Michiana council hires planning consultant and reappoints commissioner

The Village of Michiana council on Nov. 8 approved hiring the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission to update the village Master Plan, voting to award a contract for $16,591 with a not‑to‑exceed cap of $20,000 to cover any additional work the consultant may need to complete the draft.

Julie Bonello outlined the purpose and schedule of the Master Plan update, saying the plan will set direction on land use, capital investment and public‑service priorities for a five‑year or longer horizon. The council was presented with a six‑phase workplan—inventory and analysis, community engagement, goals and future land use, implementation strategies, and draft review—projected to take about 15 months.

The council approved the consultant recommendation on a 5‑0 roll call after a motion by Mike Botelho and a second from Brian Cassidy. Botelho had sought council approval of the Planning Commission’s recommended consultant following an evaluation of five firms.

At the same meeting the council reappointed Karen Szyp to another three‑year term on the Planning Commission; that motion also passed unanimously.

The council asked that findings about public priorities, including infrastructure and police station modernization, be folded into the survey and engagement work Bonello described. The Planning Commission will lead outreach and coordinate with village departments during the update. Funding for the consultant was approved as part of the motion; any tasks beyond the original scope will be accommodated within the $20,000 cap.

Next steps: the consultant will begin the community inventory and outreach work described in the proposed workplan; the council will receive updates as phases are completed.