Plain City discusses parks master plan advisory committee as RFQ deadline approaches

At its work session, the Plain City Council discussed forming a committee to guide a parks master plan after staff said the request for qualifications (RFQ) for design professionals is due Monday, Jan. 12.

Staff described an approach used during the comprehensive plan process: an advisory steering committee of community leaders and stakeholders to review proposals and guide the consultant’s work. Council members debated whether the group should be an informal advisory body (not subject to the same public-meeting notice requirements) or a formal, time-limited subcommittee that would operate under public meeting rules to preserve transparency.

One council member favored a formal subcommittee—short-lived and task-focused—citing public-notice requirements and the benefits of open deliberation. Others supported an advisory committee that would streamline review and avoid repeated votes, with final recommendations still coming to the full council for decisions. Speakers discussed a likely committee composition of two council members, two Parks and Recreation representatives and three community stakeholders, and a 6–12 month timeframe to complete the work. Council asked staff to draft committee rules and membership recommendations and return them at the next Monday meeting.

Staff also said consultants will present near-final materials Monday and are developing goals and objectives that will inform midyear budget discussions. Next steps: staff will prepare proposed committee rules and a recommended membership list for council review; the council will decide whether the group will be advisory or a formal subcommittee before work proceeds further.