Leon Valley council awards contract to Ardura to update comprehensive master plan

The Leon Valley City Council voted March 17 to award a contract to Ardura to update the city's comprehensive master plan and authorized the city manager to execute the agreement.

Planning and Zoning Director Michael Gallardo told the council the city received seven statements of qualifications and a three-member staff panel rated Ardura highest on qualifications, personnel availability, methodology and previous performance. Gallardo said the city last updated its plan in 2018 and that an updated plan should address land use, design and development standards, infrastructure, alternative transportation and implementation strategies.

Ardura representative Lata Krishna described the firm's approach and timeline, saying community engagement will be central. "It's not our plan; it's the community's plan," Krishna said, adding that most of the consulting budget for similar projects is devoted to public engagement and that the work typically takes 12 to 18 months.

Council members asked about price and institutional knowledge. Staff said Ardura's proposal was among the lowest submitted (proposals ranged from roughly $132,000 to $339,000) and that Ardura's prior work on the city's park master plan reduces onboarding time. Councilor Arasco moved to approve the resolution authorizing the contract; Councilor Compost seconded the motion, and the council voted in favor.

The city manager said staff will schedule an initial meeting with Ardura to finalize a more definitive timeline and said the council and planning and zoning commission would be notified of the steering-committee schedule and public-engagement events.

Next steps: contract execution and a public-facing outreach schedule; council members were encouraged to participate in community meetings and steering-committee sessions.