Plymouth – The Plymouth City Council selected a staff community development director on an interim basis last week, pending contract finalization, and discussion of the 2 finalists firms included possible future work. City Manager Dixon Flynn and staff sent requests for proposals to “19 known planning firms and individuals, and the city received 4 proposals. The city’s interview committees interviewed 3 of those firms and Flynn reported last week the findings, and the offers for work. Pacific Municipal Consultants of Davis bid on the work, offering to be the city’s planner for a $9,000 a month retainer, or $108,000 a year. Nolte Associates Incorporated of Sacramento bid to do the work on a $4,800 monthly retainer, or $57,500 a year. Barry Siebe bid on an individual basis for the position, offering to be a member of the city staff, at a cost of $100 per hour for 24 hours a week, and $110 an hour for 8 hours a week, totaling $14,213 a month, and $170,000 a year. The city council offered an interim, $51 an hour contract, which they signed with Siebe, for 32 hours a week for $5,000, to work through the end of the month. Flynn will work on a contract and bring it to the council October 22nd. Flynn and council members said PMC was the best candidate, but, as Vice Mayor Greg Baldwin said, they can’t afford the firm. Flynn said PMC’s proposal “identified 279 action items that should be a cost to the city to implement the newly adopted General Plan.” That included new policies; new studies or programs; and possible amendments to the General Plan or zoning, building or municipal code. Flynn said after discussing those, PMC was able to lower the number to 147 “fairly significant” items. Councilwoman Pat Fordyce, search committee member for the finalists, said “I wish we could afford the service you provide” and was “highly impressed” with PMC’s proposal. Phil Carter, president of PMC told the council they have “known Barry (Siebe)” and have “hired him as a planner. He’s my competition here and I can tell you he’s a good planner.” Carter said when the city requests proposals for those 147 action items, PMC “will be back. We want this job.” Mayor Jon Colburn, also a search committee member, said PMC was “strictly a planning firm” and really impressed him. He said “Plymouth is the third smallest city in the state now, and I appreciate that they shared their expertise with us.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.