Master Plan steering committee to make up time

Despite a series of setbacks in the master planning consultant selection process, members of the volunteer master plan steering committee meeting Jan. 3 tried to regain lost time in their quest to provide the city with a master plan.

The Flint Planning Commission recommended three consultant firms to lead the project Dec. 19. Elizabeth Jordan, commission member, explained to the steering committee that each of the seven firms was rated individually by the commissioners using a one to four point system. Comments from the public were available to help the commissioners rank the firms. The scores were combined and the top three firms identified.

The firm that ranked highest was Houseal Lavigne Associates of Chicago. Coming in second was Goody, Clancy and Associates Inc. of Boston and third was Interface Studio LLC of Philadelphia.

The planning commission then sent their recommendations to Michael Brown, emergency financial manager, for final selection. To date, no decision has been made on which firm will be hired.

Brown appointed Mayor Dayne Walling to work with the steering committee and the comprehensive master planning process Dec. 20. Walling's responsibilities include identifying and promoting research-based practices and ensuring a robust community engagement.

Jim Richardson, steering committee co-chairman, told Walling: "There's a lot of urgency to get this done. Time is wasting. We have got work to do. How long will it take to get the project up and running?"

Walling said he expected a chief planning officer would be hired by the city by the end of the month and that one of the three consulting firms recommended by the planning commission would also be selected.

"This is a fluid process and we'll be making some adjustments to the chosen consulting firm's contract," Walling said. "It's like picking a MVP from an All Star team," he added about selecting a consulting firm from the recommended list.

Richardson asked Walling how the emergency financial manager will make the decision regarding the consulting firm.

"Michael Brown will consult with Tracy Atkinson, grants manager, the newly hired planner and myself," Walling replied.

Walling told the group that the level of collaboration in the process has been unprecedented.

"We're off to a good start although it's been a slow start," Walling added.

Steering committee member John Henry said he thought the process was about a year behind.

"Do you think we can catch up?" Henry asked.

Walling was optimistic saying the first six months of the planning process calls for data collection. He believes that process could be speeded up to regain lost time.

The steering committee discussed what a successful outcome would look like.

Some members felt that the process should be focused on Flint residents and businesses while others felt that neighboring communities should also be engaged in the process.

Planning Commissioner Freeman Greer reminded the committee that the master plan was a living document — continually evolving through growth.

"Let's not go into this with limited thinking," Greer said.

Master planning steering committee meetings are held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the Flint Public Library, 1026 E. Kearsley St. The public is invited to attend.