Mayor Coleen Seng announced Thursday that the city is making plans to hire an outside consultant to examine the permitting and development processes.

Mayor Seng says the city needs to take a hard look at itself. Mayor Seng thinks a consultant, contracted through a private outside firm, may be the answer to problems with planning and public works.

The announcement comes after a letter from Jim Fram to the Mayor lists several concerns with city employees and processes taken. Fram says he's heard complaints from developers that the city is the most difficult city in the region in which to do a project.

Mayor Seng says the consultant will interview city officials and developers, then issue a report to the Mayor's office. From there, the mayor will decide which steps to take to correct the problems.

The city planning director says consultants usually cost $20,000 to $30,000. The mayor does not need city council approval to contract a consultant because it falls within discretionary limits.