The consultant will be expected to conduct the following tasks. The County strongly encourages proposers to expand on these tasks, emphasize tasks, and suggest additional tasks not identified in this RFP that may be necessary or beneficial. Project Meetings: The consultant is expected to meet regularly with staff. When appropriate, these meetings may be via telephone or video conference. Public Engagement and Communications: Public Participation is essential to this planning effort and must include an outreach and public participation process designed to engage the public and specific stakeholders in envisioning the Gorge's future. A Community Partners Group will be created for this planning effort, which will be comprised of Hickory Nut Gorge residents, business owners, or property owners who serve as community leaders and will help guide the vision and goals of the plan to ensure it meets the needs of those impacted by Hurricane Helene. Significant public input will be required throughout the process. Public meetings will be held to seek the opinions and views of the Hickory Nut Gorge community, report on progress as the plan develops, solicit comments on specific ideas or concepts, and identify problems or barriers that must be acknowledged and overcome. Public involvement in the planning process and acceptance of the final plan is critical to the success of this effort, and respondents should explain their approach and public participation plan in detail in their responses. o The consultant’s public participation approach must include methods for reaching residents in the Hickory Nut Gorge area. o Experience with ArcGIS StoryMaps and other online engagement platforms. o Consultants should propose creative ways to engage the public virtually. o Staff will work with the Consultant to prepare a Community Survey. o To help with cost, County staff are prepared to conduct the public meetings and outreach efforts with guidance and materials supplied by the consultant. o Consultant should work with the Community Partners Group to create the vision and goals guiding the plan. Plan Development: The consultant will serve as the primary drafter of the plan and shall perform research and develop materials for the plan, including but not limited to: o A baseline review of the disaster and its impact on the area. This should include personal testimonies to help residents feel ownership of the plan. o Develop an inventory and assessment of issues and opportunities based on work with staff, stakeholders, and the public participation process. o Develop a vision for the Hickory Nut Gorge that will serve as a focal point for goals, action steps, policy, and strategy decisions. o Draft the plan for adoption. o Provide digital, editable, working, and printable copies of all final documents, including reports, maps, and the final plan. o Provide presentation materials for County Staff to present to Boards and Committees on plan development progress. Plan Content. The document will include assembling and analyzing data regarding existing conditions before and after the storm. Utilizing that data to develop policies, actions, and an implementation plan to guide the county’s recovery efforts. It is anticipated the plan will cover the following content: o Natural Resources, Resiliency, and Hazard Mitigation –The consultant will use much of the plan to lay out steps for increasing resiliency in rebuilding, new development, or buyouts. o Economic Development – This includes general analysis, particular attention to projected job growth and tourism pressures, and new outdoor recreation opportunities. This should include river conceptual deigns that may recommend restoration and river access points. o Land Use – Including historic preservation, agriculture preservation, conservation easements, and analysis of areas where zoning can be changed to enhance the natural progression of land use. o Transportation – Inclusion of how the new roadways may impact the area regarding land use, etc. Opportunities for bike/ped infrastructure, multi-use path, and/or river path, if applicable, based on public comment. o Public Health – Based on public comment and opportunity, make recommendations on if the County should consider extending utilities into this area and how they could accomplish this.
