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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes <br /> August 15, 1995 <br /> Page 5 <br /> 1 Ms. Szurek indicated their Commission first directed the staff to provide a list of consultants. <br /> 2 They provided a'list and sent letters stating their need for a consulting firm to help with updating <br /> 3 their Comprehensive Plan. <br /> 4 Ms.Szurek noted they received six letters back and from those chose three consulting firms to <br /> 5 present proposals. <br /> 6 Ms. Szurek reported they requested the participates to attend Planning Commission meetings to <br /> 7 understand the direction of the City. <br /> 8 <br /> 9 Ms.Szurek noted the firm that was eventually chosen.was a firm that was actually second from <br /> 10 the lowest bid. She indicated the lowest bid did not provide a readable Comprehensive Plan. <br /> 11 The goal of the Planning Commission was to have a document anyone would be able to read. <br /> 12 Ms.Szurek noted in 1992 they paid their consultant $24,820 for their Comprehensive Plan and <br /> 13 $18,000 for their Water Resource Management Plan. She indicated the firm they worked with <br /> 14 was very good and worked through all the revisions very graciously. <br /> 15 Ms. Szurek described many various issues Columbia Heights faced during the update of their <br /> Comprehensive Plan. She also indicated results because of the Comprehensive Plan update in <br /> 17 their Zoning Ordinances helped to redevelop parts of Columbia Heights. <br /> 18 Commissioner Gondorchin asked what changes Ms. Szurek saw in regard to the 1982 <br /> 19 Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Szurek indicated the.City's direction had changed, and the attitude of <br /> 20 maintenance and not development was a detriment to the life of the City. <br /> 21 Ms. Szurek indicated the Comprehensive Plan is the vision of the City and it will need strength. <br /> 22 Ms. Szurek encouraged the Commission to choose a consultant that they will be able to <br /> 23 understand and communicate well with. <br /> 24 <br /> 25 Commissioner Horst inquired as to how they established a consulting firm that would provide an <br /> 26 easy to read plan. Ms. Szurek indicated the participants provided Comprehensive Plans they had <br /> 27 done for previous cities. <br /> 28 Commissioner Horst inquired as to what issues were debated on. Ms. Szurek indicated each <br /> 29 section was discussed and drafted before moving on. <br /> 30 Discussion regarding neighborhood redevelopment in Columbia Heights was held. <br /> Ms. Szurek noted during the process of updating the Zoning Ordinance mechanisms were <br /> 02 established to help redevelopment of deteriorating neighborhoods. <br />