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Council authorizes $575,000 contract with WRT for comprehensive-plan update amid public concern about cost and engagement
Summary
After a competitive process and interviews, council approved a contract with Wallace Roberts & Todd (WRT) for a comprehensive-plan update budgeted at $575,000 over FY26-27; council members emphasized a rigorous public-engagement program and defended the consultant approach given staff capacity, while some residents raised questions about consultant cost and the GIO survey process.
City planning staff recommended and council authorized a contract with Wallace Roberts & Todd (WRT) to lead an 18-month comprehensive-plan update. Planning Director Miss Griffin said the RFP drew 14 proposals, a diverse 17-member selection committee advanced four finalists, and WRT emerged with the top average score. The recommended contract is $575,000 (budgeted over FY26 and FY27) and includes subcontractors for anchor-institution engagement, transportation, and economic analysis.
Miss Griffin described a multi-pronged public-engagement strategy that includes a web-based engagement platform (already purchased), a 15'20 person steering committee, pop-up events, community workshops in multiple locations, and a planned public launch in September. She told council that the planning division is an office of four and that bringing a consultant will allow day-to-day operations to continue while expanding outreach and technical capacity.
Several residents who spoke during the open forum questioned the process and sampling for prior engagement efforts ("future festivals" surveys) and criticized perceived staff-led initiatives. Council members who served on the selection committee defended the competitive process, stressed the need for impartial facilitation and broader participation, and described the contract as an investment in a citywide vision for growth, housing and infrastructure.
What comes next: Consultant and staff will finalize an engagement plan, launch a dedicated project website, and begin data collection and visioning workshops, with an official community launch planned for September.
