Council receives memo on 2027 comprehensive-plan advisory committee and $300,000 consultant contract

The city manager and Director Teresa Crean presented a memorandum asking councilors to nominate representatives to a 20–25 member advisory committee to support the 2027 comprehensive-plan update and described a $300,000 contract with consultant Interface to help the process.

"The contract is for $300,000," Director Teresa Crean said when asked about consultant costs, and described the committee's role as to "ground truth" consultant work, provide community outreach and vet draft products to make the plan representative of Newport residents. Councilors pressed whether nominations by individual councilors would bias membership and urged an open application and interview process; several suggested staff should solicit broad community interest and return a vetted shortlist to council.

Councilor Smythe asked whether accepting the memo tonight committed the council to the committee selection process; the chair and the solicitor clarified that voting to receive the memo acknowledges the recommendation but does not approve the committee roster. The motion to receive the memorandum passed 5'to' 2.

Councilors also discussed schedule concerns: staff proposed a tentative consultant visit and a soft kickoff the week of October 6, with names to be put forward in short order for the council's consideration. The administration said participation from a range of boards and commissions and at-large community members was possible, and that staff could adapt if council preferred an application process.