Planning & Zoning Consulting Services RFP

Introduction
The City of McPherson is requesting proposals from qualified consulting firms to provide professional
services related to comprehensive planning, zoning ordinance updates, and subdivision regulations.
Proposal Submission
To be considered, one (1) digital copy of the proposal shall be submitted electronically to:
Kim Isbell
Public Works Office Coordinator
kimi@mcpcity.com
Proposals must be received no later than July 15, 2026.
Questions and Communications
Questions regarding this Request for Proposals (RFP) shall be submitted in writing and may be directed
to any of the following:
Kim Isbell, Public Works Office Coordinator- kimi@mcpcity.com
Eric Duerksen, Public Works Director - ericd@mcpcity.com
Alexis Dargiewicz, Planning and Zoning Administrator - alexisd@mcpcity.com
About the Community: McPherson, Kansas is a close-knit central Kansas City of about 14,000
residents that combines a strong small-town feel with the amenities of a regional center, known for its
friendliness, civic pride, and deep community involvement. Founded in the 1870s, the city values its
history while remaining forward-looking, with an economy anchored by manufacturing,
agriculture-related industries, and an unusually strong industrial base for its size, helping support
stable employment and affordable living. Community life is shaped by active churches, schools,
colleges, nonprofits, and volunteer organizations, along with shared traditions such as All Schools
Day, local arts performances at the historic McPherson Opera House, and widespread participation in
fundraisers and civic events. Residents tend to describe McPherson as a place where people look out
for one another, families are central, and collaboration is valued, even as the community works
through challenges like housing, workforce development, and long-term growth planning.
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2027 Comprehensive Plan
Statement of Need
The City of McPherson is seeking qualified consultant firms to provide professionals to aid in
developing a 10-year Comprehensive Plan. The objective is to provide the City with compelling vision
and plan used to guide decision making and development.
Consulting firms who respond to this request for proposal are encouraged to review the
Comprehensive Plan 2015-2023 and resources on our website at https://mcpcity.com.
Planning Area
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Scope of Services
* Review and evaluate the existing Comprehensive Plan
* Understand the issues of unique concern to the City and build upon prior planning efforts.
* Provide a timeline for the completion of the Comprehensive Plan with clear deadlines and
specific action items identified for each phase of the project.
* Identify, describe and implement a comprehensive community outreach strategy and
methodology for citizen involvement in the Comprehensive Plan development process.
Proposals must address multiple methods for soliciting involvement, which may include but is
not limited to traditional in-person forums, social media, video conference, etc.
* Assure residents, user groups, associations and other stakeholders that they are provided with
an opportunity to participate in the development of the Comprehensive Plan.
* Provide well organized and directed activities, techniques and formats that will ensure that a
positive, open, and proactive public participation process is achieved.
* Provide written records and summaries of the results of all public processes and
communication strategies.
* Conduct a minimum of 2 meeting(s) with the Governing Body, 2 meeting(s) with the Planning
Commission and 2 Meeting(s) with the Comprehensive Plan Committee during the public
process task. These meetings do not include semi-regular progress report meetings.
* Provide a broad-based statistically valid community needs assessment survey(s) to identify
community needs, desires, goals, and future priorities. There may be one or multiple surveys
used as a baseline to determine needs, desires and cost structures/willingness to pay
thresholds.
* The survey, whether developed as a mail-out document, web-based survey or combination
thereof, must include a structured, random sample of households within the City and individual
neighborhoods.
* The consultant must advise how the survey will be properly maintained, controlled, and how
survey duplications will be avoided.
* The results of the surveys are to be documented in the Comprehensive Plan and will include
the following:
Prioritize placemaking amenities, features, and neighborhood character
Determine Industrial, commercial and residential needs
Development of policy recommendations
Establish level of service guidelines
Provide a strategic action plan
* Staff will compile an inventory and assessment of existing community facilities, the consultant
must provide recommendations for improvements that will be financially and environmentally
sustainable for the City and its residents. Inventory should include the following:
Assessment of physical conditions and functionality
Map illustrating the location and type of facility (Completed by City Staff)
* Provide an informative study of how the City of McPherson will address future needs.
