1994-01-13-PEDC - Laserfiche WebLink

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11 He stated the Board should discuss how they want to proceed on this matter. He stated he felt whatever number of firms decided upon should be invited to make proposals at the February meeting. Mr. Bray stated he would like for the Board not to have a money criteria set forth, but the specifications the Board is looking for and let the firms establish the price. Mr. Bray stated he felt this was a better way to obtain a competitive number with everyone bidding the same features in the bid package, and then let the consultants make presentations at the end with the dollar amount proposed. This was the consensus of the Board. Mr. Bray stated if the Board decides some items in the package cannot be afforded, then the Board would have a chance to reconsider. City Manager Malone stated they could prepare a request for proposal based upon the Council's Charge to the Corporation with another speCial meeting to approve the RFP forms in order to get the process underway immediately, or we could circulate the RFP forms among the Board members for approval. Mr. Cecil discussed the different styles of strategic plans. He said it is his personal feeling that it is important for the Board to have a comprehensive strategic plan for the economic development activity for Paris, Texas at some point. He said he was not sure right now is the time to develop a really comprehensive plan. He said he felt our instructions to the bidders needs to be to develop a plan more simplified that would allow us to meet the charge of the Council and could be expanded later on as the situation evolves. He stated he felt they needed to save some money on this portion. This was the consensus of the Board. Mr. Fendley stated he felt the demographic information was probably already available in our community. After discussion, Mr. Cecil stated the Board wanted to meet the mandate of the City Council, but beyond that we want to be able to expand it, so the Board wants a minimum strategic plan at this point. Mr. Malone stated he would prepare an RFP on this basis, and circulate it to the board members for approval. Mr. Cecil stated the RFP should also include development of the Project Approval Criteria which would make it a two-pronged deal, and this was the consensus of the Council. Mr. Clifford stated he felt the Project Approval Criteria was more urgent than the Strategic Plan, but we have got to have both together. Mr. Cecil stated if there was any question about timing on this matter, the Project Approval Criteria should be developed first. Mr. Haynes questioned the Board's instructions as to whether they wanted the same firm doing both items, because the proposals we would need to indicate this. Mr. Cecil stated that was correct. The Board members discussed, and agreed to send the proposal to all the consultants on the list in hopes of receiving at least three bids. Mr. Cecil stated the Board would like to receive the proposals at the February meeting which should be sufficient time to allow them to make any proposals they wish to make. Chairman Cecil stated he felt the Board would act on the proposals at the February 24th meeting. Board member Eric Clifford stated for the consulting firms to have the proposals in the first ten days of February, have them turned back in and distributed to the various members for review, so they would have some time to look those things over prior to the meeting. Chairman Cecil stated what about having the proposals in by February 15th which would give the board members time to review before the meeting on February 24th when action would be taken. There was discussion that the consultants could attend the meeting where questions could be asked.