City staff provided a status update on the downtown master plan and said consultants have completed the benchmarks outlined in their contract. Mrs. Hilton, a staff member, told council the plan has three parts: initial economic-development analysis, a parking study, and planning-side concept work. She said the packet materials are extensive and the version presented is not final.

"Our consultants have worked very hard. You can see there's a lot of data that they've collected. They completed those, they met all the benchmarks of our contract and at this time we just have a couple of pieces that we're trying to put a bow on and then we can actually bring it back for a genuine conversation and recommendation to Planning Commission and then on to city council," Mrs. Hilton said.

Mrs. Hilton asked that members of the public and council send specific comments to her using "downtown master plan" in the subject line so staff can forward them to consultants. She also noted the plan is broken into three portions — economic development, parking, and the planning concept — and suggested the city and public take time to review each portion. Council members asked whether the master plan would preempt temporary street bump-outs; staff said it would not and that temporary measures could proceed before or after formal plan approval.

No formal action was taken on the downtown master plan at this meeting; staff indicated a future presentation and an opportunity for a more substantive conversation and recommendation to the Planning Commission.