* The assessment will include a comparative analysis to communities of similar size and density
and using nationally accepted standards/benchmarks.
* The analysis should consider the capacity of each amenity found within the system as well as
functionality, accessibility, condition, comfort, and convenience.
* Identify areas of service shortfalls and projected impacts on future trends.
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* Include possibilities for partnerships with neighboring communities where appropriate.
* Provide recommendations of technological advancement in city development.
* Identify key implementation tools to bring the comprehensive plan's goals, policies, and
strategies to fruition.
* Develop an action plan that integrates the proposed comprehensive plan with existing plans,
policies and initiatives (i.e. matching public infrastructure priorities with future land uses, plan
relationship to budget, etc.).
* Approach the comprehensive plan as a dynamic document with recommendations for regular
review, evaluation, and modification, including the establishment of an amendment process or
change to the future land use map.
* Suggest updates or modifications to the City of McPherson to ensure compatibility and
consistency with the new Comprehensive Plan.
Final Plan and Supporting Materials
* Determine the appropriate and best land uses with the City of McPherson
* Develop Comprehensive Plan pursuant to the state enabling legislation, Article 7, Section 12-
747 of the Kansas State Statute.
* The Comprehensive Plan must include written goals, plans objectives and policy statements
that articulate a clear vision for the City's land use pattern that will serve as a "road map"
through 2037.
* The Comprehensive Plan shall include:
Land Use & Urban Design: Designation, development patterns, placemaking
characteristics, streetscape improvements, and environmental resources (i.e. tree
canopy, water and floodplains, etc.)
Quality of Life Amenities: Public parks, trails, community facilities, and services
Infrastructure: Location, expansion, and proposed improvements to meet the
needs of the City's growing population
Transportation & Mobility: Street network development patterns, accessibility,
pedestrian access, and alternative transportation methods
Housing: choice, diversity and affordability to meet the needs of the City's diverse
workforce
* The City will be responsible for preparing charts, graphs, and maps, with technical guidance
and recommendations provided by the consultant. The consultant shall advise on data sources,
map content, and presentation needs necessary to support the plan, including:
o Future Land Use Map
o Future Land Use Map covering the entire planning area (city limits and ETJ combined) -
include in pricing as Option B
o Delivery of all GIS data and mapping files utilized during the planning process to the
City.
* A summary of existing conditions, inventories, staffing and level of service analysis.
* Document a comprehensive graph record of the process, including dedicated memorialization
of citizen engagement and survey results.
* A strategic action plan.
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Zoning Ordinance & Subdivision Regulations
Statement of Need
* The City of McPherson seeks to balance preservation of its smalltown character with the
pressures and opportunities associated with new residential, commercial, and industrial
development. Although the Zoning Ordinance has been updated incrementally over time, it is
not well aligned with the City's adopted vision, goals, and current development practices.
* The current Zoning Ordinance includes regulations related to zoning districts, permitted and
conditional uses, dimensional standards, parking, signage, special uses, and administrative
procedures. As part of the rewrite, the City of McPherson would like to incorporate clearer
development standards, improved organization, enhanced graphics, and updated use
classifications that better reflect current and emerging land use patterns.
* The Subdivision Regulations address platting requirements, design standards, required
improvements, public dedications and reservations, improvement procedures, and
certifications. While generally functional, the Subdivision Regulations require clarification,
reorganization, and targeted updates to improve usability and consistency, rather than a full
rewrite.
* This effort will include modernization of both regulations to improve clarity, functionality, and
sensitivity to the character of the community. Firms must demonstrate experience with land use
planning, zoning code updates, and subdivision regulation development.
* The anticipated deliverables include wellorganized, userfriendly regulations supported by
graphics, tables, maps, and diagrams. The updated regulations should provide internal
consistency, utilize current terminology, eliminate outdated language, and promote efficient
administration. The codes should also be responsive to market conditions, best practices, and
highquality development outcomes.
Project Objectives
The goal of this project is to develop updated zoning and subdivision regulations. In coordination with
City Staff, the following broad objectives are the driving force for updates:
* To create a strong Comprehensive Plan that can help shape our Zoning Ordinances to support
future development within the City.
* To create more consistency within our Zoning Ordinances, Subdivision Regulations, and
Comprehensive Plans.
