Council hears progress report on CDBG‑funded comprehensive‑plan update

The City Council received an update on the comprehensive plan update project, which staff said began in May and is funded by a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant — Resilient Communities Program (CDBG‑RCP).

Mohammed (city staff) briefed council on the scope and goals; consultant Lata Krishnaro summarized community engagement to date. Krishnaro said the update will integrate hazard mitigation and recommend updates to the city’s Unified Development Code. "The plan is the city's 10 to 20 year guiding document for managing growth and shaping the city's future," she said, and described engagement activities including CPAC sessions, a bus tour, focus groups and an interactive online map.

Lata reported about 110 survey responses and approximately 14,000 data points collected as of the prior day; staff and the consultant said the online questionnaire has been extended through early December to encourage more input. Sandy Kantner, a CPAC member, asked councilors to add their voices and encouraged residents to complete the survey and attend advisory‑committee meetings.

Councilors asked for the most common survey concerns; Krishnaro said residents praise the city's parks and small‑town character but expressed worry about neighborhood preservation, aging infrastructure in older neighborhoods, and the future of the Railroad Museum. The consultant said the project team is synthesizing feedback and will return with findings and recommendations and an implementation plan that assigns responsibility for tasks.

Staff and the consultant urged continued public participation and said additional outreach (including a student meeting at the high school) is planned.