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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes August 15, 1995 Page 5 1 Ms. Szurek indicated their Commission first directed the staff to provide a list of consultants. 2 They provided a list and sent letters stating their need for a consulting firm to help with updating 3 their Comprehensive Plan. 4 Ms.Szurek noted they received six letters back and from those chose three consulting firms to 5 present proposals. 6 Ms. Szurek reported they requested the participates to attend Planning Commission meetings to 7 understand the direction of the City. 8 9 Ms.Szurek noted the firm that was eventually chosen was a firm that was actually second from 10 the lowest bid. She indicated the lowest bid did not provide a readable Comprehensive Plan. I 1 The goal of the Planning Commission was to have a document anyone would be able to read. 12 Ms.Szurek noted in 1992 they paid their consultant$24,820 for their Comprehensive Plan and 13 $18,000 for their Water Resource Management Plan. She indicated the firm they worked with 14 was very good and worked through all the revisions very graciously. 15 Ms. Szurek described many various issues Columbia Heights faced during the update of their Comprehensive Plan. She also indicated results because of the Comprehensive Plan update in their Zoning Ordinances helped to redevelop parts of Columbia Heights. 18 Commissioner Gondorchin asked what changes Ms. Szurek saw in regard to the 1982 19 Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Szurek indicated the City's direction had changed, and the attitude of 20 maintenance and not development was a detriment to the life of the City. 21. Ms. Szurek indicated the Comprehensive Plan is the vision of-the City and it will need strength. 22 Ms. Szurek encouraged the Commission to choose a consultant that they will be able to 23 understand and communicate well with. 24 25 Commissioner Horst inquired as to how they established a consulting firm that would provide an 26 easy to read plan. Ms. Szurek indicated the participants provided Comprehensive Plans they had 27 done for previous cities. 28 Commissioner Horst inquired as to what issues were debated on. Ms. Szurek indicated each 29 section was discussed and drafted before moving on. 30 Discussion regarding neighborhood redevelopment in Columbia Heights was held. Ms. Szurek noted during the process of updating the Zoning Ordinance mechanisms were 0, established to help redevelopment of deteriorating neighborhoods.