Council recommends SWRPC for comprehensive plan update, will act next meeting

City staff presented the results of a request for proposals to complete three planning tasks: a council strategic plan, a statutorily required comprehensive plan update, and a parks and recreation plan update to keep the city eligible for Department of Natural Resources grants.

Seven proposals were received with costs ranging from $42,500 to $222,000. Staff, the city manager and the parks & recreation director narrowed the list to two finalists — Southwest Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission and Becker Professional Services — and interviewed both. With plan commission member Sierra Miller joining the interviews, staff said there was consensus to recommend the Southwest Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission for the $42,500 proposal.

Council members asked for more details about who would be assigned to the project and the schedule. Staff said Alyssa would be the primary contact for the comprehensive and parks plan components, Troy would lead the strategic plan, and that the project would likely extend into early 2026. The recommended fee exceeds the amount currently in the CIP by $7,500; staff proposed covering the gap either within this year or by allocating additional funds in next year's budget.

Council also raised coordination questions about neighboring township planning and grant eligibility. Staff said they had multiple conversations with the township clerk/treasurer (Nate) to notify them of the city's separate planning effort but had not yet received a formal written acknowledgment from the township board.

Next step: staff will provide additional information requested by council and return the item for action at the next meeting.

Ending: The recommendation narrows the finalist pool and prepares the item for a formal vote after additional budget and timeline details are added to the record.