- Reduce conflicts, gaps, and ambiguities within existing regulations that complicate
development review and implementation.
* Develop a clear, modern regulatory code that minimizes unnecessary hardships placed on
development while maintaining appropriate standards.
* Provide greater predictability and transparency for residents, property owners, developers, and
decision-makers.
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* Support quality growth and development that reflects community values and desired character.
* Encourage development patterns that are efficient, sustainable, and fiscally responsible.
* Create a regulatory framework that supports economic development and a diverse range of
housing and land use options.
* Establish a planning and regulatory foundation that is flexible and adaptable to future
community needs and changing conditions.
Supporting Documents
The following supporting documents can be delivered via email by request;
Current Zoning Regulations
Current Subdivision Regulations
Maps of the City including boundaries, ETJ, and current utilities.
Scope of Services
* The consultant, in coordination with City staff, will review the existing Zoning Ordinance and
Subdivision Regulations to establish a baseline understanding of inconsistencies with the
adopted Comprehensive Plan, applicable Kansas State Statutes, and other legal requirements.
* As part of this review, the consultant will work with City staff to identify provisions and
approaches within the current regulations that should be preserved.
* Following the review, the consultant will provide recommendations for strategies to effectively
update the regulations, improve usability, and streamline administration. Proposed code
changes should be tested using sample development scenarios to ensure applicability and
functionality.
* Review and incorporation of City staff comments at key milestones throughout the project.
* Project completion is expected to be a coordinated effort with City staff. The consultant team
shall be responsible for overall project management, scheduling, and follow-up necessary to
keep the project on track.
* City staff will be responsible for providing timely and consistent feedback and assistance as
requested by the consultant team. The consultant shall primarily direct the process, including
scheduling virtual or in-person meetings to facilitate discussion and ensure adequate staff
input.
* Review of draft regulations to evaluate legal compliance.
* The consultant shall have on-call or on-staff access to a land use professional or attorney with
demonstrated proficiency in land use law.
* Consolidation and cross-referencing of regulations to eliminate duplicative language and
minimize unnecessary references between chapters or documents.
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* Development of comprehensive sections within the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision
Regulations addressing nonconformities, associated processes, and standards in a manner
that is clear, user-friendly, and straightforward for staff and the development community.
* The consultant will meet with City staff at regular intervals to provide progress updates and
solicit feedback.
* The anticipated project schedule is approximately 9-12 months.
Deliverables
At the end of the project, the successful firm will deliver:
* Complete set of zoning and subdivision in the following electronic formats - PDF and editable
Microsoft Word Documents.
* Digital file of all maps/graphics in the final regulations
* City Staff will primarily provide all maps and associated digital data and shapefiles, these shall
be in ArcGIS Pro. (.shp /.lyr) format and shall be provided to the consultant throughout the
process for review and editing.
* All such data, graphics, charts, images, etc., as contained in the final adopted version of
documents shall also be furnished to the City, including editable versions of the final
documents. The consultant shall also grant ownership of and provide all digital products in the
following forms as appropriate:
Text: Microsoft Word (.docx) and Portable Document Format (.pdf)
Vector: Portable Document Format (.pdf), Encapsulated PostScript (.eps),
Scalable Vector Graphics (.svg), and AutoCAD (.dwg/.dxf) as applicable
Images: Tagged Image File Format (.tif/.tiff), Joint Photographic Experts Group
(.jpg/.jpeg), and Portable Network Graphics (.png)
Maps: ArcGIS Pro (.shp /.lyr) and Portable Document Format (.pdf)
The City will retain all ownership of images, maps, media, and documents produced throughout the
rewrite process.
Proposals
Applicants should clearly identify their approach to performing the scope of services and providing the
deliverables. Information in the proposal must include:
* A description of the firm(s) history, expertise and experience
* Identification of key team members and qualifications
* An explanation of your approach to the project
* A work program and time schedule for the project
* A budget for the project, broken down by task
* A list and/or description of similar projects that have been completed, along with references
* A list of resources or assistance needed from the City
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Selection Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated and a consultant will be selected based on the following criteria listed in
order of importance:
* The relevant qualifications, skills, and experience of the consultant(s) in performing work
requested herein and working with communities similar in size and character to the City of
McPherson.
