Albion city manager recommends McKenna to lead comprehensive plan and housing assessment update

Dr. Perrios, Albion's city manager, told council members at a study session that the city's selection committee unanimously recommended the McKenna proposal to lead the city's comprehensive plan update and housing assessment.

"There was unanimous position to recommend to the council for the approval of the McKenna proposal," Dr. Perrios said, summarizing the committee's evaluation of four RFQ responses and identifying the committee membership.

Lauren Sayer, who introduced herself as McKenna's project manager and the city's point of contact, described the firm's approach and proposed schedule. McKenna presented a nine-month timeline from kickoff that includes a 63-day public comment period and an engagement-focused summer calendar. "We're looking forward to working with the community, this council, [and] the planning commission on establishing a vision," Sayer said.

Council members asked about budget timing and available funds. One council member asked whether the roughly $67,000 cost would be included in next year's budget; Dr. Perrios replied the project "could be in this year's budget" and added the city expects "approximately $40,000" from the redevelopment office toward the effort. The consultants did not present a line-item funding breakdown during the session.

Sayer and Alexis Niro Rodriguez, who identified herself as McKenna's housing specialist, said the firm's public-engagement plan includes online outreach, two public workshops, two pop-up events, three focus groups and joint sessions with local partners. A council member praised the proposal's attention to housing issues and the consultants' presentation quality.

The discussion on the consultant recommendation and funding was informational; Dr. Perrios and the consultants asked council members for questions and feedback. The recommendation will be before the council for formal action at a later meeting pending agenda scheduling.