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Council scales back master‑plan consultant contract to one year after critical joint meeting feedback
Summary
After a contentious joint meeting presentation of master‑plan scenarios, Rochester Hills council amended a proposed two‑year, $110,000 contract for Giffels Webster to a one‑year, $55,000 blanket purchase order through Nov. 30, 2025, citing the need for clearer public engagement and refined data presentation.
Rochester Hills City Council on Dec. 16 unanimously approved a one‑year, $55,000 blanket purchase order to Giffels Webster for continued work on the city’s master plan after councilmembers and public commenters criticized how scenario options were presented at a recent joint meeting.
Jill Boehm of Giffels Webster acknowledged the joint meeting “didn't really go as maybe anybody expected it to go,” and said the firm will focus on providing a plan the community can implement and use rather than leaving recommendations on a shelf.
Public commenter Scott Beaton urged the council to address long‑term maintenance costs tied to low‑density development and asked that the master plan confront questions about sustainability and infrastructure costs over the next 15–20 years.
Several council members said the joint meeting's graphics and labeling (scenarios 1, 2 and 3) caused confusion and worried residents, particularly with respect to housing options and perceived threats to neighborhood character. Councilwoman Neubauer and others said the presentation did not reflect prior work of the planning and economic development staff and recommended better phrasing and clearer data so public input reflects residents’ true preferences.
Councilwoman Mangioli proposed an amendment to the contract, reducing the scope and the not‑to‑exceed amount from $110,000 through Nov. 30, 2026, to $55,000 through Nov. 30, 2025; Councilman Blair and others supported the shorter renewal so the city can recalibrate public engagement and data collection. The motion passed unanimously.
City officials said they will bring more detailed survey methods, raw data and refined public‑engagement materials to the next stages to help reconcile apparent discrepancies between survey results and door‑step feedback from residents. Giffels Webster representatives said they will work with city staff to better tailor presentation style and data framing.
The council’s action keeps Giffels Webster on contract for the next year while directing staff and the consultant to improve outreach and data transparency ahead of the plan’s draft phases.
