The Mandan Parks and Recreation District will participate in a strategic mission plan for the city as being proposed by the Bismarck-Mandan chamber of commerce.

Chamber executive director Kelvin Hullet presented the plan to the park board at its Monday meeting. The cost to the park district is $5,000.

About a year and a half ago, the chamber did a focus group with the Mandan business community to find what direction it wanted to see the city take, Hullet explained.

"What we discovered is that we need to come up with one common vision," Hullet said.

A company called Market Street Services, Inc. was contacted to see if it was interested in doing the study and eventual plan. Hullet said that Market Street, an Altanta-based company, is well known in chamber circles for this work. Representatives from Market Street came to Mandan and visited with leaders in business, government and the local citizenry.

It was the consensus of the group that it should proceed with the proposal to develop a strategic vision plan for Mandan. Hullet expects to enter into a contract with the company in the next two to three weeks. It will then start researching the community its demographics and statistics providing the first report in August based on the research and its earlier meetings in Mandan.

The total cost of the study, which is expected to be completed in six to eight months, is $116,000. The local business community is providing $75,000 and the city of Mandan $27,000. The chamber is now trying to raise the rest of the money through other local governmental jurisdictions. The Mandan school district committed $5,000, and now the park district will contribute another $5,000. Hullet has yet to approach the Morton County Commission.

Park board member Wanda Knoll asked if there were any preconceived notions on what direction the process would take. Hullet replied there wasn't.

Board member Jason Arenz questioned whether the events center the city is considering would be included. Hullet said he believes that the process being undertaken by Market Street will move fast enough that the ongoing events center discussion won't be affected.

Board President Tracy Porter supported the idea and asked for a motion to provide the funding.

"I think the opportunity for Mandan is right in front of use. Without a good strategy, we'll end up floundering," Porter said.

Arenz made the motion to fund the proposal and amend the district's budget to allow for the expenditure. It was approved unanimously.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune.com.)