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Minnesota ChapterAmerican Planning Association / anning • Pl . : . nAinnesotaVOL 19 NO 12 DECEMBER 2001 Duluth fires consulting firm IN THIS ISSUE SmithGroup headed city's first comp plan process since 1958 The City of Duluth has had a tumultuous time with their comprehensive planning process. � �-'.'. � .. .,....•..,.;��.^.1� �F�:y_-��,�•:z The following articles and editorials have run recently in the Duluth News Tribune.They ; { "+ r'` ".fi ;'ga �r` n are reprinted here with permission from the News Tribune. , T:'':.4.‘(.4:1;.,'.-.:::,,,; 'A1h►'P eotioiiR ts, ,....1... City of Duluth fires SmithGroup •Pos;tio"opening= - 9 BY BAIRD HELGESON, Moody's Bond Rating for Eagan 10 DULUTH NEWS TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER I don't think that it's a good idea for Events 12 Published November 20,2001 the city to try to do it without a con- Duluth planning officials have fired sultant," said Dr Brenda Bergman, a Lakeside resident of nine years who release SmithGroup a couple of days the consulting fine drafting the city's represents District 9 at steering corn- ago, after consulting with city admin- comprehensive plan because of poor mittee meetings. "There are a lot of istration and the co-chairs of the city's performance and will take over the people in Duluth who don't trust the comprehensive plan steering commit- ' process for at least the next six city to be objective," she said. People tee • months. fear politics will cloud city employees' "I think we can improve the process, judgment, she said. "Mostly, I of t think we were attain ing our goall of getting as much in- and I think Duluth deserves better," Allan Beaulier agrees. SmithGroup volvement from the community as we said Mike Conlan, Duluth's director aggressively defended and promoted can," said Yvonne Prettner Solon, of planning and development. public input in a planning process steering committee co-chair "I don't The city will sever its relationship dominated by city employees and want to see another plan that ends up with Madison-based SmithGroup JJR elected officials, said Beaulier, chair- on a shelf." on Dec. 15, $200,000 into the fine's man of District 1. The city hired SmithGroup in Septem- $330,000, 28-month contract. The consultants brought a fresh and ber 2000 after a weeks-long debate "For some months, the department unbiased voice to the planning effort, with the City Council, which wanted has become concerned about the level he said. Criticism of SmithGroup by to hire Twin Cities-based BRW Inc. of leadership and all-encompassing city officials up to this point has been BRW has led the redevelopment of the vision which has been provided by "nit-picking" over minor details, bayfront. the city's consultant, as well as the Beaulier said. Now some councilors are upset they delivery and timeliness of support City officials will keep the 10 neigh- weren't consulted or notified about materials," Conlan wrote in a memo borhood planning districts SmithGroup SmithGroup's fate until a committee Monday. devised and work to get those groups meeting Monday night. The city's two-year comprehensive more involved, Conlan said. "We will City officials have unrealistic expecta- planning process, which could be- not abandon the process and the work tions if they expect consultants to go come more controversial as the city that has been done." untouched by criticism, Councilor finalizes it, needs more leadership City planners will outline new objec- Donny Ness said. and a stronger advocate than Smith- tives for the comprehensive plan and Group has provided, Conlan said. likely hire a new consultant in about "I don't think you're going to find "I have no reaction at this time," said six months to complete the project, something as involved as this where • John Stockham, a principal at Smith- said Conlan, who made the decision to you get everybody agreeing on every- thing," Ness said. Group who headed Duluth's plan.