Red Wing City Council inks $10,000 planning contract

Red Wing City Council approved contracts with a consultant firm Monday for a community survey and the services of a long-term planning coach.

Council unanimously approved a $10,000 contract with Springsted — a firm with roots in St. Paul and offices in several states — for the services of a long-term planning facilitator.

“This will go toward answering where we want to be in 10 to 15 years,” City Council Administrator Kay Kuhlmann.

New Council President Ralph Rauterkus has said he would like city officials to engage in more long-term planning this year, which they had been less able to do in recent years given the city’s struggles with budget deficits.

To that end the city has budgeted $15,000 in 2011 for long-term planning.

The facilitator Dave Utmecht will lead the council during four planning sessions during March and May. He also will help city administration author a report on the findings from the sessions.

Utmecht is familiar with Red Wing. He advised Mayor John Howe’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Economic Development this past year — for $7,500.

Council inked another contract Monday night with Springsted for a community-wide survey, which will cost the city between $15,500 and $20,000.

The survey will consist of 26 questions and will attempt to capture residents’ opinions on a number of key public issues. The survey will include answers from 300 residents, which would be “statistically sound,” according to the memorandum.

Kuhlmann said Red Wing used to conduct a community survey on regular basis — every three years — but that fell by the wayside in recent years because of tight budgets.

Tags: red wing, city council, news, updates, government