Riley County, Kansas, is requesting qualification statements from professional planning consultants to assist with its Comprehensive Plan update.

Background:

Riley County, located in northeast Kansas, had an estimated 2021 population of 72,208, which includes the City of Manhattan population of approximately 55,400. Riley County is also home to Kansas State University with an enrollment of approximately 19,722 students in 2022 (KSU Enrollment Data). The Fort Riley Military Base, located eight miles west of Manhattan, is also a major employer in the area. Riley County has a three-member Board of County Commissioners.

Riley County's current comprehensive plan, Vision 2025, was adopted in October 2009. Riley County has new Land Development Regulations that became effective January 1, 2022. The City of Manhattan updated their urban area subdivision regulations, also effective January 1, 2022, that the county adopted as required. Riley County and City of Manhattan have an interlocal agreement for planning within the urban area – in most cases, county zoning applies while city subdivision regulations apply. There is also a joint urban area planning board (in addition to Riley County's Planning Board).

Scope of Services:

Following selection of a successful firm, a detailed scope of services will be developed by the County and consultant to outline the specific tasks, deliverables, and timeline.

Tasks the consultant must address:

• Review all existing related plans and studies: Use existing data and documents to examine past and present conditions and trends relating to land use, population, development, economic conditions, and any other pertinent element needed in the preparation of the comp plan.
• Public engagement and committee coordination: Public participation should involve a wide-ranging and diverse selection of residents, organizations, and businesses, appropriate meeting and discussion formats, and significant information dissemination.

Riley County Planning & Development staff have completed many of the initial steps in the public engagement process including:

1. A public survey with 687 responses.
2. Eleven community meetings all around the county.
3. Public outreach through creation of a webpage, newsletter, news releases, interviews, and social media posts.
4. Development of title, tagline, and logo ideas and a public survey to select the most popular elements.
5. Recruitment and establishment of the Comprehensive Plan Committee (the "TAC") — a group of 54 volunteers who have diverse expertise and interests.

All public input gathered so far will be incorporated into the plan update. The consultant will be expected to continue with public outreach efforts and coordination of Comprehensive Plan Committee meetings. Riley County will be a partner in all community engagement efforts.

• Demographics/socioeconomics: Consultant will be responsible for collecting current and projected demographic and socioeconomic trends. Riley County will make the final determination as to what data will be included within the plan itself.
• Current and future land use: A current land use map shall be created that reflects agricultural, residential, industrial, and commercial development in the county. The consultant will assist in evaluating current designated growth areas and identifying new potential growth areas. A Future Land Use map shall be created based on population projections, recent developments, and economic trends.
• Review and Update Existing Comprehensive Plan: The consultant's primary responsibility is a plan that is concise, user-friendly, and accurately reflects the community's collective vision. Exact details will be determined once the consultant and staff create an official scope of work and schedule to address plan update needs. County staff and ultimately the BOCC, will have final say in document language, content, graphics, layout, and organization.

1. All existing elements will need to be reworked. Each will need updated goals, policies, and actions. In some cases, existing goals may remain as is, but policies and actions must be updated. Existing elements include:
   • Agricultural Preservation & Rural Character
   • Residential
   • Commercial & Industrial Development
   • Land Use
   • Development Guidance System
   • Environment and Natural Resources
   • Transportation
   • Public Facilities and Services.
2. New elements will need to include new goals, policies, and actions. New elements include:
   • Economic Development
   • Housing/Affordable Housing
   • Parks & Recreation
   • Health
   • Utilities
3. Integrate and ensure consistency with other plans, including the Master Food Plan and other county/local/regional plans as applicable.
4. Reorganize/redesign the document. Update graphics/visuals.
5. Incorporate all community input.
6. New Action Plan section will include prioritization – high, medium, low.
7. Eliminate unnecessary redundancies, confusions, or conflicts.

• Collaborate with Planning & Development staff to establish a schedule and work plan for project completion by the target adoption date.
• Attend Planning Board and Board of County Commissioner meetings as needed to provide project updates and assist staff in working through the adoption process.

Closing Date/Time: 5/3/2024 5:00 PM

Submit 10 copies of proposal to

Amanda Webb
Planning Director
110 Courthouse Plaza
Manhattan, KS 66502
awebb@rileycountyks.gov or (785) 537-6332.

Evaluation criteria:

• All items provided as per submission requirements.
• Demonstrated understanding of the project and tasks consultant is responsible for.
• Experience with long-range planning, specifically comprehensive plans.
• Availability and experience of professional staff assigned to the project.
• Creativeness and effectiveness in facilitating public outreach and technical group engagement strategies.
• Basic knowledge of Riley County.

Contractual Provisions:

In addition to the Scope of Services, the consultant contract shall include the Contractual Provisions Attachment included with this Request for Qualifications.

Screening process:

A Selection Committee comprised of the Board of County Commissioners, Planning & Development Department staff, and staff from other county departments will begin the initial screening process. Selected firms will then be interviewed by the Selection Committee. The committee's recommendation for selection of the consultant will be reviewed by the Board of County Commissioners, which will make the final decision, prior to development of a Scope of Services and contract.