Ad hoc committee adds two community members to evaluation panel for downtown master plan solicitation

The Downtown Master Plan Update Ad Hoc Committee unanimously approved adding two community representatives to the solicitation evaluation committee during its Nov. 5 meeting. Interim City Manager Dave Bullock proposed the change, citing the need for stronger community presence as the master plan revision process begins.

"I just think the community needs a heavier hand in the evaluation committee and a little less staff," Bullock said, explaining his recommendation to add Shane LeMay of the Planning Board and Wayne Rubin of the Downtown Improvement District while keeping staff members Steve Coover, Nick Patel and Lucia Panaca on the panel.

Committee members discussed the proposal and then moved and seconded a motion to add the two named community members and remove one staff member from the originally proposed panel. Chair Bill Waddell called for the vote; members responded "aye," and the motion passed unanimously.

Bullock framed the change as an early step to ensure community ownership of the downtown master plan. "If the community wasn't a part of it or didn't have an ownership in it, its likelihood of success starts to get pretty small," he said.

Committee members who spoke in support said the addition aligns with prior conversations about giving residents a stronger role in procurement oversight. The committee did not record any abstentions or opposed votes on the motion.

What the committee approved applies only to the evaluation panel for the current solicitation. The selection, interviews and any contract negotiations still must follow the city's procurement rules and subsequent committee processes.

Next steps: staff will distribute conflict‑of‑interest forms and the list of firms that submitted proposals to the evaluation committee members for review ahead of the scheduled evaluations and interviews.