Council backs review team led by Logan Simpson and accepts $25,000 Blue Cross grant for health focus in comp plan

The McCall City Council reviewed a recommended consultant team for an 18–24 month update of the city’s comprehensive plan, transportation master plan and urban design guidelines and directed staff to negotiate a contract for council consideration in January 2026.

Michelle Grunegelt, Community and Economic Development Director, described the qualifications‑based selection process. The top‑ranked proposal is led by Logan Simpson and includes Kittelson and Associates, Cross Current Collective, Eco Northwest and Cushlin & Associates. Grunegelt said the approach bundles several planning efforts into a single public‑involvement process to limit public‑engagement fatigue and better integrate transportation, land use and design work.

Delta James, economic development planner, told council the city received a $25,000 grant from the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation to add a health‑and‑wellness lens to the comprehensive‑plan elements, including transportation and economic development. James said the funding will support outreach and budget needs tied to integrating health considerations into plan strategies.

Council members discussed scope and boundaries; Grunegelt noted the plan is framed to focus on McCall city limits (not the broader McCall area) but that prior boundary and future land‑use work can be reused if an area of impact is reinstated. The council voted to direct staff to negotiate a contract and return with a proposed agreement for January 2026 action.