Bridgeton approves $127,500 contract with PGAV for 12-month comprehensive plan update

Bridgeton's City Council on Sept. 19 voted unanimously to authorize a contract with PGAV Planners LLC for an update to the city's comprehensive plan, approving bill 64-58 as ordinance 24-44. The agreement is not to exceed $127,500 and staff told the council the update is expected to take roughly 12 months with multiple public-engagement opportunities.

Erica Fiola, senior project manager at PGAV, said the firm will serve as the primary consultant and expects the project to include a dedicated project website, web-based feedback tools, surveys, public meetings and stakeholder interviews. "We anticipate that this will be a 12 month process," Fiola said. "We'll be pulling members of our team in to support specific topics or specific efforts."

Planning staff provided an overview of the project's purpose and scope. Zach Greitens (speaker 12) said the comprehensive plan is a policy roadmap that should be updated every seven to 10 years; Bridgeton's current plan dated from 2013. He said staff and PGAV emphasized community engagement and an implementation-focused approach so the plan produces actionable steps rather than a document that sits on a shelf.

Council discussion noted the plan had not been updated in more than a decade and council members spoke in favor of professional assistance. Council member Grimmer (speaker 15) said an updated comprehensive plan would be credit to the city and help the city keep pace with rapid changes in municipal practice.

The council approved the contract 7-0; the ordinance authorizes a contract amount not to exceed $127,500 and directs staff to proceed with the public-engagement schedule described by PGAV and staff.