Commission to pursue design guidelines RFP and look for October grant funding

Commissioners discussed creating design guidelines for the Coldwater historic district and moving forward with a request for proposals (RFP) process to hire a consultant. A commissioner said they had contacted Jessica Flores with "Preservation Ford" (as referenced in the meeting) to get a sense of scope and cost and said the commission would target October — when a grant opening is expected — for formal application.

The commissioner characterized the proposed guidelines as guidance rather than a rule book: the intent is to provide clearer, less-subjective direction to commissioners on paint, materials and other design choices. The commission agreed this work could reduce subjectivity in future decisions and help align selections with historic character. The commissioner said they would aim to prepare the RFP in time to apply for the October grant opportunity to help pay for consultant services.

No formal vote was recorded on this item; commissioners expressed general support and planned follow-up work to draft the RFP and identify candidates from an approved list provided by the city or preservation partners. The commission did not specify the grant program by name or the expected grant amount.