Council members reviewed RFP responses for an affordable-housing planner (term through Dec. 31) and debated the tradeoffs between single‑planner proposals and larger multi-discipline firms.

Several council members raised concerns about potential "hyperbilling" and whether full multi-disciplinary teams listed in some proposals would be necessary for the planner role. Councilwoman (as identified in the record) moved to add Harbor Consultants as a candidate to Resolution 271 for a short-term appointment through the end of the year; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Members noted urgency because work products must be filed before year-end and discussed including the planning board’s Kevin O’Brien as a familiar, smaller-scale option. The staff and QPA will proceed to include Harbor in the candidate list and follow procurement rules for a professional-services award.