30 days and asked for a short preparation window (staff suggested about 45 days) before the public bid period.
Public comment on the item was robust. A number of residents and a council member expressed frustration that prior plans and available funds have not yet produced finished housing units; speakers urged more immediate deployment of funds and faster procurement. Staff and the mayor responded with a recognition of those concerns and noted prior work, the complexity of grant requirements and the need for a qualified consultant to assemble grant‑compliant documents.
Council amended the motion to authorize procurement staff to negotiate timeline tightening in the contract (without increasing price) so EPS prioritized development deliverables. A motion to approve the contract with that direction passed on a roll-call vote: Council Member Fambro — Yes; Council Member Ortega — Yes; Council Member Oswald — Yes; Council Member Fernandez — Yes. Staff said they will issue an ITB for the seven ready Chamisa Verde lots concurrently and return with results to council after the procurement process.
