Council directs city manager to negotiate with Burdette Land Place for parks master plan

City staff reported that a request for qualifications produced seven submissions for the 2026 parks and recreation master plan and that a selection committee of city staff and a parks board member independently scored each proposal. Staff told the council the committee reached a near‑unanimous recommendation that Burdette Land Place be selected as the top‑scoring firm and recommended the city manager be authorized to negotiate a contract.

Councilman Seth moved to direct the city manager to negotiate with Burdette Land Place. The mayor called for a voice vote and the motion carried with no opposition recorded. A staff member described public engagement as a major component of the consultant’s scope: "We want them out in the public because that's what we need to hear some of that feedback," the staff member said.

The recommendation advances the project into contract negotiations; the council did not adopt a contract at the meeting and staff said negotiations will follow.