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Fountain Council awards comprehensive‑plan contract to Ayers Associates; council member Rick recuses
Summary
The council selected Ayers Associates to complete Fountain's comprehensive plan update, housing needs assessment and housing action plan. Council member Rick recused himself because he participated in the selection process; the council approved the contract after presentations and a motion.
The Fountain City Council on April 28 approved a professional services agreement with Ayers Associates to lead the city’s comprehensive plan update, including a housing needs assessment and housing action plan.
Staff described the procurement and interview process: seven firms responded to the RFP; three were interviewed and Ayers Associates was recommended for selection. The project timeline cited the state Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) housing‑element requirement (housing elements required by the end of the year) and an anticipated completion of the broader comprehensive plan by 2027. Staff emphasized community engagement and two deliverable types — a technical product for staff use and a simplified product for public use — to support grant‑seeking and priority setting.
Council member Rick recused himself from deliberation and vote because he had participated in the interview panel; his recusal was approved on the record. Council then moved to award the contract to Ayers Associates; the motion carried and staff will proceed with contracting and public engagement work.
Timeline and next steps Staff said the housing element must meet DOLA timing requirements by the end of the year; the broader comprehensive plan work will proceed with public outreach, prioritization of projects to support grant applications, and an expected finalization in 2027. Ayers Associates included extra services (audit of planning department processing and additional outreach) as part of the recommended proposal, which staff said influenced the selection.
Quotes from the meeting “This is an exciting time to be here to talk about this … Ayers rose to the top,” a staff presenter said during the recommendation. The presenter noted Ayers’ community outreach prior to bidding and the firm’s ability to translate council objectives into workable products.
Administrative notes Council recorded a recusal for Council member Rick before the selection vote and authorized staff to finalize the professional‑services agreement with Ayers Associates.
