Citizen Portal
Sign In

Ross council authorizes RFQ for architects and engineers to advance Civic Center planning, with expanded scope to reflect new citizen input

Ross Town Council · February 13, 2026

Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts

Subscribe
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

Council authorized release of an RFQ for architectural and engineering services to move the Facilities Master Plan toward implementation, and amended the RFQ language to require firms to be prepared to assist with master‑plan evaluation and possible revisions suggested by the new citizens advisory group.

The Town of Ross authorized staff to release a qualifications‑based RFQ to procure architectural and engineering (A/E) services to carry the Facilities Master Plan into implementation, including site analysis, phased design and technical support for public‑safety priorities.

Staff presented the RFQ as a qualifications‑based selection to secure firms with experience in public safety buildings, civic projects, phased implementation and the technical work (surveying, soils, utilities, engineering) necessary to inform design and environmental review. Town Manager Krista Johnson and project manager David Kelly said an A/E team would help the town refine program elements, explore phasing options, assess flood and access constraints, and coordinate sequencing so core functions (police, paramedic facilities, public works) can continue or be relocated during construction.

Council debated the RFQ’s framing after citizens formed a seven‑member advisory group and submitted an alternative concept. Multiple council members asked staff to broaden the RFQ language so firms understood they might be asked to evaluate and revise the adopted 2023 master plan in light of new community proposals. Council also asked that qualifications demonstrate experience with both major rehabilitation (reuse/rehab of an existing building) and full demolition/rebuild scenarios, plus historic‑preservation expertise where relevant.

The council accepted a motion (including a friendly amendment to broaden scope to account for the citizen group’s input) and voted unanimously to authorize the town manager to release the RFQ and return with qualified firms for selection. Staff said SOQs would be due in early April with recommendation back to council in May if the schedule holds.

Next steps: staff will revise RFQ language to reflect the committee and alternative concept as reference materials, publish the solicitation, collect and evaluate SOQs, and return to council with selection recommendations and proposed scopes and costs.