PRESENTER: Presenter
Jeff Jewell, Economic and Community Development Director
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SUBJECT: Title
Discuss and consider possible action to approve a contract with Designing Local, LTD, and approve the ad hoc steering committee structure, for the development of a citywide Arts and Culture Master Plan.
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DEPARTMENT: Economic and Community Development
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
A request for proposals (RFP 25-008) was issued on January 17, 2025 to solicit proposals from qualified consulting firms to develop an Arts and Culture Master Plan for the City. The request sought out professional services to help provide a long-term strategy for the City to support the arts and culture sectors to improve quality of life for residents, drive economic growth, improve the community’s sense of place, health and well-being, foster collaboration between organizations, artists and the community, and encourage innovation and creative expression.
The City received 10 responses on February 13, 2025 that were evaluated based on qualifications, experience, and costs. A staff team selected their two highest candidates for interview and are recommending Designing Local, LTD for award at a cost of $85,000.
The contract outlines a scope of work including five tasks (discovery, outreach & engagement, synthesis & analysis, initial recommendations, and a final plan) and three in-person visits (an initial site tour and two public workshops). Designing Local, LTD aims to deliver the citywide Arts and Culture Master Plan by creating flexible and scalable short/medium/long-term strategies, recommending appropriate organizational, personnel, policy, and financial strategies, and establishing an implementation framework to advise next steps.
An ad hoc steering committee, selected by city staff, will consist of nine (9) members including one member of the arts commission, one member of the heritage commission, two local non-profit arts organization leaders, a K-12 educator, and one or more artists representing the visual, performing, or literary arts. The committee will meet several times over the next year to inform and shape the direction of the plan, identify key individuals for stakeholder conversations, provide feedback on the community outreach strategy and plan recommendations, and promote the plan’s engagement efforts and outcomes to the broader New Braunfels community.
Members will serve in a volunteer capacity until the completion of the Arts & Culture Master Plan. Should a member not be able to remain on the committee throughout the duration of the Arts & Culture Master Plan a new member may be invited to join in their place. The committee will make a recommendation of the Arts and Culture Master Plan for adoption by the City Council.
ISSUE:
Award a contract and ad hoc steering committee for the development of a citywide Arts and Culture Master Plan
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☐Economic Mobility ☐Enhanced Connectivity ☒Community Identity
☐Organizational Excellence ☐Community Well-Being ☐N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
The contract, in the amount of $85,000, is funded in the FY 2025 Economic & Community Development Department budget.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of a contract with Designing Local, LTD, and approval of an ad hoc steering committee structure, for the development of a citywide Arts and Culture Master Plan.