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Novato awards $145,500 contract to produce economic development strategic plan
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Summary
The Novato City Council unanimously approved a $145,500 contract with Good City Company and Strategic Economics to produce an economic development strategic plan, citing goals to assess opportunities, public engagement and implementation measures to support local business and infrastructure needs.
The Novato City Council unanimously approved a professional services contract on Jan. 13 to develop an economic development strategic plan (EDSP), authorizing the city manager to execute the agreement and appropriating $145,500 to the operating budget.
Economic Development Manager Katie Skorphing told the council the plan will assess existing programs and opportunity sites, undertake fiscal and economic impact analysis, and include broad community and stakeholder engagement. "Tonight, we are asking you to adopt a resolution to award the professional services contract of the economic development strategic plan to Good City Company and Strategic Economics," Skorphing said, noting the RFP generated ten proposals and the city interviewed four firms.
Good City Company's economic development lead Sabina Mora described the consultant team's local and regional experience and said the work will include stakeholder interviews, public workshops and presentations to advisory bodies and council, with public engagement in the spring and plan completion by late summer. "We have a lot of local experience, and as well as national experience," Mora said.
Business groups urged approval. Stephanie Koehler, executive director of the Downtown Nevada Business Association, thanked the city for prioritizing economic development; Chamber of Commerce president Denise Athas said the chamber was "100% supportive" and pledged to assist with public outreach and implementation.
Councilmembers asked about scope control and whether additional work would require council approval. The city attorney and staff said the contract amount approved by council is the maximum and any increase would need return to council for amendment. Councilmember Jacobs moved the resolution; the motion passed by unanimous roll call.
Next steps: staff will execute the contract and begin the consultant's three-phase work program: analysis, stakeholder engagement and synthesis with a public outreach schedule in spring and a draft plan expected by late summer.