* The qualifications, skills, and experience of personnel to be assigned by the consultant(s) to
the project.
* The consultant's proposed scope of work and approach, methods, etc. to carry out the project.
Proposals will be competitively judged on the quantity, quality, and value of proposed work
approach, products, etc., given a fixed budget of [amount].
* The ability of the consultant to meet expected project completion schedule.
Timeline
Prior to making an award determination, the City of McPherson, at its sole discretion, may conduct
consultant interviews. Interviews may be conducted virtually. The City reserves the right to reject one
or more of the proposals, due to any deficiencies associated with the submittal, and accept any
proposals that it deems to be in the City's best interest. The City also reserves the right to re-advertise
and reject all proposals that are deemed to be nonresponsive, do not contain all the required submittal
information as herein contained, are late, or are deemed unsatisfactory in any way. The City of
McPherson shall have no obligation to award a contract for services and work as a result of this
Request for Proposal. The final contract price will be negotiated between the City and the chosen firm.
Consultants shall bear all costs incurred by their firm for interviews and the RFP response preparation
and shall not include such costs within the RFP response. Interested firms shall submit one (1) digital
copy of the proposal electronically to:
Kim Isbell
Public Works Office Coordinator
kimi@mcpcity.com
Proposals must be received no later than 5 pm on July 15th. Submissions received after deadline
shall not be considered for further review.
Any information given verbally or by telephone will be considered informal. Any questions that the City
feels are pertinent to all proposals will be included as an addendum to the RFP.
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Exhibit 1
CONSULTING AGREEMENT
Planning & Zoning Consulting Services
THIS AGREEMENT, made this day of _________, 2026, between the CITY OF
MCPHERSON, KANSAS, a Kansas municipality (City) and _____________ (Consultant).
R E C I T A L S
A. The City desires to obtain consultant support services in connection with Planning & Zoning
Consulting Services, Comprehensive Plan update 2027, updating Zoning Ordinances and
Subdivision Regulations and on-call assistant for BZA meetings.
B. The Consultant provides professional Consulting services and is qualified to perform services
needed by the City in connection with the Project.
C. The Consultant will provide Consulting services which may include any and/or all of the items
as detailed in Attachment "A", Scope of Services,
C O V E N A N T S
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and obligations set forth
below, the City and the Consultant agree as follows:
l. RESPONSIBILITIES OF CONSULTANT
A. General: The Consultant shall consult with, advise, and represent the City as the City requires
in connection with the Project during the term of this Agreement. Consultant shall rely on
instructions and direction given by the City's assigned Project Manager. As a general matter,
Consultant shall communicate with the City about the Project only through the City's Project
Manager.
The person designated as the Consultants Project Manager is ________.
The person designated as the City's Project Manager is Eric Duerkesn, Director of Public
Works.
B. Basic Services: The Consultant shall perform the duties and responsibilities described in
Appendix A (attached hereto and made a part hereof) and elsewhere in this Agreement.
C. Extra Services: Upon the express, written consent of the City, Consultant shall perform extra
services. Consultant shall charge the City for such extra services, if any, in accordance with
Appendix B (attached hereto and made a part hereof) or as the City may agree to in writing.
D. Documents: All drawings, computer programs, computer input and output, analyses, plans,
photographic images, tests, maps, surveys, electronic files, and written material of any kind
generated in the performance of this Agreement or developed specifically for the Project are
and shall remain the sole and exclusive property of the City. Consultant shall not provide
copies of any such material to any other party without the prior written consent of the City.
E. Independent Contractor: The Consultant warrants that it is an independent contractor and that
it, its agents, employees, and any others employed by it, are not employees of the City. The
Consultant represents that it is not entitled to workers' compensation benefits from the City.
Further, the Consultant represents that it will report moneys earned pursuant to this Agreement
as non-wage income for Federal and State income tax purposes.
F. Authorization to Proceed: No work shall be performed by the Consultant until written
Authorization to Proceed has been issued by the City. If the Consultant proceeds with any work
prior to receipt of said Authorization, the City is not obligated to make payment for such work.
G. Completion Date: Consultant shall complete the services under this Agreement in accordance
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