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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, November 17, 2008 Page 9 ing the 1960's - 1980's; the substantial investment and need for reinvestment in the program and facilities; extensive use, high expectations and demands on the system; and requested authorization to proceed with Request for Proposals (RFP's) for planning services. Mr. Brokke noted that a draft RFP was included in the staff report; and reviewed the general scope of the RFP, including input from a local team and establishing extensive community involvement in the process to identify system needs, inter- ests and future use based on demographics, economics and sociological changes. Discussion included the aggressiveness of the proposed timeframe and whether such a timeframe was realistic, while recognizing the need to proceed in conjunc- tion with the City's 2009 budget process; potential phasing of the RFP and Master Plan process; potential funding sources over that three year period; Councilmember Roe spoke in support of proceeding with the RFP process to al- low for more informed budget decisions based on the actual needs, noting that so- liciting bids did not commit the City to proceeding further, but served to provide additional information. Councilmember Roe opined that staff had been respon- sive to Council directive and had incorporated a provision for possibly phasing the work over several years, which would prove helpful in the decision-making process. Councilmember Pust opined that it was imperative that staff accelerate the time- frame to allow the City Council to have answers in the context of this year's budget decisions. Mr. Brokke noted that the general estimate from information-gathering with ap- proximately six firms in developing the RFP was $150,000; however, he noted that this did not deduct work identified by staff for in-house completion rather than for outside consultation. Mr. Brokke opined that, since many firms are cur- rently soliciting work due to the current economic situation, the timing may work to the City's advantage in reduced costs; and advised that applicable firms are willing to work over athree-year pricing period structure and accept partial pay- ments. Councilmembers again encouraged staff to accelerate the RFP timeframe to pro- vide sufficient information for 2009 budget discussions. Roe moved, Willmus seconded, directing staff issuance of a Request for Propos- als (RFP) for planning services to guide and implement a Parks and Recreation System plan update;" with the RFP's to preferably be available for City Council consideration at their December 15, 2008 meeting and as part of 2009 Budget considerations.