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City recommends parks master-plan consultant, flags new positions and updated crisis plan
Summary
City administration recommended MKSK as the parks and recreation master-plan consultant, introduced a supplemental appropriation request for park work, and announced four new budgeted positions and an updated crisis communications plan for 2026.
City staff told Grandview Heights City Council on Jan. 12 that MKSK was the successful proposer in the parks and recreation master-plan RFP and that a supplemental appropriation will be requested to fund the next phase of work pending council approval.
Director Maxwell said staff had conducted due diligence with MKSK and recommended finalizing a contract after council approves a supplemental appropriation (see Ordinance 2026-02 on tonight’s agenda). He said the city expects to finalize contract details pending council action and that work would commence in late February with a 12–18 month planning timeline.
Maxwell also reported that the 2026 budget funded four new positions: a crime analyst, a deputy fire marshal, a code enforcement technician and a deputy service director/engineering manager. Two positions (deputy service director/engineering manager and code enforcement technician) are being recruited immediately; the crime analyst and deputy fire marshal were budgeted for July 1 start dates and will be recruited later in the fiscal year. Maxwell said job descriptions were approved by the civil service commission and recruitment is underway for the immediate openings.
The director added the city implemented an updated cyber-security program and developed a revised crisis communication plan that will be shared with council. Councilmembers asked for a high-level memo describing council touchpoints in a crisis so elected officials know when and how staff will loop them in.
Why it matters: The parks master plan will guide capital priorities and park improvements; hired consultants and supplemental appropriations shape project timing and costs. New staffing resources indicate the city's priorities for code enforcement, public safety and engineering capacity.
What’s next: Staff will present the supplemental appropriation (ordinance 2026-02) for finance committee consideration and return contract details for council approval before signing. The crisis communication plan and a memo on council touchpoints will be distributed to members.
