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Council directs staff to seek alternatives to Eco Northwest for housing production strategy work
Summary
Council signaled consensus to direct staff to pursue alternatives to the current housing production strategy consultant (Eco Northwest) and to work with the state (DLCD) to retain grant funds while identifying a replacement or completing the work in house.
Council discussed options for completing the city’s Housing Production Strategy (HPS) after staff reported issues with the current consultant, Eco Northwest. The city manager said staff has paused the current work and requested council direction to either seek an alternative contractor or complete the HPS in house.
Staff said they have been in contact with the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) and that DLCD indicated the grant funds could remain with the project if the city procured an alternative consultant. Council members expressed a desire for a more cooperative consultant relationship and asked staff to move quickly because the HPS must be completed by the end of next calendar year. The council provided direction to staff to pursue alternative contractors and to return with options and a recommendation.
Staff emphasized there may be some rework or additional costs but said they expect to reuse much of the stakeholder engagement already completed where feasible. The item will return to the council for formal action once staff evaluates options and cost implications.
