Amador County – The Plymouth City Council last week authorized City Manager Dixon Flynn to advertise a “Request For Proposals” for planning and community development services, in an effort to get a new planning contract. Flynn said contractor Development Impact, whose term expired May 31st, had its contract extended on a month-to-month basis until the city could seek proposals for service. Councilman Michael O’Meara asked if there are “performance issues with the current lineup.” Flynn said Development Impact has worked for the city since 2006, and has “done a good job and had a lot to do.” But he said they were “taking a high hand” and seemed to push concepts, rather than serve the council’s wishes. Flynn said: “I think they need to be more sympathetic with to public.” He said “they have a very good understanding of our issues,” but it may be good for the city for “contractors to sharpen their pencils.” Flynn said: “Who knows, maybe you will learn something from a different firm.” O’Meara asked when a new contract would take effect, and said he was “a little concerned about changing horses mid-stream.” Flynn said a new contract might take effect by October or November. He expected Development Impact to submit a proposal for a new contract. Other reasons he prepared the RFP, he said, are that the council is concerned with the cost of planning. Also, there was concern with a “long lead time in preparing a draft general plan; the methods for billing developers for specific planning services; and the current state of the city’s finances.” Flynn said the city has spent approximately $230,000 dollars to prepare a draft general plan and is in the final stages of hearings to adopt it. He said that cost was more that 1/4th of the city’s annual budget. He said “local developers owe the city more than $60,000 dollars for service provided to them,” and “some developers have complained about the cost of service for work on projects.” Flynn said that “may be a legitimate complaint since planning service is charged on a time and material basis, not flat rates.” He said the city can get a better look at costs when it evaluates proposals from other planners. The council voted 3-1 to have Flynn advertise a Request for Proposals, with O’Meara voting no. Flynn said the city council “can give some points for how familiar” firms are with the current city general plan, development in the city and other issues. He assumed “Development Impact will earn some points there.” The due date for proposals will be September 4th. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Monday, 27 July 2009 01:01
Plymouth City Council
Amador County – The Plymouth City Council last week authorized City Manager Dixon Flynn to advertise a “Request For Proposals” for planning and community development services, in an effort to get a new planning contract. Flynn said contractor Development Impact, whose term expired May 31st, had its contract extended on a month-to-month basis until the city could seek proposals for service. Councilman Michael O’Meara asked if there are “performance issues with the current lineup.” Flynn said Development Impact has worked for the city since 2006, and has “done a good job and had a lot to do.” But he said they were “taking a high hand” and seemed to push concepts, rather than serve the council’s wishes. Flynn said: “I think they need to be more sympathetic with to public.” He said “they have a very good understanding of our issues,” but it may be good for the city for “contractors to sharpen their pencils.” Flynn said: “Who knows, maybe you will learn something from a different firm.” O’Meara asked when a new contract would take effect, and said he was “a little concerned about changing horses mid-stream.” Flynn said a new contract might take effect by October or November. He expected Development Impact to submit a proposal for a new contract. Other reasons he prepared the RFP, he said, are that the council is concerned with the cost of planning. Also, there was concern with a “long lead time in preparing a draft general plan; the methods for billing developers for specific planning services; and the current state of the city’s finances.” Flynn said the city has spent approximately $230,000 dollars to prepare a draft general plan and is in the final stages of hearings to adopt it. He said that cost was more that 1/4th of the city’s annual budget. He said “local developers owe the city more than $60,000 dollars for service provided to them,” and “some developers have complained about the cost of service for work on projects.” Flynn said that “may be a legitimate complaint since planning service is charged on a time and material basis, not flat rates.” He said the city can get a better look at costs when it evaluates proposals from other planners. The council voted 3-1 to have Flynn advertise a Request for Proposals, with O’Meara voting no. Flynn said the city council “can give some points for how familiar” firms are with the current city general plan, development in the city and other issues. He assumed “Development Impact will earn some points there.” The due date for proposals will be September 4th. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
